Protein drinks, such as ready-to-drink shakes or protein-infused beverages are liquid supplements designed to help people meet their daily protein needs conveniently. They typically contain 15–40 g of protein per serving, sourced from options like whey, milk, soy, pea, rice, or blends of plant-based proteins.
Why They Might Be Good for You
There are plenty of reasons why we might want them. We’ve decided at FoodWrite that the top 5 reasons are these!
1. Muscle Repair & Recovery
Protein shakes are widely used post-exercise to support muscle repair and lean mass development—especially when combined with resistance training.
2. Convenient Nutrition Booster
Busy lifestyles or dietary restrictions can make it tough to get enough protein. These drinks offer a quick and portable solution.
3. Enhances Satiety & Supports Weight Management
High-protein options increase feelings of fullness and can help reduce overall calorie intake, aiding weight control. For some, the protein shake means that feeding tubes could be avoided because of the nature of the delivery.
4. Supports Mental & Hormonal Health
Protein plays a role in neurotransmitter production and mood regulation, and helps support metabolic and hormone functions.
5. Improved Endurance
Some studies show a modest increase in exercise time-to-exhaustion when supplementing with protein.
Important Caveats
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They should supplement, not replace, a nutritious whole-food diet.
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Some are ultra-processed, with added sugars or contaminants—so choose wisely.
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Excess intake isn’t appropriate for everyone—especially those with kidney concerns.
Building On Protein
Protein is one of the three primary macronutrients essential to human health, alongside carbohydrates and fats. While all three contribute energy, protein is unique in that it is composed of amino acids—the building blocks that form the structure and function of nearly every tissue in the body. From supporting muscle growth to enabling vital chemical reactions, protein plays a role so central to life that without it, human survival would not be possible.
First and foremost, protein is fundamental to growth and repair. Every cell in the body contains protein, and tissues such as muscle, skin, hair, and nails are largely composed of it. During times of physical growth, such as childhood, adolescence, or pregnancy, protein requirements are especially high because new cells and tissues are being generated rapidly. Likewise, after injury, illness, or strenuous exercise, protein is needed to repair damaged muscle fibers and accelerate recovery. This regenerative function makes protein indispensable not only for athletes but also for anyone seeking to maintain general health.
Beyond structural roles, protein is critical for metabolic processes. Many enzymes—proteins themselves—act as catalysts in the biochemical reactions that sustain life. These reactions include digesting food, synthesizing hormones, transporting nutrients, and detoxifying harmful substances. Without sufficient protein, the production of these enzymes slows, impairing digestion and reducing the body’s ability to maintain internal balance. Hormones, such as insulin and growth hormone, are also protein-based and regulate everything from blood sugar levels to cell division. In this way, protein is not just a structural material but a regulator of the body’s most intricate systems.
Another vital function of protein is in immune defense. Antibodies, which help the body recognize and neutralize harmful bacteria and viruses, are specialized proteins. A diet lacking in adequate protein weakens immune responses, leaving individuals more vulnerable to infections. Similarly, proteins like hemoglobin transport oxygen throughout the body, ensuring that cells have the energy needed for survival. These roles highlight how protein extends far beyond the gym—it is a cornerstone of immunity, circulation, and resilience against disease.
Protein also contributes to satiety and weight management. Compared with carbohydrates and fats, protein is more effective at reducing hunger because it influences hormones that control appetite, such as ghrelin and peptide YY. A protein-rich meal helps individuals feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating and supporting healthy body composition. This makes protein a key nutrient in strategies to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, because protein has a higher “thermic effect” (it requires more energy to digest), it slightly boosts calorie expenditure.
Despite its importance, not all proteins are equal. Animal sources like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy typically provide all nine essential amino acids the body cannot synthesize, while plant-based sources often lack one or more. However, by consuming a variety of plant proteins—such as beans, lentils, nuts, and whole grains—vegetarians and vegans can still achieve balanced nutrition.
