Gainful Protein Powder: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Review (2025)

What ingredients are used in Gainful protein powder?

Gainful protein powder is made from a variety of high-quality clean ingredients tailored to your body’s specific needs. The actual ingredients in your personalized blend will depend on your fitness goals, dietary preferences, and your other answers during the quiz.

Here are some common protein sources that Gainful uses in its blends:

Whey Protein Isolate

• A highly refined form of whey, rich in protein with minimal fat and carbs.
• Ideal for muscle growth and recovery.
• Lactose-free and easily digestible.

Micellar Casein

• A slow-digesting protein that provides a steady release of amino acids over time.
• Good for muscle repair and overnight recovery.

Organic Pea Protein

• A plant-based protein high in essential amino acids, particularly for vegans or those with dairy allergies.
• Easily digestible and hypoallergenic.

Organic Brown Rice Protein

• Another plant-based protein that complements organic pea protein, often used in vegan blends.
• Contains all essential amino acids and is easy on digestion.

Organic Sunflower Protein

• A less common plant-based protein, used as an alternative for people with soy or gluten sensitivities.
• Offers a (nearly) complete amino acid profile.

Collagen Peptides

• A protein source that supports joint, skin, and hair health.
• Hydrolyzed for easy absorption.

In addition to these protein sources, Gainful may include other clean ingredients to support overall nutrition as well as your body’s absorption of your customized protein blend. These additional ingredients can include probiotics, digestive enzymes, as well as vitamins and minerals. 

Gainful is committed to using clean ingredients, so their powders are typically free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and fillers that are common in mass-market protein powders.

What does Gainful protein powder taste like?

Like everything else Gainful does, the taste of their protein powder depends on your personal preferences. They offer 8 different “Flavor Boosts” for you to choose from and add to each protein shake you make. They also offer a “variety pack” so that you can enjoy all the flavors with every order.

Each flavor boost packet is sugar free and contains between 5-10 calories. As always, Gainful displays the full nutrition facts on their website.

At the time of writing this article, Gainful is offering the following flavor boosts:

• Rich Chocolate
• Cinnamon Toast
• Cookies & Cream
• Caffé Mocha
• Madagascar Vanilla
• Sea Salt Caramel
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Strawberry Cream

I personally loved being able to switch flavors every day, which is totally different from other protein powders where you’re stuck with the same flavor until you finish the entire tub.

However, the question that needs to be answered is “does Gainful actually taste good?”

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Gainful protein tastes fantastic.

Not only were the flavor boosts honestly delicious, but the protein powder mixed super smoothly into whatever liquid I used (I tested it with regular milk, oat milk, almond milk, and water.) One of my biggest complaints with protein powder in general is that it doesn’t always blend smoothly and you can end up with chunky pieces in the bottom of your shake. This didn’t happen at all with Gainful - in fact it blended better than any protein powder I’ve ever tasted.

I’m usually not too picky when it comes to the taste of my protein powder blend, I just want it to work. But I have to say that I was surprised and blown away by how delicious Gainful is, so I had to include it in the review.

Who has tested Gainful protein powder?

Here at HealthVerdict we believe in 100% transparency and the power of research to make informed decisions about your health and wellness.

Gainful does too.

They make it easy to see all of the ingredients in their personalized protein blends, and also publish details of their manufacturing process and facilities.

Here’s what that means, according to Gainful’s Customer Support team:

“All Gainful products are free from GMOs (genetically modified ingredients). While we do not hold a third-party Organic certification, many of the ingredients in our products are organic, such as our pea protein, rice protein, tapioca maltodextrin, stevia leaf extract, oat powder, and more. We always label organic ingredients as such on our nutrition labels.

We manufacture with only cGMP certified facilities, and our products are always free from artificial flavors, artificial colors and artificial sweeteners. Our whey protein isolate is manufactured in the USA and free from hormones (rBST/rBGH).”

Even though Gainful has over 10,000 reviews (with an average rating of 4.6/5), I wish that they had 3rd party lab results to share with the community.

The only way to know whether a supplement product truly contains the ingredients they state on their labels is to have a 3rd party lab test and certify their results. Hopefully Gainful will get that 3rd party certification soon.

Gainful comes with access to a Registered Dietitian. Is it actually useful?

Yes, Gainful's access to a Registered Dietitian (RD) can be super valuable, especially if you’re seeking personalized nutrition advice and guidance. Here are 4 reasons why it can be genuinely useful:

1. Help with Dietary Restrictions and Health Concerns

I have Crohn’s Disease, which is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD) that affects the lower intestine. Because of this condition, many foods upset my digestion and can lead to intestinal pain or other issues.

I sent a text to Matt Mazino, RD, LD, my assigned Registered Dietitian, and asked him about my personalized protein blend to make sure it was safe to use given my health condition.

He told me that usually patients with Crohn’s Disease have no issues with Gainful’s whey protein, but suggested that I keep in touch with him over the first month of using Gainful to make sure I’m feeling ok and not having any side effects. If I did need to switch protein blends, he said he would assist me in making the change and that we would find one that worked for me.

