The 10 Best Protein Powders for Teens in 2023

Searching for the best protein powder for teens?

You’ve probably stumbled across this article due to the fact that there are literally thousands of protein powders on the market, and understandably, you have no idea which one to choose.

Well, you’re certainly in the right place because we’ve tried and tested them all. You don’t have to waste any time or money on products that don’t make the cut.

Below you’ll find ten of the very best protein powders for teens (there’s something for everyone here), tips for choosing the right protein powder for you, the main benefits of taking a protein supplement, and more!

If you just want to know what our recommended protein powder for teens is, that would be 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate from Transparent Labs.

The excellent macro profile, tasty flavors, and unbeatable commitment to transparency and quality in their product makes them easy to recommend.

If you’re more budget-conscious, but still want a high-quality product, then definitely go with Impact Whey Protein Isolate by Myprotein. It’s over 90% whey protein isolate (most products between 70% and 80%) and about half the price of Transparent Labs.

Other recommended supplements for teens:

• Best Creatine for Teens
• Best Weight Gainer for Teens
• Best Pre-Workout for Teens
• Best Multivitamins for Teens

The 10 Best Protein Powders for Teens in 2023

1. Whey Isolate Protein Powder – Kaged
2. Whey Isolate Grass Fed Protein Powder – Transparent Labs
3. Clean Meal Replacement – Kaged
4. Kasein Protein Powder – Kaged
5. Whey Concentrate Protein Powder – Transparent Labs
6. Vegan Protein Powder – Huge Supplements
7. Super Collagen Protein Powder – Obvi
8. Home Made – Whole Foods Meal Replacement – Axe & Sledge
9. Egg-Cellent Protein Powder – Apollon Nutrition
10. Superhuman Protein Powder – Alpha Lion

1. Whey Protein Isolate – Kaged

Our top pick for the best overall protein powder for teens is, without a doubt, Whey Protein Isolate by Kaged.

Once you try this product, there’s a very high chance you won’t want to try anything else – it’s really THAT good.

Each scoop contains a solid 25 grams of premium quality whey protein, which includes 12 grams of highly anabolic essential amino acids and 6 grams of branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) to enhance muscle recovery and growth.

This 100% pure whey protein powder is loaded with only clean, beneficial ingredients. No artificial sweeteners, colors, or sweeteners here!

Nutrition Facts: (Chocolate flavor)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fat: 0.5 g

Key Ingredients:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Natural Flavor
• Sea Salt
• ProHydrolase (Protease Blend)

2. Whey Protein Isolate (Grass-Fed) – Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs offers the best grass-fed protein powder for teens – which is possibly the cleanest protein on the market!

Not only does this superb whey protein powder contain one of the industry’s highest protein-by-weight ratios (at 88% – an impressive 28 grams of protein per 32-gram scoop), but it’s also produced from totally hormone-free, natural whey.

All seven of the delicious flavors come without any artificial sweeteners, food dyes, gluten, or preservatives – what more could you want?

Nutrition Facts: (Milk Chocolate flavor)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fat: 0 g

Key Ingredients:

• Grass-fed Whey Protein Isolate
• Cocoa
• Natural Flavor
• Sodium Chloride

3. Clean Meal Replacement – Kaged

If you’re looking for the best meal replacement powder for teens, you can’t go wrong with Kaged – Clean Meal!

Most teens don’t always have the time to prepare nutritious, well-balanced meals. But meeting your calorie and protein needs doesn’t have to be a massive struggle when you have access to an excellent meal replacement like this one!

In only 2 scoops of this super tasty supplement, you’ll be getting the equivalent of a full-macro meal containing a whopping 28 grams of protein, 18 grams of carbs, and 4.5 grams of fat, as well as 21 organic vitamins and minerals to fuel your day.

In fact, we love this one so much that we included it in our list of the best meal replacement powders for weight gain and the best weight gainers for skinny guys!

Nutrition Facts: (Snickerdoodle flavor)

• Calories: 240
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fat: 4.5 g

Key Ingredients:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Oat Flour
• Organic Quinoa
• Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil Powder
• Natural Flavor
• Fruit and Vegetable Extract Blend (Broccoli, Spinach, Kale, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Sunflower Seed, Kelp, Chlorella, Maitake Mushroom)
• Cinnamon Bark Powder

4. Kasein Protein – Kaged

Kasein by Kaged is by far the best casein protein for teens, and did I mention it tastes like a real milkshake?

