The 5 Best Protein Powders for a Cutting Phase

I am looking for a new protein powder that is low in calories but high in protein to use during my cut. I want something that tastes good even when mixed with just water because I am trying to save calories. I have tried a few different brands but some are way too sweet.

Are there any specific powders that you recommend for a cutting phase? I have heard that whey isolate is the best because it has less fat and carbs than whey concentrate. I am in Canada and I usually buy my supplements from Popeyes or online.

What are your favorite flavors for protein shakes? I am a big fan of chocolate and vanilla but I am open to trying something new. I would also love to hear if you use any vegan protein powders that actually have a good texture. Any help would be great.

When I'm cutting, I always go for a Whey Isolate. You want to avoid the concentrates because they have extra carbs and fats that you just don't need when calories are tight. My go-to is usually MyProtein Impact Isolate — simple, cheap, and does the job.

I’m a big fan of Dymatize ISO100. It’s hydrolyzed so it digests super fast, and the Gourmet Chocolate flavor actually tastes like a real milkshake, which helps when you're craving sweets. It's only about 110 calories per scoop for 25g of protein.

Totally agree on the Dymatize! But have you lot tried Casein for a cut? I find that having a Casein shake before bed keeps me full until breakfast. It's much thicker than whey, so it feels more like a treat or a pudding if you mix it with less water.

Casein is a game changer for hunger management. I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein. It’s got a bit of a grainy texture if you don’t mix it right, but it stays in your stomach way longer than whey.

I prefer Isopure Zero Carb. If you're really pushing the deficit, zero carbs is hard to beat. Plus, the unflavored version is great because you can mix it into soups or oats without making everything taste like fake vanilla.

Does anyone use Clear Whey? It’s basically like drinking juice instead of a heavy milky shake. Great for after a hot summer workout when the last thing you want is thick chocolate powder.

Clear Whey sounds interesting. Does it have that weird protein aftertaste though? I'm quite sensitive to that metallic flavor.

The MyProtein Clear Whey is decent, but you have to let it sit for a minute after shaking so the foam settles. The Dragon Fruit flavour is actually quite refreshing, almost like a flat Lucozade.

I tried a vegan one recently just to see what the hype was about—Orgain. It wasn't bad, but the calorie-to-protein ratio isn't as good as an isolate. You end up with 5-10g of carbs just to get 20g of protein.

Vegan powders usually use pea or soy, which can be a bit heavy on the digestion. If you're on a cut, you want efficiency. Stick to Whey Isolate unless you can't do dairy.

Don't forget about Egg White protein powder! It's pure protein, zero fat, zero carbs. It doesn't taste great on its own, but for a strict cut, it's technically one of the 'best' for the numbers.

I can't do the egg white stuff, the texture is too slimy for me. I'll stick to my Isopure.

PEScience Select is another top contender. It's a blend of Whey and Casein. You get the fast absorption from the whey but the casein makes it creamy and more filling. Their Snickerdoodle flavour is legendary.

PEScience is great for making "proats" (protein oats). Since it has that casein blend, it doesn't go all watery when you heat it up in the microwave.

Good point. If you're cutting, proats are a staple. I use the Dymatize for that too.

So the consensus for the 'Top 5' seems to be: 1. Dymatize ISO100, 2. MyProtein Isolate, 3. Isopure Zero Carb, 4. Optimum Nutrition Casein, and 5. PEScience Select?

That’s a solid list. I’d personally swap the MyProtein for Legion Whey+. It’s grass-fed and has no artificial sweeteners, which some people prefer when they're trying to be 'clean' on a cut.

Legion is expensive though, especially getting it shipped to the UK. MyProtein is much more budget-friendly for us over here.

Price is definitely a factor. Cutting is expensive enough with the price of fresh chicken and steak lately!