In the end, I had no negative effects from using my Gainful protein powder blend - but it was so nice to have Matt in case I ran into any issues.

2. Personalized Nutrition Strategy

While Gainful’s quiz customizes your protein powder blend, your Registered Dietitian adds another level of personalization by providing one-on-one support. 

They can offer more detailed recommendations about meal planning, diversity of protein sources, and how to incorporate your protein supplement into your daily routine for better results.

If you have specific fitness goals, such as weight loss, muscle building, training for a marathon, or recovering from an injury, your RD will craft a more detailed nutrition strategy that complements your exercise regimen.

3. Help with Supplementation and Nutrition Beyond Protein

Your Registered Dietitian can provide guidance on other aspects of nutrition, such as hydration, vitamins and minerals, and the use of additional supplements (e.g., creatine, collagen).

They can answer questions about the Daily Performance Greens, pre-workout, or other supplements Gainful offers to ensure that you're getting what you need for performance and recovery.

4. Support for Long-Term Success

Anyone who’s been active for a while knows that it can be really hard to stay consistent and stick to your goals over a long period of time.

RDs are equipped to help you develop a sustainable approach to nutrition and fitness, offering more than just quick fixes.

Whether you’re aiming for long-term health improvements or managing short-term fitness goals, they can provide insights on behavioral changes, nutrition education, and staying on track.

Overall, getting access to a Registered Dietitian adds significant value to Gainful, particularly if you want to make sure that your diet and supplements are effectively tailored to your lifestyle, training, and health goals.

For people who are serious about optimizing their fitness and nutrition, this support can lead to better, longer-lasting results.

What are some of the pros and cons of Gainful protein powder?

Will you actually get better results from using Gainful instead of other protein powders?

Unfortunately there’s no way to guarantee results from any specific supplement or exercise routine.

All we can do as athletes is to look at the research, make informed decisions, and try to stick to a diet and workout routine that makes sense for our goals.

That being said…

I would recommend Gainful to anyone trying to achieve a specific fitness goal because they ensure that you’re getting the right combination of protein sources, macronutrients (protein, carbs, fats), and supplements (like probiotics or creatine), which can optimize your performance and recovery.

For example:

• If you have specific dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance or vegan), Gainful ensures you're consuming the best protein without causing digestive discomfort
• If you're focused on weight loss, Gainful might create a lower-calorie, higher-protein blend with added fiber to support satiety

If you’re already using a high-quality protein powder that fits your goals, you may not see a significant improvement just by switching to Gainful. Most standard protein powders offer good nutritional value, especially if you're not looking for specialized support.

Many well-known protein powders also have effective, research-backed ingredients (e.g., whey isolate, pea protein) that work well for most people.

You are likely to see better results with Gainful if:

• You have specific dietary needs, fitness goals, or sensitivities that require a personalized protein blend
• You benefit from ongoing dietitian support and expert guidance
• You prefer clean, high-quality ingredients and customizable flavors

What products does Gainful offer besides protein?

Protein powder is only one piece of a balanced performance-focused diet. Gainful offers 6 other products designed to complement its personalized nutrition approach. These other products include pre-workout, hydration, creatine, collagen, fiber, and performance greens.

‍1. Personalized Pre-Workout

Gainful offers a personalized pre-workout supplement designed to enhance energy, endurance, and focus during exercise. It is tailored to your unique needs, just like their protein powder. That means it takes into account your workout goals and preferences in the formula itself.

For most users, the formula usually contains caffeine, L-theanine to smooth out the effects of caffeine and promote focus, and beta-alanine to reduce muscle fatigue. Some formulas may also include creatine to enhance muscle performance and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) to aid in muscle recovery. This product helps boost performance during workouts, making it especially beneficial for endurance and strength training.

2. Hydration Blend

A few years after they launched their personalized protein powder, Gainful came out with their second product: customized hydration powder. The hydration blend from Gainful is designed to support optimal hydration during and after workouts. This electrolyte-packed drink is aimed at replenishing essential minerals lost through sweat, which is critical for maintaining endurance and preventing cramping during exercise.

The key ingredients include electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, along with coconut water powder for natural hydration support. Some versions may also contain small amounts of sugar or carbohydrates to help with energy replenishment during prolonged physical activity. This blend is useful for athletes or individuals engaging in long or intense workouts, since it’s crucial to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance for optimal recovery.

Gainful’s hydration packs come in 3 flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Mango, and Lemon Lime.

3. Creatine Powder

Gainful's creatine powder is formulated to enhance strength, power, and muscle performance, making it a popular supplement among athletes and individuals engaging in high-intensity workouts. Creatine helps replenish ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy source for muscle contractions during short, explosive movements like weightlifting and sprinting. 