The reality is that protein is far more than a supplement for athletes; it is a universal requirement for human health. It builds and repairs tissues, drives metabolism, strengthens immunity, regulates hormones, and enhances satiety. Ensuring adequate intake through a balanced diet is one of the most effective ways to support lifelong vitality. In the hierarchy of nutrients, protein is not just important—it is indispensable.
Top Protein Drink Brands in the USA
Here are standout brands based on expert reviews and consumer preferences:
Leading Dairy-Based Options
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Fairlife Core Power / Elite: Ultra-filtered milk-based shakes offering 26–42 g protein, easily digestible, and popular for post-workout.
“Fairlife Core Power taste good and is low carb… Best tasting is Fairlife.”
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Muscle Milk (CytoSport): Offers 25–32 g protein, often with a blend of fast- and slow-release proteins. Owned by PepsiCo.
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Premier Protein: Delivers 30 g protein with low sugar (often 1 g), plus added vitamins/minerals.
Popular Plant-Based & Specialty Picks
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Orgain (Plant-Based Shakes): Organic, dairy-free, ~20 g protein, free from artificial additives.
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Koia: Vegan, pea- and rice-based protein drinks—gaining traction in natural-food markets.
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Vega (Protein & Greens): Plant-based protein shakes blended with greens; non-GMO and vegan-certified.
The Brands
Premier Nutrition: A Massive Player In This Field
We’ve looked at suppliers in the past and discussed there relative merits. Of all the high protein shakes available, one of the biggest is Premier Nutrition who produce liquid shakes and powders. This business has fixed on offering 30g of protein as well as 24 vitamins and minerals with an energy content of 160 calories but just 1 gram of sugar. They offer a large range of flavours, with some as with all protein drinks being more popular than others. At the moment, chocolate flavour is still the most prominent flavour of all with banana, caramel, cookies and cream, vanilla and cookie dough flavours being in the mix. These shakes have been positioned to support immune health rather than any support any other type of benefit which represents a slight marketing shift away from sports. The packaging is heat resistance PET which is recyclable so the outer layer can be removed, with a much easier to open cap than we’ve encountered before and 35% less plastic. That latter feature is very important as the world struggles to reduce its reliance on plastic packaging. The bottle volume is 340ml (11.5 fl oz.) and can be purchased as a tray of 12.
From the flavour perspective, Premier Nutr. have reduced the chalky note so the flavour comes through.
Purchase Premier Nutrition (Pack of 12) – Purchase in the USA: Chocolate Flavour.
Other great flavours include:-
One way of drinking these is to mix the shake with coffee in a shaker with ice and to shake it until it foams. All these can be mixed in a blender to get that typical milk shake effect.
Core Power
A leading player nowadays is Core Power. Core Power is a ready-to-drink, high-protein shake crafted from ultra-filtered real milk, developed to provide both quality protein and hydration post-workout. The brand offers options like the original Core Power (26 g protein per 14 oz) and the more intense Core Power Elite variety (42 g protein), all of which are lactose-free, gluten-free, made without artificial growth hormones, and formulated using cold-filtration technology to concentrate protein and electrolytes naturally found in milk.
Who Makes It?
Core Power is manufactured by fairlife, LLC, a health-and-wellness dairy company that pioneered the patented cold-filtration process. Fairlife was founded in partnership with Select Milk Producers, a cooperative of U.S. family dairy farms, launched in 2012, and produces various ultra-filtered dairy products—including Fairlife milk and Core Power shakes.
Core Power originally started as “Athlete’s Honey Milk”, developed by veterinarian-turned-farmer Mike McCloskey, along with Select Milk Producers. Their innovation lay in enhancing the nutritional profile of milk via cold-filtration—boosting protein while cutting lactose and fat. The product’s clean, simple ingredients and milk-based approach differentiated it from powder-based protein drinks.
Purchase Core Power Elite 42g (Pack of 12) – Purchase in the USA: Core Power Elite High Protein Chocolate .
Purchase Core Power Elite 26g (Pack of 12) – Purchase in the USA: Core Power Protein Shake, Chocolate
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