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Protein powders are a convenient way to make sure we’re getting our daily protein intake.
Many of us like to consume only the cleanest of products, but many of these powders contain many ingredients that are not necessary, like artificial sweeteners or fillers.
For people who aren’t too knowledgeable about this, it can be hard to find a clean protein powder.
I’ve created this complete guide to help you navigate the process of buying a clean protein powder with everything you need to know, and the best 14 options on the market.
IN A HURRY? HERE ARE THE TOP 3 BRANDS FOR PROTEIN POWDERS WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
14 Best Protein Powder Without Artificial Sweeteners
Jump to section:
- TGS All Natural 100% Whey Protein Powder
- NAKED WHEY 5LB 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
- Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement
- Amazing Grass Protein Superfood
- Levels 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
- Opportuniteas’ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder Isolate
- Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein Powder
- Pure Label Nutrition Whey Protein Concentrate
- Norcal Organic Peanut Butter Powder
- Ora Organic Vegan Protein Powder
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit Powder
- Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
- Realist Lifestyle Real Whey Protein Isolate
- Noway Protein Workout Supplement
1 BEST RATED: TGS All Natural 100% Whey Protein Powder
- PURE WHEY, ONLY 2 INGREDIENTS: 25g of protein - NO added sugars, artificial sweeteners, fillers,...
- NO BAD AFTERTASTE, NOT GRITTY, GRAINY: Smooth, adds great consistency to smoothies. Mixes well. No clumps...
TGS takes the #1 spot for meeting all the criteria to be considered an excellent clean protein powder.
It contains only two natural ingredients, it’s affordable, the taste isn’t bad, and customers love it. There isn’t that much more to ask of protein powder.
However, some reviews say that the powder does taste very good. Any protein powder review section will have reviews saying that the powder tastes bad, it’s preference.
Because the powder doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners, so it’s unflavored, making it perfect for blending in smoothies or other dishes.
Pros
- This protein powder has a vast number of reviews, with a good majority percentage of them being positive, raving about results and taste.
- The price is very reasonable and affordable for the value and results you’re getting. The price doesn’t compromise on the quality.
- It only has two ingredients, which makes this a very pure and clean option.
- It’s a tasteless powder, meaning you can mix it in with any type of beverage you want and give it the flavor you want to taste, making the experience more enjoyable.
Cons
- Even though most customers agree that it’s tasteless or that the taste is very mild and not unpleasant, some reviews state that it doesn’t taste good.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 30g. 30 servings per container.
- Ingredients: whey protein concentrate, and non-GMO sunflower lecithin.
- Contains all 9 essential amino acids and 5.5 grams of BCAAs.
- Soy-free, gluten-free, rBGH/rBST hormone-free, non-GMO, no added sugars, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, additives, sweeteners, or preservatives
- Made in the USA.
2 RUNNER UP: NAKED WHEY 5LB 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
- ONLY ONE INGREDIENT: 100% Grass Fed Pure Whey Protein with zero additives. Naked Whey no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors and is GMO-Free, No rBGH or rBST, Soy Free and Gluten-Free.
- ALL NATURAL WHEY: Our Grass Fed Whey is sourced from small dairy farms in California to bring you a non-denatured whey packed full of essential amino acids, clean protein and glutathione.
On the second spot, we have Naked’s whey protein powder. This powder only contains one ingredient. It’s an unflavored powder that mixes well with any other flavor.
It’s a cold-pressed protein powder, meaning that all the natural nutrients from the whey are there.
Did not make the top pick because it’s one of the most expensive options, but not entirely out of someone’s budget. Plus, customers say it’s worth it because of the value.
Pros
- It only contains one ingredient, so you can be sure that this is a completely clean and pure product.
- Most reviews from customers rave about it blending effortlessly, and the taste being pretty unnoticeable for an unflavoured protein powder.
- Even though it’s a bit pricier than other options, it isn’t completely unaffordable, and customers say that it’s worth the price.
