The Absolute Best Protein Shakes are Ready to Drink – GQ

The best protein shakes are an absolute life-saver when you’re on the go. Say you just crushed a workout and you’re jonesing: You know that you’re supposed to have some protein—and fast. To do it yourself, you’d have to go home, pray you have fruit on the counter, hope there’s still protein powder in the tub, blend it all together, get the proportions all wrong, drink it anyway, clean the blender, cut your finger cleaning the blender—you get the picture. With one of the best protein shakes, you can just chug and get on with your day. 

“While protein shakes and supplements shouldn’t replace whole foods, they can certainly come in handy on busier, more active days,” says Lisa Moskovitz RD CDN, author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan and founder of NY Nutrition Group. “The issue is figuring out which ones fit the bill.”

Of course, these drinks come in plastic containers and their taste is never ideal. But for when you’re in a pinch, Moskovitz walks us through what you should be looking for in that grab-and-go blend—and runs down five of the best options out there. 

Why Protein? 

Your muscles aren’t going to just build themselves after a tough workout. When you get in a pump, you’re breaking down your muscle tissue. All that lifting results in a bunch of microscopic tears, and it’s the healing of those tears that allows your muscles to come back bigger and better than before.

But in order to kick-start this rebuilding process, your body needs fuel first. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, and rely on whole, organic food sources instead of refined grains and added sugars. Think of it this way: In the best protein shakes, blending an actual apple is great; chugging apple juice is not.

Warning: Pre-made shakes usually don’t check either of these boxes. Many of them offer a 1:2 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, or 1:1 at best. In other words, protein shakes are meant to be just that—a protein source. More carbs will probably be necessary for optimal results. 

“If you’re looking for a convenient post-workout recovery drink, find a shake that has at least 20 grams of protein and bonus points if it also has around the same amount (or more) of carbs,” says Moskovitz. “If you can’t find one that fits that description, pair the shake with a piece of fruit, pack of nuts, or a yogurt parfait for a sufficient amount of nutrients.”

The Best Pre-Made Protein Shakes 

1. Core Power High Protein Milk Shake, Vanilla

The numbers: 170 calories, 26 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams sugar

Taste wise, this shake hits the nail on the head. If you close your eyes, you may think this is actually a melted milkshake. Which is impressive, considering the shake itself is made from filtered, lactose-free milk. This also passes Moskovitz’s test by containing less than 10 grams of sugar—or artificial sweetener. That’s right: She often recommends that her clients skip out on options that have sucralose or aspartame. “While both are safe for consumption in moderation,” she says, “they offer zero nutritional value and can contribute to uncomfortable digestion issues, as well as amplified sweet cravings.”

2. OWYN Plant-Based Protein Drink, Chocolate

Owyn plant-based dark chocolate protein shake (12 pack)

The numbers: 180 calories, 20 grams protein, 10 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams sugar