The EatWellScan Guide to Healthy Protein Powders and Supplements
Why high protein doesn't always mean a high health score — and how to read a protein supplement label like the scanner does.
Why your favorite shake didn't score well
A common complaint about health-scoring apps like EatWellScan and Yuka is that protein powders rate lower than people expect. A scoop with 25g of protein and 1g of sugar feels like a top-tier product, so why does it land at "okay" or "bad"?
The short answer: the algorithm doesn't reward protein in isolation. It weighs the full ingredient list — sweeteners, gums, oils, flavor masks — and the processing level. A powder is, by definition, an ultra-processed product. High protein helps, but it can't fully offset a long list of additives or artificial sweeteners.
What to actually check on a protein powder
1. Sweetener type
Sucralose, acesulfame-K, and aspartame routinely drop a powder's score even when the protein number looks great. Look for unsweetened, stevia, or monk fruit versions if you want a higher rating.
2. Additives and gums
Carrageenan, soybean oil, artificial flavors, and titanium dioxide are common in flavored powders. Each one nudges the score down regardless of how much protein is in the scoop.
3. Added sugar
Mass-market "lean" shakes can hide 15–25g of added sugar per serving. Anything above ~5g per scoop pushes a powder out of the top tier.
4. Protein source quality
Grass-fed whey isolate, egg white, and single-ingredient pea or soy isolates tend to rate well. Proprietary "protein blends" that don't disclose the split are a yellow flag.
5. Heavy-metal testing
Independent labs (Clean Label Project, Labdoor, NSF Certified for Sport) test for lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. EatWellScan can't see lab results on a barcode — check the brand's certificate of analysis before you commit.
6. Processing level (NOVA)
Most powders land at NOVA 4 (ultra-processed) by definition. That alone caps the score — protein supplements are a tool, not a whole food, and the rating reflects that.
How to shop for a better-rated powder
- Pick unflavored or naturally sweetened (stevia, monk fruit) variants when possible.
- Aim for short ingredient lists — ideally fewer than 8 items, with the protein source listed first.
- Avoid powders with added sugar above 5g per serving.
- Check brands against third-party testing programs (Clean Label Project, NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport) for heavy-metal safety.
- Treat any powder as a supplement, not a meal. Whole-food protein still wins.