5 Best Vanilla Protein Powders for Taste and Muscle Growth 

Drinking protein shake

Protein powders come in numerous flavours, textures and quantities. But the classic question always arises. What is the best vanilla protein powder?

Protein powders are an easy and quick way to get that extra bit of protein into your diet. In Australia alone, the protein market was valued at USD 145 million in 2021. It is predicted to grow in the coming years along with other countries such as the US, England, India and more. 

Protein powder is a common supplement used among fitness enthusiasts. Which can range from gymgoers all the way to professional athletes. It’s a powdered form of protein that can be made from natural ingredients such as soybeans, peas, rice, potatoes, hemp, egg and milk. There are countless variations and types of protein powders including whey, casein, soy, hemp etc. 

Now the question always comes, which one do I choose? 

Vanilla is a staple protein powder flavour to choose from, but even then, there are countless brands and types. In this article we will go over the Top 5 vanilla protein powders and list all the pros, and cons and whether it’s suitable for you to buy.

We’ll discuss and compare:

  • Protein Content
  • Calories
  • Ingredients
  • Taste
  • Recipes
  • Best use

Versatility of Vanilla Protein Powder

Why Vanilla Though? 

Vanilla-flavoured protein powder is essential as it can be used to make several other recipes and can be easily incorporated to boost the taste of food that you eat daily. It is versatile and tastes great at the same time. Other flavours such as chocolate can be overpowering and aren’t able to be mixed in with other foods as well as vanilla. Hence the mass appeal of Vanilla protein powder. 

It’s also great if you have a sweet tooth. If you’re ever craving chocolate or anything extraordinarily sweet, but you’re trying to eat healthy at the same time, then this is the perfect option for you. It tastes amazing and it’s healthy on top of that which makes you feel good. 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vanilla Protein Powder

When choosing the best vanilla protein powder for you, there are a few things to consider that can make or break it. To get the best deal you should first look at the protein content, to see whether it’s providing enough protein or if it’s just purely carbohydrate-based and calorie-focused. 

Next, you should have a look at the contents of the protein powder, especially the ingredient to see whether it’s good quality or artificially formulated and not good for you. Then comes the ever-so-important taste and texture of the powder itself which is crucial as it should satisfy your needs. 

Another fantastic part of protein powder is that since it comes in many forms it can fit any dirty requirement. There are vegan, dairy-free, and organic options that can be purchased to suit you. 

What Are the Best Vanilla Protein Powders?


1. Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD 100% ISOLATE – Rich Vanilla

vanilla protein powder, gold standard isolate protein powder

Gold standard isolate is an exceptional protein powder that is widely used by countless satisfied customers. It comes in several flavours such as the rich vanilla flavour. One serving of gold standard 100% isolate contains:

  • 25 grams of protein
  • 100 calories
  • 1 gram of carbohydrate
  • 5.5 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs
  • No added fats
  • Gluten-free. 

It’s a smoothly textured and easily drinkable protein powder that can be paired with water as well as milk and is easy to get down post-workout or whenever you need the extra protein. Optimum Nutrition is one of the leading brands in fitness and their gold standard line has stayed at the top for many years and has a great reputation for its effectiveness. It has thousands of positive reviews which can assure you of its high quality and effectiveness. 

As an Isolate whey protein, it contains fewer calories and is perfect for losing weight or cutting down. It’s a high-protein powder that doesn’t contain extra fat like normal whey proteins. 


2. PranaON Power Plant Protein Powder – French Vanilla

vanilla protein powder, power plant protein tub

PranaOn Power plant is a leading vegan and friendly yet highly protein-dense powder in the market. The primary flavour is french vanilla and it does not disappoint whatsoever. One serving of the french vanilla powder contains:

  • 30.5 grams of protein
  • 185 calories
  • 3.2 grams of fat
  • 7 grams of carbohydrates
  • 1 gram of sugars
  • Vegan with 100% natural ingredients such as pea protein, rice protein and faba bean protein 

It is on the slightly more expensive side of protein powder, however the extra money is in my opinion worth it. It can be incorporated into protein shakes with water and milk and it’s great for making oat recipes as well as any protein recipes such as pancakes. 

The fact that it’s 100% natural and vegan makes it that much better. It provides all the nutrients and more you need with the whey protein. It’s perfect for all body types and tastes amazing whilst providing numerous health benefits. 

