Protein gummies appear to be a convenient and delicious way to boost your protein intake and support your overall health and fitness. They seem incredible for those of us who lead a fast-paced lifestyle, right?
Well, that’s part of it.
To fully grasp the potential benefits of these protein-dense treats, we have to look past the convenience and tastiness and look closer at the actual value they offer.
So, without further ado, let’s look at the pros and cons of protein gummies.
Are There Gummies with Protein?
Yes, there are gummies with protein. They come in all types and flavors, and while they’re not taking the industry by storm, they definitely seem to pop up here and there. But that’s not that surprising.
Recently, we’ve seen everything take a gummy form – from vitamins and minerals to energy boosters, sleep aid supplements, creatine gummies, skincare and haircare supplements, and many others. So, it’s only natural that protein gummies are hitting the shelves.
Do Protein Gummies Work?
Yes, protein gummies work.
That said, we have to delve a little deeper.
The reason why protein gummies work is simple – you can add extra protein to pretty much anything. You can sprinkle it over your pancakes, mix it with oatmeal, or “season” your steak with it (although we don’t really see why you’d do that)… You get the gist.
However, just because something works doesn’t necessarily mean it works well or that you should do it.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
Protein Gummies vs. Powder
If you really want to find out whether protein gummies are worth the money, you have to compare them to arguably the best-known type of supplemental protein – protein powder.
We’ll compare them across the following five categories:
Convenience
As far as convenience goes, we have to give credit where credit is due. Gummies win this one.
There’s no prep involved, there’s no vigorous shaking, and there’s no dishwashing afterward. It’s just a matter of chewing a dozen or so gummies in a few minutes, and you’re good to go.
Taste
Taste-wise – we have to call it a tie. There are some super-delicious protein powders on the market, and the ability to go flavorless is also a bonus in this category. But at the same time – these are gummies. Sweets. They’re just super delicious.
Type
More often than not, you don’t know what type of protein goes into the gummies. Is it whey isolate or soy protein? Or is it something else entirely? You usually can’t tell, and that’s a problem in our book. You need to know what type of protein you’re ingesting. That’s why protein powder wins this one.
Ingredients
Here are two reasons why protein powder sweeps the floor with gummies in this category:
- Protein-per-serving
- Sugar content
The first reason is self-evident and requires little to no explanation. You simply get more protein (double or more) per serving with virtually every single protein powder on the market.
Secondly, gummies are delicious for a reason, and added sugar is one of those reasons. Whether it’s artificial sweeteners or simply higher carbohydrate content due to the nature of these products, you can’t help but eat quite a few grams of carbs with each serving.
While this might not sound like a lot to some, every calorie counts when you’re on a strict diet.
Price-per-serving
Finally, we have another easy win for the protein powder.
Usually, a protein powder will come out at around $1.5 per serving, while some gummies on the market easily double or triple that amount.
If we were to compare the price per gram of protein – the difference would be even greater.
Are Protein Gummies Good for You?
Protein gummies can be good for you. Eating protein gummies can be an easy and delicious way to get some extra protein in your diet. Compared to regular gummies, these things are a health gold mine. That goes without saying.
But at the same time, compared to other protein supplements, these will not look like a great deal or the best option out there – especially considering extra carbs from sugars and sweeteners. So, keep that in mind.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a Protein Gummy Supplement
If you’d like to check these out and maybe give them a go – here’s what you should keep in mind.
Cost Per Serving
Cost per serving greatly varies from product to product, so you need to do the math and see which product fits your budget.
Usually, these things will cost around $3-5 per serving, which is not the best bang for your buck by any means.
But, at the same time, you’re paying for convenience and taste, and if that’s a major factor for you – these might be worth it.
Calories/Sugar Content
Once again, the sugar content (and, with it, the calories) will vary from product to product, so we’d strongly urge you to take your time and read the labels carefully.
This is especially important if you’re on a low-carb diet, as some gummies can contain 10, 20, or even 30 grams of sugar per serving. That’s not insignificant by any stretch of the imagination.
However, what you’ll often see with these is “net carbs,” which is basically a trick manufacturers use to present the product as “low carb.” In reality, it’s just a matter of using super-low calorie sugars like allulose, so the product isn’t as calorie-dense as some other products with the same amount of carbs.
Also, while a serving of gummies might be comparable to a serving of protein powder, calorie-wise, one glance at the label will reveal that you’re getting far more sugar and far less protein with the gummies.
Where the Protein is Sourced From
As mentioned previously, protein gummies often don’t disclose the type of protein they use – which is a huge no-no in our book.
Thankfully, some brands are open about the protein source for their gummies, so you can choose according to your lifestyle and preferences.
The Number of Gummies Per Serving
You’ll often see “one pack, one serving” products, meaning you don’t have to count the gummies or worry about the dose.
However, many products will simply stamp the number of total gummies on the front of the label and leave it up to you to read the ingredients list and figure out the serving size (number of gummies per serving).
That’s both confusing and misleading. So please – read the back.
Best Protein Gummies
Here are some of the best options on the market.
Muscle Minded Bears
For just $5, you’ll get 100 calories, 18 grams of protein, 22 (most of it is allulose) grams of carbs, and a gram of fat.
Jokes aside, while Muscle Minded Bears aren’t the best bang for the buck, you get a decent dose of protein per pack, so that’s a plus.
As for taste, you get Blood Orange and Green Apple, so it’s aimed at those sweet-n-sour tooths.
LiquaCel Protein Gummies
LiquaCel’s peach-mango and watermelon gummies are considerably less expensive than the previous ones, but they’re also not as rich in protein.
With these, you get 13 grams of protein per serving, alongside 27 grams of carbs and 6 grams of fiber in a 140-calorie serving that costs around $3.
So, quite a bit more affordable but not as potent.
Prozis Protein Gummies Premix
If there was ever a product that was the complete opposite of what the product should actually be – it’s this one.
Prozis Protein Gummies premix is a powder you use to make protein gummies. And while it is incredibly easy to make protein gummies with this premix, it is not as easy as making a protein shake.
Sure, it’s far more affordable and protein-rich (24 grams per serving) than any other gummy on the market, but it’s just a hassle to deal with.
MyProtein Protein Gummies
MyProtein is one of those companies that discloses the origin of the protein they use, so kudos to that. It’s also the only well-established and reputable company in the fitness industry out of these four.
That said, these only come with 10 grams of protein per serving at around $2.7, so they’re not as affordable as other MyProtein products. Still the cheapest on the list, though.
However, they’re currently unavailable in the US and many other countries, so getting your hands on them would be a hassle.
Should You Take a Protein Gummy Supplement?
You should avoid taking protein gummy supplements. For now, at least.
Not only are they far too expensive compared to other protein sources, but they often contain a lot of added sugars and barely any protein for that price.
Plus, the product is still new to the market, and unless it’s something revolutionary, being an early adopter usually means you’re making a costly mistake.
Instead, take protein powder, preferably whey isolate, eat protein-rich foods and maintain an overall healthy and balanced diet. Do that, and you should be more than fine.
Conclusion
All things considered, protein gummies are more of a novelty than an actual supplement you should take seriously.
While convenient, it’s hard to make a case for them when you consider their price and the protein content they deliver.
For now, stick to basics and if you want gummies as a treat – just go with regular sweets.