Stevia may be a zero-calorie, diabetic-friendly sweetening alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.[1] But, it’s not for everyone.
For many consumers, stevia is simply a no-go. It can have a distinct taste (or aftertaste) that’s often described as overpowering, overwhelming, or chemical-ly.
I’ve heard countless reviews about stevia having a lingering aftertaste that’s rather unpleasant. There’s no wonder there’s a strong demand for protein powder without stevia.
The challenge is finding the best ones. Having tried nearly every vegan, stevia-free protein powder stevia there is. I’ve narrowed it down to a handful of favorites.
Stevia Alternatives: The Good and The Ugly
The mounting distaste for stevia has spurred brands to use alternative sweeteners. Some are much better than others, especially for your health, so it’s crucial to know what to look for in your protein powder:
- Monk fruit extract is one of the best alternatives to stevia. It’s also a natural, zero-sugar sweetener widely used for its clean taste and nutritional qualities.
- Artificial sweeteners are another zero-calorie category that includes sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and other culprits. Without going deep into the weeds, exercise caution with these sneaky sweeteners.
- Sugar alcohols are also synthetic sweeteners widely used for their low caloric impact and sweet taste. Xylitol and erythritol are two common types found in protein powder. They’re notorious for bloating and gas, and more recently, erythritol has been linked to cardiovascular risks.
- Natural sugar: And then there’s good old-fashioned sugar. Several of my favorite protein powders are sweetened natural or added sugar, such as organic cane or coconut sugar. Many consumers prefer protein powders with real sugar.
There are also “natural” or unflavored protein powders that do not contain stevia or any other sweetener. The key is figuring out your tastes and preferences. I prefer protein powders sweetened with monk fruit and natural sugar versus those made with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.
10 Best Vegan Protein Powders without Stevia
With a keen understanding of the types of sweeteners and flavoring agents protein powder producers use, you’ll be better equipped to find stevia-free options that work best for you. Here are 10 products that work the best for me.
1. Truvani Plant Protein Powder
Truvani is a clean protein powder that uses minimal, high-quality ingredients. It’s free from added fillers, additives, and synthetic ingredients (including artificial sweeteners) often found in other brands.
A healthy alternative for those who dislike the taste of stevia, Truvani Plant-Based Protein uses organic monk fruit extract instead as a natural sweetener.
Third-party tested for purity, Truvani is a pea-based protein powder that prides itself on being a clean, chalk-free, stevia-free protein powder that’s made from a short list of organic ingredients.
There are several delicious flavors to choose from (mine is peanut butter and vanilla chai) including a minimalist unflavored & unsweetened option with only 3 ingredients.
2. Orgain Simple Protein Powder
Orgain Simple Protein lives up to its name as one of the cleanest, stevia-free protein powders. It’s mildly sweetened using organic coconut sugar, a low-glycemic option with a delicious, smooth taste.
In addition to being free of any artificial ingredients, gums, thickeners, or fillers, Orgain Simple Protein is also completely organic and non-GMO, and it’s free of gluten and soy.
However, it does contain “natural flavors,” which can be somewhat vague and suspicious to picky customers, but this one product I love for its minimal ingredients and creamy taste.
Orgain Simple Protein is available in three flavors, Creamy Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, and Peanut Butter. It’s also highly accessible, as you can find in most large grocery stores and a number of places online. See my Orgain Simple Protein review of this product.
3. Birdman Falcon Organic Plant Protein
Falcon Organic Plant Protein by Birdman is another simple, clean-conscious protein powder that uses only six real ingredients. Monk fruit is the primary sweetener, next to vanilla or chocolate, and cinnamon.
Sourced from organic pea, this protein powder packs 24g of protein per serving and over 40 servings per tub (2lb). Not only is Falcon a great value for organic, but it’s a low-calorie protein powder that’s especially low-fat and low-carb.
Not only is Falcon Organic Plant Protein a top-tier protein powder without stevia, but it’s also keto-friendly and sugar-free protein powder.
4. PlantFusion Complete Protein Natural No-Stevia
Added to PlantFusion Complete Protein‘s line-up by popular demand, the Natural No-Stevia option is one of the best of its kind.
With a pleasant, neutral taste that is free of any flavors, this mostly unflavored vegan protein powder is a great option for smoothies, baked goods, and other dishes where a transparent flavor profile is preferred.
And for those who are sensitive to artificial sweeteners like sucralose, PlantFusion Complete Protein Natural No-Stevia is a great product I highly recommend. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also a nutritional powerhouse with a high concentration of amino acids.
5. Sunwarrior Classic Plus Unflavored Protein
Perhaps one of the best stevia-free protein powders I’ve had, Sunwarrior Classic Plus Unflavored is very smooth and transparent tasting. It’s practically 100% flavorless (in a good way,) so it makes for stealth inclusion in all sorts of smoothies or shakes (retaining its “natural” flavor profile.)
Sunwarrior Classic Plus Unflavored is highly refined and floury, so it blends well into just about anything. Ideal for fruit-forward smoothies where there are already a lot of flavors, the Unflavored option is virtually undetectable. When it comes to the natural-flavored vegan protein powders, this one was one of the best I’ve reviewed.
6. Drink Wholesome Vegan Protein Powder
Drink Wholesome is an excellent stevia-free protein powder that uses only real food ingredients and is completely free from artificial sweeteners, stevia, and other synthetic additives.
It’s an almond-based protein powder that’s preferred for its minimal ingredients list. It’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, allergy-friendly, and gut-friendly for those with IBS.
Available in unsweetened and monk fruit-sweetened flavors, Drink Wholesome is a small-batch protein powder that’s praised for its taste and texture, with the powder mixing smoothly without any grittiness or chalkiness.