Cons
- Some users state that it doesn’t mix that well and that the taste isn’t pleasant, even though most reviews say otherwise.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 30 g. 76 servings per container.
- Ingredients: whey protein concentrate
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, GMO-free, growth hormone-free, soy-free, and gluten-free.
- Contains all essential amino acids and 5.9 g of BCAAs.
- Cold-pressed
3 Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement
- Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Advanced is a premium offering with 20g collagen peptides per serving...
- Bioavailable Collagen Peptides Advanced Powder: Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine. Digested...
A protein powder primarily directed towards women’s health, Vital Proteins offers a collagen product filled with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Only three ingredients that are incredibly beneficial to skin and hair health make it a great and clean product for women.
This product is quite pricey on the downside, so it’s a bit further down the list.
Collagen is an essential structural protein in all our connective tissues, like ligaments, skin, and tendons.
Supplements containing collagen are a great way to improve the look and health of your skin, joints, bones, and muscle, particularly important for women, who tend to start noticing problems in these areas as they age.
The skin benefits of collagen are boosted by the addition of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
Pros
- Only three all-clean ingredients. Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid provide additional nutritional value to the already excellent properties of collagen.
- Customers have had incredible effects on the skin, hair, and overall women’s health.
- Reviews also state that the taste isn’t noticeable.
Cons
- It is one of the most expensive options due to the high value and quality of the product.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 20 g. 14 servings per container.
- Ingredients: bovine hide collagen peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid.
- Contains 18 amino acids, characterized by the predominance of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
- No added sugars or sweeteners. Gluten/cholesterol/heavy metals/dairy-free. Flavorless, odorless.
4 Amazing Grass Protein Superfood
Amazing Grass offers a good option for a plant-based protein. Organic pea, quinoa, hemp, and chia are its protein sources and other nutritional and valuable ingredients, like spirulina, alfalfa, and acai.
Vegan people usually turn to soy-based protein powders, since it’s a source for all 9 essential amino acids.
However, an excellent alternative to soy for vegan lovers are powders like this one that takes the protein from various plant-based sources.
Although some customers don’t love the amount of protein that comes in the container for the product’s size and price, they come back to it because of the unique ingredients, the taste, and the positive effects of consuming this protein powder.
Pros
- Customers love this powder’s flavor, claiming it stands out compared to other vegan protein powders on the market.
- A good and clean option for vegan people who are avoiding soy as a source for protein.
- Users of this product say this is a great meal-replacement for on-the-go people, which is a great way to obtain nutrition for kids.
Cons
- The main negative review customers had was with the quantity of product per container compared to its size.
- Among its ingredients, it has an unspecified natural vanilla flavor and xanthan gum, which are not the best ingredients, but they help with the product’s taste.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 33g.
- Ingredients: Green Food Blend (Organic Wheat Grass, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Barley Grass, Organic Spinach, Organic Spirulina, Organic Chlorella (cracked cell-wall), Organic Broccoli); Protein Blend (Organic Pea Protein, Organic Hemp Protein, Organic Chia, Organic Quinoa); Fruit & Vegetable Blend (Organic Açai, Organic Banana, Organic Beet, Organic Carrot, Organic Goji, Organic Pineapple, Organic Sweet Potato, Organic Raspberry, Organic Rose Hips). Other Ingredients: Natural Vanilla Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Organic Stevia, Organic Madagascar Vanilla.
- It’s USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free.
5 Levels 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Another affordable option comes from Levels, which might be one of the better-tasting options on the list. The taste comes from the natural flavors of cacao powder and natural sweeteners, containing more than one ingredient.
However, it’s still a clean, affordable, and tasty protein powder.
Customers rave particularly about the price of this product compared to the value, taste, and effects.
The fact that this product has a chocolate-like taste is an excellent feature for a protein powder, and to have that flavor naturally is a great accomplishment for a clean protein powder.
