Best Protein Powder for Pregnancy, Tested by Two Pregnant Moms

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or a meat-lover, this vanilla-flavored protein powder has you covered. It’s main ingredient? Organic pea protein. It has a good amount of protein per serving—20 grams to be precise—derived from non-GMO yellow peas grown in the US. It comes in a bag with a Velcro seal, which is great for saving space in small areas. However, some reviewers mention the bag doesn’t seal well. Fortunately, Janelle didn’t have this problem, but it's definitely easier for pets—including her cats—to get into compared to a sturdier plastic canister. You need a protein shaker or blender to prepare this supplement, so she added it to a smoothie and also tried it blended with water. “I enjoyed adding a kick of vanilla to my morning smoothie, though I did notice a slight chalky texture that is common with pea protein,” says Janelle.

In addition to being plant-based, it’s free from gluten and major allergens, which is important if you plan to continue using it while breastfeeding. According to Demi Lucas, a certified lactation consultant, babies with allergies can react to what mom eats. It’s also worth noting that this protein contains 250 mg of choline. This is an essential nutrient, and the ACOG notes that it plays an important role in prenatal brain development. Prenatal nutritionist Ryann Kipping cautions against protein powders trying to double as multivitamins. She says the focus should be on protein, with as few extras as possible. But the inclusion here is a nice bonus, as Chapin says many pregnant people don’t get enough choline, even when they’re taking a daily prenatal vitamin.

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Protein type: Organic pea protein | Weight: 461 grams | Serving size: 31 grams | Number of servings: 14 | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Calories per serving: 120 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: No

Our community says:

One serving of this chocolate truffle-flavored formula will help you reach 40 percent of your daily protein intake. It combines whey isolate protein with bovine collagen to support skin, muscle and joint health, plus natural electrolytes for added hydration. Better yet, it’s made without GMOs and it's free from gluten, as well as other major allergens.

Plus, this pregnancy-safe protein powder has a deliciously creamy, chocolate flavor. “It's my go-to for satisfying that sweet tooth, and it’s ridiculously easy to prepare,” says Janelle, who gave it a 10 out of 10 score for taste. Whether you shake it with water or milk, it dissolves in under 20 seconds—no lumps, clumps or chalky texture. Just pure, smooth chocolatey goodness without tons of sugar, thanks to natural flavors from cocoa powder, sea salt and stevia. Yum!

“While I found this protein powder to be the tastiest we tested—and undeniably packed with benefits—it's also on the pricier side,” notes Janelle. With only 15 servings per container, each serving comes out to just over $3, making it one of the most expensive options on our list. But if you're craving a smooth, chocolate drink with clean, pregnancy-safe ingredients, the indulgence might just be worth it.

Despite the higher price tag, Janelle would still recommend this protein powder for pregnancy. She concluded her review saying: “It’s really delicious tasting, is easy to make and has quality ingredients, including two types of protein.”

Protein type: Whey protein isolate and bovine collagen | Weight: 381 grams | Serving size: 25.4 grams | Number of servings: 15 | Protein per serving 20 grams | Calories per serving 90 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: No

This plant-based protein powder is fortified with creatine, a nutrient that occurs naturally in meat and seafood. Studies suggest that creatine can improve athletic performance, including endurance and strength—which is great news to me as an active mom-to-be.

“[During pregnancy] creatine may support placental function, improve nutrient and oxygen transfer to the baby, and provide protection against oxygen deprivation during difficult labor,” explains Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN, LDN and founder of The Prenatal Nutrition Library. This specific protein powder contains 3 grams of creatine per serving. “This amount is safe, avoids the unnecessarily high loading doses that athletes sometimes use and is enough to maintain muscle and brain stores,” says Kipping. With that said, Kipping’s advice is to discuss the use of creatine during pregnancy with your healthcare provider before introducing it to your diet.

If you’re on board with creatine, this powder has other positive factors on its side. For starters, it tastes great. It has a mild vanilla flavor that doesn't feel overly sweet or artificial. And the shake has a nice, clean finish with no chalkiness or artificial aftertaste. I tried it out with milk and water and I preferred the consistency of a water-based shake, which was smooth and not overly thick. The milk version was thicker and very filling, which wasn’t to my personal taste. Overall I liked the texture, which was nice and creamy at first, but it does settle pretty quickly, and I had to give it another quick shake to avoid any grittiness if I was drinking it slowly.

Another element I appreciate is the simple list of ingredients. Aside from pea protein, the shake is sweetened with monk fruit extract, which I prefer to other sweeteners like stevia. The protein to calorie ratio is also optimal, with 20 grams of protein per 120 calories—plus, 5 grams of added fiber. I didn’t have any stomach or digestive issues while using this protein and I'm disposed to acid reflux during pregnancy. That said, this product is on the pricier end. One 15-serving container comes out to about $3.65 per serving, making it the most expensive protein shake on this list.