This top-shelf formula is made with an amazing 26 grams of slow-digesting, 100% pure micro-filtered micellar casein isolate and 14 grams of essential amino acids to massively accelerate muscle growth and recovery.

Kaged uses only natural, third-party tested ingredients in all of their products – free from artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors.

Nutrition Facts: (Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 26 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fat: 1 g

Key Ingredients:

• Micellar Casein Isolate
• Peanut Flour
• Natural Flavor
• Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil Powder
• Cocoa Powder
• Sea Salt

5. Whey Protein Concentrate – Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs offers the best whey protein concentrate on the market, made from 100% grass-fed whey.

Unlike whey isolate, whey concentrate doesn’t go through the isolation process, meaning it keeps its immune-boosting properties like Immunoglobulins, cysteine, and prebiotic Lactoferrin. Plus, it tends to be a cheaper alternative too!

This popular protein powder contains a huge 24 grams of protein and comes in super tasty, natural flavors like Salted Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Mocha, and French Vanilla (related: best vanilla protein powders).

Be aware that whey protein concentrate may be somewhat harder to digest for some people – especially those with lactose intolerance.

Nutrition Facts: (French Vanilla)

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 24 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fat: 2.5 g

Key Ingredients:

• Grass-fed Whey Protein Concentrate
• Natural Vanilla Flavor
• Stevia Leaf Extract
• Sodium Chloride

6. Vegan Protein – Huge Supplements

Next on the list is the best vegan protein powder for teens by Huge Supplements.

If you’re looking for a 100% plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free protein powder with a complete amino acid profile that also tastes AMAZING, it has to be this one.

This clean, high-protein formula is made from a tasty blend of pea protein, rice protein, fava bean protein, and mung bean protein.

Whether you go for Birthday Cake, Cookies and Creme, or Marshmallow Madness flavor – you’re sure to love it!

Nutrition Facts: (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
• Fat: 1.5 g

Key Ingredients:

• ProVega Complete Protein (pea, brown rice, fava beans, mung beans)
• Cinnamon Square Cereal Bits

7. Super Collagen Protein – Obvi

Are you on the hunt for the best collagen protein for teens?

A tasty protein shake that provides you with not only all the amino acids and protein you need but also ingredients that are proven to support healthy hair, skin, and nails?

Obvi’s state-of-the-art collagen protein powder contains hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides combined with a bunch of excellent vitamins and minerals, including biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and iron, for optimal absorption and improved overall health.

Plus, this top-rated product is gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and keto-friendly!

Nutrition Facts: (Cocoa Cereal flavor)

• Calories: 40
• Protein: 9 g
• Carbohydrates: < 1 g
• Fat: 0 g

Key Ingredients:

• Hydrolyzed Grass-fed Bovine Collagen Peptides
• Biotin
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Cocoa Powder
• Sodium Chloride

8. Home Made – Whole Foods Meal Replacement – Axe & Sledge

If your goal is to gain weight and muscle mass, Home Made – the best protein powder for bulking – is the one for you!

This excellent product provides the optimal balance of carbs, protein, fats, fiber, and micronutrients to keep you satiated for hours and to help you smash those fitness goals quicker.

As the name suggests, Home Made is made from only whole-food-based ingredients (like whole-grain oat flour and sweet potato) of the highest quality, which sets this brand apart from the other meal replacements on the market.

Nutrition Facts: (Lemon Cream Pie flavor)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 50 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fat: 6 g

Key Ingredients:

• Whole Grain Oat Flour
• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Brown Rice Protein
• Egg White Powder
• Beef Protein
• Pea Protein
• Sweet Potato
• Fibersol
• Cocoa Powder
• Natural Flavors
• Medium Chain Triglycerides
• Sodium Chloride
• DigeSEB (enzyme blend)
• Organic Chicken Broth Powder

9. Egg-Cellent – Apollon Nutrition

Apollon Nutrition’s Egg-Cellent is undoubtedly the best egg protein powder for teens and a great alternative for those who struggle to tolerate dairy, like whey protein powder.

