Nowadays, protein manufacturers pride themselves on the fact that their products have a great taste that absolutely wows everyone. But what if a person is looking for a protein without any sweeteners? He has no choice but to turn to flavorless proteins. These have many benefits - above all, they fit into all kinds of recipes. But how to choose such a protein. In our ranking, we have ranked the best natural proteins according to their protein content.protein and other macronutrients, the quality of the ingredients used, the absorbability of the protein and, of course, the price. In addition, you will also learn if you need to be afraid of artificial sweeteners and what all to watch out for when choosing a protein.
9 best proteins without sweeteners
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
|
GymBeam Protein True Whey | 23.2 g protein per serving, Two pack sizes, Whey protein concentrate | $55,96 | Best price More information |
| 2. |
|
SmartFuel 100% Whey Protein | 23.4 g protein per serving, One pack size, Whey protein concentrate | Best price More information Reviews | |
| 3. |
|
MyProtein Soy Protein Isolate | 27 g protein per serving, 2 pack sizes, Soy protein isolate | Best price More information | |
| 4. |
|
Amix Isoprime CFM | 31.5 g protein per serving, 3 pack sizes, Whey protein isolate | $64,20 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 5. |
|
BiotechUSA 100% Pure Whey | 22.4 g protein per serving, 5 pack sizes, Whey protein concentrate | $48,88 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 6. |
|
Vilgain Whey Protein | 23 g protein per serving, 3 pack sizes, Whey protein concentrate | Best price More information Reviews | |
| 7. |
|
MyProtein Impact Whey Protein | 21 g protein per serving, 4 pack sizes, Whey protein concentrate | $52,67 | Best price More information |
| 8. |
|
Amix ZeroPro Protein | 33.1 g protein per serving, 2 pack sizes, Whey protein isolate | Best price More information | |
| 9. |
|
BiotechUSA Vegan Protein | 19 g protein per serving, 3 pack sizes, Pea protein isolate and rice protein | $45,16 | Best price More information |
Detailed analysis of proteins without sweeteners
The first place in our ranking of the best proteins without sweeteners was taken by True Whey from GymBeam. Its biggest benefits are its very good price and high protein content. In addition to the unflavoured version, True Whey is also available in many interesting flavours, but of course these already contain added sweeteners.
Benefits:
- Convenient price
- High protein content
- Easy solubility
- High BCAA content
About the Manufacturer:
GymBeam is a German manufacturer of sports supplements that has been on the market since 2014. In addition to selling supplements, it also focuses on health and sports nutrition education. The brand's supplements are suitable for athletes of all kinds, as well as people with specific diets (lactose intolerance, veganism, celiac disease, etc.You may have come across GymBeam products, for example, in our comparison of the best peanut butters or in our review of the pre-workout Thor Vitargo.
In one serving (30 grams) you will find:
- 23.2 grams of protein
- 1.8 g of carbohydrates
- 1.9 g of fat
GymBeam True Whey in the unflavoured version is a pure whey concentrate in whichm you will not find any added substances (except lecithin, which acts as a harmless emulsifier). Considering the relatively high protein content and, on the contrary, the low carbohydrate and fat content, we rate the composition very positively.
Final assessment:
If you are looking for a quality whey protein without sweeteners, GymBeam True Whey is the ideal choice for you. The protein content per serving is really decent and it comes out perfectly in terms of price. While it is true that there are alternatives with higher protein content, these will be isolates, which are understandably much more expensive. The resulting value for money in this case is excellent.
SmartFuel 100% Whey Protein is also characterized by its convenient price and high protein content. Behind this brand stands the supplement retailer Fitness007, which decided to bring its own line of quality products to the market. The unflavored version of this protein is all-natural and you won't find any additives in it.
