Protein science report
Protein without artificial sweeteners: what to look for
How to find protein with no artificial sweeteners: the sweetener names and numbers on Australian labels, unflavoured options, and a tablet with no taste.
To find protein without artificial sweeteners, read the ingredient list, not the front of the tub. Look for sweetener names such as sucralose, acesulphame potassium, aspartame and steviol glycosides, or their numbers, 955, 950, 951 and 960. Unflavoured powders often skip them; check the label. Recov tablets contain no sweeteners, flavours or colours at all.
Why do most protein powders contain sweeteners?
Plain protein powder tastes plain. So flavoured powders add sweeteners to make a chocolate or vanilla shake taste like one. Intense sweeteners suit that job because a tiny amount goes a long way.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) describes intense sweeteners as "many times sweeter than sugar", used "in much smaller amounts" and classed as food additives. FSANZ approves them for use in food and has reviewed them for safety. Plenty of people simply prefer to avoid the taste, or want a label with fewer additives, and that's a reasonable preference.
Which sweetener names should you check for?
In Australia, food additives appear on the ingredient list by name or by number. These are common intense sweeteners on FSANZ's approved list:
| Sweetener | Number on the label |
|---|---|
| Sucralose | 955 |
| Acesulphame potassium | 950 |
| Aspartame | 951 |
| Steviol glycosides (stevia) | 960 |
| Saccharin | 954 |
| Cyclamate | 952 |
| Neotame | 961 |
| Monk fruit extract | No number |
Also watch for sugar alcohols (polyols) such as xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol. They're used as low-calorie sweeteners, and Monash University's FODMAP team notes that the amounts in some products are likely to be a problem for people sensitive to them. We cover that in protein for a sensitive stomach.
"Naturally sweetened" on the front usually means stevia or monk fruit. That may be what you want, but it isn't the same as unsweetened.
"Your whole bloodstream carries only 2–3g of amino acids at any moment. Six tablets of Recov deliver roughly that entire amount, already broken down into small peptides your body absorbs directly."
Recov's formulation teamWhat are your options for protein with no sweeteners?
- Unflavoured powder. Some whey and plant brands sell a plain version with no sweetener; check the label. The trade-off is taste: you'll usually want to blend it into a smoothie, yoghurt or oats.
- Whole food. Eggs, Greek yoghurt, tinned fish, meat and legumes carry no added sweeteners. Our alternatives to protein powder guide lists easy options.
- Protein tablets with no additives. A tablet doesn't need to taste of anything because you swallow it. Recov is one example.
Pre-digested plasma peptides. All 20 amino acids, absorbed in 15–25 min.
Recov Protein Concentrate
Shop Recov →From $2.67/day · free shipping over $99 · pause or cancel anytimeWhat's in Recov?
Recov has three ingredients. It's porcine plasma protein plus two tableting aids, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide, which help the tablet hold together. That's the whole list, and you can see each one on the ingredients page.
- No sweeteners, flavours or colours. Nothing natural or artificial.
- No proprietary blends. Every amino acid on the panel is listed.
- Dairy-free, lactose-free, soy-free and gluten-free, with no added sugar.
- A complete protein with all 20 amino acids, pre-digested into di- and tri-peptides.
Your whole bloodstream carries only 2–3g of amino acids at any moment. Six tablets of Recov deliver roughly that entire amount, already broken down into small peptides your body absorbs directly.
How do you take protein that has no taste?
Swallow the tablets with water, all at once or split across the day. Six a day is the everyday standard, 8–12 suits training three to five times a week, and 12–18 suits training most days or competing. For how tablets and powders stack up side by side, see protein tablets vs protein powder. You can see Recov here.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a protein that has no artificial sweeteners?
Yes. Unflavoured powders often have none (check the label), and Recov tablets contain no sweeteners, flavours or colours of any kind.
Is stevia an artificial sweetener?
Stevia comes from a plant, but it's still an intense sweetener, listed as steviol glycosides (960). If you want no sweetener at all, look for "unsweetened" or check that 960 isn't on the list.
What is the cleanest protein in Australia?
Judge it on the ingredient list: the fewer additives, the cleaner. Recov has three ingredients: porcine plasma protein, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.
Do Recov tablets taste of anything?
No. There's nothing to taste and nothing to mask. You swallow them with water.
Is unflavoured protein powder good?
It's the same protein without the flavouring. Most people blend it into food because it tastes plain.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Recov isn't suitable for vegetarians, vegans or anyone who avoids porcine-derived ingredients. Questions: management@recovfaster.com.
Sources
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand, "Intense sweeteners" (definition, approved list and code numbers, safety review)
- Monash University FODMAP, "Protein Powders and IBS: Low FODMAP Guide" (polyols such as xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol)
- Recov ingredients page (full ingredient list)
- Recov product page (no sweeteners, flavours or colours; dietary badges; dose chart)
