The best protein powders for teens can help them lose weight and build muscles without experiencing any side effects. They can also fill gaps in their diets and enhance their overall mental and physical growth. Whether your child is an athlete or simply wants to maintain a healthy weight, he/she needs the best protein powder at this stage where his routine is often messed up and skipping meals is not uncommon for him.
The protein supplements that you consume may not be good for teens because their dietary needs are very different from ours. That's why I have selected the below-mentioned products that are specifically blended to provide the right balance of protein, fat, carbs, and other micronutrients to teenagers experiencing exponential mental and physical growth. Towards the end of the article I have also listed some FAQs that should clear any doubt you may have, so keep reading.
đź“– Related Article: Not a fan of protein shakes or smoothies? How about protein cookies? They are great for teens who prefer munching. Plus, cookies do not require careful handling and storage. Here is our list of Best Tasting Protein Cookies.
A quick look at the best protein powders for teens
| Product | Protein type | Protein per serving | Calories per serving | Fat per serving | Carbs per serving | Price |
| Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed 100% whey Protein Powder | Whey protein | 25 g | 120 | 1 g | 2g | Check Price |
| Designer Whey Natural 100% Whey Protein Powder | Whey | 20g | 110 | 1.5 g | 6 g | Check price |
| Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder | Plant Protein derived from pea, brown rice, and chia seeds | 21 g | 150 | 4g | 15g | Check Price |
| Naked Nutrition 100% pea protein powder | Pea protein | 27g | 120 | 0.5g | 2g | Check price |
| It's Just! – Egg White Protein Powder | Egg white | 13g | 70 | 0 | <1 g | Check Price |
| Garden of Life organic Vegan Unflavored Protein Powder | Peas, sprouted grains, seeds, and legumes | 22g | 120 | 2.5g | 2g | Check Price |
| Premier Protein Powder Chocolate Milkshake | Whey protein | 30g | 150 | 2g | 3g | Check Price |
Best whey protein powder for teens
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed 100% whey Protein Powder
It is available in many attractive flavors to suit the taste preferences of fussy kids. Numerous buyers have agreed that their shakes actually taste like what it is labeled. Plus, it has less than 1% of artificial flavor. Each serving has 25 grams of protein, which is 50% of your teenager’s daily recommended limit. The powder mixes well with water and milk. The only thing that you may not like is the deceptive packing. The container is bigger than what it is supposed to be, so when you open you may find it only half full. This is a common issue with almost all protein powders.
Best gluten-free protein powder for teens
Designer Whey Natural 100% Whey Protein Powder
Designer Wellness is a pretty small brand but the products are 100% additive-free, non-GMO, and gluten-free. The manufacturer claims that its protein powders for teens do not contain growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, antibiotics, preservations, artificial flavors, or colors. Plus they have 3 grams of prebiotics and probiotics for better digestion. Each serving has about 20 grams of protein. This protein supplement for teens has almost no taste, which is a good thing because you can make your own drink using any ingredient of your choice. But, if you drink it as such with water or milk, it may not taste great.
Best vegan protein powder for teens
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder
Alex Morgan is heavily promoting this product these days. It contains 21 grams of plant protein derived from peas, brown rice, and chia seeds. The manufacturer claims that it is USDA-certified organic and vegan. It is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It is one of the best protein powders for teens who are allergic to gluten or follow a vegan diet. Plus, the 5 grams of prebiotics and fiber also assist in digestion. It doesn’t mix well in a shaker, so you may have to blend it.
Please note that it has more calories, fat, and carbs than the other protein powders for teens that I have reviewed. So, I would recommend it for skinny kids who want to gain weight.
Naked Nutrition 100% pea protein powder
Each serving of this protein powder for teens has 27 grams of protein derived from only yellow peas. Meant for young adults, Naked Nutrition products do not contain any artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, additives, or GMOs. They are soy-free and gluten-free. They are unflavored so you can add them to any recipe of your choice without bothering about taste or smell. If you mix it with just water or unsweetened milk, it might not taste great.
đź“– Related Article: Protein shakes taste best when consumed fresh and cold. But, if you or your child need to carry it for consumption after your workout, you may be interested to know how long will a protein shake last left out at room temperature.
