Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
You will likely see many commercials online claiming that they’re offering the “best protein for cutting” or the “best protein for shredding.” And even though these claims sound great, and they make an impression on the potential buyer, they’re not also true.
That’s why we’ve decided to dedicate this article to finding the best protein powder for cutting so that you can be sure that the protein shakes while cutting are actually helping you reach your goals.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Transparent Labs Casein Protein.
Ideally, this micellar casein protein powder would be mixed with cereal after your workouts, thereby providing a steady uptake of amino acids to support increased muscle protein synthesis, while minimizing the degradation.
Our collective, featuring pro athletes, certified nutritionists, and healthcare professionals, rigorously tested 16 proteins for cutting to compile the roster of the 4 top selections! They assessed the products across 7 pivotal criteria, dedicating 6 weeks to the exhaustive testing process.
In addition to their practical evaluations, our experts meticulously analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. This compilation goes through updates all the time, and we encourage you to share your comments, provide tips, and actively participate in the discussion!
Let’s get started.
Top 5 Best Protein for Cutting Reviewed
Transparent labs have really earnt their rep in the health and fitness industry. Why so? Their products contain great ingredient breakdown and do not contain artificial food additives. In addition, their products undergo third-party testing, which reduces the risk of exposure to prohibited substances and contaminants.
At this moment of time, transparent labs sell: pre-workouts, creatine, HMB, BCAA, ZMO, mass gainers, cereals and protein shakes. What we are focused on is their nutritious 100% grass fed chocolate casein protein that you may want to mix with your cereal, or even consume solely. We have highlighted the specs below.
- Item Form: Casein Protein Powder
- Best For: Muscle strength and lean muscle gain, muscle recovery, satiety, enriching the diet with calcium
- Flavor: Chocolate
- Nutritional Information Per Serving: Protein = 25g, Carbohydrates = 4g, Fat = 0.5g, fiber = 1g, Calories = 120
- Special ingredients: Micellar Casein
- Servings Size: ≈ 35g (1 scoop)
- Serving per container: 30
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended By Athletes: Hafthor Jullius Bjornsson, Kelsey Henson, Paul Sclar
Photo by @selvaggiomatthew
Ideally, this micellar casein protein powder would be mixed with cereal after your workouts, thereby providing a steady uptake of amino acids to support increased muscle protein synthesis, while minimizing the degradation.
A casein shake is also a great snack if you have a long period of time ahead of you without the opportunity to eat. Other times that this protein could be useful is prior to bed, as this would keep the muscles in fed state for a longer time during most of the sleeping hours.
Furthermore, this protein powder is derived from 100% grass-fed cattle, and has been flavored with stevia extract. No added sugars!
Positives:
Perfect protein powder for maintaining satiety
The macronutrient composition is suitable for any purpose
Contains a huge amount of calcium per serving (727 mg)
Easy to mix
Great chocolate taste
Could be better:
The container could be bigger
Chocolate flavor only
2. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Isolate – Runner-up
Optimum Nutrition is one of the biggest brands in fitness, and for a good reason. Over the years, they’ve shown time and time again that their focus is always on producing high-quality products that give great results.
And that’s also true for their protein powders - they produce many different kinds - derived from whey, beef, and even vegan protein powders. All of these come in a variety of flavors and are preferred by many professional athletes.
- Diet Type (best for): cutting
- Suitable for Vegetarians: yes
- Protein Source: whey
- Serving size: 31 grams
- Price per serving: 1.65$
- Protein Percent of Calories: 80.64%
- Proteins: 25gr
- Carbohydrates: 1gr
- Fat: 0.5gr
- Sugar: 0
- Item Weight: 3lb
- Package Type: tube
- Company Founded: 1986
- Recommended by Athletes: Justin Jefferson, Nathan Wilkins, Cody Allen
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Isolate is a terrific product for cutting because of how low-calorie and high-protein it is. The isolate is a great option when cutting because it contains about 80% protein and very little fat and carbs, making it the perfect protein drink when you’re trying to lower your calories.
What makes Optimum Nutrition’s protein stand out from the rest is the taste and mixability of their protein powder, which is surprisingly easy to mix and truly delicious, even when compared to more calorie-dense protein powders.
Positives:
Great macronutrient breakdown
Easy to mix
Delicious with both water and milk
Could be better:
For an isolate protein, the protein percentage is less when compared to other brands
Dymatize is another well-known brand with a reputation for producing high-quality supplements. Similarly to Optimum Nutrition, they also have quite a sizable line-up of products, including all kinds of protein powders, vitamins, minerals, pre-workouts, and BCAAs.
With that said, they’re a little bit less popular than other brands, which is why we’ve decided to include them in this list. And also because their ISO protein is one of the best you can find.
- Diet Type (best for): cutting
- Protein Source: whey
- Serving size: 32 grams
- Price per serving: 1.36$
- Protein Percent of Calories (Grams): 78.12%
- Proteins: 25gr
- Carbohydrates: 2 gr
- Fat: 0.5 gr
- Sugar: 0
- Item Weight: 5lb
- Package Type: tube
- Company Founded: 1994
- Recommended by Athletes: Pedro Gomes, Braden Olexo
Dymatize’s ISO 100 Hydrolized Protein is perhaps the best-tasting isolate you will find on the market. Unlike many isolate proteins, which tend to have a more deluded taste, this one will definitely not disappoint you with its flavors.
