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The 7 Best Tasting Chocolate Protein Powder Options (2023) – Updated

Best Chocolate Protein Powder

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Let’s get one thing clear. Getting fit does NOT involve eating boring, bland, and untasteful foods and supplements. It involves eating a balanced diet that includes all nutrients which can potentially satisfy your taste buds. Let’s take an ice-cold protein shake with chocolate protein powder for instance.

It’s the best tasting and most convenient option, especially after a tiring and sweaty workout. And no, it does not take an hour to make. You can make a delicious chocolate protein shake within just five minutes that satisfies all your requirements. 

Now, speaking from personal experience, not all chocolate protein powders taste good. Even though chocolate may be your favorite flavor, some of the options online taste disgusting. Luckily, you don’t have to do the trial and error to find the best tasting chocolate protein powder. We’ve already done that part. 

For a bonus, at the end of this article,  I will guide you through a protein shake recipe that I use almost everyday that is delicious and packed with nutrients. 

Here are 7 of my favorite chocolate protein powder options that are healthy, delicious and worth your money.

The Best Chocolate Protein Powder In The Market

After doing our research, considering things like ingredients, brand recognition, and reviews, we have put together the 7 best chocolate protein powder options you can buy. The both delicious taste and quality protein, these will satisfy your taste buds and help muscle growth and recovery!

  1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein
  2. KOS Vegan Protein Powder, Chocolate
  3. Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder
  4. Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, Creamy Chocolate Fudge
  5. MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder
  6. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Weight Gainer
  7. Naked Mass – Chocolate Vegan Weight Gainer

1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, double rich chocolate.

At number one on our list, we have the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein. It is the most popular and trusted brand with “each ingredient tested to assure exceptional purity”.

So, what makes this chocolate protein powder the best? Well firstly, it contains 24 grams of high quality protein sourced from whey concentrate, isolate and whey peptides. This blend of protein will help increase lean muscle mass and enhance recovery. 

It also contains 5 grams of branched chain amino acids (BCAA). What is this? Well, out of the nine essential amino acids that our body needs, three are what we refer to as BCAA. They include: leucine, isoleucine and valine. These are crucial for building muscle and increasing strength. 

But let’s face it. No matter the quality and health benefits of your protein powder, if it doesn’t taste good, you wouldn’t want to have it on a regular basis, right?

However, let me assure you. This is the BEST tasting chocolate protein powder in the market. With numerous reviews on amazon and countless reviews on other supplement stores, this protein powder is shown to be the best in taste and quality. 

“They don’t call it the Gold Standard of quality for nothing”. 

Lastly, although it is a “chocolate” protein powder, the sugar content is only 1 gram of sugar per serve. 

In addition, it’s the perfect low carb option.

So, believe me when I say this, you will never go wrong with this protein powder.

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 1 scoop (30.4 grams)

Calories120
Protein24 grams
Carbohydrates3 grams
Fats1.5 grams

2. KOS Vegan Protein Powder

KOS Vegan Protein Powder, chocolate flavor.

Number two on our list we have the KOS Vegan Chocolate Protein Powder for our vegan viewers.

I’ve had chocolate plant based protein powder before, but a lot of them taste really bad. In fact I probably still have a few in the kitchen that I will never touch. 

However, the KOS Chocolate Pea Protein Blend tastes delicious and can easily fit into a vegan diet. In fact, even if you’re not a vegan, you might still want to give this protein powder a go, not just because of its taste, but also because of its high quality. 

It contains 20 grams of protein sourced from flax seed, quinoa, pumpkin seed & chia seed combined providing you with all the nine essential amino acids that your body needs to grow and recover. 

It doesn’t just end here. This protein powder option is great for those looking to lose weight. Why? Because it contains 160 calories but is very filling. So, one serving of this mixed in your favorite low calorie smoothie should be enough for a long time.

 Also, some protein powder options can cause constipation or digestive issues. And I don’t know about you guys, but I hate sitting in the toilet for an hour everyday. Especially when I’m getting late for work in the morning. 