This highly-digestible formula offers an impressive 24 grams of complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids needed for speedy muscle recovery and growth. And it tastes delicious!

Nutrition Facts: (Salted Caramel flavor)

• Calories: 140
• Protein: 29 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fat: 3.5 g

Key Ingredients:

• Egg Protein
• Cocoa
• MCT Powder (from coconut oil)

10. Superhuman Protein – Alpha Lion

Searching for the best protein powder that comes in ultra-fun flavors?

Then Superhuman Protein Powder certainly won’t disappoint you with the huge variety of crazy tasty flavor options!

You have the choice of:

• Cocoa Buffs (Chocolate Cereal Flavor)
• Hulk Milk (Vanilla Ice Cream)
• Peanut Butter and Gains (Peanut Butter Candy)
• Anabolic Cereal (Rainbow Cereal Flavor)
• Orange Gainsicle (Orange Creamsicle)

Every formula contains 25 grams of premium quality whey protein isolate and 5 patented digestive enzymes to enhance digestion for the best results every time!

Nutrition Facts: (Anabolic Cereal flavor)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fat: 1 g

Key Ingredients:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• DigeZyme Multi Enzyme Complex
• AstraGin

Do Teens Need A Protein Powder Supplement?

With all the hype around protein supplements these days, you’re probably wondering: Is protein powder really necessary for teens?

In short, no. Eating real food should always be the first option, rather than taking supplements.

However, protein powders can be extremely beneficial in certain circumstances.

For example, they can be very convenient for teens that have hectic school and sports schedules with minimal time to cook nutritious meals. Vegan and vegetarian teen athletes especially can benefit from protein shakes to meet their daily protein intake needs.

In fact, we have a guide to the best protein powder for athletes that focuses exclusively on protein powders that undergo third-party testing to ensure they don’t contain any banned substances and they meet all label ingredient claims. Vegan protein powder is included on the list.

That being said, protein powders aren’t very pocket-friendly, so it’s best to view them as a luxury and not a necessity for teens.

Here are some excellent protein sources that you should include in your diet, whether you choose to take protein powder or not:

Plant-based protein sources

• Seeds (chia, hemp, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower)
• Nuts (almond, cashew, peanut, walnut, pistachio)
• Soy (tofu, tempeh, edamame)
• Grains (quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, rice)
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)

Animal-based protein sources

• Lean meat (chicken, beef)
• Fish, seafood
• Dairy (milk, cottage cheese, yogurt)
• Eggs

Is it possible to have too much protein?

While upping your protein intake can be beneficial in many ways, there’s no need to go overboard – as too much protein can actually cause problems.

This is because our bodies aren’t able to store excess protein to be used at a later stage, and we use a great deal of energy and water in order to try to digest it.

Consuming large amounts of excess protein on a regular protein can lead to fat gain, as well as putting unnecessary strain on your liver and your kidneys.

Some side effects of having too much protein include GI upset, like nausea, diarrhea, as well as loss of appetite.

What to Look for When Buying a Protein Supplement For Teens

Flavor

If you’re planning on adding a protein supplement to your daily routine for the foreseeable future (which is a good idea if you want to maintain your progress), then being able to switch flavors every time you finish the tub is a big advantage.

While this may not seem like a big deal, just think about your favorite snack and ask yourself: Would I enjoy eating this exact snack every single day? ( Maybe not.. it’ll probably lose its appeal pretty quickly – and the same goes for protein powder.)

Luckily for you, all of the protein powders on this list are available in a variety of delicious flavors, so you won’t get sick of them any time soon!

Know your goals

Before choosing a protein powder, it’s important that you have a good idea of how much proteinyou actually want to consume.

The protein requirements for teenagers mostly depend on whether they are athletes or not. Those who are naturally more active burn more calories and need more protein for muscle growth and recovery.

The current recommended protein intake for teen athletes is 0.45 – 0.6 g of protein per pound of body weight / 1 – 1.4 g of protein per kilogram of body weight.