Benefits:
- High protein content
- Convenient price
- High quality raw materials
- Gentle processing
Disadvantages:
- We would have appreciated a slightly lower carbohydrate content
About the Manufacturer:
The SmartFuel brand is still a relatively new name in the sports supplement market. It is owned by Fitness007, one of the most established sellers of sports supplements. Currently, the brand offers not only whey protein but also high quality magnesiumbisglycinate, peanut cream, fat burner and extracts of maca and ashwagandha.
In one serving you will find:
- 23.4 g of protein
- 2 g of carbohydrates
- 1.8 g of fat
SmartFuel 100% Whey Protein is a pure whey concentrate in which you will not find any additives. There is nothing to criticize about the ingredients, but if we had to pick out some minor shortcoming, it would be a somewhat high carbohydrate content (taking into account the fact that it is an unflavoured protein).
Final assessment:
If you choose SmartFuel 100% Whey Protein, you definitely won't go wrong. The combination of high protein content and a good price is simply a guaranteed recipe for success. The availability in only one size may be a drawback, but personally I don't consider it a big negative.
Soy Protein Isolate from MyProtein also gets an excellent rating from us. As the name suggests, it is a soy protein that is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians. In addition, Soy Protein Isolate contains a full 27g of protein in one serving, which is a hefty dose.
Benefits:
- High protein content
- Very low price
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Clean formula
Disadvantages:
- Soy does not have as good a spectrum of amino acids as whey
About the Manufacturer:
You can find the MyProtein brand in more than 70 countries around the world, which It's a good indication that it's definitely not a second-rate manufacturer. MyProtein products usually fall into a lower price category, but still maintain their consistent quality. The low price stems from the fact that MyProtein invests a lot of money in automating the production ofproduction, which in turn translates into reduced production costs. We've shared our experiences with the MyProtein brand with you in our Impact Whey Isolate review, for example, or in our ranking of the best vegan proteins.
In one serving (30 grams) you will find:
- 27 grams of protein
- 0.5 g of carbohydrates
- 0.5 g fat
MyProtein's unflavoured version of Soy Protein Isolate packs a really big dose of protein and the bare minimum of carbohydrates and fat. Although the protein content here is higher than most competing products, you need to measuresoya is hardly a match for conventional whey as a protein source. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that 27 g of protein per serving is more than respectable.
Final assessment:
Apart from the high protein content, the huge advantage of this protein is its minimal price. In terms of cost per serving, you will pay the least for it of all the proteins in our ranking. The only reason it didn't rank higher is the presence of soy as the only protein source. This is because even in larger quantities it still lags behind whey, which is much more digestible and offers a much better effect on the human body.
Amix Isoprime CFM whey isolate impressed us especially with its exceptionally high protein content. In one dose there is a total of 31.5 g of protein, which is really commendable compared to the competition. However, the high protein content also goes hand in hand with the high price.
Advantages:
- Very high protein content
- Minimum carbohydrates and fat
- High quality ingredients
- Environmentally friendly production method
Disadvantages:
- High price
About the Manufacturer:
The Amix Nutrition brand is the flagship brand of the British company LargeLife Limited. During its long years on the market, it has managed to work its way up to being one of the largest manufacturers of sports supplements in Europe. In the Amix Nutrition range you can find really everything from proteins to joint nutrition or CBD oils. You may have come across Amix products in our ranking of the best creatines or in our comparison of the best omega 3 fatty acids.
In one serving (35 grams) you will find:
- 31.5 grams of protein
- 0.63 g of carbohydrates
- 0.63 g of fat
In terms of composition, there is really nothing to criticize with Amix Isoprime CFM. Of course, the unflavored variant does not contain any sweeteners that are found in the other variants.and which we were the only ones to identify in our separate review as a slight negative in the composition. In terms of macronutrient content, this is the absolute top of the market compared to the competition.
Final assessment:
The biggest downside of Amix Isoprime CFM is the very high price. It is definitely not a lower priced protein that is worth it for everyone. On the contrary, it is more suitable for more experienced athletes, for whom it is worth paying extra for really high quality, which simply costs something.
