11 Best Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners – Without Stevia, Unsweetened, Low-Sugar, Vegan & Whey Options

11 Best Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners – Without Stevia, Unsweetened, Low-Sugar, Vegan & Whey Options

11 Best Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners – Without Stevia, Unsweetened, Low-Sugar, Vegan & Whey Options

protein powder without sucralose or aspartame

Finding a flavored protein powder without artificial sweeteners can be challenging. Many popular brands rely on ingredients like sucralose, aspartame, or other synthetic additives to enhance flavor, which can be a turn-off for those who prefer a more natural approach to nutrition or are looking for a clean protein powder. That’s why I set out to find the best unsweetened protein powder and flavored varieties that don’t use artificial ingredients.

Whether you’re focused on muscle strength and recovery, weight management, or simply boosting your protein intake, selecting a clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners can support your health goals without compromising on taste. Keep reading for the best protein powders made with pure, wholesome ingredients, so you can fuel your body with confidence.

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Top 11 Best Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners

Naked Whey is a great clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners.

Best Unsweetened Whey Protein Powder: Naked Whey Plain

If you’re ok with dairy and looking for a clean, no-nonsense protein powder, Naked Whey Plain is the way to go. It contains just one ingredient—grass-fed whey protein (25 grams per serving)—without added sweeteners, flavors, or fillers. As a dietitian, I appreciate its simplicity, especially for those wanting to avoid sugars or artificial ingredients. While it’s plain, you can control the flavor by adding natural ingredients like fruits or spices, making it an excellent base for anyone prioritizing a clean protein powder.

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Best Unsweetened Almond Protein Powder: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Almond Protein Powder

One of my fave unsweetened protein powders is almond protein powder because it has a neutral flavor, so it’s easy to add to anything from oatmeal to smoothies to baked goods to savory foods, such as soups. As a dietitian, I love the nutrient profile of almonds, which offer protein (20 grams) and healthy fats and fiber (6 grams), making this powder an excellent option for supporting satiety and muscle health without added sugars. Another thing to love: This clean protein powder supplies 246 mg of natural, plant-based calcium, which is 20% of your daily requirement.

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Best Unsweetened Chickpea Protein Powder: Simply Fuel Protein Powder

Chickpea protein is a unique and exciting option (I’m a dietitian nerd!), and Simply Fuel’s unsweetened version stands out for its simplicity and nutrient profile. Compared to pea protein, chickpea protein has a cleaner, milder, smoother taste, making it a more versatile option. You’ll get 5 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein from just one ingredient: chickpea protein. It’s a nutrient-dense, unsweetened protein powder with no additives. Sure, it’s great in smoothies, but you can also try it in anything from oatmeal to pancakes to baked goods to dips!

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Best Unsweetened Hemp Protein Powder: Bob’s Red Mill Hemp Protein Powder

This unsweetened protein powder has 12 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber from one simple ingredient: hemp protein. It also naturally supplies 35% of your daily iron needs. In all honesty, its earthy flavor gets mixed reviews and may take getting used to, but it mixes well with other ingredients in smoothies or savory recipes, so I recommend it.

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Best Vanilla Whey Protein Powder: Naked Whey Vanilla

Naked Whey Vanilla delivers a great-tasting vanilla protein powder without relying on artificial sweeteners or stevia, which can sometimes have an unpleasant aftertaste and may be associated with increased health risks. Instead, it’s sweetened with organic coconut sugar, providing a light sweetness-just 3 grams of added sugar- without overwhelming your taste buds. I also love that it’s made with just three ingredients. It’s a solid choice for sugar-conscious people who still want to enjoy a flavored protein powder that packs 25 grams of protein per serving.

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Best Chocolate Whey Protein Powder: Naked Whey Chocolate

Naked Whey is a winner for those looking for a clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners. As a registered dietitian focused on minimizing sugar intake, I appreciate that Naked Whey Chocolate uses only a few natural ingredients—grass-fed whey protein, organic chocolate, and organic coconut sugar. Organic ingredients make it a cleaner alternative to many other chocolate-flavored protein powders on the market that rely on artificial sweeteners like sucralose or stevia. Like its vanilla counterpart, it provides 25 grams of protein per serving.

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Best Vanilla Pea Protein Powder (Vegan, Nut Free): Vega Protein Made Simple Vanilla

Vega Protein Made Simple Vanilla is an excellent choice for those who prefer a naturally sweetened vanilla flavor without stevia. It has 5 grams of added sugar from organic cane sugar and 15 grams of plant-based protein. Its minimal ingredients make it an excellent option for those who want a simple, clean protein protein powder that’s free from artificial sweeteners, additives, and other unwanted ingredients. If you’re looking for a vanilla pea protein, this one gets my thumbs up!