The key ingredient is creatine monohydrate, which is one of the most researched and effective forms of creatine. By increasing phosphocreatine stores in the muscles, it allows for improved performance, greater muscle endurance, and faster recovery between sets. Gainful’s creatine is unflavored and can easily be mixed with your protein powder or other beverages.

4. Collagen Powder

Collagen has become a popular supplement over the past few years both among casual users as well as professional athletes. Gainful's Collagen Powder is designed to support joint health, skin elasticity, and overall recovery, making it a great addition to anyone’s daily routine, particularly for those focused on long-term physical health and injury prevention.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, playing a critical role in the structure of skin, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Gainful’s version typically includes hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are easily absorbed by the body, and may also contain added vitamin C to enhance collagen synthesis.

This product is beneficial for people looking to improve recovery from intense physical activity, as well as those interested in maintaining skin, hair, and nail health.

5. Daily Performance Greens

The Daily Performance Greens from Gainful are designed to provide a comprehensive blend of nutrients that promote overall health, digestion, and energy. 

This greens supplement contains a mixture of nutrient-dense superfoods like spirulina, chlorella, and wheatgrass, all of which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the immune system and reduce inflammation. Gainful’s greens powder also includes digestive enzymes and probiotics, which aid in gut health and digestion, and adaptogens like ashwagandha, which help the body manage stress and improve endurance.

This product is ideal for those who want to ensure they’re getting sufficient micronutrients from whole food sources to support daily performance and recovery.

6. Oat Bran Fiber

Gainful’s Oat Bran Fiber is a supplement designed to support digestive health and aid in maintaining stable energy levels.

Oat bran is a rich source of soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and can contribute to prolonged energy release throughout the day. Fiber also promotes gut health by supporting healthy bowel movements and providing nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria.

For individuals looking to improve their digestion, manage hunger, or maintain steady energy during workouts or daily activities, oat bran fiber is a valuable addition to a nutrition plan. Gainful’s fiber supplement is easily mixed into shakes or other foods, providing a simple way to boost fiber intake.

Who is Gainful protein powder recommended for? 

Gainful is recommended for individuals who want a more personalized approach to their nutrition and fitness goals.

Their personalization especially benefits users that have specific dietary needs, muscle building goals, or those who would especially appreciate Gainful’s access to Registered Dietitians.

Here’s some examples of who might benefit most from using Gainful:

• People trying to lose weight
• Endurance athletes like runners or swimmers
• People simply trying to put on muscle
• Vegans or vegetarians
• People specifically looking for clean ingredients
• Beginners who need extra support
• People with changing fitness goals

Even though Gainful is a convenient and unique service, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.

Since Gainful is typically more expensive than standard protein powders, it may not be ideal for people on a tight budget or who are specifically looking for budget protein options.

Basically, if you just need a simple whey protein off-the-shelf at your local supplement store, there’s really no need to use a premium service like Gainful.

Rating Breakdown

The Verdict

Gainful offers a unique, personalized approach to protein supplementation that sets it apart from the competition.

As someone who has tested dozens (if not hundreds) of the best protein powders, I found Gainful to be one of the best I’ve ever tried because of the taste, quality of ingredients, and the fact that it was personalized specifically for my body.

The option to switch up flavors with the convenient flavor boosts was a refreshing feature, making it easy to stay consistent without getting bored.

The inclusion of access to a Registered Dietitian adds tremendous value, especially for those who want expert guidance on optimizing their nutrition. 

While the subscription model and higher price point may not be for everyone, I believe the level of customization and support justifies the cost.

Overall, I had a great experience doing this Gainful protein powder review and would recommend it to anyone looking for a tailored protein solution that fits their unique lifestyle and goals.

Take the Gainful quiz to find your unique protein blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of protein is in Gainful?

Gainful offers 6 main bases in their protein blends:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Micellar Casein
• Pea Protein
• Brown Rice Protein
• Organic Sunflower Protein
• Collagen Peptides

The type of protein you’ll receive in your personalized blend will depend on your answers in the Gainful quiz when you sign up.

Will Gainful work for people with dietary restrictions?

Yes. Gainful has options that work for people with all kinds of dietary restrictions. This includes vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, keto, and other kinds of diets.

Will Gainful work for people trying to lose weight?

Yes. Gainful can work well for people trying to lose weight, as it offers personalized protein powder that can be tailored to support weight loss goals.

Protein is known for its ability to help you feel fuller for longer, which can reduce cravings and unnecessary snacking.

Gainful customizes your blend to provide the right amount of protein for your body, helping you maintain muscle mass while losing fat.

Is it easy to cancel Gainful after you sign up?

Yes. All you have to do is log into Gainful’s website and they have a simple cancellation process that takes less than 2 minutes.

What happens after you take the quiz for Gainful protein powder?

After you complete the Gainful quiz, here’s what happens:

1. Your personalized protein blend is created

2. You review your recommended blend (and make changes if you want)

3. Choose your flavor boost(s)

4. Introduction to your Registered Dietitian (RD)

5. Your order is confirmed and shipped to your door