UrbanUpdate

The best protein shakes are an absolute life-saver when you're on the go. Say you just crushed a workout and you're jonesing: You know that you’re supposed to have some protein—and fast. To do it yourself, you’d have to go home, pray you have fruit on the counter, hope there’s still protein powder in the tub, blend it all together, get the proportions all wrong, drink it anyway, clean the blender, cut your finger cleaning the blender—you get the picture. With one of the best protein shakes, you can just chug and get on with your day. 

“While protein shakes and supplements shouldn't replace whole foods, they can certainly come in handy on busier, more active days,” says Lisa Moskovitz RD CDN, author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan and founder of NY Nutrition Group. “The issue is figuring out which ones fit the bill.”

Of course, these drinks come in plastic containers and their taste is never ideal. But for when you’re in a pinch, Moskovitz walks us through what you should be looking for in that grab-and-go blend—and runs down five of the best options out there. 

Why Protein? 

Your muscles aren’t going to just build themselves after a tough workout. When you get in a pump, you’re breaking down your muscle tissue. All that lifting results in a bunch of microscopic tears, and it’s the healing of those tears that allows your muscles to come back bigger and better than before.

But in order to kick-start this rebuilding process, your body needs fuel first. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, and rely on whole, organic food sources instead of refined grains and added sugars. Think of it this way: In the best protein shakes, blending an actual apple is great; chugging apple juice is not.

Warning: Pre-made shakes usually don’t check either of these boxes. Many of them offer a 1:2 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, or 1:1 at best. In other words, protein shakes are meant to be just that—a protein source. More carbs will probably be necessary for optimal results. 

“If you're looking for a convenient post-workout recovery drink, find a shake that has at least 20 grams of protein and bonus points if it also has around the same amount (or more) of carbs,” says Moskovitz. “If you can't find one that fits that description, pair the shake with a piece of fruit, pack of nuts, or a yogurt parfait for a sufficient amount of nutrients.”

The Best Pre-Made Protein Shakes 1. Core Power High Protein Milk Shake, Vanilla

Core Power vanilla protein shake (12 pack)$36

Amazon

The numbers: 170 calories, 26 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams sugar

Taste wise, this shake hits the nail on the head. If you close your eyes, you may think this is actually a melted milkshake. Which is impressive, considering the shake itself is made from filtered, lactose-free milk. This also passes Moskovitz’s test by containing less than 10 grams of sugar—or artificial sweetener. That's right: She often recommends that her clients skip out on options that have sucralose or aspartame. “While both are safe for consumption in moderation," she says, "they offer zero nutritional value and can contribute to uncomfortable digestion issues, as well as amplified sweet cravings.”

2. OWYN Plant-Based Protein Drink, Chocolate

Owyn plant-based dark chocolate protein shake (12 pack)$37

Amazon

The numbers: 180 calories, 20 grams protein, 10 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams sugar

This option gets to a 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs. It combines pea protein with organic pumpkin seed and flax oil, so you can benefit from a complete profile of all nine essential amino acids. These are critical for essential body functions, like nutrient absorption, tissue repair, and protein synthesis.

3. Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Shake, Coconut

Aloha organic plant-based coconut protein shake (12 pack)$40

Amazon

The numbers: 170 calories, 20 grams protein, 11 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams sugar

We love to see any brand that’s willing to mess with some different flavor profiles than the standard vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Also cool? All of Aloha’s products, including this shake, are certified organic and vegan. It’s easy to taste that this pick is made from real ingredients—including actual coconut. And if tropical is not your thing but you’re still looking for something different, their iced coffee protein shake is also excellent. 

4. Iconic Protein Shake, Cacao + Greens

Iconic Protein cacao and greens protein shake (12 pack)$38

Amazon

The numbers: 140 calories, 20 grams protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams sugar

You can get your protein with a side of organic blend of kale, spinach, and broccoli, but don't worry: you can't even taste it. A full serving of veggies adds some essential nutrients, including zinc, phosphorus, and calcium. Plus: It skips out on lactose and soy and has zero added sugar. Of note: Moskovitz recommends seeking out options with less than 5 grams of bad cholesterol-raising saturated fat—which is often influenced by the type of oils included. This one clocks in at .5 grams.

5. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Shake, Chocolate

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard chocolate protein shake (12 pack)$33

Amazon

The numbers: 160 calories, 24 grams protein, 7 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar

If you like old-school whey protein, it's hard to better than this pick from Optimum nutrition. It's both the most affordable and protein packed on this list—but it's relatively low on carbs, so it's not the best one-stop recovery solution. 

Read MoreThe 17 Best Protein Powders for Better Nutrition and Bigger Gains 

Because nutrition and recovery is what actually builds muscle. 

By Mick Rouse

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