However this chocolate protein powder option contains digestive enzymes and 3 grams of fiber per serve. So, you won’t have to sit on the toilet for hours after consuming this protein powder. 

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 2 scoops (39 grams)

Calories160
Protein20 grams
Carbohydrates9 grams
Fats6 grams

3. Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder

Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, chocolate flavor.

At number 3 on our list, we have the Dymatize ISO100 chocolate protein powder. It’s delicious and made from high quality whey protein that enhances muscle recovery and growth. 

With 25 grams of 100% whey protein isolate containing all essential amino acids, this protein powder will definitely help you achieve your fitness goals. 

Whether that goal be to lose weight or gain muscle, the protein powder is one of the best in the market. Why? Well firstly, it contains only 120 calories and only 1 gram of fat per serving and is very filling and decreases your appetite. Hence, you eat less food and calories and therefore lose weight. 

Also note that the protein is sourced from  whey ISOLATE which contains the most protein and least amount of carbs and fat. 

What about the taste? Well, if you ever have chocolate cravings or want to satisfy your sweet tooth without taking a cheat meal, this protein powder will do the job. A scoop of this protein powder in milk with some fruits will crush your chocolate cravings and maintain your diet. 

Dymatize also provides a variety of chocolate flavor protein powder options. For example, cookies and cream, chocolate peanut butter, and cocoa pebbles. 

The downside of this protein powder option is the price. It is expensive but for the quality and brand recognition, I think it’s worth it. 

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 1 scoop (32 gram)

Calories120
Protein25 grams
Carbohydrates2 grams
Fats0.5 grams

4. Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder

Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, chocolate flavor.

Number 4 on our list we have the Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, Chocolate Fudge Flavor. Another great choice for our vegan viewers who are looking for quality protein and a delicious taste. 

Containing 21 grams of protein sourced from peas, brown rice, and chia seeds, this protein powder provides the nine essential amino acids, helping muscles grow and recover more efficiently.

What’s more, the protein powder contains 2 grams of fiber and 0 added with a delicious creamy chocolate taste that will satisfy your cravings. 

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of vegan protein powder but this one is different. With the taste and high quality protein blend, even a non-vegan will be satisfied. 

Mix this with milk, water or in your favorite protein shake recipe and enjoy! Also, stay tuned till the end of this article where I’ve shared a protein shake recipe that I use almost everyday. 

Orgain’s protein powder is also free of lactose, dairy, gluten and soy. So if you do have dietary requirements, I hope this option satisfies all of them.

The downside for this protein powder is that it may be too sweet for some. But overall, it’s a great product and if you’re like me and don’t want to cook but also want to get your protein intake up, this one is definitely for you.

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 2 scoops (46 grams)

Calories150
Protein21 grams
Carbohydrates15 grams
Fats4 grams

5. MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder

MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder, chocolate flavor.

At number 5 we have the MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder, Chocolate Flavor. This protein powder has “award winning taste”. It’s almost like you’re consuming a cheat meal but actually it’s really healthy with high quality protein. This makes getting into shape slightly easier, doesn’t it?

Let’s start off with its 5 unique protein sources. 

With the mixture of whey protein concentrate, hydrolysate and isolate, egg albumin, and micellar casein combined, it contains 25 grams of protein per serve maximizing muscle growth and providing effective recovery. 

This protein blend contains all nine essential amino acids including BCAA’s to ensure proper protein utilizations and helps fuel your muscles for longer. 

What’s more is that it’s versatile and goes well with water, milk, almond milk, and fruits. With its chocolate taste, you can easily make delicious smoothies, pancakes, shakes etc. I mean, what else could you ask for?

It is also one of the few protein supplements that’s banned substance tested so it can be consumed by athletes. These tests occur on a regular basis, making this product highly reliable and worth your money!

Muscle Pharm also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They have a 30 day full money back guarantee. So, you really can’t go wrong with this product. 

