Protein powders are one of the most popular nutritional supplements in the world and they can be a great addition to a healthy diet for women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), too. Not only are protein powders extremely convenient and tasty but they can help you meet your daily protein requirements, keep you satiated and achieve your health goals.
However, not all protein powders are created equal and there are many things to consider before choosing the right one for you. You can find a full guide on how to choose the best protein powder for PCOS in my previous article ‘What Protein Powder Is Best For PCOS? (The Ultimate Guide)’ where I explain all the differences in detail.
In this article, I’ll give you a list of my top 5 protein powders that I found to be best for PCOS in terms of their quality, ingredients as well as taste. Here’s a short summary of things you want to look for in protein powders if you suffer from PCOS:
- Source (dairy-free)
- Macronutrient content (high protein/low carbs)
- Amino acid profile (complete protein)
- Ingredients (minimum fillers/additives)
- Quality (third-party tested/organic)
- Digestability (digestive enzymes/probiotics)
- Taste (sweeteners/flavors)
And here’s a list of my favorite protein powders for PCOS.
Best protein powders for PCOS:
- Vivo Life Perform Raw Plant Protein
- Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
- Tropeaka Lean Protein
- Ora So Lean & So Clean Protein
- Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Powder
1. Vivo Life Perform Raw Plant Protein
Best for: regular use
If you’re looking for a high-quality and great-tasting protein powder with some additional ‘superfood’ ingredients then Vivo Life Perform Protein Powder is my best tip for you. It is one of the rare vegan protein powders that gets the taste and texture just right (it’s not chalky) so it tastes great even when just mixed with water.
It is sweetened with stevia and contains a blend of different plant protein sources to create a full amino acid profile (complete protein). You’ll also find some extra PCOS-friendly ingredients (reishi, turmeric, cacao, digestive enzymes) that may get you some additional health benefits.
I personally love the Madagascar Vanilla flavor best as it’s very versatile and I love adding it to various recipes. In fact, I love to use this protein powder as a sweetener when baking to add a vanilla flavor and bump up the protein content at the same time.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
Ingredients:
Bio-fermented Yellow Pea Protein, Cold Pressed Hemp Protein, Reishi Mushroom Fruiting Body Powder (15:1 extract, 30% polysaccharides), Plant Based BCAA (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine), Turmeric Extract (95% curcuminoids), Digestive Enzymes (Ginger Extract, Papain, Peppermint Leaf, Fennel Seed), Pink Himalayan Salt, Raw Cacao Powder, Konjac Fibre, Natural Cocoa Flavour, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Stevia Extract.
Nutritional profile:
| Serving size | 36g |
| Calories | 143 kcal |
| Protein | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.2g |
| Fat | 3g |
| Sweetener | stevia |
| Complete AAs | ✓ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ |
2. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Best for: recipes
For those searching for a really simple and ‘clean’ protein powder formula (without compromising the taste) I highly recommend getting your hands on the Nuzest Clean Lean Protein. It contains only 3 ingredients (pea protein, vanilla bean, sweetener) but it does its job really well and tastes great.
However, bear in mind that pea protein (the only protein source of this powder) doesn’t contain all essential amino acids (in sufficient amounts) and therefore is not considered a complete protein. That being said, this shouldn’t be an issue if you include other protein sources in your diet or combine it with foods containing the limiting amino acids (methionine, cysteine).
The original Clean Lean Protein is sweetened with thaumatin (natural sweetener) but you can also get a version that is sweetened with coconut sugar and has some extra added probiotics (I personally prefer it). This probiotic-enriched version (Clean Lean Protein Digestive Support) is particularly great if you suffer from digestive problems or if you normally find protein powders (or some sweeteners) a bit bloating.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
Ingredients:
Pea protein isolate, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Thaumatin
Nutritional profile:
| Serving size | 25g |
| Calories | 104 kcal |
| Protein | 20g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.2g |
| Fat | 2.2g |
| Sweetener | thaumatin |
| Complete AAs | ✕ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ |
3. Tropeaka Lean Protein
Best for: extra ingredients
Tropeaka Lean Protein is another one of my favorite high-quality well-formulated protein powders that’s not overly sweet and tastes great in recipes as well as on its own (I love the vanilla one best). Since it contains 3 plant protein sources (peas, brown rice, pumpkin seeds) it provides a full spectrum of essential amino acids (complete protein).
Stevia leaf and monk fruit are used as sweeteners but it also contains some extra ‘superfood’ ingredients that may be particularly beneficial for women with PCOS (licorice, maca, cinnamon, ginger, ginseng). Additionally, it is enriched with digestive enzymes (bromelain, papain) to increase its digestibility.
While I absolutely love this protein powder it can be a bit difficult to get your hands on it as it’s an Australian brand with limited accessibility in other parts of the world. However, if you have the chance I highly recommend trying Tropeaka protein powders.
Check out the price on Tropeaka website HERE.