Protein type: Pea | Weight: 588 grams | Serving size: 39.2 grams | Number of servings: 15 | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Calories per serving: 120 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: Yes

“I've been stirring Vital Proteins collagen into my morning coffee long before I had a baby on board,” shares Janelle. Initially, Janelle says she was hooked for its skin-boosting benefits and nail-strengthening perks. Then, once pregnant, she was thrilled to discover that this powder satisfied pregnancy-safe protein requirements. Although it doesn't dissolve quite as smoothly as other products we tested, it provides a significant amount of collagen per serving and offers great value—especially when you buy it in bulk. Better yet, this supplement contains hydrolyzed bovine collagen, but with an added boost of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

This collagen protein powder for pregnancy earned a 10 out of 10 score for ease of use and taste. It’s easy to stir into warm beverages and can also be added to light meals, without using a shaker or blender, which is a major plus point. Collagen-based protein is also a great option for people suffering from morning sickness as Janelle notes that it has no discernable taste or texture. “I love using it in smoothies, yogurt and morning lattes because it's tasteless and doesn't change the texture,” says Janelle. As she mentioned, you can actually add it into coffee or hot chocolate and—with some thorough stirring—it will dissolve into the drink. This is a game changer for folks that dislike protein shakes or smoothies!

One minor bugbear is that it doesn’t come with a scoop, so it can be tricky to weigh out the perfect amount. But Janelle suggests adding two tablespoons to shakes and snacks for the perfect protein boost.

Protein type: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen | Weight: 547 grams | Serving size: 31 grams | Number of servings: 27 | Protein per serving 20 grams | Calories per serving 120 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: No

Our community says:

Needed Collagen Protein is a fantastic budget-friendly option for expectant parents. It’s tasteless, simple to use and costs less than $2 per serving—plus, subscribers can score monthly savings on this product. But the low price tag doesn’t equate to low performance. In fact, this product performed so well that it earned high scores across the board, including a 10 out of 10 for taste, texture, ingredients and value for money.

“From the first scoop, this powder impressed me with how readily it dissolved in almost anything—no blender or protein shaker required,” says Janelle, who stirred it into coffee, yogurt and oatmeal with ease. Some reviewers noted that a frother might be needed to break up lumps in cold drinks, but once mixed, you won’t even notice it’s there. And, unlike other protein powders, it’s free from that chalky texture and weird aftertaste.

Experts agree that any pregnancy-safe protein powder should have minimal ingredients, steer clear of artificial sugars and flavors, be third-party tested and contain at least nine essential amino acids. And this one certainly fits the bill. It contains one single ingredient: hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Chapin loves the simplicity of this supplement—and recommends hydrolyzed collagen because it's easily absorbed and gentle on the stomach, especially for folks with a dairy intolerance. Collagen also contains glycine, an amino acid that supports blood vessel flexibility, which is great for keeping your blood pressure in check, and also contributes to baby’s healthy development in utero. Plus, the collagen in this supplement is ethically sourced from the hides of grass-fed, hormone-free cows.

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Protein type: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen | Weight: 454 grams | Serving size: 15 grams | Number of servings: 30 | Protein per serving: 14 grams | Calories per serving: 60 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: Yes

Our community says:

Hate the taste of pea protein but have an intolerance for whey? Consider this nut-based protein by Drink Wholesome. It’s marketed as a good choice for sensitive stomachs and contains four natural ingredients: almonds, coconut, cocoa and monk fruit. This pregnancy-safe protein also contains at least five grams of fiber from nuts, which is something we can all stand to consume more of, pregnant or not. It’s also a greater source of healthy fats than other shakes (the chocolate flavor I tested contains 9 grams per serving), which helps keep you satiated. The ingredients are listed clearly on the front of the package, and unless you have a nut allergy, it’s hard to find a flaw.

I mixed the powder with water in a protein shaker and it dissolved easily with no clumps. It has a nice, thick texture and body that makes it feel like you're really consuming a shake, not flavored water. It's even thicker when blended with milk, but I preferred the water mix. Overall, I liked the texture—it was totally smooth, not gritty or clumpy. Thanks to the thick texture and addition of natural fats, this was the most filling shake I tested.

This pregnancy-safe protein powder comes in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla and an unflavored version. The chocolate flavor I tried tastes like a slightly healthier version of chocolate milk. It's not overly sweet and doesn't have an aftertaste. It's nice mixed with water, not the most delicious thing I've ever tried, but I'm more of a vanilla flavored girl. It's slightly chalky, but that's inevitable with vegan powders, so it’s not a deal breaker for me. Each serving contains 15 grams of protein, which is slightly less than the competing products we tested. With that said, the clean ingredients and affordable price point (less than $2 per serving) make it a great choice, especially for plant-based eaters who need something filling that also tastes great and packs some fiber.

Protein type: Almond | Weight: 1002 grams | Serving size: 39 grams | Number of servings: 25.69 | Protein per serving: 15 grams | Calories per serving: 170 | Third-party tested: Yes | Clean label approved: Yes