Generally, clear protein flavors are “more on the fruity side” as opposed to the sweeter, dessert-like options popular in shakes, like chocolate and vanilla, Dada says. You only need to do a quick Google search to find dozens of examples: cherry lime, lemon lime, kiwi strawberry, strawberry limeade, frosty lemonade, blackberry vanilla, pineapple passion, blueberry pomegranate, tropical dragonfruit, icy blue raspberry, raspberries and cream, peach mango creme, and sour candy watermelon, to name a few.
Clear protein powder is often available in tubs, resealable bags, and single-serving packets. To turn it into a drink, add the powder to water and stir to blend (or shake if you’re using a water bottle or thermos). In view of the fruity taste and thin consistency, the final product is comparable to a flavored water or juice. While it’ll come out lighter than the shakes you’re probably used to, “it’s the same protein profile,” Dr. Amati says—that is, around 20 to 25 grams, according to Dada.
If you don’t want to bother making the drink yourself, you can also purchase a prepackaged one as an alternative; at a glance, they’re available at major chains like Target, Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods, as well as online marketplaces like Amazon and various sports nutrition websites. (Heads-up that they tend to be expensive, at $4 a pop in some cases. “Clearly, people have started to monopolize on this interest,” Dada says.)
What are the benefits and drawbacks?
With clear protein, as with any protein supplement, “there can be pros and cons, and we have to compare on a case-by-case basis,” Dada says.
However, clear protein is hardly necessary for the general population, according to both Dada and Dr. Amati. In fact, the vast majority of people would be better off getting their protein from whole foods rather than protein supplements, period. “I’m not anti-using them where it’s necessary” (e.g., in the case of people who would benefit from an extra protein boost, like elderly people or underweight individuals), Dr. Amati clarifies. But “rapidly drinking clear protein just for no reason” is not recommended.