The only downside for this product is that it contains 45 mg of cholesterol. So if you do have a cholesterol issue, I wouldn’t recommend this product. But overall, this product is one of the best in the market with its exceptional taste and high protein quality.

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 1 scoop (37 grams)

Calories140
Protein25 grams
Carbohydrates6 grams
Fats1.5 grams
Cholesterol45mg

High Calorie Chocolate Protein Powders

If you are looking to gain weight and muscle, there are some amazing mass gainer options that will help you achieve that goal. However, when it comes to high calorie options, there are few things you need to look out for. 

Everyone knows that when choosing a mass gainer, the amount of calories is important. But where should the calories come from? Well, the calories must come from three different sources: carbs, fats and protein. 

According to health and nutritional experts, 45% – 60% of your calories must come from carbohydrates, 30 – 35 % needs to come from protein and 20 – 30% from fats. 

We have made an article about “The Best High Calorie Protein Powder For Bulking Up” which covers everything you need to know about mass gainers. 

Here are two of the mass gainers from that article that are my personal favorite!

1. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Gainer

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Gainer, chocolate flavor.

Yes, again we have the Optimum Nutrition brand. As I’ve mentioned before, it is one of the best nutritional brands, especially when it comes to fitness supplements. And it’s not the brand, it’s the product quality that makes this mass gainer stand out compared to others. 

With 1250 calories and 50 grams protein, this becomes a great choice to add to your bulking diet. 

The protein is sourced from a unique mixture of whey concentrate, calcium caseinate, egg whites, all from high quality. Apart from protein, the rest of the calories are sourced from carbohydrates and fats. 

It also contains Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin D to help support your immune system.

Do you take creatine supplements? Well maybe you won’t need to since this already contains 3 grams of creatine. The recommended amount of creatine you should have is 3-5 grams a day. And if you eat meat, this protein powder plus your diet should give you enough creatine for the day. 

In addition to this, the product by Optimum Nutrition is highly trusted with each ingredient tested to assure greatest quality. 

So if you are struggling to gain weight, this protein powder plus a proper lean bulk will give you the best results.

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 2 Heaping Scoops (336 grams)

Calories1250
Protein50 grams
Carbohydrates252 grams
Fats4.5 grams
Sugar20 grams

2. Naked Mass – Chocolate Vegan Weight Gainer

Naked Mass - Chocolate Vegan Weight Gainer

This is a high calorie protein powder option for our vegan viewers. It’s made of only five ingredients containing high quality protein and carbs, making this perfect to include in your bulk diet.

Containing 50 grams of protein with 10.3 grams of BCAA’s per serve, this is probably the best choice for those looking to increase muscle mass and weight. Especially if you have a vegan diet. 

Combining organic brown rice, pea protein, and tapioca maltodextrin, it provides a clean source of protein and complex carbohydrates. 

With 237 grams of carbs and 1280 calories per serve, this becomes a perfect fit for your bulking diet, especially if you don’t feel like cooking a big meal.

This protein supplement is also versatile. So make your favorite shakes, smoothies, cakes, and protein bars. 

Now, the downsides of this protein powder is that it’s a little high in the sugar content. So, if this is something that doesn’t meet your requirements, you might want to consider the unflavored option. It’s also high in calories and protein but the taste is a bit bland if you have it by itself. Instead , following the recipe I’ve made for guys at the end of this article, will turn this bland taste into a delicious protein shake that you will crave everyday!

But overall, it’s a great chocolate protein powder that will fit into your vegan bulking diet. 

And even if you’re not vegan, this protein powder is a perfect choice because of its high quality protein and carbohydrates source. 

Serving Size: 4 Scoops (315 grams)

Calories1280
Protein50 grams
Carbohydrates237 grams
Fats15 grams
Sugar54 grams (Much Less in the Unflavored Option)

Things to look out for when buying protein powder.

Before you go and buy a protein supplement, you need to take some of these things into consideration. 

1. Protein

When choosing a protein powder supplement, you obviously want to know how much protein there is. After all, you’re purchasing it to increase your protein intake. 

