Food
Orgain AJ - Chocolate Fudge Protein Shake
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 58
Orgain AJ - Chocolate Fudge Protein Shake scores 58 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 Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
- minus 7.5 points 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: emulsifier, firming agent, flavoring, industrial protein, non-nutritive sweetener and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein shakes
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Protein Shake Chocolate Oak Farms · half gallon/1.89 L Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Marine Collagen Wild-caught Orgain Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Ensure Original nutrition shake (Milk Chocolate) Ensure · 237 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Ensure Max Protein nutrition shake French Vanilla Ensure No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 78 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Organic Cocoa Cashew Coconut Dairy-free Shake Forager Project No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 21 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
AJ - Chocolate Fudge Protein Shake
Ingredients
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 7.5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
- Monk fruit extract minus 1.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
- Microcrystalline cellulose minus 0.5 points
- Calcium chloride minus 0.5 points
- Gellan gum 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 9.1 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 42.5 = 57.5 → 58
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 48 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.2 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.1 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.6 g |
| Protein | 9.1 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 1 carton (330 ml)
Ingredients
- filtered water
- dairy protein blend (milk protein isolate, milk protein concentrate)
- organic alkalized cocoa
- organic high oleic sunflower oil
- sunflower lecithin
- sea salt
- monk fruit extract
- reb m (stevia extract)
- sodium citrate
- natural flavors
- cellulose gel
- cellulose gum (moderate concern)
- calcium chloride
- gellan gum
Label text, as published
filtered water, dairy protein blend (milk protein isolate, milk protein concentrate), organic alkalized cocoa, organic high oleic sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, monk fruit extract, reb m (stevia extract), sodium citrate, natural flavors, cellulose gel, cellulose gum, calcium chloride, gellan gum
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More from Orgain
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Organic Protein Orgain · 43.2 oz (2.7 lb) 1.22 kg Score 89 out of 100 Excellent -
Collagen Peptides + Probiotics Orgain · cada cuánto se toma Score 99 out of 100 Excellent -
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Chocolate protein powder Orgain Score 84 out of 100 Excellent
Sources
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“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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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
-
“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
-
“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
-
“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
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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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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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“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