{"title":"Sugar-Free Protein Powder","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat \"sugar-free\" means on a label\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sugar-free\" is a regulated claim. In the U.S., a food labeled sugar-free, zero sugar or no sugar must have less than 0.5g of sugars per serving.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-1\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e That's why some products with a gram or less of sugar can't use the claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOptimal Plant Protein has 0g of sugar per serving. Its only ingredients are organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic vanilla and organic monk fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSugar-free vs. no added sugar\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two claims sound alike but mean different things. \"No added sugar\" means no sugars, or ingredients that contain them, were added during processing. The product can still contain sugars that are naturally present in its ingredients.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-1\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e \"Sugar-free\" is about the total amount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSugar-free\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNo added sugar\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhat it limits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTotal sugar per serving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSugar added during processing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 0.5g per serving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone added\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptimal Plant Protein\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"fpl-yes\"\u003eYes: 0g sugar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"fpl-yes\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow sugar-free protein powders taste sweet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost sugar-free protein powders use a high-intensity sweetener instead of sugar. The FDA has approved six as food additives, including sucralose, acesulfame potassium and aspartame, and has received GRAS notices for purified stevia extracts and monk fruit extracts.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-3\"\u003e3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e Some powders also use sugar alcohols like erythritol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOptimal is sweetened only with organic monk fruit, with no sucralose, stevia or erythritol. See our page on \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/protein-powder-without-artificial-sweeteners\"\u003eprotein powder without artificial sweeteners\u003c\/a\u003e for how the options compare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy cut sugar in your shake?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend avoiding added sugars, and keeping them to no more than 10g per meal when you do have them.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-2\"\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e A protein shake is an easy place to cut back: check the Added Sugars line on the label before you buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same guidelines also advise avoiding non-nutritive sweeteners, a group that includes monk fruit and stevia.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-2\"\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e If you'd rather skip sweeteners entirely, an unsweetened powder is the strictest choice. If you want a little sweetness without sugar, monk fruit is the option we chose. The World Health Organization has also advised against relying on non-sugar sweeteners for weight control.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source-4\"\u003e4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're managing blood sugar or diabetes, talk with your doctor or dietitian about how protein shakes fit your plan. Our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/nutrition\/are-protein-powders-good-for-diabetics\"\u003eprotein powder and diabetes\u003c\/a\u003e covers what to look for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to check on the label\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Sugars and Added Sugars.\u003c\/strong\u003e Both lines are on the nutrition panel, per serving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe sweetener.\u003c\/strong\u003e Look in the ingredient list for sucralose, acesulfame potassium, stevia, monk fruit or sugar alcohols.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe serving size.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sugar is listed per serving, so compare the scoop you'll actually use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you mix it with.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dairy milk and juice bring sugar of their own. Water or an unsweetened plant milk keeps the shake sugar-free.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"optimal-organic-plant-protein-powder","title":"Optimal Plant Protein","description":"\u003cp\u003eOptimal Plant Protein is organic plant protein powder made with just four ingredients: organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic vanilla and organic monk fruit. Each 36g serving has 26g of protein, 150 calories and 0g of sugar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e26g of protein per serving from organic pea and brown rice protein\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweetened only with organic monk fruit, with no stevia, erythritol or added sugar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo gums, natural flavors, dairy or soy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and certified gluten-free\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeavy metal results from the independent lab Light Labs published on the product page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVanilla flavor, 30 servings per bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"fitppl","offers":[{"title":"Vanilla \/ 30 Serving Bag","offer_id":49098912825625,"sku":"OPP-V-30BAG","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0852\/1757\/5193\/files\/updated-optimal-bag.jpg?v=1788114381"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0852\/1757\/5193\/collections\/8078938c-9c62-4961-a962-af831e33c952.jpg?v=1794013326","url":"https:\/\/fitppl.com\/collections\/sugar-free-protein-powder.oembed","provider":"fitppl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}