Men’s Health Sports Nutrition Awards 2022

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From protein powders to energy gels, and everything in between, these are the best sports nutrition products to fuel your workouts, as judged by the Men's Health Lab

Anyone who tells you all supps are the same, is still taking the same old supps. The sports nutrition industry is bigger and broader than ever before, with ample choice for every goal – from fitness and fat loss to strength and stamina.

Plus, performance-boosting supplements are no longer a niche market, nor the preserve of those chasing marginal gains with every minor dietary tweak. Today, protein bars, nutritional powders and vitamin-fortified drinks are as likely to be spotted on office desks as in athletes' kit bags. As a nation, we spend more on supps than ever before; Londoners come out tops, forking out an average £806 a year in pursuit of better health and brag-worthy PBs.

But, as any mover and shaker in the supplements industry will tell you, not all supplements are made equal. That's where the Men's Health Lab comes in. We assembled a panel of 200 fitness fanatics, who helped us evaluate more than 100 different products, rating them for flavour, texture, performance and ease of use. Each volunteer took away a personalised selection of products (with brand names hidden to eliminate bias) to trial in their own time, over a four-week period. The results are in... The real winner, of course, is you.

The OG, this quickly digested protein is derived from dairy and commonly used post-workout to provide muscles with the amino acids they need for repair and recovery. These three standouts delivered the goods in scoopfuls.

Score: 9.0/10

Created by the team behind the Barry's UK fitness studios, this protein powder is made using milk sourced from grass-fed cows in the Lake District and is flavoured with the natural stevia sweetener, plus cocoa or vanilla, according to your taste (our testers loved the former). Each 125-calorie serving provides about 2og of protein, but what really commends this blend is its creamy consistency and easy mixability, with none of the sandy residue that some other shakes leave behind.

Per 30g serving: 125kcal, 20g protein, 4.5g carbs, 2.6g fat

Score: 7.8/10An impressive performance for its price point, our testers particularly liked the vanilla blend. Made using three types of whey – concentrate, hydrolysate and isolate – it offers a punchy 21.5g of protein with just 108 calories due to minimal carbs and fats, and it's naturally lower in lactose than some other powders. Testers described the texture as ‘milkshake-like’. We’re going to call it the Stacked Donald's shake.

Per 30g serving: 108kcal, 21.5g protein, 2.5g carbs, 1.2g fat

Score: 7.6/10

The name's not just for show — this protein brand is backed by special forces veteran (and TV personality) Ollie Ollerton. But even when stripped of its endorsements, our blind taste-testers rated it highly, describing it as both buttery and intensely creamy. As well as 24g of protein per scoop, it also contains a blend of helpful digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption and minimise bloating. One for the weekend warriors.Per 30g serving: 117kcal, 23.7g protein, 1.8g carbs, 1.5g fat

Vegan blends have come a long way since the days of grassy-tasting shakes with poor macro counts. The best are as creamy as any dairy offering – with comparable quantities of protein, as well. Here are our testers’ winners.

Score: 8.9/10

Ideal for refuelling on the move, these sachets can be slipped into your sports bag or coat pocket. Each serving provides 25g of protein from soy – which packs in all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs after training – plus 19g of carbs, along with useful electrolyte minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Our testers reported that it curbed their appetites too, making it a strong stop-gap between your afternoon workout and evening meal.Per 52g serving: 182kcal, 25g protein, 18.6g carbs, 0.5g fat

Score: 7.9/10

This budget-friendly pea and soy powder serves up some impressive numbers. Each 97-calorie serving provides 21g of protein – more than many whey blends. Don't be deceived by its salty sweet caramel flavour either; it's sugar-free with only 1g of carbs per shake and very little fat. If you’re looking to fuel repair and growth, without adding mass where you don't want it, this will help transform you into a lean, green machine.

Per 25g serving: 97kcal, 21g protein, 1.3g carbs, 0.8g fat

Score: 7.8/10

The clue's in the name. Not all plants offer a ‘complete’ source of protein, but by mixing different types, you can ensure you tick all nutritional boxes. This blends pea, hemp and faba bean for a pleasant-tasting shake (our testers rated the chocolate fudge brownie) with 20g of protein and all the amino acids your muscles crave, plus a bonus 26 vitamins and minerals. It also works well mixed in with overnight oats, cooked in your porridge or used as an ingredient in high-protein bakes.

Per 29g serving: 105kcal, 20g protein, 3g carbs, 1.4g fat

Caffeine is your key word in this category – no other stimulant will supercharge your brain and body quite like it. But that's not the only ingredient in a good pre-workout supp. These three have our testers’ tick of approval.

