Protein Powder With No Artificial Sweeteners: For Your Health

Protein Powder without Sucralose or Sketchy Sweeteners

More than just a trend, the protein powder space has witnessed heightened demand for sugar-free options. 

But alongside the anti-sugar craze has been a tidal wave of artificial sweeteners. Although these synthetic sweeteners are free of calories and sugar, they’ve introduced an onslaught of health problems, ranging from cardiovascular issues and metabolic disorders.^[1]

Some artificial sweeteners have even been shown to increase blood glucose levels, making them just as problematic (if not more so) than sugar itself.^[2]

Now considered the new enemy, artificial sweeteners are found in countless protein powders. The usual suspects include sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), among others.

In this post, I discuss concerns associated with artificial sweeteners, which culprits are most problematic, and my recommendations for the best protein powder without artificial sweeteners (that still tastes good).

Potential Side Effects of Artificial Sweeteners

While they promise a sweet taste without the calories, artificial sweeteners pack more than what meets the tongue. Here’s a breakdown of issues that might make you rethink your next scoop:

• Weight gain paradox: You’d think zero calories means zero worries about weight gain, right? Not quite. Studies show a positive correlation between artificial sweetener use and weight gain, as they can stimulate appetite and increase cravings for sugary foods.^[3]
• Messing with metabolism: Your body is smart but can get confused by fake sugars. This confusion may alter how we process real sugar, potentially leading to metabolic problems like obesity and type 2 diabetes.^[4]
• Gut health interference: These chemical concoctions don’t just pass through unnoticed. They can disrupt the balance of good bacteria in our gut—key players in digestion and overall health.
• Headaches and mood swings: For some people, consuming artificial sweeteners leads to headaches or changes in mood. It’s enough to sour any protein shake experience.
• Cancer concerns: The shadow of cancer looms large in the debate over artificial sweeteners. The World Health Organization has raised a red flag, warning that long-term use might bump up your risk. Take aspartame, for instance—it’s tagged as potentially carcinogenic to humans.^[5]

Keep these points in mind when shopping for protein powders without artificial sweeteners. In the next section, I’ll highlight specific sweeteners you’d be wise to steer clear of and explain why opting out could be critical for your health, especially if you consume protein powders regularly.

Common Artificial Sweeteners in Protein Powder

Navigating the protein powder aisle can feel like a minefield with all the artificial sweeteners lurking about. Here are some usual suspects to watch out for:

• Sucralose: Often found hiding behind its brand name, Splenda, this sweetener is 600 times sweeter than sugar and can withstand high temperatures. Sucralose is one of the most common artificial sweeteners found in protein powder.
• Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): It partners often with other sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract to mask a bitter aftertaste. Acesulfame Potassium is known for being 200 times sweeter than sugar itself.
• Aspartame: Known by names like Equal or NutraSweet, aspartame is infamous not just for its sweetness but also for its controversial health discussions. Fortunately, Aspartame is becoming less and less common in protein powders.
• Saccharin: With trade names like Sweet’N Low, saccharin was once linked to bladder cancer in rats, casting long shadows over its safety profile.^[6] Still, it remains a common culprit found in protein powders.

Being aware of these additives will help you make informed choices, which leads us into the next section where I share some of the highest-quality, best-tasting protein powders without artificial sweeteners.

Best Protein Powders without Artificial Sweeteners

Having tried and investigated a wide range of protein powders (some with and without sugar, artificial sweeteners, and natural sweeteners), I’ve compiled a few that I find to be the cleanest. Here are my picks for the best protein powders without artificial sweeteners.

Truvani Plant-Based Protein Powder

Truvani is a front-runner when it comes to clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners.

In addition to containing no synthetic ingredients whatsoever, Truvani goes above and beyond to ensure its protein powders are free from added gums, fillers, emulsifiers, and other non-food additives that often cause bloating and gas.

Truvani is certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. The company offers 9 unique flavor options, ranging from Peanut Butter and Vanilla Chai to Match and Unflavored (which is truly one of the best flavorless protein powders with only 3 ingredients!)

The ingredients vary depending on the flavor but the protein sources are consistently from organic pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, and organic chia seed protein. This provides a nourishing and complete combination of vegan amino acids.

One of the cleanest protein powder brands on the market, Truvani invests in third-party testing for heavy metals and contaminants. It’s transparent about its products and publishes the test results on its website.

