About one percent of the population battles celiac disease, a gastric disease caused by gluten. Gluten can cause gastric discomfort even among people that do not have this disease.
There’s also quite a few people who want to eat healthy and feel that gluten is not a healthy ingredient.
Thanks to these issues, gluten-free protein powders have joined the huge list of foods and supplements that do not contain gluten.
If you follow a gluten-free diet, I have the list of the best gluten-free protein powders just for you.
Let’s get started!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder
- Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Best Overall Gluten-Free Protein Powder
- MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder – Best Gluten-Free Protein Blend
- BLESSED Plant Protein – Best For Women
- Naked Nutrition Naked Casein Protein Powder – Best Casein Gluten-Free Protein Powder
- Smart138 Peanut Butter Cup Protein Powder – Best Tasting Gluten-Free Protein Powder
- Growing Naturals Organic Premium Plant Protein – Best For Older Users
- Legion Whey+ Protein Powder – Best For Bodybuilders
- BiPro Bold Whey + Milk Protein Powder Isolate – Best For Fat Loss
- PEScience Vegan Series Select Protein Powder – Best Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Powder
- Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder – Best Value
Reviews – The Best Gluten-Free Protein Powders
1. Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Best Overall Gluten-Free Protein Powder
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Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate contains only one ingredient: whey protein isolate from grass-fed cows.
Whey isolate is the highest quality whey protein you can buy and it’s what sets this outstanding product apart.
Some brands we looked at also featured one ingredient, and sure enough, it was whey protein. The problem is, it was whey protein concentrate, a lower quality whey. Many products had other ingredients added.
Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate contains 30g of protein with 1g of fat and less than 1g of carbs. It’s 3rd party tested for quality and purity.
The only possible downside is that some users may not like the taste of an unflavored whey protein. Otherwise, Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is the best overall gluten-free protein powder.
PROS
- Just One Ingredient
- 30g Whey Isolate Protein Per Serving
- Low Sugar-Low Total Carbs-Low Fat
CONS
- Some Users May Not Like The Taste
2. MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder – Best Gluten-Free Protein Blend
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MusclePharm Combat protein comes in two forms: a protein blend and 100% whey. The labels look very similar so it’s important to be aware of the difference.
Combat Protein Powder features 25g of protein from 5 sources: whey protein concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate, micellar casein, and egg albumin. This provides a slow, medium, and fast-digesting protein. There’s also 2g of sugar and 4g of total carbs per serving.
The downside is that MusclePharm Combat also contains artificial ingredients. Still, the multi-digestion speed protein blend makes MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder the best gluten-free protein blend.
PROS
- 25g Protein Per Serving
- Uses 5 Sources Of Protein For Different Digestion Speeds
- Low Sugar
CONS
- Contains Some Artificial Ingredients
3. BLESSED Plant Protein – Best For Women
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BLESSED Plant Protein features 23g of raw pea isolate protein per serving.
This gluten-free protein is all-natural, there’s no sugar and no artificial sweeteners or flavors of any kind. It uses stevia as its only sweetener.
With just 4g carbs per serving, this is the perfect protein for a low-carb lifestyle.
Made by EPH Labs, BLESSED Plant Protein is an excellent choice for users who want an all-natural, vegan-friendly protein option. The marketing for this product is more geared towards women than men, which makes BLESSED Plant Protein the best gluten-free protein powder for women.
PROS
- All Natural Ingredients
- 23g Pea Protein Per Serving
- Soy-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan
CONS
- May Be Too Pricey For Some Users
4. Naked Nutrition Naked Casein Protein Powder – Best Casein Gluten-Free Protein Powder
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Naked Nutrition Naked Casein protein powder contains just one ingredient: micellar casein.
This outstanding product features 26g protein per two-scoop serving and zero sugar.
Naked Casein is unflavored so there are no flavorings or sweeteners.
The advantage of a micellar casein protein is that it’s a slow-digesting protein that’s perfect for nighttime use or at the start of a long day. The latter is true if you regularly have problems making your scheduled meals due to work or school obligations.
Naked Casein also provides 5.4g of BCAAs per serving. The only real downside to this product is the taste. It is unflavored and that may not appeal to some users.
Still, with just one ingredient, this formula is so pure that Naked Nutrition Naked Casein is the best casein gluten-free protein powder.
