Best Protein Shakes For Pregnancy: Safe & Nutritious Options
On this page 8 sections
- Protein Shakes Compared
- Top Protein Shakes for Pregnancy
- Check Protein and Choline Levels on the Label
- Avoid Added Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners
- Understand Protein Types and Pregnancy Tolerances
- Choosing the Right Protein Shake for Your Needs
- Use This Checklist Before Your Next Protein Shake Purchase
- More Questions, Answered
Protein Shakes Compared
| Rank | Model | Best for | Protein per serving (g) | Choline (mg) | Sugar per serving (g) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ritual Pea Protein Powder VanillaBest for Pregnancy | Pregnant and postpartum women needing clean, traceable plant protein | 20 | 250 | 0 | Check price |
| 2 | Boobie Body Pregnancy & Postpartum ShakeComplete Plant Protein | Moms seeking organic, vegan protein with added plant-based nutrients for pregnancy and breastfeeding | 19 | — | 0 | Check price |
| 3 | Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Shake VanillaReady-To-Drink Option | Busy moms needing an organic, ready-made plant protein with vitamins | 16 | — | — | Check price |
| 4 | Premier Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter ShakeHigh Protein Ready Shake | Moms needing a high-protein, low-sugar ready-to-drink option | 30 | — | 1 | Check price |
| 5 | Evolve Plant Based Protein Shake Double ChocolateFiber-Rich Vegan Shake | Pregnant women seeking plant protein with fiber and essential minerals | 20 | — | — | Check price |
Say you’re in your second trimester, aiming for about 75 grams of protein daily, but morning sickness makes solid meals tough. A protein shake with at least 20 grams per serving and key nutrients like choline can fill that gap without upsetting your stomach.
Choosing the right shake matters because pregnancy changes your nutritional needs and how your body handles certain ingredients. You want a product that’s clean, tested, and tailored for pregnancy demands.
Top Protein Shakes for Pregnancy
Ritual Pea Protein Powder Vanilla
Boobie Body Pregnancy & Postpartum Shake
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Shake Vanilla
Premier Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake
Evolve Plant Based Protein Shake Double Chocolate
Check Protein and Choline Levels on the Label
Protein and choline levels matter most in pregnancy protein shakes. Aim for about 15 to 20 grams of protein per serving to support your baby’s growth without overloading your kidneys. Choline is crucial for fetal brain development, so look for shakes providing at least 50 mg per serving. Check the nutrition label carefully to confirm these amounts before buying.
Choline is another critical nutrient during pregnancy, supporting fetal brain and neural tube development. Aim for shakes that provide between 200 and 300 milligrams of choline per serving to complement your prenatal vitamin.
Not all protein shakes are created equal. Avoid those containing excess vitamin A, which can harm the developing baby, and steer clear of untested herbal extracts that lack safety data in pregnancy.
Choosing products tested by third-party labs offers added assurance they’re free from heavy metals and contaminants that could pose risks during pregnancy.
The Ritual Postpartum Essentials Pea Protein Powder is the best protein shake for most pregnant women. It delivers 20 grams of clean plant-based protein, 250 milligrams of choline, and contains no added sugar, making it safe and supportive of pregnancy nutrition.
Are protein shakes safe for kidneys in pregnancy? Generally, yes—when consumed within the recommended protein intake and if kidney function is normal. If you have kidney disease or other concerns, discuss your protein sources with your healthcare provider before adding shakes.
| Drink | Protein per serving | Servings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical protein shake serving | 15 g | 1 | 15 g |
| Total | 15 g | ||
| Recommended daily protein intake during pregnancy (grams) (71 g) | 21% | ||
Avoid Added Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners
Limit added sugars and avoid artificial sweeteners during pregnancy. Too much sugar can increase your risk of gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain. Artificial sweeteners like saccharin or aspartame may not be safe in large amounts. Choose protein shakes with under 5 grams of added sugar per serving, or better yet, none at all.
Many pregnant women find that artificial sweeteners like stevia or sugar alcohols cause digestive discomfort such as bloating or gas. Opting for shakes without these sweeteners can reduce tummy troubles.
Natural flavoring from vanilla, caramel, or cocoa can enhance taste without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. This makes the shake more palatable while keeping it safe for pregnancy.
