Which protein powder? Whey, plant blends, hemp and collagen explained

Some protein powders make a creamy vanilla shake, some are a plain ingredient for your smoothie, and some, like hemp and collagen, do a different job altogether. The most useful details are on the back of the tub: the protein source, the scoop size, the sweetener and what else is in the formula.

Protein powder types at a glance

Whey concentrate and whey isolate

Whey is a milk protein, and it's a high-quality protein with all the essential amino acids. Concentrate and isolate describe how it's processed: isolate is filtered further, so it carries a higher share of protein with more of the lactose and fat removed. A flavoured tub still has its flavourings and sweetener, so read the whole ingredient list.

Kaizen Naturals Whey Isolate gives you 25 g of protein per scoop from 100% whey protein isolate, filtered at low temperatures, in a mild Vanilla Bean that disappears into a smoothie. NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate provides 25 g of protein in a 32 g scoop, sweetened with xylitol and stevia. ATP Lab Grass Fed Whey is a cold-ultrafiltered concentrate from grass-fed cows, with organic cocoa and organic stevia.

Clear whey is the newer style. ALT Clear Whey Isolate is grass-fed whey isolate that mixes up light and fruity, more like juice than a milkshake, naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit. "Clear" describes the drink, not the source: it's still milk protein.

Plant protein is a family, not one formula

Pea, rice, seed and grain proteins can be quite different from one another, and so can two tubs from the same brand.

A single-ingredient pea protein is the simplest place to start when you want to add your own fruit, cocoa or sweetness. NOW Sports Organic Pea Protein is organic yellow pea protein isolate and nothing else, with 15 g of protein in a 20 g serving. Kaizen Naturals Plant Protein blends pea, pumpkin seed, brown rice and chia proteins with sprouted quinoa, for 20 g of protein and 5 g of prebiotic fibre per scoop.

IronVegan Sprouted Protein is built on five sprouted grains and seeds, all organic, and it's made in Canada. Botanica Perfect Protein uses sprouted and fermented brown rice, quinoa and coconut, with no added sweeteners at all, not even stevia: worth a look if you'd like a pea-free or stevia-free tub.

Hemp and all-in-one shakes

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Balanced Protein + Fibre is one ingredient, hemp protein powder milled from hemp seed, with 15 g of protein and 8 g of fibre in a 30 g serving. It has a mild, nutty taste and a little more texture than an isolate, so it's at its best in a smoothie with banana, cocoa or berries.

Good Protein All-in-One Shake in Vanilla Milkshake pairs pea and golden flaxseed protein with tapioca fibre, coconut milk powder, MCTs and a fruit, vegetable and mushroom blend. A 44 g serving gives 21 g of protein and 7 g of fibre. "All-in-one" describes what's in the bag; it's still a shake, so enjoy it alongside your meals rather than in place of them.

Three labels, side by side

These figures are for the dry powder in each product's stated serving. Milk, fruit or nut butter in your shaker changes the finished drink.

A scoop isn't a standard size across brands; here the servings run from 30 g to 44 g. Compare protein per serving alongside the scoop size, and remember that "0 g sugars" doesn't mean unsweetened: stevia, monk fruit and xylitol all add sweetness without showing up on the sugars line.

The best protein powder is the one you'll happily drink, in a flavour and format that fits your mornings.

Where collagen fits

Collagen powders come from animal sources, such as bovine hide or fish, so they aren't plant proteins, and a bovine collagen isn't whey. Collagen has its own amino acid profile, so most people use it differently: a scoop stirred into coffee, tea or oatmeal, rather than a post-workout shake. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is one ingredient, hydrolyzed bovine collagen, neutral in flavour and quick to dissolve in hot or cold drinks. Our collagen peptides guide covers the rest of the shelf.

Vital ProteinsCollagen Peptides, UnflavouredOne ingredient, dissolves in hot or cold drinks.Shop →

Getting the texture you want

1. Liquid first. Pour the liquid into the shaker before the powder, then shake well. Use the amounts on the label and add a splash more if you like it thinner.
2. Blend for extras. Frozen fruit, oats or nut butter need a blender. An unflavoured powder works well here, since the fruit brings the flavour.
3. Give fibre a minute. Powders with fibre or gums, like hemp, thicken as they stand. Drink them soon or loosen with more liquid.
4. Stir it into food. For oatmeal or yogurt, mix the powder with a little liquid first so it stirs in smoothly. In baking, follow a recipe written for protein powder rather than swapping it for flour.

Questions we get a lot

What's the difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate?

Both are milk protein. Isolate is filtered further, so it has a higher share of protein and less lactose and fat per scoop. Concentrate is creamier and often simpler.

Is plant protein as good as whey?

It depends what you're after. Whey is a complete milk protein; plant blends that combine pea with rice, seeds or grains bring a full set of essential amino acids too, and suit people who avoid dairy. Pick the one that fits your diet and tastes good to you.

Which protein powder has no stevia?

Botanica Perfect Protein has no added sweeteners, and unflavoured powders like NOW Organic Pea Protein and Hemp Yeah! Unsweetened have none either. Flavoured tubs usually use stevia, monk fruit or xylitol.

Is clear whey still dairy?

Yes. Clear whey is whey protein isolate made to drink light and juice-like, so it contains milk.

Can I use collagen instead of protein powder?

They do different jobs. Collagen is a handy add-in for coffee and tea; for a shake after training, most people reach for whey or a plant blend.

How do I compare value?

Divide the price by the number of servings on the label, and compare two sizes of the same formula. Comparing a hemp powder with an isolate needs more context, since their protein and fibre are different.

Protein powders are at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. Browse by source and brand on our protein powder page, and for grass-fed beef protein, see our beef liver and beef protein guide. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Sources: product labels and listings. This article is general information, not medical advice.