Pros
- Flavored naturally with cacao powder and sweetened with only natural sweeteners, improving the taste significantly without compromising cleanness.
- Another one of the most affordable options on the list, without compromising on value and quality.
- Several customers rave about the taste and the positive effects this product has had on them.
Cons
- In favor of making it taste better, this product contains several ingredients that, even though aren’t bad, make it not as pure as other options.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size:32 g. 75 servings per container.
- Ingredients: grass-fed whey protein concentrate, cacao powder, non-GMO sunflower lecithin, monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract.
- Contains all essential amino acids and 5.4 g of BCAAs.
- No hormones, no GMOs, no added sugars, no soy, no gluten, no bleach, no fillers, and no artificial flavors or sweeteners.
6 Opportuniteas’ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder Isolate
Opportuniteas have two-ingredients, flavorless protein powder, so it can blend seamlessly with any beverage you like.
The whey protein isolate from this powder comes from hormone-free and grass-fed cows from Wisconsin, whose milk is cold processed to obtain the protein in a natural, organic, and completely clean way that maintains all the natural nutrients.
Although on the pricier side, the quality of this product more than makes up for it. Long-time lovers of this product can testify to it really not having any taste to it, smoothly blending in any beverage and going unnoticed.
You can have your dose of clean protein without any nasty flavors.
Pros
- The majority of customers love that it doesn’t have a flavor and can be mixed very well with other drinks.
- It only has two ingredients, making it a very clean and pure product.
- Customers state that the cost is fair for the value and quality of the product.
Cons
- Some customers say it does have an unpleasant aftertaste.
- It isn’t the most affordable option, but it isn’t the most expensive, either.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 30 g. 15 servings per container.
- Ingredients: whey protein isolate, non-GMO sunflower lecithin
- Contains all essential amino acids.
- Comes from cold processed milk from grass-fed, hormone-free Wisconsin cows.
- Hormone-free, GMO-free, and gluten-free. No added sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, colors, or flavors.
7 Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein Powder
Ascent Native’s whey protein powder seems to be a fan favorite since it has a very high positive review percentage. These reviews rave about how this product is delicious and even comparing it to ice cream.
It is an out-of-the-ordinary feature for protein powders, that’s why we had to include this product on the list.
As we said, protein powders aren’t supposed to be a tasty treat, so this is a big plus. But, the flavor comes from an unspecified natural flavor, and it does contain soy, so it’s not the cleanest option on the list.
Pros
- This product has some of the large positive review percentages among the ones on the list.
- Customers rave about this product’s delicious taste, comparing it to ice cream, something out-of-the-ordinary with protein powders.
- It contains rapidly digesting proteins, so it’s an excellent post-workout meal to recover from muscle activity.
Cons
- It contains unspecified natural flavors and soy lecithin, which decreases its cleanness and purity.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 31 g. 58 servings per container.
- Ingredients: whey protein isolate blend (whey protein isolate, native whey protein isolate), whey protein concentrate, natural flavors, soy lecithin, monk fruit extract.
- Contains all essential amino acids and 5.7 g of BCAAS.
- Rapidly digesting protein.
- Made in the USA.
8 Pure Label Nutrition Whey Protein Concentrate
Another affordable option on this list comes from Pure Label’s whey protein concentrate powder.
According to customers, a flavorless protein supplement is unnoticeable in any beverage that has helped with workout recovery, in particular, making it a good option for athletes.
The cleanness is compromised a little by adding ingredients like unspecified all-natural natural flavors and xanthan gum.
The protein obtained from cold-processing is an entirely natural source of protein that is also micro-filtered to ensure a more nutritious product.
Pros
- An affordable option without compromising on quality.
- The positive reviews on this product say that you can add this protein to any beverage and you won’t notice it, since it’s flavorless.
- Customers love the results they see with this product, especially for post-workout recovery.
Cons
- Contains unspecified natural flavors and xanthan gum, making it not as clean and pure
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 31 g. 75 servings per container
- Ingredients: rBGH Free Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, and Stevia.
