If you’re a regular visitor of the gym or maybe a workout beginner who has a friend or two obsessed with chat themes related to wellness and bodybuilding, then you have probably heard about “adding some protein powder in the breakfast smoothie”, “the best protein supplements for muscles” or a similar topic.
Protein is one of the essential macronutrients that helps you build muscle, repair tissue and develop the creation of enzymes and hormones [1]. Professional sportspeople, as well as regular athletes, know that protein plays a significant role in your stamina and figure, so they often take it as a powder supplement.
Protein powder is a convenient source of high-quality protein. Lately, it has become a popular diet product, so you can find it in pre-prepared or mix-and-go shakes in groceries, buy it online or in almost any nutrition store.
It comes in various forms but the 3 common ones are whey, casein, and soy protein, suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The prices of protein powder may vary but the fitness market offers a wide range of products that would match your personal needs.
Here is a list of the 10 best protein powders in Australia. And also don’t forget to check out our article on the best protein powder for women.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Protein Powders in Australia
1. Whey Protein Isolate – 180 Nutrition
This natural whey protein from local Australian brand – 180 Nutrition – is naturally free from gluten and soy.
It is a premium tasting product rich in branch chain and essential amino acids and low in carbohydrates, fat and lactose.
Easy to mix, delicious, and value for money, the above product is our number one protein supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
2. Gold Standard 100% WHEY
Gold Standard 100% WHEY is one of the best whey isolates in Australia.
It contains 24g of whey protein, 5.5 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs, and 4 grams of naturally occurring glutamine per serving.
This whey protein is best consumed before or after exercise as it promotes muscle growth and recovery for men and women.
Gold Standard 100% WHEY is a high protein gluten-free product.
Optimum Nutrition has a 30-year history of selling the best protein powder by setting higher standards for quality.
Mix a scoop of Gold Standard whey isolate with water and make a simple shake that will feed your muscle and keep you full.
3. Bare Blends – Natural Whey Protein Isolate
Bare Blends- Natural Whey Protein Isolate and Vanilla Bean contains over 26g of high-quality grass-fed protein per serve.
Flavoured with A-grade vanilla beans from Madagascar, this is one of the best whey protein supplements.
It is a 100% natural and additive-free source of protein. It is gluten-free, sugar-free, and low in lactose.
Bare Blends- Natural Whey Protein is a premium grass-fed NZ. Add it to water. milk or smoothie to make the best protein shake for weight management and lean muscles.
When combined with an active lifestyle and regular exercise, Vanilla Bean WPI will help you to boost metabolism and prevent body fat storage. Also, it assists in the repair of exercise-induced damage to muscle fibres.
The grass-fed whey protein isolate (WPI) blends are ultra-filtered from NZ freshly skimmed milk and retain the highest possible nutrient density of any protein powder.
This protein powder facilitates the replenishment of depleted energy stores and contains the essential amino acids for your body to recover and perform optimally.
4. Pure Product Australia Whey Protein Isolate
Pure Product Australia Whey Protein Isolate is one of the best protein powder in Australia, formulated for building muscle or maintaining a lean figure.
This dietary supplement is low in fat and carbohydrates but with high quality, a fast-digesting protein designed to support the rapid absorption of protein into your body after a workout.
This vanilla-flavoured powder is extracted from fresh milk as a low-temperature, ultra-filtered product. It is naturally rich in amino acids including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs) and glutamine which ensures optimum muscle growth.
his whey isolate helps the recovery and strengthing of muscles and the immune system. It is also perfect for muscle growth.
This product is free of additives and artificial colours.
5. Quest Peanut Butter Flavoured Protein Powder
Quest Peanut Butter Flavored Protein Powder is one of the best protein supplements in Australia.
Perfect choice for peanut butter lovers as it offers pure deliciousness of peanut butter in every sip. No more spoons, no more knives, no more bread,- just mix and enjoy!
This dietary supplement is made with whey protein isolate and micellar casein blend. It contains 24g protein, 2g carbs and <1g of sugar per serving.
Mix or shake in water or dairy/nut milk until the powder is dissolved. When adding fruit or other ingredients, more water may be needed to reach the desired consistency.
6. Premium Quality Casein
Premium Quality Casein is a slow-digesting premium casein protein
This dietary supplement will provide you with a higher level of protein and assist in the maintenance and growth of muscle.
Made of high-quality ingredients, Premium Quality Casein is rich in naturally occurring essential and branched-chain and amino acids.
Pure Product Australia Micellar is a protein powder that is slowly absorbed up to 12 hours and therefore supplies amino acids to the muscles over a long period of time.
This chocolate- flavoured powder is completely undenatured, sourced from NZ grass-fed cows using ultra-filtration.
7. Giant Sports 100% Whey Protein
Giant Sports 100 % Whey Protein is one of the best supplementary protein sources in Australia. It is made of pure whey and with a delicious flavour of coconut dark chocolate.
