Not All Protein Powders Are Created Equal

When it comes to choosing the best protein for your shakes, smoothies, bowls, or baking, the options can feel endless. Whey? Collagen? Vegan? Egg-based? Each one has its benefits—and what works best for you depends on your body, goals, preferences, and sensitivities.

Before we get to our top 8 favorite protein powders, let’s walk through how to determine which kind of protein is right for YOU.

How to Choose the Right Protein Powder for Your Goals

Ask yourself these 3 key questions:

What’s your health or fitness goal?
- Muscle building or recovery? Look for complete proteins with all essential amino acids—like whey or rice + pea combos.
- Skin, joints, and gut health? Collagen-based or bone broth proteins are great.
- Everyday nourishment or meal replacement? Consider a balanced plant-based blend with greens or superfoods.
Do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences?
- Lactose intolerant? Skip whey and go for plant-based or egg.
- Avoiding soy/gluten? Check labels carefully. The best powders are free of common allergens.
- Vegan or vegetarian? Stick to rice, pea, or mixed plant-based blends.
How’s your digestion?
- Some people tolerate whey well; others feel bloated or gassy. If that’s you, collagen, bone broth, or rice-based protein may work better.

Smart Tip: Always check ingredient labels. Look for simple, recognizable ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, fillers, or gums. Less is more.

Now let’s dig into the top protein powders we love—and actually use ↓

Our Top 8 Favorite Protein Powders (Animal & Plant-Based)

1. Garden of Life Organic Grass-Fed Whey

Why we love it:
- Delicious taste, easy mixability
- Grass-fed, hormone-free source
- 21g protein, 2 billion CFU probiotics, BCAAs
- Organic, non-GMO, gluten-free

Great For: Muscle building, post-workout recovery

Buy Garden of Life Grass-Fed Whey →

2. LivWell Plant Plant Made Protein

Why we love it:
- No Heavy Metals - Our cold-crafted proteins are made with only cold water and natural enzymes.
- Energizing protein that doesn't mix like a sandbox. *We can attest to this - probably the BEST plant based protein we’ve ever tried.
- USDA Certified Organic - Organic means non-GMO, free of synthetic fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals.

Great For: Health, Vitality, Clean Protein, Chemical Free

Get LivWell Protein →

3. Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein

Why we love it:
- Sustainably sources, pasture raised
- Gut health & joint health benefits
- Keto & Paleo friendly

Great For: Gut Health, Sensitivities, Digestion

Buy Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein →

4. Thorne Whey Protein Isolate

Why we love it:
- Rated best protein powders for women
- 21g protein per serving, smooth, great taste
- NSF Certified for Sport

Great For: Gut health, joint support, digestion

Shop Whey Protein →

5. Tera’s Whey Protein (Bourbon Vanilla)

Why we love it:
- Organic, grass-fed, smooth taste
- 21g protein per serving
- Certified gluten-free, low glycemic

Great For: Everyday smoothies, flavor-rich recipes

Shop Tera’s Whey →

6. Garden of Life Plant-Based Sport Protein

Why we love it:
- 30g protein from organic pea, brown rice, and more
- Certified for sport, vegan, non-GMO
- Includes antioxidants, probiotics, and BCAAs

Great For: Plant-based athletes or intense training

Try Garden of Life Sport →

7. Amazing Grass Protein & Kale

Why we love it:
- 20g complete vegan protein + a full serving of leafy greens
- Smooth taste, clean ingredients, no stevia

Great For: Nutrient-dense shakes with greens built in

Grab Amazing Grass Protein & Kale →

8. Naked Rice Protein

Why we love it:
- Just 1 ingredient: organic sprouted brown rice
- 25g protein, 0g sugar, gluten-free, hexane-free

Great For: Ultra-clean vegan protein with a neutral taste

Get Naked Rice Protein →

Action Steps: How to Choose YOUR Best Fit

Pick your protein type (whey, egg, collagen, plant, bone broth)
Check your goals: Are you focused on muscle, digestion, skin, or overall wellness?
Try 1-2 to start and test how you feel and how it tastes in different recipes.
Start small: Mix into your shakes, overnight oats, pancake batter, or coffee.