The main advantages of BioTechUSA 100% Pure Whey include a very pleasant price and a relatively solid protein content in one serving. The unflavored version of this protein contains a total of 80 g of protein per 100 g of product, which translates to about 22.4 g per serving. This is not a miracle compared to the competition, but it is still a decent value.
Pros:
- Convenient price
- Decent protein content
- Low carbohydrate and fat content
Disadvantages:
- Protein content is lower compared to competitors
About the Manufacturer:
BioTechUSA, although this may cause some confusion, is not actually from the United States, but is based in Hungary. Its products are characterized by great value for money and, very often, great taste. There is really something for everyone in the BioTechUSA range, as they offer just about every possible supplement in several flavours. You may have already come across them in our comparison of the best energy gels or in our ranking of the best ionic drinks.
In one serving (28 grams) you will find:
- 22.4 grams of protein
- 1.4 g of carbohydrates
- 1.8 g of fat
As mentioned in the introduction, the unflavoured version of this protein contains 80% protein. So if you increase the recommended dose a bit, you can easily get a solid serving of protein after your workout. A minor disadvantage of the protein is its lower solubility, but fortunately it is not a disaster in this respect either. You can read more details about the ingredients in our separate review.
Final review:
BioTechUSA 100% Pure Whey is an interesting combination of a pleasant price and a fairly decent composition. At the same time, it should be added that this protein is very popular mainly because of its excellent taste, but this applies only to the flavored variants. Whey alone does not impress anyone much, and therefore one of the biggest advantages of this product actually falls away. Still, it performs decently compared to the competition and, especially thanks to its affordable price, it is definitely worth a try.
Whey Protein from Vilgain is one of the most popular proteins on the market. Its unflavored variant has a few shortcomings, which we will address in a moment, but in general it performs very welle, which is why it also ranks decently in our rankings. What are the main advantages and disadvantages?
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Excellent amino acid spectrum
- High protein content
Disadvantages:
- High carbohydrate and fat content
About the Manufacturer:
Behind the Vilgain brand is the well-known company Aktin, which perhaps needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular manufacturers and sellers of sports supplements in the Czech Republic. We have shared our experience with Vilgain products in our Vilgain Protein Bar review or in our comparison of the best multivitamins.
In one serving you will find:
- 23 g of protein
- 2.3 g of carbohydrates
- 1.9 g of fat
The biggest weakness of Vilgain protein is the carbohydrate and fat content. It is surprisingly high even in the unflavoured version for some reason. The carbohydrate content here is even 0.1 g higher than in the chocolate flavour, which frankly doesn't make any sense at all. If you want to know more about the composition of Vilgain Whey Protein, read our separate review where we go into everything in much more detail.
Final review:
Vilgain Whey Protein has slight shortcomings in terms of composition, but it compensates for them with a pleasant price, for which you can't expect any miracles. The resulting price/quality ratio is therefore actually very good and we can easily recommend the protein.
The second representative from MyProtein earned its place in our ranking of the best protein without sweeteners. This time it is the classic whey concentrate MyProtein Impact Whey. Its biggest advantage is undoubtedly its very low price, which compensates for its relatively low protein content.
Advantages:
- Very low price
- Minimum carbohydrates
- Excellent spectrum of amino acids
Disadvantages:
- Relatively low protein content
In one serving (25 grams) you will find:
- 21 grams of protein
- 1 g of carbohydrates
- 1.9 g of fat
When it comes to the ingredients, the relatively low protein content per serving should be noted. Although there are 80 grams of protein in 100 grams of the product, the manufacturer states 25 grams as the recommended serving size. Personally, I would therefore recommend adjusting the dosage a bit, which will not be a problem given the low price. It is also worth mentioning the very low carbohydrate content.
Final assessment:
It is obvious that MyProtein Impact Whey benefits mainly from its low price. It is even the second cheapest protein in our ranking. Despite this, it retains a very high quality composition and definitely has something to offer even the most demanding athletes. The resulting price/quality ratio is therefore excellent.
