Protein powders
Vega Protein Made Simple
9.2 oz/259 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- No additives
Why it scores 40
Vega Protein Made Simple scores 40 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 11 points Sugars 23.1 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
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Simple Truth Protein Powder Kroger Less sugar · Less salt Score 62 out of 100 , 22 points higher -
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Simple truth organic plant based zero sugar protein powder Simple Truth Less sugar · Less salt Score 58 out of 100 , 18 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Protein Made Simple
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Pea protein minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 23.1 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Salt 1.6 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 385 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 3.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 60.5 = 39.5 → 40
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 7.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26.9 g |
| Sugars | 23.1 g |
| Added sugars | 19.2 g |
| Fiber | 3.8 g |
| Protein | 57.7 g |
| Salt | 1.6 g |
Serving: 26 g
Ingredients
Label text, as published
PEA PROTEIN, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, COCONUT CREAM POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORS.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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Organic Protein Orgain · 1.2 kg Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcoholsContains seed oilsCertified organic Score 89 out of 100 Excellent -
Protein powder Optimum Nutrition · 80 × 31 g Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains artificial flavors Score 83 out of 100 Excellent -
Whey Protein Strawberries and Cream Optimum Nutrition · 1.5 lb/682 g Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains artificial flavorsNo synthetic dyes Score 90 out of 100 Excellent -
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More from Vega
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
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
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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