Protein powders have become a staple in gym bags in recent years, hailed for their muscle-repairing properties after a long workout.
Long gone are the days when you’d just find dated, macho-looking tubs in a dusty back corner of the supermarket. Today, there are dozens of fresh protein brands, offering vegan superfood mixes to whey-packed chocolate shakes.
However, flip over the packet and you might be surprised how much sugar is packed into each portion. Sugar enhances the flavour of protein powders and adds extra calories, but when you’re trying to be health-conscious, it might be something you’d prefer to avoid. Just glancing around health food stores, there’s an overwhelming amount of choice. So where do you start?
Generally, protein powders can be split into two camps: whey-based and plant-based. Whey is the protein found in cow’s milk; it’s the liquid that’s leftover after curds are formed and is the most widely used protein in many powders. However, some people find that they don’t digest whey well. Whey isolate powders are a good compromise; isolate just means the lactose has been filtered out, which increases the protein content to over 90 per cent, while making it easier to break down in your gut.
On the other hand, plant-based protein powders have started to take over the market. These are often made from pea, hemp or seed proteins, which pack in just as much protein as their milk-based equivalent. Many come with added digestive enzymes to help ease absorption into the body. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this would be an obvious choice for you, but many meat-eaters prefer these versions too.
Bear in mind that if a protein powder says ‘no added sugar’, it doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free. It’s also worth noting that most sugar-free protein powders do contain very tiny amounts of sugar that don’t affect the body in any noticeable way, while low-sugar varieties tend to have less than one gram of sugar per serving.
Whether you’re trying to cut down on sugar or simply prefer a less sweet option, we’ve handpicked a few of our favourites.
Best sugar-free protein powders at a glance
- Best for overall: Form Performance Protein - £22, Holland & Barrett
- Best for value for money: USN 100% Plant Protein - £32, Holland & Barrett
- Best for clear consistency: MyProtein Clear Whey Isolate - £20.30, MyProtein
- Best for easy digestion: Nutravita Vegan Protein Powder - £19.99, Amazon
- Best for long-standing reputation: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey - £36, Holland & Barrett
- Best for neutral taste: Pulsin Faba Bean Protein - £10, Holland & Barrett
- Best for creamy consistency: Protein Works Vegan Wondershake - £41.24, Amazon
- Best for pure ingredients: Vivo Life Perform Protein - £30.99, Amazon
- Best for baking: PhD Nutrition Smart Protein - £20, Holland & Barrett
- Best for organic, ethically-sourced ingredients: TheHealthyTree Company Organic Whey Protein Powder - £17.64, Amazon
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Form Performance Protein
Best for: overall
Protein per serving: 30g
Form’s Performance Protein certainly packs a punch. Made with organic peas, brown rice and pumpkin seeds, it squeezes in an impressive 30g of protein per serving. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and GMO-free, making it suitable for almost everyone, no matter your dietary requirements.
Sustainability-wise, it also ticks a lot of boxes. Not only is it entirely plant-based, but the 100 per cent plastic-free, compostable packaging and B-Corporation status adds gravitas to its eco credentials. When it comes to taste, it’s actually surprisingly sweet for a product with no added sugar; naturally-produced stevia and thaumatin give it that easy-to-drink flavour. Plus, we’re a big fan of the earthy, mountain-themed packaging that has a more outdoorsy feel than other gym-orientated brands.
Buy now £22.00, Holland & Barrett
USN 100% Plant Protein
Best for: value for money
Protein per serving: 23g
If you’re looking for a daily protein shake that won’t break the bank, USN has you covered. At just over £1 per serving, it’s easy to see why the brand’s 100 per cent Plant Protein Powder is popular with fitness fanatics across the country. USN has been leading sports nutrition research since 2000. While traditional whey powders still top the best-selling charts, many people are increasingly finding that vegan powders are easier on their stomachs.
It’s completely sugar-free without compromising on taste, plus it mixes well with both milk and water in a protein shaker. No off-putting lumps in sight. Flavour-wise, you’ve got two fuss-free options: chocolate or vanilla. Great for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on protein supplements.
Buy now £32.00, Holland & Barrett
MyProtein Clear Whey Isolate
Best for: clear consistency
Protein per serving: 20g
Not a fan of creamy protein shakes? MyProtein has developed a high-protein powder that is more like a light, refreshing juice. Just whizz up one scoop of powder with cold water and watch as it settles into a clear liquid. It’s ideal to drink straight after a workout, especially if you don’t fancy chugging a thick, milky meal-in-a-bottle.
Peach Tea, Orange Mango and the rather enticingly named Mojito are among the flavours on offer, plus each serving has less than 0.3g sugar. With its innovative texture, it’s easy to see why it won ‘Best Protein Powder/Shake’ at the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Awards 2022. It also comes in a vegan version for those who aren’t so keen on whey.
Buy now £20.30, MyProtein
Nutravita Vegan Protein Powder
Best for: easy digestion
Protein per serving: 25g
Struggling to digest regular protein shakes? British brand Nutravita has developed a vegan-friendly protein powder that is gentler on the stomach. The mixture includes five enzymes - cellulase, protease, lactase, amylase and lipase - that help ease digestion by breaking down the protein powder, allowing the nutrients to be more easily absorbed.