Score: 8.1/10

Give your early morning reps a fighting chance with this stand-out pre-workout powder. It contains a long list of active ingredients, including 200mg of caffeine – a pre-training dosage that will turn up the dial without blowing a fuse – plus fatigue-fighting vitamin B6, beta-alanine to buffer muscle soreness, and 11g of carbohydrates for extra training fuel. Testers remarked on the ‘notable energy boost’ and light, fruity taste.

Score: 7.8/10

This got the gold seal of approval from our panel for its thorough ingredients list and easy-to-mix formula. The recommended 400ml serving means you can up your dose as you train – rather than smashing it down in one. Testers loved the easy-to-drink tropical flavour, too.

Score: 7.6/10

This ticks many of the same boxes as our other contenders, but throws alpinia galanga into the mix – a botanical that works synergistically with caffeine to improve focus and alertness. Testers commented on the ‘noticeable caffeine kick’ and described this supp as more intense than some others in the category, helping them power through longer cardio sessions. Save it for those days when you really need the jump leads.

The rising popularity of trail runs, triathlons and ultra marathons means there are now more and better ways to drip-feed your body with energy on the go. These high-carb heroes were our panel's runaway favourites.

Score: 8.4/10

Developed by triathletes, these gels provide both fast-acting and long-lasting energy and are designed to be taken every 45 minutes to an hour during distance events, providing roughly 90 calories along with added B vitamins. Our panel appreciated that these weren't overly sweet like some more saccharine gels, adding that the consistency made them easy to knock back in a hurry. They were easy to rip open, too, without coating your hands in goopy gel.

Per 32g serving: 88kcal, 22g carbohydrates, 0.3g protein, <0.5g fat

Score: 8.4/10

This formula makes use of only six ingredients (essential water, sugars and minerals), while its ratio of fructose to glucose is optimised for efficient absorption. Testers said that the texture is thick enough to avoid a mid-race mess, but dissolves when it hits your tongue. The flavour is fairly neutral – helpful for those without a sweet tooth.

Per 40g serving: 100kcal, 25g carbohydrates, 50mg salt

Score: 8.0/10

Here is another brand with a focus on natural ingredients. Veloforte's packs of gummy sweets provide a total 42g of quick-acting carbs, which can be rationed for controlled energy top-ups. Our testers liked the lemon and cool mint flavour, made with beet sugar, and lemon juice, plus coconut water and pink Himalayan salt for electrolytes.

Per 50g pack: 167 kcal, 41.5g carbohydrates, 95mg sodium, 50mg potassium

Protein bars offer a practical, palatable way to inch you towards your macro targets when grilled chicken just won't cut it. Flavour and mouthfeel count for a lot in this category. So, our panellists chewed it over.

Score: 8.7/10

Our winning bar ticks all the boxes: 20g of protein per bar with negligible sugar, a soft, chewy texture, and a Snickers-like flavour – with no artificial protein aftertaste. Testers reported that it sated their appetites when faced with mid-afternoon sugar cravings, while crunchy peanuts and soy crispies add a little extra indulgence, making it more confectionary than gym supp. A true crowd-pleaser.

Per 55g serving: 209kcal, 20g protein, 14g carbs, 9.3g fat

Score: 7.2/10

Now spotted in many supermarkets, this is a strong option if you're looking for a quick bite to tide you over between meals. Testers liked the sweet, jammy filling and 'deep roasted peanut' flavour with a hint of saltiness. Providing 20g of protein and only 1.8g of sugar, it's a match for Barebells in the macro stakes too, albeit marginally higher in calories.

Per 60g serving: 230kcal, 20g protein, 20g carbs, 10g fat

Score: 7.6/10

This newly launched snack from Maximuscle scored highly for flavour. A little smaller than some other bars on the market, it weighs in at a modest 182 calories with 14g of protein, but it made a big impact thanks to its liquid caramel core and crunchy chocolate and peanut coating. It's surprisingly low in sugar too (just 1.7g), and our panel described the texture and mouthfeel as spot on.

Per 45g serving: 182 kcal, 14g protein, 15g carbohydrates, 9.2g fat

Whether you’re swerving dairy or just trying to work a little more plant protein into your diet, these bars scored well for macros and quality ingredients. They’re as good for your desk drawer as they are for your gym bag.

Score: 8.3/10

Made from 100% natural ingredients – rare for a protein bar – this was a hit with our panel. Ingredients such as hazelnuts, dates, coffee bean and cocoa provide texture and flavour while pea and rice proteins combine to dish out the full spectrum of amino acids for recovery, with 10g of protein total. Our testers commended it for its spot-on salty-sweet, crunchy-creamy balance and reported that it kept them ‘full and fuelled’. Ideal for your post-workout window.