Read my review of Truvani Plant-based Protein Powder.

Orgain Simple Protein Powder

Orgain Simple Protein Powder is a minimalist protein blend that accurately falls into the “clean” category of plant-based protein powders without stevia or artificial sweeteners. 

It’s sweetened with organic cane sugar, so it does contain 6 grams of sugar per serving. But it’s by far one of the best-tasting protein powders.

Made of quality, organic ingredients, including golden pea, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, almond, and chia seeds, Orgain Simple Protein Powder is also free of gums, fillers, and other questionable ingredients that have no nutritional value. It’s available in three flavors, Creamy Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, and Peanut Butter.

See my review of Orgain Simple Protein Powder.

PlantFusion Complete Protein Powder

PlantFusion Complete Protein Powder is sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract, both natural options that make it a healthy choice for individuals looking for a protein powder without artificial sweeteners. There’s also zero sugar, making it genuinely keto-friendly and diabetic-friendly.

The protein blend is made of pea protein isolate, artichoke protein, organic sprouted amaranth protein powder, and organic sprouted quinoa protein. It’s also equipped with PlantFusion’s enzyme blend for improved digestion. 

Available in five delicious flavors (including a Natural No-Stevia option), this is another one of my favorites that I highly recommend.

See my review of PlantFusion Complete Protein Powder.

OWYN Plant Protein Powder

For another option that uses real sugar, OWYN Plant Protein Powder is a delicious choice that combines organic cane sugar and monk fruit extract. There are 4 grams of sugar per 2-scoop serving, which packs 20 grams of protein.

The OWYN Protein Blend contains pea protein concentrate, pumpkin protein, and chia, providing an abundance of vegan amino acids and muscle recovery capabilities. 

It also has a superfood greens blend with kale, spinach, and broccoli and 10 million CFU of probiotics in every serving.

See my review of OWYN Plant Protein Powder.

MRM Veggie Elite Protein Powder

A simple sugar-free protein powder with no artificial sweeteners, MRM Veggie Elite is a podium-topper worth trying.

Instead, it contains TreLEAFia, which is a proprietary sweetener made from stevia leaf extract, trehalose, and monk fruit extract. While sweet, these are all-natural sweeteners that do not spike blood sugar or insulin levels.

MRM Veggie Elite is made from pea protein concentrate and brown rice protein concentrate. While seemingly simple, this combination packs a complete amino acid profile that’s suitable for bodybuilders as it is for diabetics trying to lose weight. It’s available in several delicious flavors (my favorite is Chocolate Mocha).

See my review of MRM Veggie Elite.

Garden of Life Sport Organic Protein Powder

For athletes, Garden of Life Sport Organic Protein Powder is one of the best vegan protein powder products money can buy. It has the highest concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which is vital for muscle recovery, along with an organic recovery blend consisting of tart cherry and tart cherry, among others.

The flavor blend uses cacao, carob, chocolate, vanilla, sea salt, and stevia leaf. It’s not overly sweet and blends well with anything from smoothies and shakes to oatmeal and baked goods. As an endurance athlete, Garden of Life Sport Organic Protein is one that I frequently purchase.

See my review of Garden of Life Sport.

Final Word on Protein Powder with No Artificial Sweeteners

The fact of the matter is that most people want a low-calorie, sugar-free protein powder that still tastes good. And while there are natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, many protein powders are riddled with artificial sweeteners. 

Steering clear of artificial sweeteners doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste or quality. With brands like Orgain, MRM, OWYN, and PlantFusion leading the charge, it’s possible to find products that are both delicious and made with natural ingredients.

As consumers become more ingredient-conscious, the market is responding with better options—ones that support your fitness goals without unnecessary health risks. Remember to check labels for hidden sweeteners and opt for those with simple, whole-food sources of sweetness.

By making informed choices about what goes into our bodies, we take control over our nutrition and overall well-being. So next time you’re shopping for a protein boost, go natural—it’s a small change that can make a big difference in your health journey.

You Might Also Like

• Grain-Free Protein Powder
• Paleo Protein Powder
• Lactose-Free Protein Powder

About the Author

This article is by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at the Vegan Protein Powder Review. Endurance athlete and experienced writer in the health and nutrition space, Tyler has tried hundreds of different plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. View Tyler’s author bio or follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can also visit his site TylerTafelsky.com to see what he’s up to.

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