This protein powder is low in sugar, containing only 1g of sugar per serving. It supports your workout, enhances muscle strength, increases endurance and decreases muscle breakdown.
This product also contains higher amounts of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) and Essential Amino Acids (EAA’s) than many other sources of protein.
100% Giant WHEY is produced using meticulous manufacturing processes to create a non-denatured whey protein specific powder for a cleaner, purified product that will help you to rich your fitness goals.
8. Scivation Xtend Pro 100% Whey Protein Isolate
Scivation Xtend Pro is a 100% Whey Protein Isolate with 25 grams of 100% whey protein isolate per serving and only 4 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fat.
For over 10 years, XTEND has been using branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to make the best recovery products on the planet. This dietary supplement contains 2:1:1 research-proven BCAA ratio that helps support muscle growth, retention and strength.
The whey protein isolate in XTEND PRO is an extremely clean, bioavailable source of protein, selected specifically to support your fitness goals.
Scivation Xtend Pro is additive-free and gluten-free.
9. BSN Syntha – 6 Ultra Premium Muscle Protein Powder
Syntha-6 is an ultra-premium protein powder with 22g protein per serving and it is the most delicious protein on the market.
This dietary supplement contains 22 g of protein per serving that you can consume on a daily basis, indulging in a rich, creamy texture. It is recommended to be used in conjunction with a nutritious diet and with an appropriate physical training or exercise program.
Syntha-6 promotes muscle protein synthesis and recovery support. It contains essential amino acids and essential fatty acids but is also an excellent source of fibre, which makes it a nutritious and multi-functional protein supplement.
Not only that Syntha-6 one of the best proteins for building a muscle mass but it is also a functional to-go product for any nutrition or exercise regimen because it is designed to suit a variety of active lifestyles and diet plans.
10. Premium Quality Complex Casein Protein Powder
Premium Quality Complex Casein Protein Powder is a nutritious and multi-functional protein supplement that is high in protein and low in carbs.
This product contains a complex protein that can be released up to 8 hours, containing 30g of protein in each serving. As a protein blend, it is made with whey protein (isolate & concentrate) and Micellar Casein, containing a rich source of fibre.
Each serving contains 14g of the Naturally Occurring Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is sourced from 100% grass-fed cows’ milk.
Pure Product Australia Complex Protein Casein is a protein blend made with whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and micellar casein that allows the body to get the nutritional benefits in one go.
This vanilla-flavoured powder is a to-go protein for any nutrition or exercise regimen because it is designed to suit a variety of active lifestyles and diet plans.
It does not only include essential amino acids and essential fatty acids but is also an excellent source of fibre, which makes it a nutritious and multi-functional protein supplement.
11. Amazonia Raw Slim and Tone
Amazonia Raw Organic Cacao Macadamia Slim and Tone Protein Powder is a comprehensive protein option designed to support natural, healthy slimming.
This dietary supplement is specifically formulated to assist with healthy weight management by increasing your satiety and reducing your food cravings.
It is rich in nutrition to help you feel fuller for longer and infused with herbs known to boost metabolism. It is low in carbs and sugar-free.
Amazonia Raw Organic Cacao Macadamia Slim and Tone Protein Powder is a comprehensive protein option designed to support natural, healthy slimming while controlling cravings in order to assist you to achieve your fitness results.
Specifically formulated to help with healthy weight management by combining a sprouted and bio-fermented protein base with nourishing trace minerals, nutrient-dense herbs, thermogenic spices, and alkalizing greens, Amazonia Raw slim and tone protein is designed as a nutritional response to your needs.
It focuses on the root cause of cravings and assists in healthy, long-term weight management and toning, along with healthy eating and exercise.
Protein supplementation can be of benefit when used in conjunction with physical activity. Diets high in protein increase the body’s need for water. Make sure to balance your daily water intake.
What to Look for When Buying Protein Powder
Shelves in stores have an abundance of protein powders that you can add to smoothies or mix them with your post-workout drinks. However, make sure you follow these simple rules and avoid certain ingredients that you might find in some protein powder.
Avoid too long lists of ingredients- make sure the product is full of protein, not fillers.
Opt for a protein powder that contains a minimum of 20 g. per scoop and a maximum of 5 g. of carbs
When using whey protein, make sure you purchase a protein isolate instead of a protein concentrate in order to obtain a clear amount of protein
Choose a protein powder with neutral flavour or a flavourless powder to add your own flavour in order not to get tired of it quickly
Avoid protein powders with added sugar or artificial sweeteners in disguise (ingredients ending in “ose” or “ol”) that will upset your digestive tract
Types of Protein Powder
You can find protein powder in various forms, however, two of the most common and favourable types are whey and casein protein powder.