It’s also chock-full with pea and hemp protein, giving you that much-needed, muscle-repairing boost. Add to that the allergen-friendly recipe - there’s no sugar, GMO ingredients, gluten, nuts, wheat or lactose - and it’s clear why it’s a winner. With 20 servings per tub, it’s pretty good value for money. The high quantity of cocoa powder gives it a nice, creamy chocolate flavour without being sickly sweet. Alternatively, opt for Madagascan vanilla instead.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey
Best for: long-standing reputation
Protein per serving: 24g
Founded in 1986, Optimum Nutrition has been making performance supplements for athletes for nearly 40 years. It’s easy to see why they are one of the most well-known and trusted brands on the market. The Gold Standard Whey comes in eight different serving sizes, depending on whether you’re looking for a quick taster or a 4.5kg value pack.
It also comes in 14 different flavours that wouldn’t look out of place in an ice cream parlour. Think caramel toffee fudge and double-rich chocolate. Technically, it’s not sugar-free. However, with less than one gram per 31g serving, it’s definitely on the lower end of the sweet spectrum. Ideal for keen gym goers who want a daily shake that’ll be part of their routine for years to come.
Buy now £29.99, Holland & Barrett
Pulsin Faba Bean Protein
Best for: neutral taste
Protein per serving: 8.8g
When it comes to protein powders, often the healthier the ingredients, the less desirable the taste, right? Not with Pulsin. The brand has developed a high-quality protein powder from the broad bean family, which has a pleasantly neutral taste. Rather than mixing it up into a standalone drink, it’s best used as a protein-stuffed supplement to add to your morning smoothie, muffin recipe, or even soups and casseroles.
The 8.8g doesn’t sound like much protein per portion. However, this is based on a smaller 10g serving than other brands, meaning over 80 per cent of each scoop is pure plant-based protein. It’s especially good if you suffer from allergies, as it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and entirely vegan - plus there’s not a gram of sugar or sweeteners in sight.
Buy now £10.00, Holland & Barrett
Protein Works Vegan Wondershake
Best for: creamy consistency
Protein per serving: 21g
A creamy vegan protein shake sounds like an oxymoron, right? Protein Works wanted to devise a 100 per cent plant-based protein powder that has the silky texture of a dairy shake - and the brand has certainly managed it. The Vegan Wondershake does taste surprisingly creamy, especially when mixed with oat or coconut milk.
Inside this megamix, you’ll find four types of plant protein: pea, pumpkin, brown rice and soy, cramming in a decent 21g per serving. It’s definitely not as sweet as its counterparts, but it still boasts enough flavour to be easily drinkable. Downside? It’s more expensive than the others on this list and the packaging isn’t recyclable.
Buy now £41.24, Amazon
Vivo Life Perform Protein
Best for: pure ingredients
Protein per serving: 25g
Did you know that many protein powders contain heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead? These come from pesticides and contaminated ingredients, which can be toxic if they accumulate in your body. Vivo Life is one of the few protein powder brands that test its products for heavy metals, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re ingesting the cleanest possible ingredients.
Alongside having just 0.3g sugar per serving, the brand’s vegan Perform Protein is gluten-free and soya-free. Flavours range from salted maca caramel to acai and blueberry. Not sure which one to choose? Vivo Life offers discovery packs with two servings in each sachet, so you can conduct your own taste test at home.
Buy now £30.99, Amazon
PhD Nutrition Smart Protein
Best for: baking
Protein per serving: 18g
Protein powders don’t have to be used just for shakes. This mix from PhD Nutrition is lauded for its multi-purpose use, ideal for those who aren’t super keen on smoothies. Just add a scoop to your cookie mixture or stir into your pancake batter. Alternatively, it makes a great chocolate mousse in around 30 seconds - no need to refrigerate.
Each 30g serving contains 18g of protein and less than one gram of sugar, so you can reap the nutritional benefits without the sugar hit. Choose from chocolate brownies, salted caramel and chocolate peanut flavours. Perfect if you want a low-calorie snack to quell any post-meal cravings.
Buy now £20.00, Holland & Barrett
TheHealthyTree Company Organic Whey Protein Powder
Best for: organic, ethically sourced ingredients
Protein per serving: 12g
If eating organic is important to you, then this protein powder from TheHealthyTree Company is right up your street. It’s made with whey from grass-fed cows, which means it’s higher in essential ââomega-3 fatty acids. It’s also been given certified organic status by the Soil Association, so you can rest assured that you’re not damaging the planet while upping your protein intake.
On top of that, the brand has teamed up with UK charity Trees For Life to plant a grove within the Caledonian Forest, helping preserve natural woodland for decades to come. Added bonus: it’s unflavoured, which is great if chocolate caramel concoctions aren’t your thing.
Buy now £17.94, Amazon
Verdict
Form Performance Protein is a firm favourite for its impressively high protein content, great flavour, and sustainable approach. However, it’s also worth highlighting MyProtein Clear Whey Isolate for its innovative juice-like consistency.