- Contains all essential amino acids.
- Hormone-free, non-GMO, rBGH-free, and gluten-free. No preservatives, colors, or fillers.
- Cold-processed and micro filtered.
- Made in the USA.
9 Norcal Organic Peanut Butter Powder
Another fan favorite seems to be the Norcal organic peanut butter powder. This highly-rated product is a single-ingredient alternative for peanut lovers, making it an excellent vegans option.
Customers love that it has a slight peanut flavor that goes well with many beverages, especially chocolate ones, making it a good option among flavored protein powders.
Only one ingredient inside this product ensures complete cleanness, and no need for sweetener or additional ingredients to obtain a good-tasting powder.
However, this product is not an option for nut allergies, so that it can be a limiting factor.
Pros
- It only contains one ingredient, so this is a very clean and pure product.
- Another product with the highest positive review percentage.
- Customers love the fact that it’s a peanut protein powder with no added sugars or sweeteners and still manages to have a pleasant peanut flavor combined into many recipes.
- The reviews on this product say that the price is worth it for the product’s value, and it’s even more affordable than other peanut proteins on the market.
Cons
- The only ingredient is peanuts, so it is not ideal for people with a nut allergy.
- This is one of the priciest options on the list.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 22 g. 41 servings per container
- Ingredients: organic peanuts.
- Contains all essential amino acids and 1.78 g of BCAAs.
- No added flavors, colors, or sugars. Gluten and soy-free.
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
- Non-GMO and organic.
- Made in the USA.
10 Ora Organic Vegan Protein Powder
A good option for vegans is Ora’s plant-based vegan protein powder. It’s affordable and vegan customers are delighted with its results, especially the chocolate flavor, a big plus.
As I said, protein powders tend not to have the best taste. Still, vegan protein powders are especially tricky, so to obtain a good-tasting chocolate-flavored vegan powder is a great accomplishment.
The product contains a lot of ingredients, but they are all-natural.
Brown rice syrup is among those ingredients, and even though it’s natural, studies show it’s not the healthiest.
Pros
- The chocolate flavor is very enjoyable, according to customer reviews. They state that the protein can be easily blended into smoothies. They also offer other flavor options, like vanilla.
- It’s entirely plant-based, so it’s a good option for vegan people.
- Customers also love that it’s more affordable than other vegan options on the market.
Cons
- It contains many ingredients, even though they are all-natural, it does contain organic brown rice syrup, which isn’t the best option for a sweetener despite being natural.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 32.5 g. 20 servings per container
- Ingredients: Ora Protein, Superfood & Greens Blend: Organic Pea Protein, Organic Rice Protein, Organic Cranberry, Organic Sacha Inchi, Organic Hemp Protein, Organic Sprouted Quinoa, Organic Amaranth, Organic Acerola Extract, Organic Blackberry, Organic Blueberry, Organic Pomegranate, Organic Turmeric, Organic Strawberry, Organic Apple, Organic Acai, Organic Kale, Organic Broccoli, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Ora Enzyme Blend: Amylase, Protease, Lactase, Neutral Lipase, Cellulase, Other Ingredients: Organic Cocoa, Natural Chocolate Flavor, Organic Brown Rice Syrup Solids, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Organic Stevia Extract.
- Contains all essential amino acids.
- Non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, fillers, and artificial ingredients. Heavy metal tested. Safe for kids and breastfeeding or pregnant women.
11 Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit Powder
And another vegan plant-based option comes from Garden Of Life. This product is raved about for its filling properties, customers feel full for longer and helping them with hunger during weight loss.
These properties come from certain specific ingredients, such as ashwagandha, known for its anti-stress properties, which help fight cravings.
A pricier option, but customers do like the value it offers, stating that it’s worth the price.
Pros
- Customer reviews say that this product has helped them during their weight loss journey. The main thing customers stated is the feeling of fullness this protein gives them.