No matter which protein powder you choose, consistency is key. Use what works for YOUR body and goals—and enjoy the benefits of smarter fueling, one scoop at a time.

**THE MIND + BODY LAB - SAY HELLO TO A NEW WAY TO APPROACH YOUR WELLNESS**

A way of learning how food, mindset, habits, lifestyle, and your body's own signals interact — so you can make choices that work for you.

Includes:

Nutrition Pathways (Mediterranean, High Protein, GLP-1 & More - recipes, meal plans & action steps)
Discovery - tools & educations to learn and experiment with. Enjoy topics from mindset (identity, self-talk, limiting beliefs, perfectionism), self-care, habits and motivation to nutrition and eating behaviors.
The Body Insight Method - Learn how to tune into your body & lifestyle to create a wellness plan that works for you.
What’s New (interactive) - A space for our coaches to post weekly topics, reflective thoughts, monthly challenges and more. This is also a place for interaction. You can comment and ask questions to learn more!
My Lab (intuitive + interactive) - Your personal space to practice what you’re learning. Check in, reflect and notice what you’re learning and what’s working (or what isn’t). Let the lab provide helpful tips and pattern recognition to support your wellness & mindset goals.

Get The Mind + Body Lab Today!

How to Preserve Family Recipes and Create a Lasting Culinary Tradition

September 16, 2026

Daily Wellness

How to Preserve Family Recipes and Create a Lasting Culinary Tradition

For busy parents juggling work and wellness, the hardest part of cooking at home often isn’t motivation, it’s the mess of it all: handwritten recipes in different drawers, half-remembered steps, and home cooking traditions that only “work” when a certain aunt is in the kitchen.

That’s where family recipe preservation stops being sentimental and starts being practical, because a scattered family culinary heritage can’t support healthy meal planning on a random Tuesday.

When those recipes are saved in a way that’s clear and usable, they become a reliable routine with real meaning. Keeping family favorites alive should feel doable.

11 Foods That May Help Support Your Body During Stress

Many of our wellness retreat guests come to reduce stress so it’s something we like to address on a regular basis. Stress isn't just something that happens in your mind. Your body responds to stress, too, and nutrition can play a role in supporting how your body handles those demands.

There isn't one food that will make stress disappear, and food shouldn't be viewed as a treatment for anxiety or chronic stress. But consistently eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods can provide your body with the protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to support overall health—including your nervous system and brain.

September 7, 2026

A Balanced Approach to Staying Job-Ready and Avoiding Burnout

For mid-career professionals balancing demanding roles, family time, and a life outside work, career preparedness can start to feel like a second job.

The core tension is real: staying sharp for unexpected openings and job readiness challenges often collides with work-life balance, and the cost shows up fast in professional well-being. At the same time, ignoring readiness entirely can stall career growth strategies and make transitions harder than they need to be.

The goal here is “ready enough”, a steady, sustainable approach that keeps options open without living on edge.

September 5, 2026

15 Free Ways to Help Restore Your Health

Restoring your health and wellness doesn't always mean taking another medication, adding another supplement, starting another diet, or following another protocol.

Oftentimes, it means allowing yourself to slow down enough to actually listen to yourself. To understand your body. To pay attention to what feels good, what doesn't, what you need more of, and what you may need less of.

In the busyness of life, we can get caught up listening to everyone else but ourselves. We're constantly being told what we should eat, how we should exercise, how much we should weigh, how productive we should be, and what we need to do to be healthier.

But what if restoring your health starts with simply getting quiet enough to hear yourself again?

August 29, 2026

Food & Nutrition

10 Healthy, Budget-Friendly Breakfasts

Breakfast can look a little different when you’re eating with a GLP-1 in the mix. Appetite may be lower, so instead of focusing on eating a large breakfast, the goal is to make the food you do eat count.

That means prioritizing protein, fiber-rich non-starchy carbohydrates, and a little healthy fat to create a balanced meal that is satisfying without being overly heavy. These 10 breakfasts are simple, budget-friendly, and designed to provide approximately 25 to 30 grams of protein per serving.

