If you’re having trouble finding the right protein powder for you, consult your doctor or nutritionist.

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Protein powder is popular with (and typically marketed to) athletes and bodybuilders. But it also has caught on with a broader range of consumers—people of various ages and activity levels—who are looking to improve their daily diet habits. But what can protein powder actually do for you? And how do you know which type to buy?

Let’s start with what we already know about protein. It’s a dietary essential that health experts agree should be consumed every day to maintain or increase muscle mass and bone health. It can be abundantly found in foods, including meats, poultry, vegetables, eggs, cheese, milk, seeds, and nuts.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound; that’s 47 grams for a person weighing 130 pounds and 54 grams for a person weighing 150 pounds.

While an egg has 6 grams of protein, a skinless chicken breast contains 53 grams of protein.

In recent years, researchers have found that older adults may need 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram, or 0.45 to 0.55 grams per pound, to support healthy aging.

You may also need to consume more protein if you’re very active or you engage in intensive strength training to ensure that your muscles get the fuel they need. This is where protein powder might benefit your diet.

The Benefits of Protein Powder

Protein powders are made of the dehydrated forms of protein-rich foods, such as whey, casein, egg whites, soy, hemp, peas, and brown rice. A serving of protein powder can contain between 10 and 30 grams of protein per serving.

While the ideal way to consume protein is through whole foods, protein powder could help those dealing with low appetite and digestive issues. It’s also a good way for those with very busy schedules to ensure that they are reaching their recommended dietary protein allowance.

Protein powder can be mixed with water, milk, or other liquids, and it can also be sprinkled into oatmeal, muffin batter, casseroles, shakes, and smoothies. Many protein powder products come flavored with cocoa, vanilla, peanut butter, and/or fruit to make them more palatable, but unflavored varieties are best for mixing into savory foods.

Remember, however, that protein powder isn’t meant to replace meals—only to supplement them—so it’s important to continue eating a variety of healthy foods.

Choosing the Right Protein Powder for You

Most protein powders are egg- and/or milk-based, so if dairy’s a regular part of your diet, then these might be good choices for you. However, if you have any dairy and/or egg sensitivities or allergies, are adhering to a vegan diet, or are lactose-intolerant, then you’ll want to choose a plant-based protein powder.

When choosing a vegan protein powder, you might run into a few that are bitter in taste or gritty in texture, so you might have to try a few varieties to find one that tastes the best to you. Many varieties of vegan protein powder also have green vegetables and other natural ingredients mixed in, so read the label carefully before choosing.

What to Watch Out For

Although it’s called protein powder, many varieties contain a lot more ingredients, including some worth avoiding. When reading the labels, look out for these ingredients:

• Sugar and artificial sweeteners. Too much sugar can sabotage your goals by adding unnecessary calories into your diet. If your digestive system is sensitive to certain artificial sweeteners, you’ll want to avoid those as well.
• Oils. Some protein powders contain high amounts of plant, vegetable, or fruit oils that can be healthy for you in small amounts, but could also lead to weight gain from the added calories.
• Too much protein. Not all protein powders are made equally. Some contain a lot more protein than you might need, especially if they’re marketed to bodybuilders and athletes. Too much protein can cause nausea and bloating, plus it can prevent your body from absorbing other essential vitamins and minerals. Keep track of how much protein you’re getting from your whole food sources, as well, as to not consume too much over your daily recommended amount based on your weight.
• Added vitamins and minerals. This may not sound like a bad thing, but if you’re already taking daily multivitamins and eating a healthy diet, an excess of vitamins and minerals may cause health problems. It’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor about how much of each vitamin you should take through supplements in addition to what you receive in your daily diet.

If you’re having trouble finding the right protein powder for you, consult your doctor or nutritionist. Until then, you can try adding non-fat milk powder (if you consume dairy) to your liquid of choice as an affordable alternative that can have over 30 grams of protein per serving.

Can Protein Powder Help You Lose Weight?

The answer is both yes and no. Many manufacturers claim that their products can help you burn fat and lose weight, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Some companies instruct you to replace meals with protein powder shakes, which may help you lose a little weight in the beginning, but, in the long run, is unsustainable. If you consume protein powder as a part of a low-calorie diet along with exercise, you’ll be able to get the results you’re looking for.

If you have a goal of losing weight and you want to incorporate protein powder into your diet, be careful what you mix it with a large smoothie containing full-fat yogurt, juice, sherbet, large amounts of fruit, chocolate, or honey can sabotage your diet with high amounts of sugar and calories.

To find a protein powder brand that works with your personal health goals, check out this chart from our sister publication Environmental Nutrition: