A good protein shake is convenient and effective for fueling our muscles following an exercise session or throughout the day.
There are various protein powder supplements on the market and we’ve reviewed many of them, but this article is dedicated purely to protein powders without artificial sweeteners.
Because we totally get it, everyone has their preferences (including us).
That doesn’t mean artificially-sweetened powders are inferior but for many, natural or no sweeteners are the only option. After all, a lot of the best-selling protein powders contain artificial sweeteners.
Check our top picks when sucralose and aspartame ain’t your thing.
- Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Buy here Editor’s Choice
- KOS Plant-Based Protein – Buy here
- Orgain Plant-Based Protein – Buy here
- Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein – Buy here
- LIV Body Liv Pure Lean Whey Isolate Protein – Buy here
- Pure Label Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Concentrate – Buy here
- EarthChimp Vegan Protein – Buy here
- Naked Nutrition Whey – Buy here
- Levels Grass-Fed Whey – Buy here
- Isopure Infusions Protein Powder – Buy here
- TGS Nutrition 100% Whey Protein – Buy here
Note: Make sure to check product labels for full ingredient and nutritional information.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Editor’s Choice – Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs is one of our absolute favorite products for many reasons. First of all, we love the brand and many of his products that deliver.
Not to mention, their stuff is used by Strongman icon Hafthor “Thor” Bjornsson; also known for playing Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in the HBO series Game of Thrones… (pretty cool)!
And their grass-fed whey isolate, is, of course, a top-notch product. It provides more protein per serving compared to other options on our list at 28g.
There’s also little no fat, extremely low to no fat, no cholesterol, and, of course, no sugar as it’s sweetened with stevia.
The nutrition profile may vary slightly though between the various flavors as is the case with many products but just keep that in mind. However, you cannot go wrong with any of their great flavors.
Product highlights
- Grass-fed protein source
- 120 calories per serving
- 28g protein per serving
- Gluten-free (except for cookies & cream flavor)
Pros
- Very simple, clean formula
- Higher protein than most
- 0 sugar
- Little to no fat and zero sugar
- No preservatives
- No unnecessary fillers or harmful additives
Cons
- A little pricier… but worth it!
Ingredients
- Protein: Grass-fed 100% whey protein isolate
- Sweetener: Stevia
Who makes it
As told by the name, Transparent Labs is very transparent regarding what is in their products. That means no proprietary blends ever, therefore, you know exactly what you’re getting. The supplements are completely researched backed and are right there with the best of the best.
Check out the full review of Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate here.
KOS Plant-Based Protein
KOS protein is intriguing for both its ingredients and labeling. The brand name (KOS) comes from a Greek island of the same name and the formula is inspired by the simplistic approach of the “The Father of Western Medicine” Hippocrates.
It’s an organic, plant-based protein powder made from pea, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seed protein, and chia seed protein. Each serving provides 20g of muscle-building protein.
In addition, it contains organic cacao, organic coconut milk, monk fruit, organic stevia Himalayan salt, coconut sugar, and there’s a digestive enzyme blend in there too.
KOS also has a nice dose of several essential vitamins and minerals.
There are a lot of great things about this protein powder and it’s our top choice for that reason. Not to mention, it’s an award-winning formula given a gold medal for consumer choice – Sports Nutrition by Delicious Living.
Product highlights
- Plant-based
- All-natural
- USDA organic
- 5-protein blend
- Digestive enzyme blend
- 170 calories per serving
- 20g protein per serving
- Gluten and soy-free
Pros
- No artificial ingredients
- Vegan-friendly
- Award-winning formula
- Environmentally friendly
- Digestive enzymes useful for absorbing ingredients
Cons
- A little higher in fat and carbs
- Few complaints about taste (plant-based sometimes requires getting used too)
Ingredients
- Protein blend: organic pea, flax seed, quinoa, pumpkin seed, chia
- Other ingredients: coconut milk, cocoa powder, inulin, coconut sugar, acacia gum, pink salt, natural chocolate flavor, fruit and veggie blend, stevia, monk fruit extract, enzyme blend
Who makes it
KOS is named after a Greek island of the same name; the birthplace of the legendary Hippocrates who was known as “The Father of Western Medicine”. The brand has taken the same simplistic and pure approach and have created environmentally-friendly nutritional supplements.
Check out our full KOS organic protein powder review here.
Orgain Plant-Based Protein
A personal favorite so I’m definitely biased, but Orgain plant-based protein is very impressive, and you won’t find anything unnatural in it either.
It too is plant-based and is an ALL-ORGANIC formula that contains a large variety of vegan-friendly protein sources including pea, brown rice, and chia.
It contains natural flavors, erythritol, and stevia. Not to mention, there’s 0 sugar, a nice serving of fiber to support digestion at 5g, and you get 21 grams of protein per dose.
You cannot have a list of best protein powders without artificial sweeteners and leave out Orgain plant-based protein.
Product highlights
- All-organic
- Plant-based
- Protein blend
- 150 calories per serving
- 21g protein per serving
- Gluten and soy-free
Pros
- Vegan-friendly
- Low net carbs
- High fiber
Cons
- Gums and erythritol could cause digestive discomfort for some
- A little high in fat
Ingredients
- Protein blend: pea, brown rice, chia
- Sweetener/s: erythritol, stevia
Who makes it
Orgain was founded by a doctor and cancer survivor who “saw a need for a nutritional shake made from all-natural, food-based ingredients and took it upon himself to be the first the make it.”
Related: Best Vegan Protein Powders Reviewed In 2020
Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein
Ascent may not get as much love as some of the other proteins but you can rest assured that it’s right up there with the best of them.
It’s all-natural and consists of a whey protein isolate blend of Native whey isolate (very minimally processed) and standard whey isolate.
It’s packed with 25g of protein per dose with 5.7g BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) to support recovery and protein synthesis (building of proteins).
Ascent Native fuel is sweetened with monk fruit and stevia and has some awesome flavors.
It’s also important to note that top athletes rep the brand and It’s Informed-Choice certified. We can’t lie though… the packaging is pretty sweet too!
Product highlights
- Contains two forms of whey
- Includes a less-processed “Native” whey
- 120 calories per serving
- 25g protein per serving
- Gluten-free
Pros
- High protein than many options
- Has two quality forms of whey
- 0g added sugar
- Very low fat and low carb
- Informed Choice Trusted by Sport
Cons
- Few complaints about taste
Ingredients
- Protein: whey isolate blend (Native whey isolate, whey isolate)
- Sweetener/s: monk fruit extract, stevia
Who makes it
Based in Denver, Colorado, Ascent is the “official sponsor of hard work”. They only use clean, real-food ingredients with nothing artificial. Not to mention, they’re a family-owned business that built their own factory.
LIV Body Liv Pure Lean Whey Isolate Protein
LIV Body is one of the most delectable protein options as there are few complaints and more satisfaction with the taste (German Chocolate Cake if you were wondering).
The protein is a highly bioavailable and digestible instantized whey isolate and it’s lactose-free so gas and stomach rumbles shouldn’t be an issue for most.
With 25g of protein per serving, you’ll have more than enough muscle fuel. But it also makes for a perfect high-protein option to have throughout the day.
There’s zero sugar to be found and it’s low-carb and low-fat.
Product highlights
- Pure whey isolate
- 160 calories per serving
- 25g protein per serving
Pros
- Low-fat and low-carb
- Lactose-free
- Great for baking
Cons
- Contains soy
Ingredients
- Protein: instantized whey protein isolate
- Sweeteners: monk fruit, enzymatically modified stevia
Who makes it
Liv Body makes all-natural supplements free of fillers and additives. They were one of the first brands to offer an entire line of naturally-sweetened products.
Pure Label Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Concentrate
This is a product we haven’t included in any of our other reviews but it certainly deserves a spot here.
It’s a grass-fed protein that contains no artificial ingredients, added sugar, or additives, so it’s super clean and simple, and we know many will love it for this reason alone.
It also supposedly stands out as far as mixability and… it’s flavorless. Therefore, it’s probably best to mix into something that already has flavor.
Product highlights
- All-natural grass-fed whey
- No additives
- Gluten and soy-free
- Unflavored
- 24g protein per serving
Pros
- All-natural
- no sugar added
- Low-carb
- No additives
Cons
- Not as good mixed alone due to being unflavored
- Few complaints about consistency
Ingredients
- Whey concentrate
Who makes it
Pure Label Nutrition was founded by 2 fitness pros who wanted to offer better quality products than what was currently being offered.
EarthChimp Vegan Protein
What’s there not to love about an animated chimp head on a package… we didn’t choose it for that reason (only) of course.
Earthchimp Vegan protein powder has an impressive profile because it contains a variety of ingredients that are beneficial for health and fitness. Plus, there’s 20g of protein per serving from a blend of pea, pumpkin, coconut, and a sunflower.
Other ingredients include fruits and veggies, probiotics to support gut health, and digestive enzymes to help process the nutrients.
There are also a few superfoods/healthy herbs such as cinnamon and turmeric and it’s sweetened with monk fruit extract and contains natural vegan flavors.
Earthchimp is also made in Ireland which is pretty cool too!
Product highlights
- Plant-based
- Offers organic ingredients
- Contains organic fruit blend
- Probiotics support gut health
- Digestive enzymes help with nutrient absorption
- 120 calorie per serving
- 20g protein per serving
- Gluten and soy-free
Pros
- All-natural
- Probiotics and digestive enzymes offer additional health benefits
- Contains healthy-promoting herbs
- No soy
- No gums
- One tree is planted with every order
Cons
- Few complaints about powder quality
Ingredients
- Protein: pea, pumpkin, coconut, sunflower
- Sweeteners: monk fruit, fruit blend
Who makes it
Earthchimp was founded by a husband and wife duo in Ireland. They simply wanted a plant-based source of nutrition that’d help them to stay lean and healthy and that their family could supplement with.
Naked Nutrition Whey
You’ve more than likely heard of or seen Naked Nutrition products. They’ve been around for a while and are known for making some pretty “bare” products (hence the name).
In fact, their 100% grass-fed Naked Whey protein only contains one ingredient: whey protein concentrate… and nothing else!
It’s cold-pressed and contains 25g of protein with lots of amino acids to support your body and health goals.
Naked Whey is a very high-quality protein supplement.
You may want to mix it in something flavored since it is so plain though…
Product highlights
- Only contains whey protein/no other ingredients
- 120 calories per serving
- 25g protein per serving
- Soy and gluten-free
Pros
- Super clean product
- Versatile (good for shaking and baking)
- Low-fat, low-carb
- Informed Choice certified
Cons
- Few complaints about taste and texture
Ingredients
- Grass-fed whey
Who makes it
Naked makes barebone products that contain only the purest ingredients. If you like super simplistic, there are few better options.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Levels Grass-Fed Whey
Levels is a quite popular option for daily protein supplementation. It leaves out a lot of the unnecessary ingredients and is made from grass-fed why protein concentrate.
A serving supplies a very respectable 24g of protein.
It also uses stevia and mink fruit extract to provide enough sweetness to sufficiently flavor your shakes.
Levels is a USA-made product as well, like many of the other options on our list.
Product highlights
- Grass-fed protein
- No gluten or soy
- 130 calories
- 24g protein
Pros
- Company provides certificate of analysis
- No added sugar
- No fillers
Cons
- A little higher in cholesterol content
- Few complaints about stomach ache
Ingredients
- Protein: grass-fed whey concentrate
- Sweeteners: monk fruit extract and stevia extract
Who makes it
Levels decided to create products that were up to date which meant leaving the old model behind and making supplements that offered “purposeful nutrition and clean ingredients.”
Isopure Infusions Protein Powder
If you’re tired of conventional protein powders/shakes, then you might want to try out Isopure Infusions protein powder. It’s a fruit-flavored option that has several flavors and it’s totally natural.
It’s an isolate too so stomach issues should not be a problem for the majority of users and it’s sweetened with stevia leaf extract.
Each serving contains 20g of protein.
It’s also a good option for those who want very few calories as one serving contains only 90 calories. And, it makes for a refreshing, yet very useful beverage that isn’t simply sugar-laden.
Product highlights
- Fruit-flavored protein powder
- Mixed clear
- Contains 90 calories
- 20g protein per serving
Pros
- Fruit juice flavored offers something different
- Low-calorie
- Zero fat and very low-carb
Cons
- Contains soy
- Few complaints about taste and mixability
Ingredients
- protein: whey protein isolate
- Sweetener: stevia leaf extract
Who makes it
Isopure was started in 1984 by two friends; Hal and Ernie with a cement mixer and a passion to make things better. They introduced Isopure in 1998 and have been making top-notch products ever since.
TGS Nutrition 100% Whey Protein
Last on our list of best protein powders without artificial sweeteners is TGS 100% whey protein.
Where to start… it’s natural, unflavored, USA-made; has no unnecessary additives, and gives you a whopping 25g of protein.
It’s only got whey protein concentrate, and sunflower lecithin… that’s it! So very simple and clean and a great choice.
Because it’s unflavored, TGS protein makes for a good addition to a shake that includes a flavorful combination of ingredients.
Product highlights
- 2 simple ingredients
- Natural and unflavored
- 130 calories per serving
- 25g protein per serving
- Gluten and soy-free
Pros
- Natural
- Simple and minimal
- Contains zero additives and fillers
- Low-fat and low-carb
Cons
- A little higher in cholesterol
- Not ideal for shake and go
Ingredients
- Protein: whey protein concentrate
Who makes it
TGS is a friend and family-owned business in Las Vegas, Nevada. They started in 2013 on a mission to create simple, yet very high-quality protein powder and they were successful in that endeavor. Like many great brands, they also value the customer experience.
How We Ranked
There are a few criteria that we consider before recommending any product.
The quality is, of course, at the forefront of our decision to include any product in our reviews. This could mean we choose supplements from certain brands, although we do consider quality options from newer or less-known companies as well.
Keep in mind, products within the same category can and often do vary whether just slightly or enough to where someone would choose one over the other. It all depends.
But you can rest assured that any of the protein supplements in this list is going to offer a quality source of protein and minimal unnecessary ingredients.
A few key criteria for our picks.
Ingredients/what’s in it?
Let’s talk about the ingredients you’ll find in these protein powders.
Protein
We featured protein powders that are animal and plant-based. Whether one is better than the other, well, we won’t get into that because it’s entirely preference-based due to factors such as lifestyle and taste.
You can check out our protein reviews if you really want to learn about and compare the differences between animal and plant-based protein.
Although we’ll be honest, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re getting enough of the essential amino acids throughout the day and ideally, around training times for maximum effect.
But to give you a brief explanation about whey isolate and concentrate and plant-based options, isolate goes through an additional filtration process than does concentrate.
This rids a lot of the fat, carbs, and lactose from a protein formula. Isolate is often preferred by those who usually experience stomach discomfort. But concentrate is a quality source of protein as well and cheaper too.
Related: Best Lactose-Free Protein Powders For 2020
Then you have the plant-based or vegan protein that may contain one or more protein sources from foods like pea, brown rice, chia, and more.
Both animal and plant based are great choices for filling in protein needs.
Use our protein calculator to find your ideal daily intake for your goals and to also learn more about the importance of protein.
Sweeteners
While there are different forms of natural sweeteners, stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, and a variation of sugar are typically the most commonly used.
Stevia and monk fruit are both nonnutritive sweeteners so there are little to no calories. However, both are also much sweeter than sugar, with monk fruit being 150-200x sweeter and stevia being 200-300x sweeter.
Sometimes these ingredients are used alone and many times, stevia and monk fruit are combined.
Stevia in supplements, food products, and on its own is very refined because the leaf in its most natural state isn’t considered safe. This filtered form of stevia contains Rebaudioside A (Reb A) which is a glycoside responsible for the sweetness.
Monk fruit is less refined but is sometimes is combined with dextrose although this is not the case with any of the protein products that you’ll find here.
But one big drawback of certain natural sugar alternatives such as stevia and monk fruit is that some people simply don’t care for the taste. In that case, maybe real coconut sugar or no sweetener at all is preferred.
It just comes down to preference ultimately.
Other ingredients
This varies from product to product. Typically though, and this varies as well – many protein powders with no artificial sweeteners contain natural ingredients including natural flavors and coloring, superfood blends, and sunflower lecithin – which helps with the texture and consistency.
Other than that, we tried to keep certain ingredients out.
Overall value
We consider a good value to consist of these three main factors.
- Quality of ingredients
- Amount of servings for the price
- Company reputation/history
How Should I Pick A Good Protein Powder
Consider the details below.
- Ingredients – the ingredients should include a quality source of protein/s and if possible, minimal additional ingredients or ingredients that contribute something related to health or performance. We included many options that are very simple with one or just a few ingredients. But there also others with several ingredients, but that, again, are useful and not harmful.
- Brand reputation – all of the products on our list are from reputable brands and we’re confident in that. We chose the best protein powder products on the market that offered what we were looking for.
- Value – a good value offers a respectable amount of the key ingredient/s with an appropriate number of servings for a price that reflects what the product offers.
- Key Ingredients content – the key ingredients are protein and natural sweetener. Our picks all provide at least 20g per serving minimum and use common and proven safe natural sweeteners.
- Convenience factor – it’s important to keep in mind that some of the protein powders in this review are flavored and some are not. Typically, unflavored options are best included with other ingredients to be more palatable. Consequently, if you want to simply shake and go without the extra steps, a flavored option is your best bet. Some protein powders may require extra mixing or shaking due to certain ingredients or lack thereof (not necessarily a bad thing) and this could be an inconvenience for some. But the overall quality of the product may be more important for others.
How Much Protein Should I Have Per Day?
We’ve talked about this numerous times in past articles and you can check the protein calculator link under the “ingredients/what’s in it” section for more information on optimal protein dosing.
This is obviously going to vary from individual to individual based on personal stats (gender, age, weight, height) and goals.
But to give you a general idea, the widely accepted range for protein intake is 0.7–1 gram per pound (1.6–2.4 grams per kg) of body weight.
It’s not uncommon for people to have to tweak their protein intake depending on their goals and health. But one thing for certain is that if you want to build muscle and strength through resistance training, you need sufficient protein for the repair and building process.
This doesn’t mean to eat all of your calories in protein, but you should aim for the upper end if you train hard.
Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe?
Common artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharins, and neotame are approved by the FDA for use in certain food items with some exceptions such as in meat and poultry (1).
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) also approve of certain artificial sweeteners as a replacement for sugar.
Artificial sweeteners can help to lower caloric intake, thereby contributing to a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Does that mean they’re safe though?
The short answer is that it seems they’re mostly safe for most people, at least in the short and mid-term. However, they are still artificial substances. Moderation is going to be key as with anything and that even includes natural sweeteners such as stevia and sugar, of course (1).
But these sweeteners can certainly help with weight loss and disease management as far as caloric intake is concerned..
Recap
We’re happy with our picks and we hope you are too. As of right now, these might just be the best protein powders without artificial sweeteners.
Each one has something unique to offer too and now it’s up to you to decide which is best for you. Whether you exercise daily and want to ensure you meet your recommended intake or whether you want a quality option to include in your daily health regime, you have ten that meet the criteria.
If you have any questions about the information in this article, leave them below and we’ll make sure to get back to you. We also welcome comments too. Also, check out our review for the 10 Best Low-Calorie Protein Powders for 2020!
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