“I personally have been using this protein powder for the last year and love it. It tastes absolutely great and it’s vegan! Everything in there is natural even the sweeteners and it brings me peace of mind knowing I’m having 100% natural sourced ingredients and my body reacts to it much better than whey proteins I’ve had in the past that were of the similar price range.” 


3. Optimum Nutrition GOLD STANDARD 100% Whey – French Vanilla Creme

vanilla protein powder, gold standard 100% whey

Another Optimum Nutrition protein powder! The gold standard 100% whey is one of the “world’s best-selling wheys”. It comes in a wonderful french vanilla creme flavour which already makes me want to try it out. One serving contains:

  • 24 grams of protein
  • 123 calories
  • 1 gram of fat
  • 4 grams of carbohydrates
  • 5.5 grams of BCAA’s
  • Gluten-free.

This is a world-class protein powder that can be used for strength, recovery and everyday life. It has over 2000+ 5-star reviews and tastes immaculate. It can be used in any recipe in the book you can think of, from french toast to milkshakes. It’s also cheaper than some of the other options listed, but still packs highly quality protein and has benefits of weight loss, fast digestion and enhanced recovery. 

It can be taken after a workout or anytime throughout the day that pleases you. It’s a solid choice for a vanilla protein and you can’t ever go wrong with optimum nutrition as it’s one of the world’s leading brands and they declare to have 90,000 quality checks annually. 


4. Blessed Plant Based Vegan Protein Powder – Vanilla Chai

blessed protein powder

Blessed Vanilla Chai is a relatively new and emerging brand that has surprised me. It’s completely vegan and 100% natural with the primary ingredient of pea and rice protein. One serving contains:

  • 23 grams of protein
  • 120 calories
  • 4.8 grams of carbohydrates
  • 2.6 grams of fat
  • 0.7 grams of dietary fibre

This protein powder is great for general health and aids in muscle growth and energy production. It’s all natural with zero artificial additives, sweeteners, grit or enzymes. It’s easy to consume and digestible. 

Secret Smoothie Recipe with Vanilla Chai:

  1. Add 200 mL of milk
  2. Add 50 grams of your preferred choice of berries
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter 
  4. Finally, finish off with one scoop of vanilla chai 
  5. Blend this all together and you have yourself a delicious and protein-dense smoothie

5. Muscle Tech Nitro-Tech Whey Protein Isolate – Vanilla Creme

vanilla protein powder, muscle tech vanilla creme

Muscle Teach is another high-quality and popular brand of protein powder in the market. One serving contains:

  • 30 grams of protein
  • 162 calories
  • 2.6 grams of fat
  • 4.2 grams of carbohydrates
  • 3.4 grams of sugars
  • 6.8 grams of BCAA’s. 

The vanilla creme protein powder can be used after workouts or throughout the day but it’s highly recommended that you stay hydrated throughout the day as well. Depending on your goals, you can take 1 or 2 scoops daily to get maximum results but be sure to experiment and see what works best for your body as everyone is slightly different. 

This is a great protein powder for people who want to gain muscle and strength, as it contains a higher protein content per serving and has higher calories compared to the other protein powders listed. It also comes in several flavours with vanilla creme being one of the top flavours with a rich and sweet taste. 


Conclusion:

Protein powders are an excellent way to speed up your progress at the gym, aid in recovery and get rich nutrients that are hard to get from anywhere else. Vanilla protein powder is one of the most popular flavours due to its extensive use in countless recipes that can be made at home and its simplistic yet delicious taste. 

Always consider your specific goals before purchasing a vanilla protein powder as some may be better suited to you than others. If you want to slowly build muscle, aid in recovery and boost your body I would highly recommend going with an isolate as it has less fat and is focused on protein. However, if you are looking to gain weight and muscle and put on strength I would recommend whey as they tend to have higher calories and protein content making it easier to bulk up and put strength on. 

All these vanilla protein powders in this article are exceptional, each with its own pros and cons. Make sure to make an informed decision. 

4 Comments

  1. The power plant protein is soooo good, I’ve been using it for a couple of years and this just goes to show it!

    1. I’m so glad to hear that! It’s also one of my classic favourites in terms of taste and protein as well

  2. Was struggling a bit on what protein shake to buy for the first time, but this really helps clear things up!

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