{"id":105580,"date":"2025-07-30T19:21:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/105580\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T19:21:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:21:12","slug":"6-protein-powders-experts-say-to-avoid-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/105580\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Protein Powders Experts Say to Avoid Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Protein powders are a go-to for gym junkies,\u00a0 fitness enthusiasts and anyone trying to get in their daily protein. While it gives a quick nutritional boost, not all protein powders are as clean and healthy as they seem. Many are marketed as beneficial for muscle building and meal replacements, but some popular options are packed with questionable additives that could do more harm than good. From artificial sweeteners and fillers to heavy metals and hidden chemicals, here are six protein powders with ingredients worth a second look before scooping into your next shake, according to Violeta Morris<\/a>, MS, RDN from Columbus, OH, The Concierge Dietitian<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\tGarden of Life Organic Meal Replacement Protein Powder in Chocolate<\/p>\n

\"\"Garden of Life<\/p>\n

Nutrition per serving: 1 scoop
Calories:\u00a0150 calories
Fat: 2.5\u00a0g (Saturated fat: \u00a0.5 g)
Sodium: 310 mg
Carbs: 12 g (Fiber: 6 g , Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 20 g<\/p>\n

Garden of Life\u2019s Raw Organic Meal Replacement Protein Powder in Chocolate<\/a> is one to steer clear of for a few reasons, according to Morris.\u00a0\u201cThe Clean Label Project<\/a>, a non-profit dedicated to consumer safety, analyzed 160 protein powders from 70 top-selling brands and flagged this product early in their findings,\u201d Morris says. \u201cThe report focused on the presence of heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium), pesticides, contaminants like BPA, and the overall nutritional makeup of the powders.\u201d She explains, \u201cSurprisingly, organic protein powders were found to contain nearly twice the levels of heavy metals compared to non-organic varieties. Chocolate-flavored powders, in particular, were shown to contain up to four times more lead than vanilla flavors, according to data from Texas Health<\/a>.\u201dnAs a result she cautions people to rethink when buying multi-ingredient protein powder marketed for meal replacement, weight loss, or performance. She says, \u201cGarden of Life\u2019s Raw Organic Meal Replacement Protein Powder \u2013 Chocolate includes not only a blend of 44 superfoods, probiotics, and enzymes, but also erythritol, a sugar alcohol that can lead to digestive discomfort such as bloating and gas in some people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tQuest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder<\/p>\n

\"\"GNC<\/p>\n

Nutrition per serving: 1 scoop
Calories:\u00a0110
Fat: .5\u00a0g (Saturated fat: .5 g)
Sodium: 120 mg
Carbs: 3 g (Fiber: 1 g , Sugar:
\nProtein: 22g <\/p>\n

Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder<\/a> looks like a decadent chocolate shake but with health benefits, however, Morris warns not to be misled.\u00a0\u201cQuest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder was flagged by The Clean Label Project<\/a> as one of the lower-rated products,\u201d she says. \u201cWhile its nutrition label looks solid\u2014offering 110 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein per scoop\u2014the concern lies in its lack of third-party testing and quality assurance.\u201d She explains, \u201cThis means there\u2019s no independent verification from organizations like NSF or USP to confirm the purity and accuracy of its ingredients. Additionally, chocolate-flavored powders have been found to contain higher levels of heavy metals compared to vanilla flavors.\u201d Morris adds, \u201cIf you prefer the brand, I\u2019d suggest opting for their vanilla version and encouraging the company to seek third-party testing to build consumer trust. As a dietitian, I recommend being cautious with any product that lacks external validation, even if the nutrition facts appear ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tOptimum Nutrition Serious Mass \u2013 Chocolate<\/p>\n

\"\"GNC<\/p>\n

Nutrition per serving: 2 scoops
Calories:\u00a01,260
Fat: 6\u00a0g (Saturated fat: 3.5\u00a0 g)
Sodium: 650 mg
Carbs: 252 g (Fiber: 4 g , Sugar: 29 g)
Protein: 50 g<\/p>\n

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass\u2013Chocolate<\/a> is one that Morris always tells her clients to skip because of the high calories and sugar content.\u00a0One serving (2 scoops) delivers a staggering 1,260 calories, 251 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of protein, and 29 grams of sugar. \u201cAs a dietitian, the biggest red flag is the excessive carbohydrate and sugar content, which can lead to blood sugar spikes and unwanted fat gain\u2014even in individuals without diabetes,\u201d Morris explains. \u201cWhile it\u2019s marketed as a mass gainer, this is not a healthy or balanced approach to weight gain.\u201d In addition, another concern Morris has \u201cis the lack of third-party testing, which raises questions about the accuracy and safety of the listed ingredients. For most people, the long-term health risks of regularly consuming a product like this outweigh any short-term muscle-building benefits.\u201d6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n

