• Whether you’re a fitness buff, trying to lose weight, or just looking for a healthy meal on-the-go, a good protein powder provides the nutritional benefits you’re looking for.
  • Far too many protein powders are loaded with artificial or unhealthy ingredients, including sweeteners, added color, and preservatives.
  • Thankfully, there are still plenty of natural protein powders that offer all of the same benefits without any unwanted or unneeded additives.
  • We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite natural proteins, including everything from hemp and milk protein to those intended for vegans and vegetarians.

Without protein, there wouldn’t be life. This essential macronutrient is made from various amino acids and is found in a variety of food sources, including meat, seafood, poultry, legumes, nuts and seeds, dairy products, and certain plants.

In your body, protein is crucial for muscle formation, the health and function of skin and other tissues, digestion, blood clotting, and hormone synthesis, as well as bone and ligament strength and the balance of your blood pH.

While most of us get enough protein from a balanced diet, there are times you need a protein boost. No matter if you’re vegan, are trying to bulk up or follow a rigorous exercise schedule, or just don’t like to eat much meat, the benefits of incorporating a protein powder into your diet are many. Extra protein helps keep your blood sugar balanced and promotes a feeling of fullness, which is vital if you’re trying to lose some weight.

Choosing the right protein powder can be a puzzle. There are so many on the market comprised of different sources of protein. Whey, casein, soy, peas, and hemp are the most common. But far too many protein powders are full not only of the nutrition you want but with plenty of fillers you don’t need – including artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors.

That’s why if protein powder is a regular part of your diet, it’s a good idea to choose a powder that’s as natural as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of natural and organic protein powders out there and to help simplify your decision, we’ve gathered information on the six best choices.

Here are the best natural protein powders you can buy:

Updates 2/14/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated formatting, links, and prices.

The best natural protein powder overall

Naked Whey is made with one ingredient and has 25 grams of protein per serving without any unwanted and unnecessary additives.

While there are several types of protein powders, whey remains the most popular and the most common. A protein found in milk, most people quickly and easily digest whey. It's loaded with amino acids that promote muscle growth and recovery, and it helps reduce appetite.

Unfortunately, far too many whey protein powders are full of artificial colors, flavors, and cheap whey protein, as well as preservatives and other unwanted chemicals. Naked Whey is different in that it has just one ingredient: whey protein. While it's available pre-flavored for convenience, the best way to buy it is unflavored, which mixes nicely into your favorite milk alternative, water, smoothie, or even juice without chalkiness or an unpleasant taste.

Naked Whey is entirely sourced from 100% grass-fed cows living on small dairy farms in California - rest assured, there's no unhappy bovines here. The protein powder is cold-processed to keep protein chains intact and it's also GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and growth hormone-free.

Of course, every product has its downsides, and Naked Whey is no exception. It can often be tough to mix, and unless you use a blender or shaker, you can expect the powder to clump. If you're lactose-intolerant, you also might struggle to digest the whey protein.

Pros: Very high-quality whey protein powder with absolutely no unnecessary ingredients

Cons: Expensive, can be tough to mix, tough to digest for anyone who's lactose-intolerant

The best natural casein protein powder

Foto: sourceLegion Athletics

Sourced from grass-fed cows with minimal additives, Legion Casein+ is as close to natural as you can get when it comes to this slow-absorbing protein.

Casein is another milk protein but unlike whey, it digests slowly. That makes it perfect for use before bed or for recovery after a tough workout. It's tough to find all-natural casein protein powders, however, because on its own, casein doesn't taste good and tends to have a gritty texture. Most companies add flavor or other better-taste-and-texture additives.

Legion Casein+ is as natural as you're going to get when it comes to casein protein, and provides 26 grams of protein per serving. It has only a handful of ingredients such as micellar casein - this is the full casein protein in its natural form and is easily digested - sourced from grass-fed cows living on small dairy farms in Ireland, soy lecithin to improve texture, natural flavor (either cocoa powder or vanilla), sea salt, and stevia leaf extract.

That means you get a highly digestible protein powder that tastes good, mixes into a creamy texture with your favorite milk alternative, smoothie, juice, or water, and leaves you feeling satisfied while your muscles improve themselves after a hard day's workout.

What the product doesn't contain is GMOs, added hormones, artificial flavors or colors, fillers, or antibiotics. If you have a stomach that doesn't do well with lactose, you'll love that the micellar casein is lactose-free. It also comes in two flavors, chocolate and vanilla.