If you are looking for a protein with a really high protein content, Amix ZeroPro Protein is the right choice for you. It contains almost 95% protein, which is equivalent to more than 33 grams per serving. But of course, this also goes hand in hand with a very high price.
Benefits:
- High protein content
- Almost 95% protein content
- Minimal carbohydrate and fat content
Disadvantages:
- Very high price
In one serving ( grams) you will find:
- 33.1g of protein
- 1.05g of carbohydrates
- 0.2 g of fat
ZeroPro whey isolate from Amix is really impressive in terms of composition. In addition to a huge load of extremely digestible protein, there are only minimal carbohydrates and fats. We must also appreciate the very gentle production method and the first-class quality of the raw materials used.
Final assessment:
It is understandable that a product with such a high quality composition is quite expensive. For one dose you pay almost double what is common with the rest of the competition. However, we must add in the same breath that for that price you also get, with slight exaggeration, almost double the protein content. The resulting price-quality ratio is therefore not nearly as bad as one might assume at first glance at the price. Still, it is worth adding that such a high quality protein is really only worthwhile for experiencedcheaper alternatives will suffice for the needs of newcomers.
Vegan Protein from BioTechUSA is a combination of pea and rice isolate, which is a suitable alternative for vegans and vegetarians. Its positives include glucomannan, quinoa or goji powder. On the other hand, the low protein content is a slight disappointment.
Pros:
- Convenient price
- Contains added substances rich in minerals and vitamins
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Disadvantages:
- Low in protein
In one serving ( grams) you will find:
- 19 g of protein
- 3.3 g of carbohydrates
- 2 g of fat
Somewhat unusual is the content of substances such as quinoa, acai or goji. Most manufacturers do not add any other substances to the unflavoured version of their protein. On the other hand, we cannot praise the content of only 19 g of protein in one serving, which is really low compared to other products on the market. Moreover, it should be taken into account that rice and peas are definitely not as good a source of protein as whey.
Final assessment:
Although BioTechUSA Vegan Protein does not impress with its protein content, it definitely impresses with its convenient price and the content of added substances that increase its quality. So if you prefer plant-based proteins to classic whey, it is definitely worth giving it a chance.
Is there a need to be afraid of artificial sweeteners?
Nowadays, it is not easy for the uninitiated to know which substances are suitable for them and which they should ideally avoid completely. On the one hand, you hear the hysteria about ordinary sugar, which is avoided for centuries.more and more 'fitness foods', because everyone knows that sugar is bad. But on the other side, you hear voices warning about the harmfulness of artificialof artificial sweeteners, which are supposed to be even worse than the much-hated sugar. How is it really?
As it happens, the reality is not nearly as terrible as some authors on the Internet try to paint it. First of all, it must be said that regular kitchen sugar is not a poison. Of course, it is not desirable to overdo it in any way, but neither, in my opinion, is it ideal to make it a total bogeyman. The high incidence of obesity in society is not due to sugar itself, but rather to the fact thatthat people do not watch their calorie intake and do not care about what they eat. This is exactly why artificial sweeteners are so popular, as they can sweeten food or drink without adding any extra calories. The human body cannot digest them, so they pass through our bodies unchanged.
In order for an artificial sweetener to be used in a sports supplement in our country, it must first of all be approved by the European Food Safety Authority. If it has received approval from this authority, there is no need to worry that the substance might be dangerous. Read more about specific substances and their safety in our article Which artificial sweeteners are safe and which are not?
