The 8 Best Paleo Protein Powders for 2023

Are you on a paleo diet and don’t know where to start when finding a protein powder that fits your dietary needs? 

Have no fear! We’re here to help. 

We’re looking at the top eight paleo protein powders on the market. What exactly makes them paleo? And what you need to consider before buying your new gym bag must-have. 

On top of our list is the Naked Pea Protein Powder and Naked Egg Protein Powder, both by Naked Nutrition.

So, grab your shake bottles, and let’s get to it!

The 8 Best Paleo Protein Powders

1. Collagen Protein Powder – Transparent Labs
2. Naked Pea Protein Powder – Naked Nutrition
3. Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder – Bulk Supplements
4. Beef Protein Isolate Powder – Bulk Supplements
5. Hemp Seed Protein Powder – Bulk Supplements
6. Grass Fed & Pasteurized Protein Powder – Paleo Pro
7. Naked Egg White Protein Powder – Naked Nutrition
8. Collagen Protein – MyProtein

Collagen Protein Powder – Transparent Labs

Collagen Protein Powder by Transparent Labs is the best collagen protein powder. We’ve known that collagen works for anti-aging for many years. 

Recently, it’s been established that collagen can also aid in muscle recovery for athletes. This is a big plus for those who like getting a good pump in at the gym. 

The collagen will also help with stretching skin that comes along with building bigger muscles. You won’t be left with sagging, loose skin, as the structural protein helps with elasticity.

Just a heads up, though: Collagen Protein Powder by Transparent Labs does contain stevia, which some don’t believe is paleo. But, generally, the type of raw stevia used in this protein powder is considered paleo-friendly. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: hydrolyzed collagen
• Calories: 50
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fat: 0 g

Naked Pea Protein Powder – Naked Nutrition

Naked Pea Protein Powder by Naked Nutrition is our pick for the best pea protein powder. We like this product because it’s totally clean, containing only one ingredient – pea protein extracted from yellow split peas. 

The protein powder contains no artificial sweeteners, making this a true paleo protein powder. Naked Nutrition is all about giving you all the information. They believe in their product so much that it is third-party tested for heavy metals. 

So, you know what you’re getting from your protein powder. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: pea protein
• Calories: 120
• Protein: 27 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fat: 0.5 g

Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder – Bulk Supplements

Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder by Bulk Supplements is the best beef bone broth protein powder on our list. 

It contains dehydrated bone broth liquid that offers 90% protein when converted into an easy-to-use powder mix. 

Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder by Bulk Supplements offers a load of minerals and vitamins that can help your joints, muscles, and skin. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: beef bone broth protein
• Calories: 80
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g

Beef Protein Isolate Powder – Bulk Supplements

Beef Protein Isolate Powder by Bulk Supplements is the best beef protein isolate powder we’ve reviewed. You won’t have to worry about ingredients other than the pure beef protein isolate. 

This specific ingredient is all about aiding muscle recovery and supporting your muscles during workouts. 

It can also improve cardiovascular health and keep the bones strong. On a side note, you can expect healthier hair, skin, and nails. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: beef protein isolate
• Calories: 110
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g

Hemp Seed Protein Powder – Bulk Supplements

Moving onto the best hemp seed protein powder on our list, the Hemp Seed Protein Powder by Bulk Supplements is the clear winner. 

Edestin and albumin are two proteins extracted from hemp seed that are super high in amino acids. This is a big plus for muscle recovery. 

We love that this product is organic; it makes it suitable for basically all diets, including vegan and paleo. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: hemp seed protein
• Calories: 120
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fat: 4.5 g

Grass Fed & Pasteurized Protein Powder – Paleo Pro

Grass Fed & Pasteurized Protein Powder by Paleo Pro is the best paleo protein powder blend on this list. It contains egg white protein, monk fruit extract, beef protein isolate, sunflower lecithin, and only natural flavors. 

This protein powder is the perfect choice for those that care about what they’re consuming. The grass-fed beef protein comes from pasture-raised beef, and the egg white protein is from cage-free eggs and is non-GMO. 

If you’re keto or paleo and want to avoid all artificial ingredients, this is the way to go. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: hydrolyzed collagen
• Calories: 120
• Protein: 26 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fat: 1 g

Naked Egg White Protein Powder – Naked Nutrition

Naked Egg White Protein Powder by Naked Nutrition is our pick for the best egg white protein powder. It is made with non-GMO chicken eggs processed within one day to ensure the amino acid profile remains top-notch. 

