How to Find the Best Clear Protein Powder

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best clear protein powder.

Discover how to meet your protein needs with clear protein powder.

Last Updated
Jul 21, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, CNC

Jack is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Nutrition Coach.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before making changes to your diet.

Clear Protein Powder

What Is Clear Protein Powder?

Clear protein powder is a protein powder that dissolves completely in water instead of turning into a thick, milky shake.

It is a good choice for anyone who wants an easy way to add protein to their diet because you can mix it with almost anything.

Note that some clear protein powders contain added flavors and sweeteners.

If you want to add clear protein powder to your morning coffee, look for an unflavored, unsweetened option.

It is also worth knowing that clear protein powder can only be made from one of two protein sources: collagen or whey protein isolate.

Whey Protein Isolate

Whey protein isolate is a highly filtered form of whey – the liquid left over when milk is turned into cheese or yogurt.

During processing, most of the lactose (a natural sugar in milk) is removed. As a result, whey protein isolate dissolves almost completely in water.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein found in the skin, bones, and connective tissue of animals.

Our Collagen Protein Powder, for example, is made from very small pieces of cowhide.

When mixed with water, collagen protein powder dissolves completely.

Whey vs Collagen: Which Should You Choose?

The type of clear protein powder you choose depends on your personal dietary needs and preferences.

Some people prefer whey because it is a complete protein, while collagen is not.

A complete protein contains adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids – the building blocks of protein that your body needs but cannot make on its own.

This might sound important, but 99% of adults in the United States easily meet 100% of their essential amino acid needs through a normal diet (J Nutr, 2023).

In other words, whether a protein is complete or not does not really matter for anyone who eats a balanced diet with protein from a variety of sources.

Other people prefer collagen because whey contains lactose, a sugar that many adults cannot fully digest (StatPearls, 2025).

Although most of the lactose has been removed from whey protein isolate, a small amount can remain.

For someone with lactose intolerance, this might contribute to digestive discomfort.

Are There Clear Vegan Protein Powders?

No, there are no true vegan clear protein powders at this time.

The closest plant-based option is soy protein isolate.

When mixed with water, soy protein powder is not clear, but it does have a more neutral flavor and texture than most other vegan protein powders.

How Do I Add Clear Protein Powder to My Diet?

There are two main way to add clear protein powder.

First, some clear protein powders come in flavors like lemonade and can be mixed with just water to make a high-protein drink.

For anyone who does not enjoy creamy protein shakes or classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, these clear protein powders are a great option.

Second, other clear protein powders are unflavored and unsweetened.

This means you can add them to almost any recipe or dish to boost the protein content.

I like to add our Unflavored Collagen Protein Powder to everything from smoothies to pancake batter.

You can also add unflavored clear protein powder to hot drinks like coffee.

If you use it this way, I recommend blending it with a handheld electric mixer to help it dissolve.

Stirring with just a spoon can leave clumps.

Why Should I Use Clear Protein Powder?

Protein powder can help you meet your total daily protein needs.

Just keep in mind that it should not replace other sources of dietary protein.

Whenever possible, try to get your protein from high protein foods like eggs, dairy, fish, legumes, meat, nuts, and seeds.

For some people, especially those with dietary restrictions, eating enough protein this way can be challenging, however.

This is where protein powder can help.

Clear protein powder is a great choice because it is so versatile.

As you just learned, unflavored clear protein powder can be added to almost any recipe without changing the flavor or texture very much.

What Is the Best Clear Protein Powder?

The best clear protein powder is one that supports your protein goals without causing side effects.

🚫 Avoid Food Additives

Many options, especially flavored ones, contain added emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and other ultra-processed additives that might contribute to digestive issues for some people.

For example, regularly eating certain additives might alter the makeup and function of your gut microbiome, the community of bacteria and other microbes that live in your gut (North Clin Istanb, 2020).

These shifts, known as gut dysbiosis, have been linked to the development of a number of chronic digestive issues (JGH Open, 2021).

Gut dysbiosis is so problematic because it can cause a cascade of problems, including intestinal permeability, systemic inflammation, and impaired nutrient absorption.

⚠️ Here is a list of the most common food additives found in protein shakes and powders:

• acacia fiber
• acacia gum
• acesulfame potassium
• artificial flavors
• ascorbic acid
• aspartame
• calcium carbonate
• carrageenan
• cellulose gum
• dextrin
• dicalcium phosphate
• dipotassium phosphate
• erythritol
• gellan gum
• guar gum
• gum arabic
• inulin
• locust bean gum
• maltitol
• maltodextrin
• mono- and diglycerides
• ‘natural’ flavors
• rice bran extract
• rice dextrin
• rice hulls
• rosemary extract
• silica
• silicon dioxide
• sodium alginate
• soluble corn fiber
• sorbitol
• soy lecithin
• sucralose
• sunflower lecithin
• tocopherols
• tricalcium phosphate
• xanthan gum
• xylitol
• zinc oxide

As a rule of thumb, if you cannot find an ingredient in nature or make it at home, it is likely a food additive.

🚫 Avoid Protein Concentrates and Isolates

You might also want to avoid protein concentrates and isolates.

Most protein shakes and powders are made from one or both of these ultra-processed protein sources, which have been mechanically and/or chemically stripped of everything but the protein.

This includes the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help you break them down.

You therefore might not digest them in the same way that you do whole foods, which could affect your gut health.

For example, one study shows that regularly consuming protein concentrates and isolates might disrupt your gut microbiome (Nutrients, 2018).

Another study shows that it could cause the formation of toxic byproducts in your gut (Mol Nutr Food Res, 2024).

Although further research is needed, you can play it safe by choosing protein shakes and powders made from minimally-processed protein sources like egg whites and almonds.

They might be more gut-friendly.

Order Samples to see for yourself.

Sources

1. The Journal of Nutrition (J Nutr). Amino Acid Intake and Conformance With the Dietary Reference Intakes in the United States: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2018. 2023.
2. StatPearls (StatPearls). Lactose Intolerance. 2025.
3. Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2020.
4. JGH Open (JGH Open). Gut microbiota dysbiosis in functional gastrointestinal disorders: Underpinning the symptoms and pathophysiology. 2021.
5. Nutrients (Nutrients). Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. 2018.
6. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (Mol Nutr Food Res). In Vitro Fermentation of Animal and Plant Protein Isolates by the Human Gut Microbiota Under High and Low Carbohydrate Conditions. 2024.

Editorial Guidelines

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This article was written by a Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.