Sweetened only with monk fruit
Stevia-Free Protein Powder
Plant protein with no stevia, no erythritol and no artificial sweeteners. The only sweetener in either of our proteins is monk fruit.
4.9 average from 553 reviews
Sweeteners
Monk fruit is the only sweetener we use.
Choose your protein
Both are stevia-free and sweetened only with monk fruit. Pick by protein per serving and what else you want in the shake.
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Optimal Plant Protein
Our simplest formula: organic pea and brown rice protein, vanilla and monk fruit.
- Protein
- 26g per serving
- Protein from
- Organic pea and brown rice
- Sweetened with
- Organic monk fruit
- Sugar
- 0g
- Certified
- Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free
Best for: the most protein from the fewest ingredients.
$69.99$59.49 with subscribe & save
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Foundational Plant Protein
Plant protein plus organic greens, fruits and adaptogens in one shake.
- Protein
- 18g per serving
- Protein from
- Organic brown rice, pea and hemp
- Sweetened with
- Monk fruit
- Sugar
- Less than 1g
- Certified
- Non-GMO, gluten-free
Best for: one daily shake that covers more than protein.
$54.99$46.74 with subscribe & save
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From people who were done with stevia
4.9 average from 553 reviews of our proteins. Quotes from verified buyers.
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Excellent Taste and NO STEVIA
“This powder is truly one of the best because it's nearly impossible to find a protein powder without stevia or artificial sweeteners. I'm hooked on it and it mixes well with water or almond/flax/cashew milk.”
Eric A.Verified buyer · Foundational Plant Protein -
Best In Class
“I was looking for a protein powder that was sweetened with monk fruit, not stevia! I was delightfully surprised with the delicious flavor, this dissolved beautifully …”
Lina J.Verified buyer · Optimal Plant Protein -
Thank You!!
“I have been searching for a stevia free protein powder without a horrible aftertaste for 2 years. Finally! I love the vanilla & goji flavor.”
Lisa Z.Verified buyer · Foundational Plant Protein
- 2 bitter taste receptors stevia's sweet compounds switch on, the source of its aftertaste2
- 0 stevia, erythritol or sucralose in either of our proteins
- 26g Protein per serving of Optimal Plant Protein
What makes a protein powder stevia-free?
A stevia-free protein powder has no sweetener made from the stevia plant. On a label, stevia usually appears as "stevia leaf extract", "steviol glycosides", "Reb A" or "rebaudioside". The stevia used in foods is a purified extract. In the U.S., whole-leaf and crude stevia extracts aren't permitted as sweeteners.1
Both fitppl proteins are stevia-free. Their only sweetener is monk fruit, an extract of the luo han guo fruit.1
Why do some people avoid stevia?
For most, it comes down to taste. Stevia's sweet compounds also switch on two of the tongue's bitter taste receptors, which is where the bitter aftertaste some people notice comes from.2 Not everyone notices it, but for people who do, it's often the reason they switch.
Others would rather not make non-sugar sweeteners a daily habit. The World Health Organization advises against relying on non-sugar sweeteners, stevia included, for long-term weight control.3 That's guidance about weight, not a finding that stevia is unsafe.
Is stevia bad for you?
Not as far as the evidence shows. Purified stevia extracts are generally recognized as safe in the U.S., and the FDA hasn't questioned their use as sweeteners.1 Choosing stevia-free is a preference, mostly about taste. For the longer version, read Is stevia in protein powder bad?
Stevia vs. monk fruit vs. other sweeteners
| Sweetener | What it is | How it reads on the label |
|---|---|---|
| Stevia | Purified extract of the stevia leaf | "Stevia leaf extract", "steviol glycosides", "Reb A" |
| Monk fruit | Extract of the luo han guo fruit | "Monk fruit extract", "luo han guo" |
| Sucralose | A high-intensity sweetener approved as a food additive | "Sucralose" |
| Erythritol | A sugar alcohol | "Erythritol" |
The FDA groups stevia and monk fruit together as plant-derived high-intensity sweeteners used under GRAS notices, while sucralose is one of the sweeteners approved as a food additive.1 If you're avoiding more than stevia, see our guides to protein powder without artificial sweeteners and erythritol-free protein powder.
How to spot hidden stevia
- Read the whole ingredient list, not just the front. "Naturally sweetened" can mean stevia.
- Check sweetener blends. Stevia is often paired with erythritol or monk fruit, so a "monk fruit" product can still contain stevia.
- Look for the other names: steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A or M, and Reb A.
- Remember that stevia-free isn't sweetener-free. If you want no sweetener at all, look for an unsweetened powder.
Questions, answered
Stevia, monk fruit and what's on the label, explained.
Are fitppl protein powders stevia-free?
Yes. Neither Optimal Plant Protein nor Foundational Plant Protein contains stevia. The only sweetener in both is monk fruit, and neither has erythritol, sucralose or other artificial sweeteners.
Why does stevia have an aftertaste?
Stevia's sweet compounds don't only activate sweet taste receptors. Lab research found they also activate two of the tongue's bitter taste receptors, which is where the bitter aftertaste comes from.2 Some people notice it much more than others.
Is monk fruit better than stevia?
They're similar in how they're used: both are plant-derived, high-intensity sweeteners used in tiny amounts under GRAS notices in the U.S.1 The main difference most people notice is taste. If stevia's aftertaste bothers you, monk fruit is the usual alternative.
Is stevia safe?
Purified stevia extracts are generally recognized as safe in the U.S., and the FDA hasn't questioned their use as sweeteners. Whole-leaf and crude stevia extracts aren't permitted as sweeteners.1 Most people who avoid stevia do it for taste.
What other names does stevia go by on a label?
Look for stevia leaf extract, steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A or M, and Reb A. Stevia is also common in sweetener blends with erythritol or monk fruit, so read the full ingredient list rather than the front of the package.