- Entirely plant-based, making it an excellent vegan option.
- It contains fat-burning and craving-stopping ingredients that help with weight loss and reducing binge-eating.
Cons
- Some customers state that the price doesn’t equate to the quantity of the product you’re getting.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 44.5 g. 10 servings per container
- Ingredients: Raw Certified Organic Protein Blend 41 g + (Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Tapioca Fiber, Organic Chia Seed & Sprout, Organic Flax Seed & Sprout, Organic Cracked-Wall Chlorella, Organic Amaranth Sprout, Organic Quinoa Sprout, Organic Millet Sprout, Organic Buckwheat Sprout, Organic Garbanzo Bean Sprout, Organic Lentil Sprout, Organic Adzuki Bean Sprout, Organic Sunflower Seed Sprout, Organic Pumpkin Seed Sprout, Organic Sesame Seed Sprout), Raw Certified Organic Weight Loss & Stress Management Blend 700 mg + (Raw Organic Svetol (Naturally Decaffeinated Green Coffee Bean Extract), Raw Organic Ashwagandha), Raw Certified Organic Glucose Management Blend (Organic Cinnamon, Organic Baobab Fruit, Organic Daikon Radish Sprout, Organic Alfalfa Sprout), Raw Probiotic & Enzyme Blend 53 mg + ([Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum] (3 Billion CFU) Lipase, Protease, Aspergillopepsin, beta-Glucanase, Cellulase, Bromelain, Phytase, Lactase, Papain, Peptidase, Pectinase, Hemicellulase, Xylanase), Other Ingredients: Organic vanilla flavors, organic stevia extract (leaf), sea salt.
- Contains essential amino acids and 5.1 g of BCAAs.
- Organic, U Kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO plant protein.
12 Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Nuzest offers another plant-based option for vegans, but this one only has three completely natural ingredients.
Nuzest’s protein powder comes from golden peas grown in France, which is known to be where the best-quality golden peas grow.
According to customers, it contains an unspecified natural flavor, but its quality is still there. Even though it’s a pricier option, users say that the powder’s quantity and quality make up for it.
Pros
- It only contains three natural ingredients, making it a clean and pure product.
- A good option for vegan people, since it’s completely plant-based.
- ·Customers say the price is reasonable for the amount of protein and the quality of the product.
Cons
- Contains an unspecified natural vanilla flavor.
- One of the most expensive options on the list.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 25 g. 20 servings per container
- Ingredients: pea protein isolate, natural vanilla flavor, thaumatin.
- Made from high-quality golden peas from France.
- Contains all essential amino acids.
- Vegan and free of dairy, soy, gluten, GMOs, gums, lectins, and other anti-nutrients, fillers, and artificial ingredients.
13 Realist Lifestyle Real Whey Protein Isolate
Almost at the bottom of the list is Realist Lifestyle’s whey protein isolate.
A two-ingredient only and 100% clean product that is also affordable and unflavored, this product is ranked almost last only because of the lower amount of reviews it has.
However, this is a promising and potentially fan-favorite that may go unnoticed because of that.
Pros
- It is made with only two all-natural ingredients.
- One of the most affordable options on the list, without compromising on the quality of the product.
- The majority of the customers say that this protein mixes well with beverages and that when mixed with water, the taste is barely noticeable.
Cons
- Some customers didn’t enjoy the taste of this product.
- This product has a lower amount of reviews.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 22 g. 50 servings per container
- Ingredients: whey protein isolate, non-GMO sunflower lecithin.
- No soy, gluten, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or fillers.
14 Noway Protein Workout Supplement
Lastly, we have ATP Science’s Noway protein powder. Although not many people may know this product, it’s worth mentioning and a favorite among its users.
In particular, customers love the banana taste, which is noteworthy when it comes to nonartificial sweetened protein powders.
This product could potentially become an excellent mainstream sensation because it only has good properties as a clean protein supplement.
Pros
- This product contains only one natural ingredient, making it a clean option.