Advantages and disadvantages of sweetener-free proteins
Although artificial sweeteners do not, in the vast majority of cases, pose a threat to the health of a person, they can be used as aThere are several reasons why you may want to avoid them. Unflavoured proteins lend themselves to various fitness recipes where too strong a protein flavour could be a detriment. Some people even find the taste of proteins off-putting for everyday use. But in this respect, buying unflavoured protein is a leap from the mud to the puddle, becausePure whey is definitely not one of the most appealing foods. Some people may want to avoid sweeteners simply because they don't want artificial substances in their diet, regardless of whether they are harmful or not. Thus, it can be said that there are relatively many reasons why one might prefer an unflavoured protein to a flavoured one. However, if that reason for you is fear of the health hazards of artificial sweeteners, you can rest easy.
Whey protein, or do you prefer an alternative?
Today, athletes are no longer limited to whey protein. There are countless plant-based alternatives on the market that are popular especially among vegans, for whom whey is understandably unacceptable. However, in terms of bioavailability and amino acid profile, no alternative offers such quality as whey. Even today, whey protein remains the best thing an athlete can reach for after a workout.
But even whey proteins are divided into several groups. According to their protein content, they are divided into concentrates, isolates and hydrolysates. We have discussed this division in detail, for example in our article Whey proteins under scrutiny. Most athletes prefer whey concentrate because, although it contains the least protein, it is very affordable and clearly dominates in terms of taste. Isolates and hydrolysates are quicker to digest, but also due to the rather high price, they make more sense for experienced athletes with a very well-rounded diet.
What to flavour your protein with?
Although unflavoured protein is suitable for various recipes, it is not ideal for everyday use. Whey alone is not a taste miracle. How to flavour such a protein? Fortunately, there are plenty of options. The first is honey. It works as a great substitute for regular sugar, although it should be added that it also contains a significant amount of calories. We've put together some more tips for you with our article 15 natural and healthy sugar substitutes.
When is the best time to eat protein?
If you don't know when the best time to eat protein is, you can rest easy. No matter when you drink it, you can't go wrong. The best time is, of course, after a workout, when its benefits are greatest with regard to the need to replenish quality protein. If you want to use the protein on non-training days, the timing depends only on your preference. However, due to the increased consumption, taking it outside of training days is quite expensive, so it is definitely not a necessity. On non-training days, most athletes make do with a quality diet.
What if I overdo it with the protein?
Like all sports supplements, whey (and other) proteins have a recommended dosage. Although nothing terrible happens when exceeding it, it is still advisable to stick to it. This is especially true for less experienced athletes, who will not benefit from an excessively high protein intake anyway. But if you overdo it with protein, you don't have to worry about any serious health problems. In the vast majority of cases, it will mean temporary digestive problems at most. We've covered this topic in detail in our article on protein overdose, which tells you everything you need to know.
What to look out for when choosing a protein?
The sports supplement market is really big and it can be very difficult to distinguish quality products from lesser ones. For whey protein, it is worth choosing one that has been produced using the CFM method. Thanks to it, the high quality of the product is ensured and the customer is assured that during the production processprocess, the protein has been processed in a gentle way, which means that it retains all its positive properties. At the same time, avoid products containing certain controversial additives (this is not a problem in the case of unflavoured proteins). If you don't have much experience with supplements, it's worth trusting the proven brands that most athletes trust. While it's not an absolute guarantee that every one of their products will be absolutely perfect, it's a good assumption at the very least.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us in the comments.
Sources
- DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Kristýna. Whey protein in human nutrition [online]. Brno, 2019 [cit. 2023-02-16]. Available from: https://is.muni.cz/th/y4xld/. Bachelor thesis. Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine. Thesis supervisor Petr LOSKOT.
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ROUBÍK, Lukáš. Modern nutrition in fitness and strength sports. Prague: Erasport, [2018]. ISBN 978-80-905685-5-6.
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CLARK, Nancy. Sports nutrition: Diet plan, nutritional supplements, pre- and post-performance diet, specific nutritional needs, weight loss without starvation, recipes. 4th ed. Translated by René SOUČEK, translated by Monika SOUČKOVÁ. Prague: Grada Publishing, 2020. ISBN 978-80-271-1030-8.