Protein powder ranges from minimally processed whole food to heavily engineered industrial product. Research by the Clean Label Project found concerning contaminants in many brands. The best options have short ingredient lists: single-ingredient whey isolate with minimal additives. The worst are filled with artificial sweeteners, thickeners, and fillers.
This companion covers the spectrum of powders, what to look for, the sweetener question, whole food alternatives, and conducting your audit. (3 min read)