Per 62g bar: 252kcal, 10g protein, 40.5g carbs, 8g fat

Score: 8.2/10

Tribe offers a range of protein-based bars, but the peanut salted caramel is our MVP. Testers liked the use of natural ingredients (including pea protein, chicory fibre, buckwheat and chia seeds) and found the combination of sweet caramel and crunchy nut butter 'delicious'. At 8g per bar, it's not got the highest protein count, but it all helps - and it's fortified with vits and minerals, too.

Per 40g bar: 199kcal, 8.1g protein, 14g carbs, 11g fat

Score: 7.1/10

This is a protein bar with a difference. It contains ‘nootropic’ ingredients (ie those linked with brain function) including choline, panax ginseng, bacopa monnieri and lion's mane, all of which have been correlated with improvements in memory and cognition. Research into nootropics is still in its infancy, but the 18g of plant protein alone makes this bar a clever choice.

Per 60g bar: 241kcal, 18.2g protein, 8.2g carbs, 11.8g fat

Read on for our full list of Men's Health Lab-approved best vegan protein bars

When you sweat, your body loses vital electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. If you're training for a couple of hours at a time (or one hour in the heat), it's worth supplementing. These will get the job done.

Score: 8.5/10

This convenient tub of tablets can be stashed in your gym bag – no need to measure out scoops, or risk powdery spillage. According to our testing panel, they dissolve quickly in chilled water for a ‘light and refreshing’ drink with a zingy grapefruit flavour. Each tab ticks off sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium while also packing green tea extract and B vitamins.

Per tablet: 8kcal, 0.6g carbohydrates, 0.8g salt

Score: 8.4/10

These tablets dissolved well, without powdery residue, and the small tubes are pocket-friendly for hydration on the go. The sharp blood orange and lemon flavour was a hit with our testing panel. It also doubles up as a multivitamin, providing 375% of your minimum daily dose of vit C. (Would likely help with a hangover, too… although that, erm, wasn't part of official testing.)

Per tablet: 10kcal, 1.2g carbohydrates, 319mg sodium, 115mg potassium, 56mg magnesium

Score: 7.9/10

For complete post-workout recalibration, this powder blends electrolyte minerals and vitamins C and B with 11g of whey protein, spooning out just 47 calories a serving with zero sugar. Due to the way it's processed, the whey is light and juicy, rather than milky, with a slight fizz and fruity flavour. Some of our testers found it easier to drink than standard protein shakes, plus it’ll keep you sated until your post-training meal, too.

Per 15g serving: 47kcal, 1g carbohydrates, 168.9g sodium, 49.8g potassium, 4.8mg magnesium

Score: 8.7/10

Kefir is a fermented milk drink that tastes like a slightly tart yoghurt. The important bit? It's a good source of gut health-improving probiotic bacteria, linked to everything from immunity to reduced anxiety. Bio-tiful rated top in our tests thanks to its clean, natural flavour and high protein count (8g in a 250ml bottle). It also surpasses a third of your calcium RDA.

Score: 7.8/10

This raw kombucha drink — that is, fermented black and green tea — is flavoured with ginger and lemon juice and sweetened with stevia. Unlike many commercial kombucha brands, it has a negligible calorie count and zero sugar. Fiery and tangy, it was likened to an old school ginger beer by members of our testing panel. Perfect for the last days of summer.

Score: 9.0/10

Made with hi-oleic peanuts sourced from Argentina, this spread delivers an extra potent dose of healthy fatty acids, with no added sugar or palm oil – just a hint of sea salt. The deep roast intensifies the flavour, which was popular with our testers. Blend it into your morning whey shake, add it to porridge or spoon it straight out of the jar and into your mouth.

Score: 7.5/10

Pipping oat and almond to the post, this pea protein-based drink is fortified with calcium and vitamins D and B12. It also provides 6g of protein per 250ml serving. It has a creamy consistency and gentle sweetness (it's flavoured with grape, but there are some unsweetened varieties, too). Our new go-to for plant-based shakes.

Stacey is our Senior Food and Drink Editor, looking after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila.

Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she's written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine.

Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings.

Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business.

You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk

Scarlett Wrench is the Senior Editor at Men's Health UK.

With more than 12 years’ experience as a health and lifestyle editor, Scarlett has a keen interest in new science, emerging trends, mental well-being, and food and nutrition. For Men's Health, she has carried out extensive research into areas such as wellness in the workplace, male body image, the paradoxes of modern masculinity, and mental health among school-age boys.

Her words have also appeared in Women's Health, Runner's World and The Sunday Times.

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