Looking for the best weight loss protein shakes for women? You have numerous options that are both quick and easy to make!
Adding protein shakes to your diet can help you reach your goal weight by building or maintaining muscle, increasing your metabolism, and keeping you full with fewer calories.
You can drink them in place of a meal or choose a lower-calorie shake as a between-meal or post-workout snack.
But not all protein shakes are created equal!
Many store-bought ones contain added sugars, fillers, lots of preservatives, and empty calories.
There are some good premade protein shakes (like the ones found here), but when it comes to the best weight loss protein shakes for women, DIY is the route to take!
Here's how to unlock the power of protein — and some great protein shake recipes!
Protein is the key to weight loss and muscle building. Here’s what you need to know about protein powder.
How to Use Protein Shakes for Weight Loss
Studies show that protein is a nutrient that helps you maintain lean body mass, keeps you full for long time periods, and allows you to burn extra calories throughout the entire day.
Higher protein diets help reduce body fat so you can achieve the lean body you desire in no time.
When using protein shakes for weight loss, drink them in place of meals or between meals, depending on the quantity you drink and the calorie content of the shakes.
Weight loss calorie needs for women are usually about 1,200-1,500 calories per day.
Studies show that consuming three meals plus two snacks daily is associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) and long-term weight loss maintenance.
Depending on your individual calorie needs and meal plan, this might equate to eating three 300 to 350-calorie meals plus two 200-calorie snacks each day.
To use protein shakes for weight loss, drink them in place of a meal or choose a lower-calorie shake as a between-meal or post-workout snack.
Adjust your portion size to meet calorie and weight loss goals.
A good rule of thumb is to drink weight loss shakes for women containing about 200-300 calories each.
What Are the Different Types of Protein Powder?
Various different protein powders are available for creating your own protein shakes at home.
Examples include:
- Whey
- Casein
- Egg
- Soy
- Pea
- Hemp
- Rice
- Protein blends
The source of protein isn’t the only thing that differentiates between the numerous protein powders often used for homemade protein shakes.
- Protein concentrates contain mostly protein plus some carbohydrates and dietary fat.
- Protein isolates contain about 90-95% protein after much of the carbohydrates and fat get removed.
- Protein hydrolysates provide partially broken down proteins that are absorbed more quickly by the body.
When choosing protein powder for making homemade protein shakes for weight loss in women, pick a powder that’s free from or low in added sugar, preservatives, and other fillers.
Check the ingredient and nutrition facts label to learn more about what's in your favorite protein powder.
Meet SuperFuel. The Delicious Protein Shake Packed With 40+ Energy-Boosting Vitamins & Superfoods (Designed For Busy Women)
As a busy women, it’s challenging to stay consistent with healthy eating. That’s why we created SuperFuel… the delicious “all-in-one” nutrition shake for busy women 40+ to give your body the protein + key nutrients you need for more energy, fat burning, and muscle building.
The Best Weight Loss Protein Shakes for Women
Use the following protein shake recipes when you want to drop excess weight, stay lean, or have a convenient meal or snack that's loaded with essential nutrients when you’re on the go.
For each of the weight loss shake recipes below, simply combine all ingredients in a blender and blend them together until the shake reaches a smooth consistency.
Ice is optional but can make your weight loss protein shake more refreshing!
Coffee Mocha Protein Shake
This mocha weight loss protein shake recipe helps energize you first thing in the morning and fills you up without the extra calories.
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Chocolate protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened chocolate almond milk | 80 calories | 2 grams | 4 grams | 6 grams |
1/2 Cup Black coffee | 2 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
2 Teaspoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
| 8 calories | 0 grams | 2 grams | 0 grams |
To taste Stevia | 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 190 calories | 27 grams | 7 grams | 6 grams |
Matcha Green Tea Protein Shake
This matcha green tea protein smoothie recipe gives you the boost of energy you desire from fat-burning caffeine, and antioxidants in it help fight chronic diseases and aging.