Labels can be tricky: some brands market as healthy but contain high sugars. Always read the nutrition facts and ingredient list carefully to avoid surprises.
The Ritual Postpartum Essentials Pea Protein Powder fits well here too, with zero added sugar and a clean ingredient list that supports pregnancy nutrition safely.
Are protein shakes okay for kidneys? Minimizing added sugars also helps protect kidney health by preventing excess calorie intake and blood sugar swings, which can strain kidneys over time.
Understand Protein Types and Pregnancy Tolerances
Plant-based proteins are generally easier to digest during pregnancy. Pea, rice, and hemp proteins tend to cause less bloating and are less allergenic than whey or casein. Some pregnant people tolerate dairy proteins well, but if you notice discomfort, try a plant-based option. Protein type can influence how well you feel after drinking your shake.
Pea protein is a gentle, vegan-friendly option that many pregnant women tolerate well. It usually causes less stomach upset and is free from dairy, making it suitable if you experience pregnancy-related digestive sensitivities.
Whey and casein proteins come from dairy and offer complete amino acid profiles, but some pregnant women develop lactose intolerance or bloating during pregnancy. These symptoms may worsen with whey or casein shakes, so monitor your body’s response.
Soy protein is generally safe in pregnancy and provides a plant-based complete protein. However, if you have thyroid conditions, consult your doctor before using soy protein regularly because of soy’s potential effect on thyroid hormone absorption.
Hemp protein contains omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for fetal brain development but typically provides less protein per serving than other sources. Its earthier taste might not suit everyone, especially if you are sensitive to flavors during pregnancy.
Choosing the Right Protein Shake for Your Needs
Pick a protein shake that fits your nutritional needs and flavor preferences. If you have milk intolerance, a dairy-free shake with pea or rice protein is a good choice. For extra choline, some shakes add egg or soy protein. Consider texture and taste too—some shakes are thick and creamy, others light and watery. Finding one you enjoy helps you stay consistent.
Boobie Body Pregnancy & Postpartum Protein Shake combines organic plant-based nutrients with varied flavors. It suits moms seeking extra nutrition beyond protein, including antioxidants and plant-based vitamins.
Orgain Organic Nutritional Vegan Ready-to-Drink Shakes are convenient for busy moms needing balanced nutrition on the go. They offer 16 grams of plant protein and are easy to carry when time is tight.
Premier Protein shakes provide a higher protein dose—30 grams per serving—which supports active moms or those with higher protein needs. However, they contain some added sweeteners, so watch for digestive sensitivity or sugar intake.
Evolve Plant-Based Protein Shakes provide fiber and iron, nutrients important for digestive health and maintaining healthy iron levels during pregnancy. Their formula supports balanced nutrition for moms looking beyond just protein intake.
Use This Checklist Before Your Next Protein Shake Purchase
Before buying, check the label for protein amount, choline content, added sugars, and sweeteners. Also look at ingredient lists for allergens or additives you want to avoid. Confirm the serving size matches how much you plan to drink. If you have kidney disease or another condition, talk to your healthcare provider about your protein needs and limits.
Check that the choline amount is 200 mg or more per serving, as choline is essential for fetal brain development. Products lacking sufficient choline might not meet pregnancy nutritional needs.
Keep sugar under 3 grams per serving to avoid excess calories and blood sugar spikes. If you prefer, avoid artificial sweeteners, which some pregnant women choose to limit. Look carefully at the nutrition label for total sugars and sweetener ingredients.
Short ingredient lists without untested herbal extracts offer safer choices. Herbal ingredients may not be well studied for pregnancy safety, so it’s best to skip shakes with unfamiliar or numerous additives.
Choose protein shakes with third-party testing certifications. These verify the product’s safety and ingredient accuracy, giving extra assurance during pregnancy when quality matters most.
Protein shakes can be safe for kidneys during pregnancy when consumed within recommended amounts. If you have kidney concerns, consult your healthcare provider before adding protein shakes to your diet.
Following this checklist helps you pick a protein shake that supports pregnancy nutrition safely. If you want to learn more about protein shake safety during pregnancy, see our detailed guide Can You Drink Protein Shakes While Pregnant? Safety Guide.