Drink Wholesome is a brand that’s transparent about its ingredients and manufacturing process, providing third-party lab test results to verify the purity of its products.
7. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Unflavored No-Stevia
Garden of Life Raw Protein Unflavored is a fantastic option in the category of transparent, natural-tasting vegan protein powders without stevia.
It’s not sweet, nor is there much taste to speak of. But it’s very smooth and virtually undetectable when added to a smoothie or incorporated into a recipe. In essence, I found this option to be one of the most transparent and versatile in its class.
Also, if you’re looking for a weight-loss-friendly vegan protein powder with no stevia, then this is a good option worth trying. Like Garden of Life RAW Fit protein powder that has metabolism-boosting ingredients, it’s nutritionally dense, low in calories, and isn’t sweet (so it won’t trigger your taste buds into wanting more.)
9. Amazing Grass Protein Superfood Original
With less than 1 gram of sugar and no stevia, you’d think Amazing Grass Protein Superfood Original would be quite bland and gritty. Au contraire, the Original flavor is one of the most smooth and delicious, au natural vegan protein powders I’ve tasted.
Right up there with Sunwarrior Classic Plus Natural (but perhaps even better tasting), Amazing Grass Superfood Protein Original is a universally applicable option that doesn’t over-power or over-flavor your smoothie. It’s slightly earthy on its own with just milk, so I highly suggest mixing it with something.
But what I enjoy about this flavor is that it tastes more real and authentic (doesn’t try to cover up earthiness with stevia.) You taste the vegetables, but they’re subtle and smooth. I found it to be a great addition to my avocado, spinach, and peach smoothie.
9. Naked Pea Vanilla Protein Powder
Naked Pea is a popular plant-based protein powder that’s preferred for its minimalism. Containing just three ingredients (yellow pea protein, organic coconut sugar, and organic cacao powder), it’s a simple, stevia-free protein powder worth considering.
Keep in mind that Naked Pea Protein Powder is not a complete protein as it doesn’t contain all essential amino acids. For many individuals who eat a balanced diet, this is not a problem as you’re likely getting other amino acids from other foods.
But for bodybuilders or athletic types, there are other sport protein powders with a higher concentration of amino acids.
10. Garden of Life Organic Plant Protein Smooth Unflavored
Garden of Life Organic Plant Protein Smooth Unflavored is in fact very smooth and transparent to the taste buds. There’s no stevia or sugar, so it’s not sweet at all. So if you want an unflavored vegan protein powder that doesn’t taste like anything, then this one is for you (as it literally has little to no flavor).
The real edge to this stevia-free protein powder is that it’s grain-free. For those who are seeking a paleo-friendly protein powder with grains (such as rice) as the primary source of protein, then this is a solid product to try.
However, because there’s not much going on with this product taste-wise, the overall experience (including the texture) can taste bland. As such, I recommend using Smooth Unflavored in more flavorful applications, like a fruit smoothie.
Stevia-Free Protein Powders for the Win
A lot of vegan protein powders, especially vegan ones, contain stevia as the primary sweetener. Derived from plants, stevia is a natural zero-sugar, zero-calorie sweetening agent. It’s become a popular go-to for brands trying to keep their protein powders lower in sugar and calories but without compromising on taste.
But we get it. Stevia can be a dominant form of sweetener that overpowers just about anything that it’s in. Protein powders are no exception. Fortunately, many brands are responding to the call to action and are coming out with better-tasting protein powder without artificial sweeteners or stevia.
Often labeled as “unflavored” or “natural,” these options are becoming more and more available. So, stay tuned as we update this post with more fantastic stevia-free protein powder options.
Stevia Leaf 101
Curious about learning more about stevia? Here are a few popular questions surrounding this natural sweetening agent.
What is stevia?
Stevia is a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It is commonly used as a sugar substitute in food and beverages and is widely considered to be a safe and natural alternative to artificial sweeteners.
What are the benefits of using stevia in protein powder?
The most common benefit of using stevia in protein powder is to help reduce the overall calorie and sugar content of the product, making it a suitable choice for people looking to manage their weight or blood sugar levels.[2] Stevia may also provide a natural sweetness without the potential negative side effects that can be associated with artificial sweeteners.[3]
What are some potential drawbacks of using stevia in protein powder?
Some people may find that stevia has a slightly bitter or metallic taste, which can be off-putting. Additionally, some research suggests that stevia may interfere with certain medications or have other potential health effects, although more research is needed to fully understand these potential risks.
If you are concerned about using stevia or are taking any medications, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating stevia into your diet.
Related reading
- Vega Sport Protein Powder
- Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder
- Protein Powder without Erythritol
- Does Protein Powder Expire?
- Best Vegan Protein Powder for Muscle Gain
About The Author
This review was conducted by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health, nutrition, and athletic space, and he offers over a decade of experience blogging on various reputable platforms. Having experimented with a vegan diet over the course of his life, Tyler has tried hundreds of plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can also view his personal site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.
Scientific References
- Peteliuk V, Rybchuk L, Bayliak M, Storey KB, Lushchak O. Natural sweetener Stevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI J. 2021 Sep 22;20:1412-1430. doi: 10.17179/excli2021-4211. PMID: 34803554; PMCID: PMC8600158.
- Ajami M, Seyfi M, Abdollah Pouri Hosseini F, Naseri P, Velayati A, Mahmoudnia F, Zahedirad M, Hajifaraji M. Effects of stevia on glycemic and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2020 Mar-Apr;10(2):118-127. PMID: 32257884; PMCID: PMC7103435.
- Tandel KR. Sugar substitutes: Health controversy over perceived benefits. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2011 Oct;2(4):236-43. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.85936. PMID: 22025850; PMCID: PMC3198517.