Naked Egg White Protein Powder has got you covered if you’re looking to support your muscles with a dairy-free protein powder. 

There are no artificial sweeteners or additives. It’s all about getting the product from the farm to your gym bag as soon as possible. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: egg white protein and sunflower lecithin 
• Calories: 110
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fat: 0 g

Collagen Protein – MyProtein

Collagen Protein by MyProtein is the best budget pick for collagen protein. It contains no lactose and is gentle on the wallet. 

Nothing is worse than wanting to care for your health and being met with a range of products you can’t afford. 

So, if you’re on a budget, Collagen Protein by MyProtein is the way to go. It helps maintain your muscles while keeping your joints supple. 

The bovine collagen in the protein powder is made from pasture-raised and grass-fed beef. Get ready for some luscious hair, healthy skin, and strong nails! 

You’ll get all the protein you need without any unwanted fats or carbs that might slow you down in the gym. 

Key Ingredients:

• Protein source: bovine hydrolyzed collagen
• Calories: 70
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g

How To Identify Paleo-Friendly Protein Powders

Check the Protein Source

The first thing to look at is the source of the protein. This clearly indicates where the protein comes from and whether it’s suitable for a paleo diet. 

Here are some paleo-approved sources of protein:

• Chicken protein powder
• Pea protein powder
• Salmon protein powder
• Egg white protein powder
• Beef protein powder
• Collagen peptides
• Hemp protein powder

Decide How Strictly You Want to Adhere to Paleo Diet Principles

Deciding to stick to paleo eating habits is quite a commitment. Most of our food these days goes through some type of modern process to ensure it is clean and edible. However, this does mean it’s often loaded with artificial flavoring, colorants, and preservatives.

So, while trying to find the best paleo protein powders, you need to decide how strictly you want to adhere to the paleo principles. 

This will determine the type of paleo protein powder that will best suit your needs. If you’re not too hung up on avoiding dairy or wheat, your options are endless in the protein department. 

However, if you’re on a strict paleo plan, then it’s best to stick with plant-based protein powders. This ensures very little chance of any unwanted chemicals from animal by-products making their way into your mix.

Check the Ingredient Label for Smaller Ingredients

You should always double-check the ingredients on even the best paleo protein powders. You may find that some have trace amounts of non-paleo-friendly ingredients. 

This is important for those that may follow a paleo diet because of allergies or food intolerances. Here is a list of some smaller ingredients that are not paleo-friendly:

• Dairy
• Added antibiotics
• Wheat
• Grains
• Added salt
• Added sugar
• Gluten
• Whey protein
• Preservatives
• Lactose
• Soy additives
• Added hormones

What To Look For When Buying The Best Paleo Protein Powders

Flavor

The flavor is one of those things you either care about, or you just chug down your protein shake and off you go. The thing is, though, that your paleo protein powder becomes part of your everyday routine. 

So, it’s much easier when you enjoy a flavor that won’t make you dread hitting your paleo protein goals. It’s not exactly fun to block your nose and down a shake every morning.

The good news? Many of the products on our list come in a range of flavors. So, we’re sure you’ll find something that hits the spot. Just be sure to check the ingredients when making your selection.

Know Your Goals 

How many extra grams of protein do you want to consume?

Regardless of why you’re taking protein powder (bodybuilding, weight loss, or weight gain), you should clearly understand your paleo protein requirements. 

We highly recommend chatting with a dietician or trainer about your ideal protein intake. 

If you’re weight training or bulking, you’ll need a lot more protein than someone losing weight. You will need to offset the paleo protein in your regular diet to determine how much protein is required for your powder.

Limit excess sugar (unless you don’t care – up to you)

Sugar is a catch-22; your body needs it to function, but you can get stuck with significant health issues if you overdo it. 

For us, limiting sugar can help you lose weight and keep your muscles lean. But there needs to be a balance. 

Sugar or sugar alternatives are often used to make paleo protein powder palatable, so in this case, it’s an important factor to consider. 

As you’ll see above, many of the best paleo protein powders on our list contain some sort of sweetener. The amount is so small, however, it makes basically no difference to the nutritional value.

Still, it’s something to look into if you’re on a paleo diet for other health-related reasons.

Amino acid profile

Some paleo protein powders contain amino acids that the company deems necessary to help achieve optimum protein levels. 