Pros: Micellar casein, no lactose, few extra ingredients, nothing unnecessary or artificial, best protein to drink before bed

Cons: Can be a little chalky or lumpy if not mixed in a blender

The best natural goat milk protein powder

Foto: sourceMt. Capra

If you love the muscle-boosting powers of whey and casein but have a hard time digesting milk from cows, Mt. Capra Double Bonded Protein is for you.

While goat milk does contain lactose, the molecules are far smaller than lactose from cow's milk, so it's much easier for the human body to digest and absorb. Mt. Capra Double Bonded Protein is sourced from grass-fed goats raised in the Pacific Northwest and has no preservatives, GMO's, artificial flavors, or other unwanted additives.

You get a one-two punch of both casein and whey protein in this powder, so it has all the immediate muscle-building benefits of whey and the longer-acting muscle-restoring qualities of casein.

Each serving of the powder, which comes in chocolate or vanilla, provides a full range of all the essential amino acids plus 20 grams of protein. Go ahead and add it to water, or use the powder to fuel up your smoothies, hot cereal, or even pancake batter.

Although it's more expensive than protein sourced from cow's milk, the fact it also contains the benefits of casein and is much easier to digest makes it worth the investment.

Pros: A good alternative to cow milk, natural ingredients, both whey and casein protein

Cons: Some customers didn't like the taste, a few complained it was hard to mix, expensive

The best natural vegan protein powder

Foto: sourceOrgain

Vegans or vegetarians looking for a protein powder, Orgain Organic Protein Powder is entirely plant-based to provide the muscle boost you seek.

While milk-sourced whey and casein proteins are the most popular, there are many people who prefer an alternative to animal protein. Luckily, there are several plant-sourced proteins that are nearly as effective as animal proteins, and three of those plant proteins - hemp, brown rice, and chia seed - combine in Orgain's Organic Protein Powder.

With no added sugar, all organic ingredients, a complete range of essential amino acids, and no gluten or soy, this is a protein powder that treats your body right, and tastes good, as well. Plus, there are four tasty flavors to choose from including vanilla bean, chocolate fudge, peanut butter, and chocolate peanut butter.

Pros: Organic and plant-based, creamy texture, good flavor, very digestible

Cons: Expensive

The best natural hemp protein powder

Foto: sourceNutiva

Hemp protein provides a hefty dose of omega-3 fatty acids and most of the essential amino acids, and Nutiva Hemp Protein makes it easy to enjoy this healthful plant protein.

Hemp is riding high on the popularity chart, and it's no wonder. This plant has a wide range of applications for health and home alike. When it comes to protein powder, hemp continues to shine, providing not just plant-based protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Just one serving of Nutiva Hemp Protein keeps you feeling full for hours, while also providing 15 grams of protein.

Hemp protein mixes well into a variety of foods, too, including zucchini bread, smoothies, oatmeal, and pancakes. Adding a little of this protein is an easy way to serve up 15 grams of hunger-curbing protein, along with 8 grams of fiber.

What the powder doesn't contain is any other additives beyond organic hemp. This means no added sugar, flavors, preservatives, or animal products. It's best mixed into foods with plenty of flavor of their own, although some people simply drink it in water. It can be a bit chalky, however.

Pros: Very digestible plant protein, no unnecessary ingredients, lots of fiber

Cons: Chalky texture, strong taste that isn't great on its own

The best natural paleo-friendly protein powder

Foto: sourcePaleopro

PALEOPRO Protein Powder gives you the protein and nutritional punch of a steak and eggs breakfast without the plate.

Paleo-enthusiasts believe if our ancient hunter-gatherer ancestors didn't eat it, we shouldn't, either, meaning processed ingredients, dairy, grains, and anything artificial are no-nos. You won't find any of those ingredients in PALEOPRO Protein Powder - nor will you find soy, whey, wheat or other grains, GMOs, added sugars, antibiotics, or hormones. What you will find is protein from grass-fed beef and eggs and natural flavors. That's it.

The egg protein comes from whole eggs, not just the whites, so you get the full range of vitamins and minerals from the yolk, too. Each serving provides 25 grams of highly digestible protein and there are several flavors to choose from, as well as an unflavored powder, to add to your smoothies or nut milk.

Pros: No whey or other dairy ingredients, very digestible, limited ingredients

Cons: Expensive, chalky