If you’ve been at the gym or checked a fitness plan, you’ve heard about protein powders.
They packed with protein and amino acids and come in different flavors — some sweeter, some bland.
The problem? Many of these protein powders are filled with artificial sweeteners.
It’s no secret that artificial ingredients in foods can be harmful to our bodies and these artificial sweet-enhancers are no different.
Studies are linking them to obesity and other metabolic disorders. (1,2)
The good news is if you look, you can easily find great protein powder without artificial sweeteners. Here are our favorites.
Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners
1. Opportuniteas – Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
This whey protein powder is easy to mix, unflavored, and has no artificial ingredients. In fact, it contains only two things.
Grass-fed whey isolate and a small amount of lecithin from non-GMO sunflower, to make it easier to mix.
It is great if you’re looking for something to help you recover faster after a hard workout.
It contains no fats but has all the amino acids your muscles need to repair and grow after a workout.
Whey protein powders often pose a problem to those who do not tolerate lactose well.
The good thing about the Opportuniteas is that it has most of the lactose filtered out which makes it easy to digest.
Some people complain about its smell and taste. Since it has no sweeteners whatsoever, it is expected that not everyone might like the taste.
This can be easily corrected though, by adding a bit of vanilla or other natural flavors that you like.
It comes in a 2.5 pounds package and you can find it on Amazon.
2. Pure Label Nutrition Whey Protein
Another grass-fed whey protein powder, Pure Label has no artificial ingredients. It has only one ingredient: whey concentrate.
It has 2.5 grams of fat per scoop. This can be both a pro and a con, depending on your goals and the diet you’re following.
In terms of taste, if you mix it with water it is not great. Not necessarily unpleasant, it is drinkable, but not amazing.
Mixed with milk however it is much better. It makes the milk very creamy, as it adds fat to it.
Whether you mix it with water, whole milk, or vegan protein, you should know it dissolves easily and mixes very well.
Lactose is also very much present, and there are no digestive enzymes to make it easier to digest. So if you’re even slightly lactose intolerant, this product is probably not for you.
Another con you should keep in mind is the relatively high content of cholesterol.
Only one scoop will give 67 milligrams of cholesterol, which is 22% of the recommended daily allowance.
So if you don’t mind the lactose or the cholesterol, you can find it on Amazon for a 2-pound pack.
3. TGS – All Natural 100% Whey Protein Powder
This protein powder has a formula that can be used both as a pre-workout and as a recovery supplement after your workout.
Just like the Opportuniteas Whey Isolate, TGS has only two ingredients: whey protein concentrate and non-GMO sunflower lecithin.
It has no artificial sweeteners, colorings, or other additives or preservatives. It is ideal for those on a low-carb diet.
Because it is unflavored, its taste might not appeal to everyone. But, on the bright side, unflavored means you can add it in your favorite juice, or use some natural flavors you like.
The packaging makes it great for traveling as it comes in ziplock bags.
Some people complain the ziplock doesn’t always lock properly, so keep that in mind when you decide where to put it in your bag.
Price-wise it is similar to the previous two for 2 pounds and you can find it on Amazon.
4. Levels 2LB Chocolate Mocha Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Like all protein powders, Levels Chocolate Mocha is great if you want lean muscles, fast recovery post-workout, weight loss, and better fitness performance.
As ingredients, on top of whey concentrate and non-GMO sunflower lecithin, it also has 100% cold-pressed cacao and pure decaffeinated coffee powder and it’s sweetened with monk fruit extract and stevia.
As you can imagine, the main difference between this protein powder and the ones we presented so far is the taste. This is not an unflavored powder and it has natural sweeteners.
Be mindful that it does contain lactose, so it might be an issue for those who are lactose intolerant.
At the same time, many users say they find it easier to digest than other whey powder, even for those who do not tolerate lactose well.
Others claim the complete opposite, so use with caution if you’ve had trouble digesting whey powder in the past.
If you’re interested, you can find it on Amazon.
5. Muscle Feast – Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Muscle Feast Protein comes is grass-fed, low in carbs, fats, cholesterol, and sodium, and has no artificial sweeteners.
One scoop provides about 5% of the daily recommended intake of magnesium and potassium.
It only has a few simple ingredients: natural flavor (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry cheesecake, or no flavor at all), whey protein isolate, sunflower lecithin, and stevia.
It helps build muscle by helping your muscles recover and grow faster after a workout, and helps you achieve better overall fitness performance.
On the negative side, it doesn’t have any digestive enzymes, which might be an issue for those who are sensitive to lactose.
Some people complain it is too sweet or that the flavors are too strong. If this is you, an easy way around it is to add more liquid.
So if you’re interested, check it out.
The Bottomline…
If you want the best protein powders without artificial sweet-enhancers, there are quite a few to choose from.
Whether you want something unflavored, or prefer something sweeter, whether you need something with little lactose or something with more fat, there’s something out there for you.
Opportuniteas is a great protein choice for those who want something unflavored, that mixes easily and has few ingredients.
Add to that the fact that it can be used by those who are lactose intolerant and it’s a win.
If you want something sweeter, that comes in several flavors to choose from, both Muscle Feast Protein and Levels’ Protein Powder are great choices.
The best protein powder will always be the one that fits your needs best and makes you feel amazing!
If you like this article, don’t forget to check out our other reviews to find out about supplements, gym equipment, and more.