\tVega Sport Plant-Based Vanilla Performance Protein<\/p>\n

\"\"My Vega<\/p>\n

Nutrition per serving: 1 scoop
Calories:\u00a0180 calories
Fat: 3.5\u00a0g (Saturated fat: \u00a01 g)
Sodium: 530 mg
Carbs: 6 g (Fiber: 2 g , Sugar: 1 g)
Protein: 30 g<\/p>\n

Vega Sport Plant-Based Vanilla Performance Protein<\/a> is another powder Morris avoids.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s ranked near the bottom on The Clean Label Project\u2019s<\/a> list,\u201d she says. \u201cEach scoop contains 180 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 30 grams of protein \u2014 a solid nutrition profile for those looking to supplement with protein. It also carries NSF Certified for Sport, which is a respected third-party certification.\u201d She adds, \u201cHowever, despite its strong nutrition label and NSF certification, it was still flagged in The Clean Label Project\u2019s testing. As a dietitian, I urge caution with any protein powder, especially plant-based options, due to concerns about contamination.\u201d Morris explains that \u201cThe Clean Label Project found that 75% of the plant-based protein powders they tested contained detectable levels of lead, with many ranking lower in purity than whey-based (dairy) protein products. While plant-based proteins can be a great option, this report highlights the need to be selective and informed about the brands we trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tJavyy Original Protein Coffee<\/p>\n

\"\"Javyy Coffee<\/p>\n

Nutrition per serving: 1 scoop
Calories:\u00a070
Fat: 1\u00a0g (Saturated fat: .5\u00a0 g)
Sodium: 75\u00a0 mg
Carbs: 5 g (Fiber:
\nProtein: 10 g<\/p>\n

Javyy Original Protein Coffee<\/a> is low in sugar and calories, but it\u2019s still a no-no for Morris. \u201cCaffeine in protein powders is something to watch out for, she says. \u201cWhile some products add caffeine for an energy boost, too much can lead to unpleasant side effects like tremors, headaches, and insomnia.\u201d She explains, \u201cAccording to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is generally considered safe for most adults. However, the FDA<\/a> warns that powdered or liquid caffeine can be dangerous in high amounts \u2014 just one teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine can equal 28 cups of coffee, which can cause serious health issues or even death.\u201d Morris says, \u201cTake Javyy Original Protein Coffee as an example: it contains 70 calories, 70 mg of caffeine, and 10 grams of protein per scoop. While the caffeine amount is modest, most people looking to supplement protein will need more than 10 grams, meaning they may take multiple scoops \u2014 unintentionally increasing their caffeine intake.\u201d Morris points out, \u201cThis product is also not third-party tested, so the accuracy of its labeling and the purity of its ingredients may be questionable. As a dietitian, I always recommend reading the label carefully, considering your total daily caffeine intake, and choosing protein powders that are third-party tested for quality and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tNutrition On The Go Whey + Creatine<\/p>\n

\"\"Nutrition On The Go<\/p>\n

Nutrition:
Calories:\u00a0110 in 1 packet (35g)
Fat: 1 \u00a0g (Saturated fat: 0\u00a0 g)
Sodium: 65 mg
Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g , Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 25 g<\/p>\n

Creatine is an ingredient you\u2019ll see in many protein powders because it gives muscles energy, boosts strength and potentially supports brain health. While many take it to improve performance in the gym, \u201cit\u2019s important to know that creatine also increases water retention in muscle cells,\u201d says Morris.\u00a0She explains, \u201cThis can lead to temporary weight gain, increase the risk of dehydration, and may cause side effects like stomach discomfort or muscle cramping in some people. The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends a safe and effective dose of 3\u20135 grams per day. However, not all products containing creatine are created equal.\u201d And that\u2019s why Nutrition On The Go Whey + Creatine<\/a> is on this list, according to Morris. \u201cNutrition On The Go Whey + Creatine is one example where caution is warranted,\u201d she says.\u00a0 \u201cWhile it offers convenience and a portable option, the label claims to be \u201clab-tested\u201d without providing any third-party certifications or details on quality assurance, which is a red flag.\u201d Morris says, \u201cIndependent investigations, including those by The Clean Label Project<\/a>, have shown that many protein powders contain detectable levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic.\u201d She adds, \u201cAt $2.67 per serving, this product is expensive considering the lack of verified safety. As a dietitian, I recommend choosing protein powders that are third-party tested (e.g., NSF Certified for Sport) for transparency and quality. Trusted brands like Thorne also sell high-quality protein powders and offer creatine as a separate, verified supplement\u2014making it easier to manage both safety and dosage\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Protein powders are a go-to for gym junkies,\u00a0 fitness enthusiasts and anyone trying to get in their daily…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":105581,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[210,1182,20821,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-105580","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-nutrition","10":"tag-protein-powders","11":"tag-united-states","12":"tag-unitedstates","13":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114943812150718529","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105580\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}