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Best Chocolate Pea Protein Powder (Vegan, Nut Free): Vega Protein Made Simple Chocolate

Unsurprisingly, my pick for the best chocolate pea protein powder is Vega’s Protein Made Simple Chocolate flavor. It’s a great option for those who crave chocolate and desire a plant-based option but are mindful of added sugars and artificial sweeteners. The natural ingredients keep the flavor smooth and indulgent without any unnecessary additives. Like its vanilla version, it has 15 grams of plant-based protein from peas and 5 grams of added sugar.

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Best Vegan Vanilla Plant Protein Powder: Orgain Simple Plant Protein Powder in Creamy Vanilla

If you don’t require a nut-free protein powder, you may want to try Orgain’s Simple Plant Protein Powder in Creamy Vanilla. It has 20 grams of protein from a blend of organic peas, brown rice, nuts, and seeds. It has a touch of sweetness (5 grams of added sugar) from organic coconut sugar. I also appreciate what it doesn’t have: artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, stevia, erythritol, and gums. Overall, I’m a fan of its clean ingredient list and the fact that it provides a good source of protein from organic plant-based ingredients.

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Best Vegan Vanilla Plant Protein Powder: Orgain Simple Plant Protein Powder in Chocolate

For those who love chocolate, Orgain’s Simple Plant Protein Powder in Chocolate is a solid choice that provides a rich, chocolatey flavor without unnecessary and unwanted ingredients. This plant-based protein powder has 20 grams of protein from various organic plant-based sources, such as peas, brown rice, nuts, and seeds. What really stands out is that it has just 2 grams of added sugar from organic coconut sugar. It’s the perfect vegan option for mixing into smoothies, post-workout shakes, oatmeal, and baked goods, providing both a convenient source of protein and a chocolatey flavor.

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Best Peanut Butter Flavor Protein Powder: PB Fit Organic Peanut Butter Powder

Peanut butter lovers, this one’s for you! If you love PB as much as I do, this clean protein powder will surely be a hit! It’s got that peanutty taste you crave and adds a nice touch of protein-7 grams-to dips, oatmeal, baked goods, pancakes, and more. It’s lightly sweetened with 2 grams of added sugar and made with just three ingredients: organic peanut flour, organic coconut sugar, and salt.

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Best Collagen: Great Lakes Collagen

Collagen has some unique benefits compared to other protein sources. Studies suggest collagen improves skin moisture, reduces wrinkles (yay!), and improves roughness. Additionally, collagen peptides have been found to promote cartilage repair, suggesting it may be beneficial for osteoarthritis, and some research suggests that it may relieve pain and improve joint function.

While collagen may be a great addition to your health routine, don’t count on it to improve your muscle mass. Research from 2020 comparing its effects on whey protein among a small group of women determined that it was MUCH less effective at building muscle than whey protein. Still, I recommend it for the potential skin and joint benefits, and this one is modestly priced and was tested and approved by Consumer Lab, indicating that it’s free from harmful contaminants.

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Benefits of Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners

Opting for clean protein powders without artificial ingredients not only enhances the quality of your protein supplement but also supports your overall health and wellness goals. Here are some benefits of protein powders and insights on why it’s a good idea to prioritize protein powders without artificial sweeteners or other additives.

Convenience

Assuming you’re eating protein at each of your meals, you don’t need a protein powder, but protein powders can make life a little easier if you’re struggling to get adequate protein (in the range of 20 to 30 grams) at meals. It can be especially challenging for people to meet protein needs at breakfast since many typical breakfast options, like cereal, oatmeal, and avocado toast, are low in protein. (Find out my favorite high-fiber low-sugar cereals.)

You can certainly meet your protein needs with whole foods like chicken, fish, pulses, Greek yogurt, tofu, cottage cheese, and eggs, but you can’t beat the convenience of a clean protein powder. (Get some high-protein breakfast recipe ideas.)

Supports Muscle Growth and Recovery

Protein powders provide a convenient and efficient way to increase your protein intake, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and recovery after workouts. (Protein alone won’t do the job-you still need to strength train for muscle growth and strength).

Clean protein powders, specifically those without artificial ingredients, deliver the necessary nutrients without exposing you to potentially harmful additives.

Helps with Hunger Management

Protein is a powerful nutrient for managing hunger and reducing the likelihood of overeating. One of the key reasons is that protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates and fats, which helps you feel full and satisfied for a longer period. Additionally, consuming protein triggers the release of hormones that signal fullness to the brain, curbing your appetite.

By incorporating more protein into your meals and snacks, you can better manage your appetite, avoid energy crashes, and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods. Ultimately, a protein-rich diet may help you manage portion sizes and prevent overeating.

