Most Processed Protein Powder Brands
Protein powders undergo extensive industrial processing to isolate and concentrate protein from milk (whey, casein) or plants (pea, soy). The base protein extraction is inherently industrial, but processing scores increase further with added artificial sweeteners, flavors, thickeners, and fillers like maltodextrin.
Protein Powder at a Glance
15 Most Processed Protein Powder Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost | 4 | 18.1 4.8 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Lean1 | 6 | 17.4 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | Finish first. | 7 | 16.4 3.2 | 7 | 0 |
| 4 | Bsn | 35 | 16.3 3.9 | 35 | 0 |
| 5 | Light & fit | 8 | 16.1 6.3 | 8 | 0 |
| 6 | Finish first | 22 | 15.8 3.4 | 22 | 0 |
| 7 | B s n | 6 | 15.6 2.8 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | GNC | 9 | 15.4 4.4 | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | Cold stone creamery | 8 | 15.0 4.9 | 8 | 0 |
| 10 | Special k | 45 | 14.9 4.6 | 45 | 0 |
| 11 | Members mark | 8 | 14.9 5.3 | 8 | 0 |
| 12 | Equate | 54 | 14.9 5.7 | 54 | 0 |
| 13 | Met-rx | 21 | 14.3 5.8 | 21 | 0 |
| 14 | Lindora nutrition | 7 | 14.1 6.4 | 7 | 0 |
| 15 | Cytosport | 9 | 13.9 4.7 | 9 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Protein Powder Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Protein Powder Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Unflavored whey protein isolate has the simplest formulation
- 2Artificial sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame-K) add processing without calories
- 3Maltodextrin and dextrin are cheap fillers that increase processing scores
- 4Soy lecithin is an emulsifier — common but adds to processing classification
Least Processed Protein Powder Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omg! organic meets good | 5 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Sprout living | 9 | 1.0 8.3 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Humming hemp | 5 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Lekithos | 10 | 1.8 9.3 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Mikuna | 7 | 1.9 8.1 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Sunfood | 3 | 2.0 9.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 7 | Tru-nut | 3 | 2.0 8.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Teras | 5 | 2.4 8.6 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Now sports | 5 | 2.4 3.7 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Cabot | 3 | 2.5 5.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | Boost | 7 | 2.5 6.4 | 0 | 7 |
| 12 | Teras whey | 9 | 2.6 7.2 | 0 | 4 |
| 13 | Blue diamond | 6 | 2.7 8.7 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Blue diamond almonds | 6 | 2.7 4.3 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | Bobs red mill | 23 | 3.1 7.6 | 0 | 9 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do protein powders have so many additives?
Isolated protein tastes chalky and does not mix well. Manufacturers add lecithin (mixability), gums (texture), artificial sweeteners (taste), artificial flavors (palatability), and fillers (bulk) to create an acceptable product.
Are mass gainer powders ultra-processed?
Yes. Mass gainers combine protein isolate with maltodextrin, multiple sweeteners, artificial flavors, and additional fillers. They are among the most processed products in the supplement category.
Is collagen powder less processed?
Collagen peptides undergo enzymatic hydrolysis (breaking protein into smaller fragments). Unflavored collagen with minimal additives scores Level 3; flavored versions score higher.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.