Best protein powders for teens that have egg protein
It's Just! – Egg White Protein Powder
If your child is trying to lose weight, I highly recommend this product. It has very few calories and almost no fat. It is a paleo and keto-friendly protein powder for teens. As expected, it is gluten-free, lactose-free, and dairy-free. The manufacturer claims that it is made of only egg whites and doesn’t contain added sugar, preservatives, additives, soy, or GMOs. Since eggs are rich in sodium, this powder does taste a bit salty, and a lot of people like it! Many buyers have also stated that it can be used as a substitute for eggs in various recipes.
Best organic protein powder for teens
Garden of Life Organic Vegan Unflavored Protein Powder
It is a 100% organic plant-based protein powder with 22 grams of protein and various probiotic enzymes that can help with digestion. It has received third-party organic certification. The contents are extracted from peas, sprouted grains, seeds, and legumes. It is available in various flavors and all of them taste good, as claimed by numerous buyers. I highly recommend it for teens who have IBS or other digestive system issues.
Best chocolate-flavored protein powder for teens
Premier Protein Powder Chocolate Milkshake
It is also available in vanilla flavor but if your teen is a chocolate fan, he/she wouldn’t say no to a cold milkshake after a run or anytime! You can also use it as a chocolate substitute in any of your recipes. It is a soy-free and gluten-free protein powder for teens. Please note that the flavor and odor are rather strong and it has caffeine too, which shouldn’t be an issue. Also, it has about 150 calories, so it might not be a good fit for someone who is already obese or overweight.
Best protein powders for teens FAQs
Are protein powders safe for teenagers?
Yes, provided you choose the ones that are free of additives, soy, artificial sweeteners (in excessive quantity), and other harmful chemicals. Plus, make sure you stick to the recommended dose. Do not exceed the dose as excessive protein can cause digestive issues, kidney problems, dehydration, etc. We have already listed some of the best protein powders for teens that are free of any harmful ingredients but you may do your own research and buy something that you believe will best suit your child’s needs.
How much protein powder should teens take?
Your child’s protein need depends on the kind of activities he/she is into. If he is an athlete, he would need more protein than a non-athlete teen. The difference won’t be a lot though because all of them, irrespective of their lifestyle, are experiencing massive growth.
According to studies published in the National Library of Medicine, a teen athlete needs about 1 to 1.4 grams of protein per kg of his body weight. If he is into strength training or has a rather heavy workout schedule, he may need even more protein. A teen who isn’t actively into sports needs 0.9 to 1.1 g of protein per kg of his body weight.
Does the FDA regulate protein powder for teens?
Yes, but FDA regulates them and other supplements as food products; not as medicine or medicine supplements. This means, FDA evaluates their contents and ensures that they do not contain any toxic elements. But, it doesn’t evaluate their effectiveness. So, many buyers prefer to buy products that are third-party tested.
Is protein powder really necessary for teens?
This is debatable. A lot of people, including me, prefer to get the maximum possible nutrition through a healthy, well-balanced diet. But, this is possible only if you are lucky enough to stay at home, cook fresh food, know how to (and how not to) mix food items, and eat the right quantity at the right time. For teens, this is hardly possible. They are always in a rush and take the least interest in healthy eating. Plus, they are growing so rapidly that you may not be able to fulfill their protein needs through food. So why take a chance?
What type of protein powder is best for teens?
It depends on your child’s dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Whey protein is derived from milk. It is easy to digest. Highly recommended for growth, muscle building, recovery, etc. A good option for teen athletes who are not allergic to dairy.
- Casein is also derived from milk but it is heavy and takes time to get absorbed. It keeps you full for a long time. I am not fond of casein and I do not recommend it for teens. They need to eat properly and casein can curb their hunger.
- Egg protein is good for those who are allergic to dairy products.
- Collagen is good for those who are into strength training and want to build visibly bigger muscles. I would recommend you not put your teen on collagen until he is 17 or 18 unless advised by a doctor.
- Plant proteins are good for anyone, especially those who prefer vegan diets.
Wrap up
I hope you like my list of the best protein powder for teens. If you have tried any of these or if you know a product that you have used and would recommend, please email me or leave a comment so together, we can guide others better. That's it for this article but keep reading my other articles to learn more about how to stay fit the right way.
