How to Find the Best Plain Protein Powder

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

This is a Dietitian’s guide on how to find the best plain protein powder.

Discover what makes some plain protein powders better than others.

Last Updated
Jan 18, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, Founder

Jack is the Founder of Drink Wholesome.

Medically reviewed by Brittany, MS, RD and Jenn, PA-C

Kayla is a Registered Dietitian with a MS in Nutrition.

Jennifer is a Physician Assistant with a BA in Nutritional Sciences.

Plain Protein Powder

What Is Plain Protein Powder?

First of all, there is no such thing as flavorless protein powder.

Instead, there are unflavored (or plain) protein powders, which do not contain added flavorings.

All plain protein powders taste like something, and different types of plain protein powder have different tastes.

The three types of protein powder with the most neutral taste are Whey Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder and Collagen Protein Powder.

A quality plain protein powder can be added to smoothies and other recipes without changing the taste or texture much at all.

Keep in mind that unflavored protein powder, unlike flavored protein powders, typically does not taste good when mixed with just milk or water.

What Is the Best Plain Protein Powder?

There are several ways to compare plain protein powders better, including the ingredients, nutrition profile, taste, texture, and price.

Of these variables, the ingredients is by far the most important to consider.

To clarify, the type of protein powder you use does not matter.

As long as you are eating a balanced diet, there is no advantage to using one type of protein powder instead of another.

Many people mistakenly believe that complete protein sources like whey and egg whites are inherently better than incomplete protein sources like peas.

But someone getting protein from a variety of sources is going to easily meet 100% of his or her essential amino acids needs, even on a plant-based diet.

In fact, research shows less than 1% of adults do not meet the Estimated Average Requirements for each essential amino acid (J Nutr, 2023).

Research also suggests that while certain animal proteins may have a slight edge in promoting lean muscle mass, the overall differences in body composition changes between plant and animal protein sources are minimal (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2011).

So, what you should take into consideration is how the protein source was processed, and if any problematic ingredients were added.

For instance, many plain protein powders contain additives known to cause painful side effects and long term health problems.

🚫 Avoid Food Additives

First of all, regularly eating emulsifiers, thickeners, and other additives can not only upset your stomach, but also alter the composition of your gut microbiome (North Clin Istanb, 2019).

This can lead to gut dysbiosis (Microorganisms, 2022), or an imbalance in gut bacteria, which contributes to a wide range of chronic diseases (J Exp Med, 2019), including obesity, type 1 diabetes, and colorectal cancer.

Needless to say, finding an additive-free plain protein powder is super important.

⚠️ Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein supplements:

• 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 it in nature or make it at home, it is probably a food additive.

🚫 Avoid Dairy-Based Proteins

Dairy-based proteins like whey and casein, although not an issue for everyone, can cause digestive issues.

This is usually because they contain lactose, a sugar many individuals with sensitive stomachs cannot fully digest.

But you might be sensitive to dairy-based proteins even if you are not lactose intolerant.

This is particularly true for casein protein, which forms a gel-like substance in your stomach that slows down digestion.

🚫 Avoid Protein Concentrates and Isolates

You might also want to avoid ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates.

Most protein supplements 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 your gut break them down.

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

Studies show that regularly eating protein concentrates and isolates might disrupt your gut microbiome (Nutrients, 2018) and cause the formation of toxic byproducts in your gut (Mol Nutr Food Res, 2024).

You should thus look for protein supplements made from whole food protein sources like egg whites and almonds, which are easier to digest and absorb.

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. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis). Effect of proteins from different sources on body composition. 2011.
3. Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2019.
4. Microorganisms (Microorganisms). Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options. 2022.
5. The Journal of Experimental Medicine (J Exp Med). The gut microbiome: Relationships with disease and opportunities for therapy. 2019.
6. Nutrients (Nutrients). Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. 2018.
7. 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 Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.