Protein powders
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein
25.6 oz
Score
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains seed oils
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 85
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein scores 85 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
- minus 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 1 points Protein blend (unspecified): An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
The Receipt
100% Whey Protein
Ingredients
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 5 points
- Sucralose minus 5 points
- Protein blend (unspecified) minus 1 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 0.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 0.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 0.5 points
- Modified starch minus 0.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 0.5 points
100 − 15.5 = 84.5 → 85
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 394 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12.1 g |
| Sugars | 6.1 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Protein | 72.7 g |
| Salt | 1.4 g |
Serving: 1 scoop (33 g)
Ingredients
- Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein)
- Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali)
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tocopherols) (not recognized)
- Acesulfame Potassium (moderate concern)
- Sucralose (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein), Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sunflower Lecithin and/or Soy Lecithin, Salt, Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tocopherols), Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose. CONTAINS: Milk, Soy.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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More from Optimum Nutrition
Sources
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
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