PROS
- Contains One Ingredient – Micellar Casein
- 26g Per Serving
- Good Protein For Nighttime Use
- Good Protein To Use At The Start Of A Long Day
CONS
- The Lack Of A Flavor May Not Appeal To Some Users
5. Smart138 Peanut Butter Cup Protein Powder – Best Tasting Gluten-Free Protein Powder
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Here’s a protein you won’t see every day, gluten-free or otherwise. Smart138 Peanut Butter Cup Protein Powder is more than just a flavor, it contains peanut flour to enhance the peanut butter taste.
This product is all-natural and contains 25g of protein from a blend of milk protein, whey protein, peanut flour, and egg white protein.
There’s also added glutamine, just 2g sugar, and 6g total carbs. The only sweetener in this protein is monk fruit.
This is a protein that’s all about taste. If there’s a downside, it’s that this product advertises as keto-friendly.
Sorry, to me 6g carbs per serving is not really keto-friendly. That’s especially true if you have 2 or more shakes per day.
Still, with added peanut flour, the taste is exceptional. That makes Smart138 Peanut Butter Cup Protein Powder the best attesting gluten-free protein.
PROS
- 25g Of Milk, Whey, Peanut & Egg Protein Per Serving
- No Artificial Ingredients
- Soy-Free
- Great Taste
CONS
- Not Really Keto-Friendly As Advertised
6. Growing Naturals Organic Premium Plant Protein – Best For Older Users
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Growing Naturals Organic Premium Plant Protein is a gluten-free protein consisting of brown rice. In this case, there’s 15g of brown rice protein with 1g of sugar and 3g total carbs.
That’s not a lot of protein compared to other gluten-free products on this list. However, older users with slower metabolisms might benefit from a lower protein per serving option. This is especially true if they are not as active as their younger counterparts.
Growing Naturals Organic Premium Plant Protein is all-natural, all organic, and you can bake with this protein or blend it up as a shake.
The company advertises this as an athlete’s protein. However, with 15g per serving, that’s only going to work for older athletes.
The lower protein total per serving and ease of use makes Growing Naturals Organic Premium Plant Protein the best gluten-free protein powder for older users.
PROS
- Only Natural, Organic Ingredients
- 15g Brown Rice Protein Per Serving
- Good Option For Older Users
CONS
- 15g Protein May Not Be Enough For Younger Users
7. Legion Whey+ Protein Powder – Best For Bodybuilders
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Legion Whey+ features 22g of whey isolate protein per serving. It’s not only gluten-free, but it’s also sugar-free with just 3g total carbs. There are 5.6g BCAAs to support protein synthesis, recovery, and muscle growth.
Legion Whey+ works well for bodybuilders training for mass during the offseason. It also works well for those preparing for competition.
One of the keys to presenting your best package on stage is to hang on to your muscle while dieting. Legion Whey+ can do that.
The downside to this product is that it contains soy. Also, some users may not like the taste. Still, this is a high-quality protein that’s perfect for anyone trying to gain lean mass. That makes Legion Whey+ the best gluten-free protein powder for bodybuilders.
PROS
- 22g Whey Isolate Protein Per Serving
- High 5.6g BCAA Content
- Zero Sugar-Zero Fat
CONS
- Contains Soy
8. BiPro Bold Whey + Milk Protein Powder Isolate – Best For Fat Loss
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BiPro Bold Whey + Milk Protein Powder Isolate features 23g of protein from whey isolate and milk protein isolate. There’s also 8g of carbs, including only 1g of sugar.
This product is designed to help you feel full for a longer time. It’s also designed to help increase your metabolism and burn fat.
BiPro Bold Whey + Milk Protein Powder Isolate is a clean protein that can be used in shakes, smoothies, and virtually any recipe. This makes your entire diet healthier. There are no artificial ingredients, it’s sweetened with stevia.
The clean formula and diet benefits make BiPro Bold Whey + Milk Protein Powder Isolate the best gluten-free protein powder for fat loss.
PROS
- 23g Whey & Milk Protein Per Serving
- No Artificial Ingredients
- Zero Lactose – Low Sugar
CONS
- Some Users May Not Like The Taste
9. PEScience Vegan Series Select Protein Powder – Best Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Powder
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PEScience Vegan Series Select Protein Powder is designed for vegan-diet followers that want to add extra protein to their diet.
Select Vegan provides 20g of pea and brown rice protein with zero sugar. The combination of these two vegan protein sources creates a complete protein. There’s no artificial flavors or sweeteners, it’s naturally sweetened with stevia.
PEScience Vegan Series Select tastes better than many plant-based proteins and has a good texture. It mixes up easily, unlike many vegan proteins that mix poorly and might be chalky.
