
- Home
- Categories
- Protein
- RTD Protein
- Home
- Categories
- Protein
- RTD Protein
Ready-to-Drink Protein Supplement Reviews

If you want to maximize the results from your training and diet, getting adequate protein is absolutely crucial. Failing to get enough protein can result in delay the rebuilding process and stunt growth of new muscle...
If you want to maximize the results from your training and diet, getting adequate protein is absolutely crucial. Failing to get enough protein can result in delay the rebuilding process and stunt growth of new muscle.
However, we’re not rich enough to afford a private chef to cook all of our food and frankly, in today’s world of go, go, go, we don’t have the time to cook healthy, high-protein meals for ourselves. This often results in many gym rats failing to meet their required protein macros and becoming frustrated as to why they aren’t seeing the results from all the hard training they put in the gym.
What’s a protein starved brosef to do?
Enter the RTD Protein!
What is an RTD?
RTD stands for “ready to drink” protein. There’s no need to carry around a baggie of protein powder or shaker bottle filled with protein powder. There’s no mixing, shaking, or preparation needed, everything is included in one convenient container. Simply pop open the carton or bottle and drink.
Benefits of an RTD:
-
Complete source of protein
-
Easy and convenient to use
-
Helps maintains lean muscle mass
-
No mixing, blending or dirtying dishes
-
Increases anabolic response
-
Low fat
Who can benefit from RTDs?
It would be easier to answer the question, “who can’t benefit from RTDs?” Everyone has experienced the time crunch of needing to eat something nutritious and filling yet not having enough time to cook or sit down at a restaurant to eat. Basically, anyone concerned about getting adequate protein in their diet can benefit from RTDs.
Vegetarians especially can find RTD protein drinks useful. Whey, soy, and plant protein RTDs are readily available in stores helping even the most meat-phobic person meet their protein needs.
How to choose an RTD?
When looking to buy an RTD there are several things to consider:
-
Total calorie content
-
Total protein content
-
Amount of fat and carbs
-
Price
-
Added ingredients (sweeteners, fillers, amino acids)
-
Taste
While most of these drinks will have a substantial amount of protein, they can vary widely in the amount of fats, carbs, and calories they contain. So make sure to pick an RTD that is inline with your nutritional goals and taste preferences. If you’re bulking, you can afford to drink an RTD that has higher calories, carbs and fats. If you’re dieting, you will want a low-fat, low-carb drink that has fewer calories and a higher total protein content.
What to watch out for?
RTD proteins will have a much more complicated list of ingredients that your typical protein powder label. In addition to protein, you’ll also find added oils, sugars, flavorings, gums, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. This is an all-in-one product after all, so it will have all the ingredients necessary for you to just pop the top and drink.
Of course, try to find ones that aren’t too high in sodium. Additionally, watch out for any products that contain artery-clogging trans fats. These will appear on the label as partially-hydrogenated oils.
When should I drink an RTD?
Pop open a bottle before your workout if you need an energy boost, or sip on one after your workout to start the rebuilding and repair process. Maybe you have to run straight from work to pick up the kids and bring them to soccer practice, perfect time to drink it as a snack until you can make it to dinner. Really, any occasion you’re in a rush and need a little something to quell the hunger monster is a perfect time to consume an RTD.
Takeaway
Don’t let the hussle and bussle of life derail your fitness goals by failing to meet your protein needs. You may not always have access to water, milk, or a blender to mix with your protein powder. RTDs are a high-quality, convenient, and tasty way for you to get your necessary protein fix.



Rating Guide
RANK | PRODUCT | REVIEWS | OVERALL | EFFECT | VALUE | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
![]() |
Premier Nutrition RTD Protein Shake (Premier Nutrition) | 1 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.6 | |
#2 |
![]() |
ISO 100 Clear (Dymatize Nutrition) | 1 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
Products with no reviews (17)
(Show)- Carnivor RTD (MuscleMeds)
- Coco Protein (Muscle Pharm)
- Drink and Go (ANS Protein)
- Isopure Plus (Natures Best)
- Monster Milk RTD (Cytosport)
- Muscle Milk Pro Series (Cytosport)
- Muscle Milk Pro Series 40 (Cytosport)
- Oh Yeah! RTD (ISS Research)
- Promax Drink (Maxinutrition)
- Protein Fuel 25 (USN)
- Protein Fuel 50 (USN)
- Protein Shake (Bodylogix)
- Pure Pro RTD (American Bodybuilding)
- RTD Protein Shake (Marked Nutrition)
- Syntha 6 RTD (BSN)
- Ultimate High Protein Shake (UPS Protein)
- Wheybolic 40 (GNC)
Don't see a product? Suggest one!
Some links may earn us advertising or sponsor fees; see our Affiliate Disclosure.