Better for Gut Health and Disease Risk

Artificial sweeteners and additives found in many protein powders may cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, or stomach discomfort for some people. Also, artificial sweeteners alter your gut microbiome, potentially leading to health issues. I recommend choosing a clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners for these reasons.

Additionally, long-term studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may be linked to serious health risks, like a higher risk of weight gain, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, we can’t say that more naturally-derived sweeteners, like monk fruit extract or stevia, are any safer-the research is pretty thin in this area because some of these sweeteners haven’t been around as long. Additionally, they aren’t consumed as much as artificial sweeteners, which are prevalent in diet and zero-calorie sodas-where people frequently encounter these ingredients.

In fact, the WHO released a statement in 2023 recommending not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control or lowering disease risk since the evidence suggests there may be long-term health risks related to non-sugar sweeteners, whether natural or not. That said, I don’t want to alarm you. These sweeteners can be helpful sometimes, and I don’t shy away from them altogether. However, I think it’s smart to assess your relationship with sweets and see if there’s an opportunity to reduce your reliance on sweet fare in general. (Here are my time-tested ways to detox from sugar.)

How to Shop for Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners

Shopping for a protein powder free from artificial sweeteners requires a bit of label reading and ingredient awareness. Here are some key tips to guide you in finding a high-quality, clean protein powder:

Read the Ingredients List

You probably saw this coming from a mile away, but the first step in finding a clean protein powder is to check the ingredients list. Look for natural sweeteners such as cane sugar or no sweeteners at all. Side note: This is an instance where I choose regular sweeteners over alternative sweeteners since very tasty, quality products are available with small amounts of added sugars-5 grams or less, which is a little over a teaspoon.

If you prefer a zero-calorie sweetener, some of the more natural ones are stevia, monk fruit, and allulose, however, I’d suggest using these in moderation. I recommend avoiding products containing sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or any other artificial sweeteners.

I also avoid unnecessary ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and other supplement enhancements, like ashwagandha. A protein powder doesn’t need to be a multivitamin, and you can overdo certain nutrients if you’re getting them in multiple products. The bottom line is that a simple ingredients list is a good indicator of a clean, high-quality product.

Look for Clean Ingredients

Choose protein powders that contain simple ingredients like pea protein, chickpea protein, hemp protein, peanut protein, almond protein, or grass-fed whey. I also ensure the product is free from additives, including artificial sweeteners, gums or thickening agents, and nutrient or supplement enhancements. Outside of a protein blend, you want to see just a few ingredients-say, cane or coconut sugar and salt.

Check for Certifications

Certifications like USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or NSF Certified for Sport can be helpful indicators that you’re purchasing a quality product. Certain third-party certifications, such as the NSF designation, ensure that the protein powder has been tested for purity and is free from potentially harmful contaminants.

Decide on Flavored or Unflavored

Protein powders have many uses, so it’s helpful to consider how you will use them and choose a flavored or unflavored version accordingly. Or, if you’re like me, you may keep a few options on hand to use in various ways. I like to add vanilla and chocolate protein powders to smoothies and baked goods, while I use unsweetened protein powders for dips, soups, oatmeal, and purees, like cauliflower mash. Meanwhile, I also add collagen protein powder to coffee; if I don’t have time for a complete meal, I’ll add some vanilla or chocolate protein powder in for good measure.

Consider Your Dietary Needs

Different types of protein powders cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions. For plant-based eaters, pea, rice, or hemp protein (or a blend) are good choices, while those who are ok with animal-based protein might opt for grass-fed whey or collagen (although collagen isn’t the right choice for building muscles.)

Key takeaways

Protein powders without artificial sweeteners can be a convenient way to optimize your protein intake. I suggest choosing a clean protein powder with simple ingredients to avoid unnecessary additives, such as fillers, gums, and supplement or nutrient enhancements. These protein powders are easy to incorporate into various recipes, from smoothies to baked goods to dips and soups, offering an easy way to get the protein you need to support your goals, whether that’s building muscle, managing weight, or just optimizing your protein intake.

If you’re looking for more advice, I’d love for you to join my membership program, where you can ask me questions about products, nutrition-related info you read online, or anything else related to eating well! The first week is free!

Additional Resources

Looking for more products that get my approval? Here are some of my recent guides.

  • The 15 best high-fiber, low-sugar cereals according to a registered dietitian
  • Low-Sugar Granola: The 15 Best Dietitian-Approved Products
  • 27 Healthy Plant-Based Snacks (Store-Bought and Homemade Ideas)

This post was last modified on Tháng mười một 27, 2024 4:45 chiều