Along with that, it has a great nutritional profile with 25 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of fat, and just over 2 grams of carbs. Because of its slightly higher amount of carbs, it’s a little bit more calorie-dense compared to other isolate proteins, but it’s still a terrific option when cutting, as it can easily satiate your desire for something sweet.
Positives:
Incredible taste with many flavors
- Easy to mix
- Great variety of package sizes
Could be better:
Some clients find it mixes a bit too foamy
Compared to the brands we just discussed, BulkSupplments is a lot less known and not as heavily marketed. However, it still produces high-quality products that are fit for elite athletes. Much like most supplement companies nowadays, BulkSupplements offers not only protein powders but all kinds of supplements that are vital for the good performance of both professional and non-professional athletes.
- Diet Type (best for): weight loss
- Protein Source: whey
- Serving size: 30 grams
- Price per serving: 1.18$
- Protein Percent of Calories (Grams): 86.66%
- Proteins: 26gr
- Carbohydrates: 0 gr
- Fat: < 1gr
- Sugar: 0
- Item Weight: 2.2 lb
- Package Type: Pack
- Company Founded: 2012
- Recommended by Athletes: Nerysta Anastone, Brandon Garic Notch
Positives:
Packed with protein
Great versatility - can be mixed with coffee, used for smoothies, etc.
Minimum amount of carbs and fats
Could be better:
Lacks great taste, especially when mixed with water
Nutricost is yet another lesser-known brand for supplements that’s still able to produce high-quality protein powders, vitamins, minerals, and more. They also focus on creating more innovative formulas that not only deliver a certain amount of proteins or vitamins to the body but also help other functions, such as gut health or skin improvement.
- Diet Type (best for): Cutting
- Protein Source: whey
- Serving size: 35 grams
- Price per serving: 1.56$
- Protein Percent of Calories (Grams): 85.17%
- Proteins: 30gr
- Carbohydrates: 2gr
- Fat: 1gr
- Sugar: 0
- Item Weight: 5lb
- Package Type: Tube
- Company Founded: 2012
- Recommended by Athletes: Puka Nacua, Kaleb Hayes
Positives:
Loads of flavors available
Great mixability
Incredible taste
Could be better:
Slightly expensive compared to other options
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Why Do Athletes Eat Protein for Cutting Weights?
Drinking whey protein for cutting is pretty common. And you will hear it from many athletes all around the world in the form of sentences such as “Oh, yeah, I increase my protein intake while cutting.”
However, not many people know why that is done and what the actual benefits of consuming while cutting are and so let’s learn together in the text below.
1. It Keeps You Satiated
Cutting is related to eating fewer calories, and its main goal is to help a person lose weight. However, as we all know, eating below your maintenance calories makes it harder for you to be satiated, and everyone looks for either more voluminous or more satiating foods so that your stomach doesn’t churn every few hours.
Nothing beats the good ol’ green salads - lettuce, iceberg, maybe spinach- when it comes to volume. They’re super low-calorie and very high volume, which helps keep you fuller for longer.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Helps Maintain Muscle Mass
Studies show that consuming more protein while you’re on a diet will help you maintain lean muscle mass, even as you lose weight. Of course, that’s the goal for most people while cutting, as you don’t want to lose the muscles you worked hard to get in the first place.
Now, this increase in protein doesn’t have to happen only through having more protein shakes; you can also increase the intake of this macronutrient across all your meals by adding yogurt to them or by including legumes that are high in both carbs and protein, such as lentils and beans.
3. Satiate Your Sweet Tooth
Most people love to have something sweet, either before going to bed or right after dinner. And that craving is usually stronger the more you restrict yourself from eating sweets because you’re on a cut.
Eating protein bars or having protein smoothies is one way to satiate your sweet tooth without sacrificing your diet. That way, you’re getting both the nutritional value you need while also enjoying something sweet.
What to Look for in Protein Powders for Cutting Weights?
1. The Amount of Protein Per Serving
2. Minimal Amount of Carbs and Fats
3. Calories Per Serving
FAQ
Is Protein Powder Good for Cutting?
Yes, using protein powder when cutting will help you soothe your cravings for something sweet while also helping you get enough protein to maintain your muscle mass.
How Do You Cut Body Fat?
When it comes to cutting, the most important thing is eating less than you need to maintain your body weight. The number of calories you need varies from person to person, as it depends on their gender, weight, height, and activity levels.
Conclusion
Protein powders can play an important role during your cutting journey. They’re a terrific way to get enough protein so that you can maintain lean muscle mass while still losing weight.
Along with that, if you’re someone who loves eating sweets and finds that part of cutting the hardest, then protein powders are a terrific way to incorporate some sweet foods into your regime and thus soothe the cravings.
Having said all of that, the best protein powder for cutting is Transparent Labs Casein Protein, which is not only budget-friendly but also has great macros and is super tasty. And finally, let us know in the comments - what's your favorite protein for cutting?
References:
- Increased protein intake reduces lean body mass loss during weight loss in athletes // National Library of Medicine:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19927027/ - All Photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team.
Why Trust Us?
Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.