The quality ingredients and nutrient profile make PEScience Vegan Series Select Protein Powder the best gluten-free vegan protein powder.
PROS
- 20g Pea & Brown Rice Protein Per Serving
- Zero Sugar
- All Natural Ingredients
CONS
- The Texture & Taste May Not Appeal To All Users
10. Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder – Best Value
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Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder features 20g of whey protein from concentrate and isolate per serving. There’s also 2g of sugar and 9g total carbs.
Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder does contain artificial flavors and sweeteners. However, this is a value brand that out-prices every other brand on this list.
Not to mention, you can find it anywhere. It’s in all the big discount chains, it’s online, it’s even in drug stores.
Pure Protein Whey Protein is a decent product with a good whey protein blend. The extreme availability and excellent price make Pure Protein Whey Protein the best value in a gluten-free protein powder.
PROS
- 20g Whey Protein Per Serving
- Soy-Free
- You Can Find It Everywhere
CONS
- Contains Artificial Ingredients
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder?
What Is Gluten
Gluten-free foods have become a big deal. It seems like almost everyone is following a gluten-free diet. Let’s define what gluten is and why you should avoid foods that contain it.
Gluten is a group of proteins that are naturally occurring in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley.
Gluten contributes to the soft, chewy texture of grain-based foods. Gluten is also used as an additive in many foods due to its texture-enhancing benefits. (1, 2)
While gluten is not inherently unhealthy to the majority of the population, people with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten. If you have a gluten intolerance, you can experience gastric problems should you happen to eat it. Many people who do not experience problems with gluten still choose to follow a gluten-free diet in an effort to eat healthier.
It’s important to note that most protein powders include an ingredient called “glutamine.” This is not gluten, it’s an amino acid. In fact, it is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue and is well-known for its recovery benefits. If you are following a gluten-free diet, do not confuse the two, there is no good reason to avoid products that include glutamine. (3)
How to Choose the Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder
Choosing the highest quality gluten-free protein powder works the same as choosing one that is not gluten-free. Your first concern is to choose one that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Any protein powder can be gluten-free, the primary consideration here is to make sure the label specifies that the product is gluten-free. Having said that, you can choose a whey protein, casein, plant-based, or a blend.
Most users will go with whey or perhaps a whey blend. If you’re following a plant-based diet then you should choose that type of protein powder.
Quality should always be your first concern and we have presented many clean protein powders on this list. Sometimes it’s more about value and we have offered a value choice as well. Besides quality, you should choose according to your goals. To help you, this list has presented the best choice for a variety of goals.
One of the reasons people may follow a gluten-free diet is to promote fat loss. In general, gluten-free protein powder is not going to enhance fat loss unless the product was designed as a fat loss supplement. On the other hand, if you’re choosing a protein powder to help with muscle mass, you have several great options.
How Do I Take A Gluten-Free Protein Powder?
Like any protein powder, the best times to use gluten-free protein powder is first thing in the morning and right after a workout. These are the two key times you want a protein shake.
This is because you’re in a catabolic state and a protein shake will put you back in an anabolic state.
A whey protein would be preferable because it’s fast digesting. Other protein sources that may not digest as fast should be used during a busy day when the ability to eat a scheduled meal is uncertain. The other time is right before bed.
If you are using a gluten-free protein powder as part of a total fat loss program, take your protein shakes post-workout and as a snack in between meals. Used this way, your gluten-free shake can help curb hunger and will help you meet your daily protein requirements with a minimum of calories.
Conclusion
With the current popularity of the gluten-free diet, there are quite a few gluten-free protein powders that make an excellent choice.
The perfect example is Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, our best overall gluten-free protein powder. Nutricost may be a new name on our lists, but it’s easy to see why it’s the best. This is an exceptional protein with only one ingredient: grass-fed whey isolate. Not concentrate, but isolate. That’s a huge difference in quality and bioavailability.
Perhaps you want a quality gluten-free protein powder but also want something that tastes good. As long as you like peanut butter cups (who doesn’t), then Smart138 Peanut Butter Cup Protein Powder is the gluten-free protein powder for you. With real peanut flour in the list of ingredients, this is a product that’s serious about taste.
Maybe you’re looking for a good vegan option. PEScience Vegan Series Select Protein Powder is the choice for you. Made using high-quality pea and brown rice protein, this is a great gluten-free choice for anyone interested in a plant-based protein.
The choices are almost limitless, pick your best choice and enjoy!
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