- Customers rave about this product’s taste, saying that it tastes like banana, something out-of-the-ordinary for nonartificial sweetened protein powders.
Cons
- This product doesn’t have as many reviews as the other options on the list.
Nutrition Facts
- Ingredients: body balance bovine collagen peptides.
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, gut-friendly. No artificial colors or flavors.
Alternatives
Clean Protein Bars
Clean protein bars are a convenient way to get your carbohydrates, protein for on the go snacking.
They are an excellent way to hold up your appetite while waiting for your next meal.
The nutritional properties may vary with each brand depending on the ingredients they use, so here’s a good option for a good and clean protein bar.
Clean Protein Balls
Like protein bars, protein balls can be a healthy and energy-packed snack to keep at hand while in a rush.
It’s is an excellent option for a pre-workout snack and can give you the energy you need when you need it. Like the bars, you need to find an option with the right ingredients, like this one.
Clean Protein Chocolate
Combining a general favorite snack, especially among women, is a perfect option to curb your sweet tooth and eat more protein.
Even though it’s hard to obtain a good texture and flavor in chocolate when adding protein, some brands have managed to reach the goal, according to the reviews (but remember, the taste is always subjective).
For example, here’s a good option.
No products found.
Clean Protein Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is something you didn’t think could be healthy or beneficial. Protein hot chocolate also exists to satiate your sweet craving and give you an energy boost post-workout.
Customers seem to love the taste of this option.
What is considered a clean protein powder?
1.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Some of the most common artificial sweeteners you’ll find in products marketed as healthy include:
- Sucralose
- Aspartame
- Cyclamate
- Saccharin
- Neotame
- Acesulfame potassium
2.
No “natural fake flavors.”
Artificial flavoring may be linked to several health problems, and the most noticeable ones are related to allergic reactions and the worsening of asthma symptoms in asthmatic individuals.
3.
No other artificial/synthetic ingredients
Many protein powders contain artificial coloring to make the product more enticing to the customer. One of the flavors that are known to use artificial color the most is in strawberry flavors.
4.
No proprietary blends
These are combinations of ingredients used by one manufacturer or brand.
In most cases, the labels don’t show ingredients used in the proprietary blends and may hide certain ingredients from consumers.
Companies use proprietary blends to hide formulas tp differentiate them from competitors.
5.
No fillers
Fillers are ingredients that don’t add any nutritional value and are added to the protein powder to bulk it up and save money. Some common fillers include coconut flour or psyllium sugar.
6.
No highly processed or high fructose sugars
These preliminaries settled, he did not care to put off any longer the execution of his design, urged on to it by the thought of all the world was losing by his delay, seeing what wrongs he intended to right, grievances to redress, injustices to repair, abuses to remove, and duties to discharge.
7.
No highly processed or high fructose sugars
Highly processed sugars are considered empty calories, as they don’t provide nutrients. According to some studies, fructose is the cause of elevated triglycerides, developing fatty liver disease, and increasing abdominal fat.
8.
No soy
Even though soy protein powders are a plant-based option for vegan people, it contains phytates. These molecules are also known as anti-nutrients, as they reduce the availability of minerals like zinc and iron.
9.
No hormones
Some protein powders, especially soy protein powders, can contain amounts of phytoestrogens, called isoflavones. In particular, Genistein has been linked, after long term use, with breast cancer cell growth.
10.
Non-GMO
Genetically modified foods are a controversial topic. Some general concerns about these products include increasing antibiotic resistance, the potential for being allergenic (although no cases have been reported), and the possibility for outcrossing.
11.
No artificial preservatives
These preliminaries settled, he did not care to put off any longer the execution of his design, urged on to it by the thought of all the world was losing by his delay, seeing what wrongs he intended to right, grievances to redress, injustices to repair, abuses to remove, and duties to discharge.
What are the healthier natural sweeteners that are used in protein powders?