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Vanilla protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
2 Teaspoons Matcha green tea powder | 20 calories | 0 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
| 6 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1/8 Cup Avocado | 30 calories | 0 grams | 2 grams | 3 grams |
1/2 Cup Raw spinach | 3 calories | 0 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
To taste Stevia | 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 219 calories | 27 grams | 7 grams | 8 grams |
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Weight loss shakes don’t have to taste boring or bland.
This chocolate peanut butter weight loss protein shake for women is as delicious as it is nutritious!
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Chocolate protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
1 Teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder | 4 calories | 0 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
1/2 Tablespoon Peanut butter
| 45 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 4 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 209 calories | 29 grams | 6 grams | 9 grams |
Thin Mint Protein Shake
This thin mint weight loss protein shake recipe is refreshing and will curb your sweet tooth and appetite when weight loss for women is your goal.
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Chocolate protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
1 Teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder | 4 calories | 0 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
1/2 Banana
| 53 calories | 1 gram | 13 grams | 0 grams |
1 Teaspoon Peppermint extract | 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 217 calories | 28 grams | 17 grams | 5 grams |
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Learn More >Cherry Almond Protein Shake
Change things up with this cherry almond protein shake recipe when you’re in the mood for something that's sweet, energizing, and loaded with fiber and other essential nutrients.
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Vanilla protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
1/4 Cup Pitted cherries | 24 calories | 0 grams | 6 grams | 0 grams |
1/2 Tablespoon Almond butter
| 49 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 4 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 233 calories | 29 grams | 11 grams | 9 grams |
Banana Bread Protein Shake
The nutmeg in this banana bread protein shake recipe adds a boost of flavor to an already mouth-watering meal replacement.
Try it for yourself and watch the weight melt off!
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Vanilla protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
1 Cup Unsweetened plain almond milk | 30 calories | 1 gram | 1 gram | 3 grams |
1/2 Small banana | 45 calories | 1 gram | 12 grams | 0 grams |
1/2 Container Plain low-fat Greek yogurt | 73 calories | 10 grams | 4 grams | 2 grams |
1/4 Teaspoon Ground nutmeg
| 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
Dash Splenda | 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 248 calories | 37 grams | 18 grams | 5 grams |
Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake
Try this pumpkin-flavored weight loss protein shake recipe in the fall or any time of year to spice things up a bit.
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 Scoop Vanilla protein powder | 100 calories | 25 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
1/4 Cup Pumpkin puree | 20 calories | 1 gram | 5 grams | 0 grams |
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
| 6 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
| 5 calories | 0 grams | 1 gram | 0 grams |
Dash Splenda | 0 calories | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 191 calories | 28 grams | 9 grams | 5 grams |
Triple Berry Protein Shake
Get in your daily dose of antioxidants with this nutritious triple berry weight loss protein shake recipe!
CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBOHYDRATES | FAT | |
1 1/2 Scoops Vanilla protein powder | 150 calories | 38 grams | 2 grams | 0 grams |
2 Cups Unsweetened plain almond milk | 60 calories | 2 grams | 2 grams | 5 grams |
1/8 Cup Strawberries | 7 calories | 0 grams | 2 grams | 0 grams |
1/8 Cup Blueberries
| 11 calories | 0 grams | 3 grams | 0 grams |
1/8 Cup Raspberries
| 8 calories | 0 grams | 2 grams | 0 grams |
1 Handful Ice cubes | NA | NA | NA | NA |
TOTALS | 236 calories | 40 grams | 11 grams | 5 grams |
You can adjust portion sizes as needed to increase or decrease the calorie content of your shake, based on your weight loss meal plan.
For example, you might consume a 300-calorie shake for a meal replacement or a 200-calorie protein drink as a between-meal snack.
Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian with over 15 years of freelance writing experience.
She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed her dietetic internship at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Prior to beginning her career in medical content writing, Erin worked as Health Educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Internal Medicine.
Her published work appears on hundreds of health and fitness websites, and she’s currently working on publishing her first book! Erin is a wife, and a Mom to two beautiful children.
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*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on the best weight loss protein shakes for women.