Whey
The whey protein powder is a dairy-based and quickly absorbed protein. It contains all the 9 essential amino acids. This protein is derived from milk and easily used by the body, therefore, one of the best solutions for building muscles. It is recommended to be used after a workout.
Casein
The casein is a dairy-based and slowly absorbed protein. It contains all the 9 essential amino acids. It will make you feel satiable after having it in your smoothies or before bed to build muscle overnight.
Benefits
Most people benefit by adding some extra protein in their diet. There are various reasons why to add protein powder in your meals, and most of them refer to health benefits such as muscle building and toning, weight loss, recovery after exercise, added nutrition to boost cell growth etc.
When it comes to weight loss, it is worth mentioning that protein powder is a supplement that reduces hunger and food cravings since it makes people feel fuller for longer.
In addition, protein powder is the staple for building muscles. Studies have shown that protein supplementation improves the size and strength of muscles in both men and women, especially in the case if individuals who are engaged in resistance training or bodybuilding.
As another benefit, you can use protein powder to repair muscles that are damaged after injuries or to restore body tissues. Athletes have reported that using protein powder after exercise soothes their muscle soreness. Muscle performance and the synthesis of muscle protein is also improved.
Many people, especially vegans, and vegetarians, often find it challenging to meet the recommended daily intake of protein.
As advised, people who are over 19 years old should take 46 g of protein (women) or 56 g. of protein (men). Consequently, protein powder is a convenient solution for this plausible gap of nutrients in daily life.
Moreover, sports nutritionists recommend athletes who train intensely to have around 1.4 to 2.0 g of protein per kg of body weight.
Side Effects
Protein powder is, undoubtedly, a powerful dietary supplement that contains a rich source of health benefits.
Nevertheless, diet specialists advise you to calculate your nutritional needs and protein intake when considering to supplement with protein powders.
In general, the body needs between 10 and 14 additional grams of protein per day. Some protein powders contain 80 g. of protein per serving, so when your body absorbs this material, it will try to use it for energy and face excess amount of protein.
Consuming too much protein, in the long run, can lead to damages in the liver and the kidneys and affect the calcium balance in the body which can lead to obstructions in the bone structure.
Excessive protein intake can also lead to dehydration, intestinal discomfort, and indigestion as well as headache and nausea.
Chronic protein overconsumption is also associated with cardiovascular diseases, seizures and blood vessel disorders.
How to Use Protein Powder
There is no specific best time to use protein powder, though most of the experts recommend using it after a workout.
Reportedly, a dose of 30 g after a set of exercises improves the synthesis of protein in people who follow a calorie-restricted diet.
Some studies, however, have shown that it is better to take protein supplements with meals for weight management or to take them between meals in order to shed excess fat.
Some people mix their protein powder with water or milk while others blend it into fruit or vegetable smoothies.
There is a multitude of recipes for using protein powder into your daily meals and snacks that you can find online, like muffins, protein coffee, pancakes, popsicles, pudding cups, protein bites, and oatmeal.
Though protein is an important recovery element after a workout, research has shown that the body is still a machine that runs on curbs, so you need a 4-1 or 5-1 ratio of carbs to protein as your basic after-workout protein intake.
So, just keep your intake of protein powder to 20 g levelled with 80 g of carbs to get the right amount of nutrients.
FAQ
What Does Protein Powder Do?
Protein powder is a dietary supplement that you can easily convert into a protein shake or some other type of meal or beverage in order to increase your protein intake.
When you face limited access to quality protein foods, protein powder can be a convenient dietary addition to your diet.
By using protein powder you will support muscle growth, recover from protein breakdown after exercise and thus let your muscles rebuild and recover.
Protein powder is also useful when a person is growing, losing weight or starting a new workout program.
Also, you might find protein shakes or snacks full of protein powder useful if you opt for a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Is Protein Good for Weight Loss?
Getting enough protein can boost your metabolism and effectively repress your appetite which would help you get rid of excess weight and body fat without losing muscle.
Studies have shown that protein shakes can easily add protein to your diet, therefore, keep you full for longer and help you to stay on track during your process of weight loss.
When you feel full you tend to reduce the size of your portions and you snack less frequently. This can be of great help if you want to lose pounds or maintain a healthy body weight.
Research has shown that dieters who supplemented protein have reported a significant decline of their total fat mass and weight.
Also, protein-rich nutrients may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol which are the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
The Bottom Line
Protein powder is a dietary supplement that can be of great help for your dietary routine and healthy eating habits.
Whether you’re amping up your workouts, recovering from injury, trying to lose a few pounds or just want to increase your protein intake for some reason, protein powder can be a highly convenient choice.
Nevertheless, you should always have in mind that excessive intake of protein can seriously harm your health and wellbeing.
Make sure you consult your physician or health care professional before you opt for a certain protein powder.