But more importantly, you need to know where that protein is coming from. Is it Whey, soy, or seeds? 

The most common is whey but there are three different types: whey isolate, concentrate and hydrolyzed. Let’s have a look at each one separately to help you choose the best option.

Whey Isolate90% protein. Less lactose, carbs, fats.
Whey Concentrate80% protein. Contains more lactose, fats, and carbs compared to whey isolate.
Whey Protein HydrolyzedPre-digested state making it easier to absorb.

As you can see from the table above, whey isolate contains more protein and less carbs and fats. Hence, this type of protein source is the best, especially for those trying to lose weight. 

Knowing the protein source becomes even more important to those who have dietary requirements.

2. Carbs and Fats

Carbs are our body’s primary source of energy that will allow you to perform exercises with more intensity. However, like everything we do, having a balance is important. 

Hence, along with carbs, your body needs protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. 

Eating too many carbs will prompt weight gain and increase blood sugar while eating too little also causes health problems. Obviously, if you are looking to increase weight, then increasing your carbs slightly is best the opposite if you’re trying to lose weight. 

As I mentioned before, 45% – 60% of your calorie intake should be carbs.

And although it’s important to know how many carbs you’re taking, it’s more important to know where the carbs are coming from. In other words, are they simple carbs or complex carbs? 

Obviously complex carbs are a healthier option.

Along with carbohydrates, the amount of fat in a protein powder is also important. “Healthy” or “good” fats help increase the level of HDL which in return enhances muscle growth. 

Again it’s about where the fat is coming from. Is it saturated or unsaturated? It’s beneficial to limit your saturated fat consumption since too much of it can cause serious health issues. This is one of the reasons why I wouldn’t recommend dirty bulking

However, if you are in the bulking stage, having a cheat meal once or twice a week is completely fine. As long as you’re staying consistent with a regular healthy diet plan, a cheat meal can actually be beneficial. 

3. Sugar Content 

I’ve tried many chocolate protein powders in the past and a lot of them taste terrible and those that do taste good have a lot of sugar in them. 

According to research, adult women can have about 24 grams of sugar whereas an average male can have about 36 grams of sugar per day. 

During your bulking phase, you can have up to 50 – 100 grams of added sugar.

Hence, be mindful of the amount of sugar that is in your protein powder. If it’s too much and exceeds the daily limit, it can cause unhealthy weight gain and rapid spikes in blood sugar. 

So, are there sugar free chocolate protein powder options? Read our next week’s article to find out the best sugar free protein powders.

4. Price

Price is an obvious point, but it can be hard to decide whether the protein supplement is worth its price or not. 

The supplements we have chosen are of high quality and have brand recognition which , in my opinion, is much more important than the price. 

You don’t want to go with a cheap option that is poor in quality and has more side effects than actual benefits. A lot of the cheap protein powders have too many artificial ingredients or simply are of bad quality, leading to things like constipation, nausea, and headaches. 

Rather, spend a little extra for the best quality. 

The options we have chosen are the BEST in the market that have both delicious taste and high quality protein.

Benefits of protein powder

Let’s get a quick definition of what protein is. 

Proteins are molecules that are made from amino acids and are essential for the body to grow, repair and function properly. Our body produces 11 amino acids (also known as nonessential amino acids) however cannot produce the 9 essential amino acids. Hence, these must be sourced through our diet. 

Why are the nine amino acids so important? Well, they help with muscle growth, recovery, and overall athletic performance. 

Now although most of us can source these amino acids through foods like lean meat, eggs and milk, some diets can be low in protein or deficient in amino acids. That’s where protein powder comes in. The list of protein powders above contains the highest quality of protein providing you with all essential amino acids that will help enhance your performance and increase those gains!

Below are some more benefits of having a protein powder.

1. Convenience

Some people think that protein powder is going to give them some magical benefits and increase their muscle mass. However, unfortunately that’s not true.