You don't need specialty foods or complicated recipes. Most of these meals use simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and many can be prepped ahead for busy mornings.

August 26, 2026

Warm Fall Salads Without Lettuce: 3 Cozy & Healthy Recipes

As summer starts to wind down, I find myself naturally reaching for meals that feel a little more substantial. Crisp salads still have their place, but there’s something really satisfying about a bowl of warm roasted vegetables, hearty grains, lentils and creamy dressings.

These three recipes are perfect for that in-between season. They’re packed with vegetables and plant-based ingredients, but they’re also easy to customize with your favorite protein if you want to turn them into a more complete meal.

And you don't need lettuce to make a great salad.

August 24, 2026

How Families Can Build Simple Habits to Boost Wellness Together

Busy parents and caregivers juggling work, school schedules, and household demands often want family self-care to happen, but it keeps getting pushed to “later.”

The tension is simple: wellness becomes one more task, while stress, short tempers, and scattered days quietly shape the home. Without shared family health routines, even well-meant self-care strategies for families stay inconsistent and everyone feels it.

A clear, realistic plan builds family wellness motivation and supports holistic family wellbeing as a normal part of daily life.

Why Immersive Wellness Getaways And Health Retreats Are Essential For Mental Reset

August 23, 2026

General

Why Immersive Wellness Getaways And Health Retreats Are Essential For Mental Reset

Life’s pace has quickened as we are caught up in cycles of perpetual work, social and family obligations, screen time and the incessant need to be available. As a result of this, burnout is almost universal. Fortunately, people recognize this and are making positive changes to combat this burnout and exhaustion. Pausing, relaxing and resetting is in high demand. It is no surprise people are seeking out mental health retreats.

Vacations do little to nothing to reset. Wellness retreats, on the other hand, are purposed for just that. They offer therapeutic relief along with nature immersion, movement and community involvement. Changes can truly last for years following an intentional retreat.

This article will provide insight into the power of retreats. We will review the impact of retreats on participants and the reasons they work. We will explore how depression life coaching complements retreats. We will also explore negative thinking and how it consists of retreats. This article is intended to put the pieces of the “mental reset” puzzle together so that you can enjoy infinite renewal.

Mood Foods: 10 Foods That May Help Boost Your Mood Naturally

When we think about our mood, we usually look outside of ourselves for the answer. We look to the external.

Maybe you're stressed about work. Maybe there's tension in a relationship, you're worried about finances, you're overwhelmed by family responsibilities, or you're simply having one of those days when everything feels a little harder than usual. And, of course, all of those things matter.

Our mood is influenced by what is happening around us, how we're thinking about ourselves, how we're sleeping, how much stress we're carrying, and how we're feeling about our health and our lives as a whole. But there's another piece of the puzzle that we don't always think about:

What we eat can influence how we feel.

August 18, 2026

30 High-Protein, Low-Carb Meals That Are Satisfying & Budget Friendly

Eating high-protein and lower-carb doesn't have to mean giving up the foods you love or living on salads and grilled chicken. The goal is to create meals that are satisfying, nutrient-dense, and easy to fit into real life.

For many people, increasing protein while being more intentional about carbohydrates can help meals feel more satisfying and make it easier to manage hunger throughout the day. The key is to focus on what you can add—protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber—rather than simply focusing on what you need to take away.

And remember, lower-carb doesn't have to mean no-carb. Foods like berries, beans, lentils, vegetables, and whole grains can still be part of a healthy eating pattern. Your individual nutritional needs, preferences, activity level, and health goals matter, so use these recipes as a starting point and customize them for you.

Our Blog: The Learning Center

THE MIND + BODY LAB

8 Best Healthy Protein Powders

Not All Protein Powders Are Created Equal

How to Choose the Right Protein Powder for Your Goals

Our Top 8 Favorite Protein Powders (Animal & Plant-Based)

**THE MIND + BODY LAB - SAY HELLO TO A NEW WAY TO APPROACH YOUR WELLNESS**

WHO WE ARE

JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM