The Best Vanilla Protein Powder {For Taste, Calories, and Macros}

38 days left!! Weight loss journal for Bikini prep 2023

Words I never thought I’d say…. I’m losing too much weight! LOL. But for real, I’m bumping up my calories a bit so I don’t look malnourished by June 3rd. So, YEAH!! I’ll post the scale graph to show you the ups and downs since November, so stay tuned for that with my new scale weight. (jump to the end to see my full day of eating!)

But, in the meantime, let’s chat about protein powder!

I’ve been trying a variety of protein powders since the early Body For Life days when protein shakes tasted awful.  Since then, I’ve settled on a few I like. This is after two years in a row of testing at least 15 different whey protein powder options.  (here’s my top protein picks from last year!)

However, since there is no way to try them ALL, it was bound to happen that I’d find new ones to replace prior favorites.  And, it’s also very possible in the next few years I’ll change my mind again and find another.

I only write that as a disclaimer because I don’t want you all to think- Lies! You told me THIS ONE was your favorite in the year 2021.  Well, I just hadn’t tried this NEW vanilla flavor that I’m freaking in love with.

While I prefer my protein from whole food sources, I will also use supplemental protein is nice to have on hand. Any protein supplement is generally going to already include all the essential amino acids from protein sources like whey, casein, or pea protein. 

I’m not opposed to artificial sweeteners in my protein powder, in fact, I prefer it because it usually tastes better.   Controversial maybe, but the taste of aspartame or sucralose far outweighs the taste of stevia to me. 

My Go-To Protein Powders

1) Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream – Can buy it any where!

In the beginning, I recommended Optimum Nutrition Vanilla (found at Costco and Amazon ($45), or Allstarhealth ($45).). I like this for tasting amazing, it makes waffles with the perfect texture, and the price is completely reasonable.

• The calories and macros are perfect.  120 calories, 24 g protein, and 4 grams carbs.
• There’s enough protein to fuel muscle growth (24 is optimal for one sitting!)
• Protein source is whey protein isolate (fast acting for muscle mass!)
• No artificial growth hormones
• Sweetened with Acesulfame potassium and sucralose
• Gluten free
• and the best price!

2) Clean Simple Eats – Cleanest Ingredients

Second, I started trying Clean Simple Eats ($60 for 2lbs), because they’ve been all the rage. I honestly was VERY excited about the variety of flavors. I was excited about their recipes, the digestive enzymes, and how clean the ingredients are.  This is probably the “cleanest” of the bunch, if that’s important to you. 

But, I never loved that it has 9 g of carbohydrates per serving!   I JUST want the protein.  I’ve also been disappointed by the way they heat up when I make waffles or pancakes.  It’s just a bit too rubbery for me.  

As far as the pro’s to CSE:

• The variety of flavors.
• The great way it tastes in a protein shake
• No artificial ingredients
• They include 4 digestive enzymes
• Sweetened with stevia and monk fruit
• Protein source: whey protein isolate.
• No added sugar

3) Ultimate Muscle Protein (UMP by Beverley International)- BEST TASTING

And now, I think I found one that checks ALL my boxes for the best protein powder.  Ultimate Muscle Protein by Beverley International. (one of my blog readers recommended I try it) is the best tasting protein powder!    

• First, the price is reasonable (cheapest one I found was $35 for 2lbs here All Star Health or $45 on Amazon).  
• It cooks a waffle well.  
• The flavor is EXCEPTIONAL, and the texture is the silkiest creamiest, smoothest of all.  In fact, I did an experiment and mixed the Angel food cake flavor with some water in a small bowl and made it into the texture of frostin  Then, I just used a spoon to eat it, and I couldn’t stop.  It tasted like cake batter to me (which I like to eat too). Then, I did the same frosting test with other proteins, and the others were so gritty compared to the UMP.   
• It’s an excellent choice of a whey protein & casein blend.  Whey protein is fast acting, while casein is slow absorbing.  Put them together and you have a nice amount of protein for sustained release all day.
• The protein content: 20 grams of protein for 120 calories.
• Only 5 grams of carbs with 1 gram of fiber
• Sweetened with maltodextrin, Acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
• It says it’s stomach friendly and easy to digest (but I can’t attest to that because I don’t get stomach problems from protein powders)

A cool side note about this Beverley international, is they have a free magazine they’ll mail you. Clearly, it’s to sell more protein, but I am a magazine addict and the first issue was packed full of recipes, meal plans, and physique competitors stories.  

Many of you have been asking for me to test plant-based protein powders, but I just can’t get myself to try one.  So, if you prefer plant-based proteins, you’ll have to let me know what you think. 

𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟓 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝟏𝟒𝟗 𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐬, 𝟒𝟑 𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐭

• 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭: 1 cup egg whites. 1 oz Fat free feta, 1/4 cup mushrooms, 30 g avocado, 100 g banana, 1 tablespoon peanut butter powder, amd 5- grams blueberries
• 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡:. KALE SALAD~! Same as Sunday but swapped blueberries for the raspberries. Added G Hughes sugar free poppyseed dressing, 1 ounce fat free feta, 6 ounces chicken breasts, 1/2 cup pecans
• 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 Classic protein shake- Clean Simple Eats Cake batter protein powder with 1 cup milk, lots of ice, and whipped cream with sprinkles.
• 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 300 g cauliflower rice, mushrooms, 75 g zucchini and 4 ounces Costco Rotisserie chicken, 5 cherry tomatoes and light sour cream!