There is nothing wrong with this, as long as all the ingredients are clearly listed, along with their quantities, so you know exactly what you’re taking. 

You should avoid companies that engage in “protein spiking.” This is when additional essential amino acids are added to boost the amount of paleo protein in the powder. While protein is what we’re looking for, protein spiking doesn’t produce the correct type of protein. 

If a company takes the time to list the ingredients in their protein supplements, it’s generally a good sign. They aren’t trying to hide anything. 

If you see the following ingredients, it might be best to look for an alternative:

• Glutamine
• Creatine
• Glycine
• Arginine

Good Qualities to Look for in Paleo Protein Powders

• Your protein powder must use a paleo-friendly protein source. 
• The protein powders should be processed in a paleo-friendly way. For example, if the eggs or beef are full of hormones, it defeats the purpose. 
• Your paleo protein powder should have at least 20 grams of protein.
• Look for high-quality ingredients (non-GMO and grass-fed beef, for example).
• Ensure your paleo protein powder meets your personal calorie goals. You will put on weight if you’re going way over your calorie intake for the day without having a high-intensity cardiovascular workout. 

Poor Qualities to Look for in Paleo Protein Powders

• Not enough protein: Your paleo protein powder should meet your protein needs before anything else. That’s why it’s vital to know your protein goals. Generally, a paleo protein powder should have at least 20 grams of protein per serving.
• Not actually paleo-friendly: Look at the ingredients and how the product is made. Trusting a label is not enough, because not everyone defines paleo-friendly the same way. So it’s always best to double-check what you’re getting. Many companies try to draw consumers’ attention away from less “desirable” ingredients.

Benefits Of Choosing Paleo-Friendly Protein Powder

• Helps with muscle growth: Protein of any kind will generally help with muscle growth. Protein is vital to building and maintaining muscle mass. 
• Convenience: The best paleo protein powders are usually easy to make and super convenient. They generally come in a pre-mix that you add to water or milk. Paleo protein powders are ideal if you’re short on time but still want to reach your optimal protein intake.
• You know the macros of what you’re consuming: All reputable protein powders have the exact ingredients and their quantities on the label. Knowing this information can help you gauge what to add or remove from your diet to hit your goals. 
• A paleo diet may lower the risk of heart disease: Studies suggest that following a paleo eating plan may reduce your risk of heart disease, although more research is needed to reach a conclusion. One thing is for sure, however; cutting down on preservatives, artificial and processed ingredients, and added sugar won’t hurt.

Consumption Tips For Protein Powders

There may be small advantages to consuming protein powders within the first hour before or after working out, but do not stress over this.

A meta-analysis that looked at the impact of protein consumption timing found no significant impact on strength or hypertrophy outcomes between groups that consumed protein either an hour before or after working out and groups that consumed protein outside of this time frame.

For now, just focus on consuming enough protein each day. 

You can also:

• Use a macro tracker to track your calorie consumption and weight. This will help you dial in your TDEE.
• Calculate your TDEE. Once you know your TDEE, eat above it by about 300-500 calories per day to gain weight sustainably.
• You want to aim for about 0.7 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass (this means your body weight minus fat. E.g., a person who weighs 100 pounds and has 15% body fat has 85 pounds of lean body mass, or 100 – (100*15%).
• If you’re trying to bulk up, take protein powder with 16 oz of whole milk to add 300 calories and 16 grams of protein per serving.
• Extra bulking tip: Easy ways to add calories to any shake: add coconut oil, raw honey, and nut butter (e.g., peanut butter, almond butter, etc.).
• If you’re trying to boost your protein powders without a ton of extra calories, 16 oz skim milk is an excellent choice for a protein powder mixer.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Sticking to a paleo diet is generally quite simple. Keep with products that were around hundreds of years ago, and you’re good to go!

The same goes for the best paleo protein powder. Look for options that use ingredients that aren’t manufactured in a lab. So, basically, unprocessed food that comes off the land. 

Our top pick for the best paleo protein powder is Naked Pea Protein Powder by Naked Nutrition. It offers 28 grams of protein in a single serving and is made solely from peas. It’s the perfect clean solution for those on a paleo-eating regime who want extra protein. 

Our runner-up is Grass Fed & Pasteurized Protein Powder by Paleo Pro. It has 26 grams of protein per serving and is made using egg whites from cage-free chicken eggs and grass-fed beef. It is highly popular among the gym-going paleo community.

About Kyle Risley

Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.