You see whey protein (the most popular type of protein powder) is a natural dairy component sourced through the cheese making process. So, it’s just food converted to a powder form.

Hence, it really doesn’t matter if you’re getting your protein through lean meats, yogurt, milk, eggs etc. As long as the foods you eat are high in protein and you’re getting about 1.2 – 2 grams of protein per kilogram  of body weight, you will build muscle and see improvements. 

However, protein powders are just so convenient for me. In other words, I’m just too lazy to cook my meals. 

Instead one protein shake after a workout or between my meals can really help increase my protein intake for the day. Having said that, I do consume a lot of high protein foods throughout the day to help me get all the nutrients I need that simply can’t be sourced through just protein powder. 

2. Increase protein intake

Protein is very important when it comes to building muscle and with the help of a protein supplement, you can easily increase your protein intake. 

In fact, one scoop of protein powder can provide up to 25 grams of protein. 

According to research protein supplements are shown to increase muscle mass and strength for those who perform resistance training.

3. Recovery

You know that feeling when you wake up and your muscles are in PAIN after last night’s workout. That’s because you damage and tear your muscles when you workout. This is a good thing because when the muscles repair, they grow and become stronger.

That repairing or recovery process speeds up when you have enough protein and hence your muscles will be fully recovered and ready for your next training session. 

So it is VERY important you have enough protein throughout the day, especially if you are going to the gym on a regular basis.

4. Weight loss

There is no magic formula in protein powder that will help you lose weight, however various studies have shown that it can actually help promote weight loss. 

Firstly, when losing weight, calorie deficit is key. You need to decrease the amount of calories you have per day. According to Medical News Today, an average female needs about 1600 – 2400 calories whereas an average male needs about  2000-3000 calories. 

One way to do this is eating foods that are low in calories. 

Another way is to eat protein rich foods or protein supplements since they are very filling. This means you won’t feel hungry which will result in eating smaller amounts and avoid those constant snacks you have every half an hour. 

Ultimately, you eat less and hence have less calories resulting in weight loss.

 

BONUS 1 - "THE GREAT BULK" Recipe

Strawberry bulking protein shake
  • Step 1 - Ingredients

    Protein Powder, Peanut Butter, Honey, Banana, Whole Milk, and Frozen Berries

  • Step 2 - Blend Your Oats

    Take 50 grams of oats and blend them so it forms a fine powder.

  • Step 3 - Mix Your Ingredients

    Pour 200 ml of whole milk, add the 50 grams of blended oats, 2 scoops of powder, 1 tbsp Peanut Butter, teaspoon of honey, and 1 cup Frozen Berries

  • Step 4 - Blend Again!

    Now blend everything!

  • Step 5 - Enjoy!

    Enjoy! Play around with the amount of berries or milk. I hope you like it! Let us know your favorite protein recipe.

This protein shake has about 800 – 900 calories with 50 – 60 grams of protein. If you like, you could also include yogurt to give you extra calories and protein.

BONUS 2 - "THE BERRY WEIGHT LOSS MAGIC" RECEPIE

Berry protein shake
  • Step 1 - Ingredients

    Protein Powder, Unsweetened Almond Milk, Frozen Berries, Low Fat Greek Yogurt, and Spinach

  • Step 2 - Amount

    Get 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup berries, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cup spinach.

  • Step 3 - Mix & Blend

    Mix all your ingredients into a blender.

  • Step 4 - Enjoy!

    Enjoy! Also try experimenting. Maybe add water instead of the almond milk. Or maybe some seeds or nuts. Even a tablespoon of peanut butter.

This protein shake has about 200- 260 calories with 25 – 35 grams of protein. The best part is that it is very filling, so you won’t feel like eating those snacks throughout the day.

Key Takeaway

Fitness is a beautiful journey, and I won’t you guys to enjoy it, not suffer through it. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best tasting and highest quality chocolate protein powder options. However, be sure to check with a health professional before taking these supplements.

As always, stay fit and stay healthy. I will see you guys’ next week!

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