The keto diet diet has gained popularity over recent years, due to its ability to shed fat quickly. Protein powders have been developed that are keto friendly by reducing the amount of carbohydrates in them, mainly the added sugars.
Doing the keto diet strictly requires you to keep your net carbohydrates below 20g per day – ‘net’ being the total amount of carbs minus the amount of fiber. For example, if 1 average apple has 25g of carbs with approx 5g of fiber, so the total net carbs would be 20g – why apples are a no no on keto.
Many protein powder brands add sugars and flavours to their products to make the taste better, this all has an impact on total net carbs. Research has shown some protein powders containing up to 23g of added sugar, so you have to choose carefully.
Keto Friendly Protein Powder FAQs
Why use protein powders on the keto diet?
Protein powders are accountable, and you can be exact about the levels of protein you consume daily – balancing your macros is one of the hardest parts of the keto diet. Protein powders are also cheaper than meat.
Can you drink protein powder on keto diet?
Yes, if you still hit your net carb goal every day
What are the the best keto friendly protein powder brands?
We like Vega, Mucslepharm and Isopure (see products below)
Is whey protein powder keto friendly?
Yes it can be, make sure you check the label carefully. The top selling whey protein on Amazon is Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, this only has 2g of net carbs per serving
Here are top keto-friendly protein powder brands on the market
Vega Essentials Keto Friendly Protein Powder
Best keto friendly vegan protein powder
Vega is a company founded and developed by a professional triathlete. Brendan Brazier is someone that understands nutrition. The aim of Vega is to use natural ingredients while making sure that the body is provided with everything it needs to grow and build muscle.
Facts:
17 Serving. Larger Tubs Available
1.36 lb
Vegan and Gluten-Free
Flavor: Vanilla
Vega has added a pleasant vanilla flavor to this drink, making it one of the tastiest protein shakes. This Vega shake is a supplement, but they made it into more by adding 25% of your Recommended Daily Average of vitamins and minerals. Most of the protein comes from flaxseed, peas, and hemp.
Natural ingredients such as tart cherry is an ingredient used by athletes for decades helping to reduce:
arthritic symptoms.
uric acid.
insomnia.
free radicals.
This natural product will help with planning your keto diet. There are few other protein powders that come close to the level of taste. Vega powders are thick and creamy shakes; they are a great way to boost your body and mind. As protein powders go, Vega makes one the healthiest, and this one has no cholesterol. Not all powders will give you what you are looking for in terms of ingredients or taste, but the Vega powders should make it to the top of your list to try.
Pros:
Good Taste
Natural Flavoring
No Added Sugar
Cons:
Small Tub
Contains Nuts
MusclePharm Combat
Best cheap keto protein powder
The name of the company tells of its origin; Combat is for serious weight training. MusclePharm is a protein powder that is aimed at muscle building, no compromises. The ingredients are packed with a sizable 16% of your cholesterol RDA, an important point for those with high blood pressure. The Combat is designed as a pure protein shake with glutamine to provide energy for workouts and fast recovery periods.
Facts:
54 Serving
4 Pounds
Gluten-Free
Flavors: Banana Cream
You sweat a lot when exercising, and when a Keta diet is in full swing, the ketones will start processing what you have in your body. This can lead to dehydration from urinating and sweating out all your natural body salts. MusclePharm has added a large volume of salts to this mix, 6% Potassium RDA, and 6% Sodium RDA. Unlike the Vega powder, there are no added vitamins to this blend. Though Combat does cover some of your calcium and iron needs. MusclePharm is very much powder for those that want to get shredded on a keto diet.
Pros:
Good Taste
Added Glutamine
No Added Sugar
Big Tub
Cons:
Not Suitable for Vegans
Artificial Flavors
Iospure Low Carb
Best protein powder for keto baking
Isopure Low Carb has followed the same line as Vega and gone for a natural body-friendly supplement. This pack is Dutch Chocolate, but they have 6 other flavors including coffee, apple pie, and cookies and cream. And despite the rich flavors, Isopure has managed to keep the calorie count down to 100 per 1.12-ounce scoop. Isopure wanted to keep this a low-carbohydrate product to stay within the confines of a Keto diet. It is hard to find protein powders with such small levels, 0.035 ounces per serving.
