Food
Shamrock Farms Rockin Protein Protein Shake, Chocolate
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 54
Shamrock Farms Rockin Protein Protein Shake, Chocolate scores 54 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Carrageenan: In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher carrageenan intake was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein shakes
-
Protein Shake Chocolate Oak Farms · half gallon/1.89 L Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Ensure Original nutrition shake (Milk Chocolate) Ensure · 237 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Ensure Max Protein nutrition shake French Vanilla Ensure No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 78 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Organic Cocoa Cashew Coconut Dairy-free Shake Forager Project No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Marine Collagen Wild-caught Orgain Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 46 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Rockin Protein Protein Shake, Chocolate
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Carrageenan minus 7.5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Soluble corn fiber (resistant dextrin) minus 1.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 1.5 points
- Sodium hexametaphosphate minus 1.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Protein 8.6 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 46 = 54
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 57 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 1.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.4 g |
| Sugars | 1.9 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 8.6 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 1 Bottle (2.5 cup)
Ingredients
- Water
- Skim Milk
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Cream
- Cocoa
- Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate
- Dipotassium Phosphate
- Corn Starch
- Salt
- Sucralose (moderate concern)
- Carrageenan (moderate concern)
- Lactase Enzyme
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Vitamin D3
Label text, as published
Water, Skim Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Cream, Cocoa, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Soluble Corn Fiber, Contains Less than 1% of: Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Corn Starch, Salt, Sucralose, Carrageenan, Lactase Enzyme, Vitamin A Palmitate, and Vitamin D3
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More from Shamrock Farms
-
Rockin Protein Protein Shake Shamrock Farms · 12 oz Score 54 out of 100 Okay -
Rockin' Protein Builder Protein Shake Strawberry Shamrock Farms · 354 mL Score 76 out of 100 Good -
2% Reduced Fat Milk Shamrock Farms Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Vanilla Rockin' Protein Builder Protein Shake Shamrock Farms Score 43 out of 100 Okay
Sources
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Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
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WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“We found direct associations between the risk of type 2 diabetes and exposures to various food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods, in a large prospective cohort of French adults.”
doi.org
-
Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives
“However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data.”
doi.org
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
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EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org
-
“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
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“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org