Ingredients:
Tri-Blend Protein (Pea Protein Isolate*, Sprouted Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein*), Maca Powder*, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Acacia Gum*, Vanilla Powder*, Guar Gum*, Stevia Leaf Extract, Digestive Enzymes (Bromelain, Papain), Ceylon ‘True’ Cinnamon*, Monk Fruit, Ginkgo Biloba*, Siberian Ginseng*, Ginger*, Freeze Dried Aloe Vera Extract, Dandelion*, Cardamom*, Turmeric*, Liquorice* (*Certified Organic)
Nutritional profile:
| Serving size | 25g |
| Calories | 103 kcal |
| Protein | 16.6g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.1g |
| Fat | 2.6g |
| Sweetener | stevia + monk fruit |
| Complete AAs | ✓ |
| Third-party tested | ? |
4. Ora So Lean & So Clean Protein
Best for: digestion
Another great protein powder I recently discovered is Ora So Lean & So Clean (again I love the vanilla flavor best). It contains a nice blend of high-quality ingredients (all certified organic) and different sources of plant-based protein to provide all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities.
It is sweetened with monk fruit and stevia but you’ll also get a bunch of fruit (especially berries) and veggies (including broccoli and kale) in this protein powder formula. Apart from other extra ingredients (turmeric, coconut milk, acai), it is also enriched with multiple digestive enzymes to ease up the digestion process and prevent bloating.
The taste and texture are also really good (non-grainy, blends well) and it’s a great way to boost your daily intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you get from the added ‘superfoods’. If you find most protein powders difficult to digest (like me) then this might be one of the best options for you.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
Ingredients:
Organic Pea Protein, Organic Rice Protein, Organic Cranberry, Organic Sacha Inchi, Organic Sprouted Quinoa, Organic Amaranth, Organic Acerola Extract, Organic Blackberry, Organic Blueberry, Organic Apple, Organic Acai, Organic Broccoli, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Organic Kale, Organic Pomegranate, Organic Strawberry, Organic Turmeric, Amylase, Neutral Protease, Lactase, Lipase, Cellulase, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Organic Stevia Extract
Nutritional profile:
| Serving size | 30g |
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 21g |
| Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Fat | 1.1g |
| Sweetener | monk fruit + stevia |
| Complete AAs | ✓ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ |
5. Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Powder
Best for: health benefits
Besides regular protein powders (to boost my protein intake) I also like to include collagen powder in my diet (to get other health benefits). While collagen is not considered a complete protein (it doesn’t contain all essential amino acids) it is associated with other important benefits such as bone, skin, hair and gut health support.
My all-time favorite collagen powder is Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Powder as it’s the highest quality I could find (I’m very critical when it comes to animal-based products). This collagen powder, however, is derived from pasture-raised, grass-fed, GMO-free and hormone-free animals which is particularly important if you suffer from PCOS.
It contains 5 different types of collagens (derived from different sources) as well as some added probiotics and vitamin C (to increase absorption). I highly recommend getting the unflavored version (it doesn’t have any taste but dissolves easily in water) as you can add it to literally anything (even coffee, tea, yogurt, sweet or savory recipes).
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
Ingredients:
Hydrolyzed Bovine Hide Collagen Peptides, Fermented Eggshell Membrane Collagen, Chicken Bone Broth Protein Concentrate, Bacillus coagulans (2 Billion CFU), Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen Peptides.
Nutritional profile:
| Serving size | 10.2g |
| Calories | 35 kcal |
| Protein | 9g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Sweetener | – |
| Complete AAs | ✕ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ |
Read more: ‘The Best & Worst Sweeteners For PCOS (Complete List)‘
Protein powders comparison:
| Vivo Life | Nuzest | Tropeaka | Ora | Ancient Nut. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serving size | 36g | 25g | 25g | 30g | 10.2g |
| Calories | 143 kcal | 104 kcal | 103 kcal | 120 kcal | 35 kcal |
| Protein | 25g | 20g | 16.6g | 21g | 9g |
| Carbs | 2.2g | 1.2g | 4.1g | 4g | 0g |
| Fat | 3g | 2.2g | 2.6g | 1.1g | 0g |
| Sweetener | stevia | thaumatin | stevia + monk fruit | monk fruit + stevia | – |
| Complete AAs | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ✓ | ✓ |
Resources:
- Asserin, J., Lati, E., Shioya, T., & Prawitt, J. (2015). The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 14(4), 291–301. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12174
- Clean Label (2018) Protein Powder Study. Clean Label Project, Broomfield, CO. Available at: https://www.cleanlabelproject.org/protein-powder
- Consumer Reports (2010) Investigation: Test Reveal Contaminants in Many Protein Drinks, Unclear Labeling May Lead to Excessive Protein Consumption Which Can Pose Health Problems. Consumer Reports, Yonkers, Available at:https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2010/06/investigation-tests-reveal-contaminants-in-many-protein-drinks/
- König, D., Oesser, S., Scharla, S., Zdzieblik, D., & Gollhofer, A. (2018). Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients, 10(1), 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010097
- Minevich, J., Olson, M. A., Mannion, J. P., Boublik, J. H., McPherson, J. O., Lowery, R. P., Shields, K., Sharp, M., De Souza, E. O., Wilson, J. M., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). Digestive enzymes reduce quality differences between plant and animal proteins: a double-blind crossover study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(Suppl 1), P26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P26