Teens who aren’t as physically active would obviously require less protein and calories overall and can aim for about 0.4-0.5g of protein per pound of body weight.

It’s more than possible to get enough protein through a good diet alone, but protein supplements provide an easy way to get a quick protein boost.

Do you consider yourself a health-conscious individual?

Then you probably don’t want to be consuming a whole lot of refined sugar every day.

If that’s the case, you can opt for protein powders that contain natural sweeteners instead, such as:

• stevia leaf extract
• xylitol
• erythritol
• monk fruit extract (Luo Than Guo)

And if you’re someone who couldn’t care less if your protein powder contains sugar, it’s still in your best interest to choose a supplement that doesn’t contain more than 4 g of sugar per serving.

Amino acid profile

When looking for the best protein powder for teens, always consider this: Does the product fully disclose its ingredients and amino acid profile?

If it doesn’t, it’s not necessarily bad; however, it may be a sign to dig a little deeper before making your purchase.

Ever heard of “protein spiking”? (This is where you take your money and run away.)

Some unethical brands use low-grade amino acids to inflate the amount of protein in their powders – the type of protein that doesn’t help with muscle building.

A quick tip: Always check the “other ingredients” section on the label of protein supplements, and if you see glycine, arginine, glutamine, or creatine – rather choose another product.

To save you the research, none of the fantastic protein powders on the list above engage in protein spiking.

Protein Powder Benefits

Convenience: Save Time

For teens that are always on the go, whether it’s studying, playing sports, going to the gym, or whatever else teens get up to these days – having a simple, quick protein powder shake is much more convenient than spending a long time in the kitchen every day.

All you need to do is add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder to some milk or water, shake it up, and you’re ready to go! Most protein powders actually taste great with water, but if you need some extra reassurance then don’t miss our guide to the best protein powders for water.

Another factor worth mentioning is that protein keeps you satiated for a long time. This is important for weight management as it helps to minimize the chances of binge eating or junk food cravings.

Muscle Growth

Protein is made up of essential amino acids, which are the foundation of all muscle tissue. Your muscles require protein to maintain their size and form, whether you’re training or not.

Therefore, protein powders can help to promote muscle protein synthesis and muscle recovery, as well as improved lean muscle mass development, better weight control, and even a big boost in brain function!

Protein Powder Consumption Tips

Want to make the most out of taking protein powder? And smash your physique and fitness goals with ease?

Here are some simple tips for optimizing your protein intake:

• Focus more on consuming enough protein every day than the timing of your protein intake. While there may be slight advantages of consuming protein within an hour before or after your workouts, studies show that protein consumption timing doesn’t have a major impact on muscle growth.
• Use a macro tracker to track your calorie consumption and weight. This will help you dial in your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). If you aren’t aware of your stats, you’ll find it very hard to keep track of your progress.
• Calculate your TDEE. If your goal is to gain muscle mass, eat above your TDEE by about 300-500 calories per day to gain weight in a sustainable fashion.
• 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 really trying to bulk up, mix your protein powder with 16 oz of whole milk to add 300 calories and 16 grams of protein per serving (for non-vegans).
• Another easy way to add calories to protein shakes for weight gain is by adding: coconut oil, raw honey, nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter), chia seeds, and hemp seeds.
• If you’re trying to up your protein intake without adding a ton of extra calories, skim milk or soy milk are great choices for your protein powder shake.

Conclusion

While getting your macros from real foods should always be the top priority, protein powders can be very convenient for active teens who want to build muscle or improve their physique.

Every product on this list is nothing short of excellent, but if we had to recommend only one, it would be Whey Protein Isolate by Kaged, as the best overall protein powder for teens.

And if you’re looking for a fantastic, complete meal replacement powder that is high in protein, go for Clean Meal Replacement by Kaged.

Lastly, Vegan Protein by Huge Supplements is the best protein powder for teens that prefer plant-based supplements.

When it comes to choosing a good protein powder, go for one that meets the following criteria:

• At least 20 grams of protein (with the exception of collagen protein supplements)
• Fully disclosed formula (no hidden-ingredient propriety blends)
• No protein spiking
• Third-party tested ingredients
• Meets your personal calorie and protein goals

FAQs

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.