The best protein powders and shakes to level-up your fitness regime

While looking like Elle Macpherson might not be top of everyone’s agenda, the supermodel turned wellness guru knows a thing or two about staying in peak physical shape. The only award-winning protein powder on the list – it won an Australian beauty award for being the best protein powder – Welleco boasts 16g of protein per serving.

It’s a sprouted brown rice and pea protein so is plant-based and studies have found pea protein as effective as dairy or animal-based versions at increasing muscle growth. It also claims to alleviate bloating which it did in the weeks we tested it and it’s gluten-free with no artificial colours and no added sugar so it’s pure and not packed with unnecessary nasties.

It’s available in just two flavours, chocolate and vanilla of which we tested the former flavour – which was delicious – though Elle herself is said to enjoy a scoop of the latter daily blended with one cup of baby spinach, half a frozen banana, half a kiwi fruit and a cup of almond milk. Packed with pre and pro-biotics for gut health it also has 160 per cent RDA of vitamin B12, 377 per cent RDA of vitamin B6, 200 per cent RDA of folic acid and 50 per cent RDA of vitamin D.

Vegetarian and gluten free, MyProtein’s impact whey has been ranked grade A – the best of the best – by independent laboratory tests. It’s the UKs favourite brand of protein powder and with 40 flavours to choose from (including unflavoured) it’s easy to see why. It also contains 2g of leucine per serving which is needed for protein synthesis and it also contributes to healing. It contains around 1g to 1.5g of sugar per serving – depending on the flavour – so it hasn’t been bulked out with sweeteners despite all the unusual and saccharin sounding flavours. Tiramisu flavour anyone?

Even though this is one of the priciest on the list, it’s packed with more vitamins and minerals than any of the others – a whopping 20 in fact so you get more bang for your buck. This powder will be great for busy types who aren’t always able to balance their diet. It mixed fast without any lumps and contains 36 percent RDA of vitamin B6, 36 percent RDA of folic acid and 34 percent RDA of vitamin C, 38 percent RDA of vitamin E as well as containing potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, and biotin. It’s vegan, gluten free, kosher and halal and the only one with caffeine in too so if you’re after a boost with your protein powder, this is a great choice. It’s no wonder it’s a best seller and has a decent following on Insta too.

Boasting 15g of protein per 40g serving made with semi-skimmed milk, Horlicks uses whey protein for its powder. It’s a milk-based protein so not suitable for those on a plant-based diet, but whey protein digests quickly which is good whether you’re using it as a dietary supplement or before exercise.

The only protein powder on the list with a brand named signature taste, you’ll either love or hate the flavour and it took us back to warm malty drinks of childhood. While this powder packs a punch of protein it also has 110 percent RDA of vitamin B12, 70 percent RDA of vitamin B6, 65 percent RDA of vitamin C and 68 percent RDA of vitamin D – the only one recommended as a supplement by the NHS so it’s a good all rounder for a dietary boost. It’s also among the cheapest on the list and while it only comes in one flavour, if you like Horlicks that’s not a problem. The packaging is also recyclable which is a plus.

The team at Crazy Nutrition has created its own Tri Protein made with six non-genetically modified proteins including milk protein concentrate and miscellar casenin. Casenin is a milk-based protein which is digested more slowly than whey, making it better at reducing muscle breakdown post work out. While it’s not plant-based, it is vegetarian – though bare in mind that milk whey can be an allergen. It also contains digizyme which is an enzyme to reduce bloating and we found it did just that each time we tested it. Plus we like that it’s the only powder to come with a recipe (protein banana bread) on the packet too.

Suitable for both vegetarians and vegans, the pea and rice protein contribute to maintaining and building muscle mass. High in both vitamin C, which contributes to collagen production, and biotin, which has been found to boost hair and skin regenration, it’s the only powder on the list to position itself as a beauty protein powder. It’s also enriched with hyaluronic acid which has been found to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and also contains silica which helps exfoliate by shedding dead skin cells. The packet advises adding it to porridge, pancake or muffin mixes as well as having it as a drink or in a smoothie.