Facts:
42 Serving
3 Pounds
Gluten-Free and Lactose-Free
Flavors: Apple Pie
Isopure has also managed to keep the level of cholesterol down to 3% per serving, by using 100% whey protein. On top of the benefits of all the muscle-building protein, Isopure has made this drink into a vitamin and mineral shake. Vitamins A. C. and E to help your immunity as you cut excess carbohydrates and fat from your body. Minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and calcium to ensure the rest of your body keep up with your new toned look.
This is another shake that has a lot of salt, 10% of your RDA. It does not sound like much, but you must remember that salt is in everything we eat and drink. It might be justified if you are spending many hours a day in the gym sweating. The drink has 50% of your protein RDA; that equates to 78% of the powder is protein, one of the highest concentrations you can find in a natural fitness shake.
Isopure offer great value-for-money products and topped our list of the best protein powders for money.
Pros:
Good Taste
No Aspartame
Added Vitamins and Mineral
Keto-Friendly
Cons:
Small Packs
Price
>> Read also our guide to the best protein water to buy
Quest Nutrition
Best tasting protein powder for keto diet
Simple servings of Quest will beat the hunger pains of a tough workout at the gym, and it does not taste like medicine. Quest have put a range of flavors together so extensive, that the protein shake would make a great ice-cream listing. In fact, Quest recommends a few ways to consume the powder beyond drinking it. Recipes include crispy bites and bars.
Facts:
24 Serving
1.6 Pounds
Gluten-Free and Lactose-Free
Range of Flavors: Chocolate, Cinnamon, Caramel, Peanut Butter
Keto is about staying lean, and the shake does this with near-zero carbohydrates. Each serving covers 44% of your RDA for protein. Quest used a mix of whey and milk protein in this powder, it also contains coconut milk, which some people may have dietary issues with.
This is as natural as a protein powder can get. Quest has used natural flavors and stevia as the sweetening agent. A case of Quest is rated for 24 portions, but these are large scoops, and regular users should get 29 servings. This is a shake to keep what you have as opposed to get you to where you are going. If you want to start from the beginning of a keto diet, supplements with minerals and vitamins are ideal. Quest helps to get your body ready for the changes in food intake.
Pros:
Good Taste
Stevia
Keto-Friendly
Price
Cons:
No Vitamins
No Minerals
View Keto Protein Powder on Amazon
Devotion Nutrition
Best keto protein powder for smoothies
It is a little hard to see whether this protein shakes from Devotion is a dietary supplement or a dessert. Both are true, and Devotion Nutrition has gone with some unorthodox flavors that you would eat even if you were not on a keto diet. You can drink it at a venue or use one of Devotion Nutrition’s recipes to make amazing desserts.
Facts:
12 Serving
1-Pound Box of 12 Sachets
Flavors: Brownie Batter, Angel Cake
Devotion has used a blend of whey and micellar casein protein; for fuel and muscle support. Even with the flavors on offer, Devotion has managed to keep the calorie count down to 100, helping you to keep on top of that keto diet.
The shake has a reasonable amount of calcium, iron, and sodium. The best part of this shake is the flavors, but it is not cheap. The sachets make it convenient to take with you on trips or to make a shake at the gym. A good shake to have at hand as a back-up but use one of the other less-expensive supplements for extended use.
Pros:
Interesting Flavors
MCT
Gluten-Free
Cons:
No Vitamins or Minerals
Price
High in Carbohydrates
View Price of this Keto-friendly protein powder
Show the Whey
A keto diet is near impossible to support without the help of supplements. If you think about it, near everything that forms a part of our diets contain carbohydrates, the enemy of the keto diet. Going straight into a protein shake with little flavor or vitamins is too much of a shock to the body, and you could end up with a false start on your diet. When you reach a point in your keto diet where you understand the constraints, you can move on to simple protein shakes.
If you spend a lot of your time on the road or like to drink your protein shakes at the gym, the Devotion sachets are a useful idea. No messing about scooping smaller portions in smaller containers to take with you. But Vega also makes small sachets.
Vega Essentials is not the cheapest supplement as a protein shake. But you must remember that Vega covers many of your vitamin and mineral requirements. You can weigh this against the cost of buying protein powder and separate supplements for your immunity.
The Isopure has a good range of flavors, has omega-3, and it is keto-friendly. Counting calories and recording all the nutrients you consume is made a lot easier if you can measure it out. This is a great protein powder, and it hard to find anything better value than Isopure’s shake.
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