Related: Best Wheatgrass Juice Powders
Stevia rebaudiana
Stevia rebaudiana is the scientific name for the commonly known sweetener stevia, also known as sweetleaf.
This plant’s leaves have a sweet taste due to its glucoside compounds, which can be up to 300 times sweeter than cane sugar and contains almost no calories.
Fruit Monk Extract
Similar to stevia, monk fruit sweeteners benefit from being around 200 times sweeter than cane sugar and still having no calories. The plant is called Siraitia grosvenorii, and it’s native to southern China.
The plant’s sweetness comes from compounds called mogrosides, which are not absorbed and therefore don’t add any calories to your diet.
Raw Honey
Honey, just like cane sugar, is filled with carbohydrates. However, instead of glucose, honey is made of fructose. Honey has been used as a sweetener for a long time, less processed and nutritious than regular refined sugar, and easier to digest.
It’s also been used for its medicinal properties, like being antibacterial and for wound healing. However, honey still has a high-calorie count, so you have to control your portions.
Agave Nectar
Agave is a genus of plants that are used extensively in the Americas, especially in Mexico. The nectar comes out of the plant by boiling it.
This process takes out a lot of nutrients, leaving only the fructose-filled nectar. This nectar is probably not the healthiest option out there, but it’s still healthier than cane sugar.
Product Evaluation Criteria
Purity/ingredients
The best products are the ones that contain the cleanest ingredients. It means those that don’t have high fructose sugars, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, other synthetic ingredients, hormones, fillers, soy, or “natural flavors.” Also, powders that are non-GMO and don’t contain proprietary blends.
Reviews
Powders with a high number of total reviews, from which the majority are positive, are ranked higher. Customers are always the best source of information for a product since they will speak more honestly than the company.
Price
The best options will be the ones that don’t compromise on the product’s quality while still offering an affordable price for regular people.
Taste
Protein powders don’t have the best reputation for their taste, so any product with even a tolerable taste is a good option. If a powder is even described as good-tasting, that’s a big plus.
Brand
The reputation of the brand is something to take into consideration. If the brand is already established in the world of health supplements and has other successful products, this will speak highly of the protein powder they are selling.
Best Brands
TGS Nutrition
It is a small business owned by a group of family and friends from Las Vegas. The company was founded in 2013, inspired by the active lifestyles of its founders. Their main goal was to produce premium quality whey protein powders with as little ingredients as possible.
Naked Nutrition
The main focus of Naked Nutrition is to use only pure ingredients in their products. They offer a wide variety of protein products with the cleanest ingredients.
Vital Proteins
This company runs under the belief that whole foods are the key to a healthy and fit lifestyle. They pride themselves on their team being made up of passionate and professional individuals who live an active life.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stevia An Artificial Sweetener?
As explained earlier, stevia comes from a plant. It is an entirely plant-based sweetener, and often the products that contain stevia are labeled as no artificial sweetener-containing. The FDA gives stevia a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRA) label.
What are Artificial Sweeteners?
An artificial sweetener is a substitute for sugar that is synthesized either partially or entirely in a lab. Some of these sweeteners can be derived from natural sources, but they are modified in some way, so they are not entirely natural. They tend to be sweeter than refined sugar.
What are the Different Forms of Protein Powders?
The three most common forms of protein powders are:
- Concentrates: they supply around 60-80% protein, and the rest is made of carbohydrates or fats. These come from extracting protein from foods with processes involving heat or enzymes.
- Isolates: this type of protein powder adds a step to the one described for protein concentrates. This process will remove carbohydrates and fats from the product, leaving it around 90-95% of protein.
- Hydrolysates: the process to obtain this type of protein consists of a more intense heat or enzyme process, separating the amino acids that form proteins, producing a product that is absorbed more quickly.
Wrap up
There are many good options for every lifestyle and preference, but TGS still takes the #1 spot as the overall best choice. A completely flavorless, affordable, clean, and highly-rated product that meets all the criteria to be chosen as the best pick.
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