Zero Carb Whey Protein Isolate

Isopure Zero Carb has long been a fixture for low-carb dieters (the brand dates the introduction of Isopure to 1998), and it still delivers exactly what that audience wants. A 31 g scoop of Creamy Vanilla provides 25 g of protein from whey protein isolate with 0 g of carbohydrate, 0 g of sugar and 0.5 g of fat, for 110 calories.

Unlike most whey powders, it also carries a vitamin and mineral premix. One scoop supplies around a third of the Daily Value for many nutrients, including 100% of vitamin B12, 90% of chromium and 60% of copper. That is convenient for some people, but anyone already taking a multivitamin or drinking several shakes a day should tally their total intake.

Protein quality is not in question: whey isolate is well studied for supporting muscle protein synthesis, and 25 g per serving sits in the effective range for most adults. The weaker points are verification and cost. We did not find a third-party banned-substance certification for this powder; the brand says its products are made under FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and tested by its own quality assurance labs. The ingredient list also includes soy lecithin, sucralose, artificial flavor and xanthan gum.

On Amazon the Creamy Vanilla tub holds 4.6 stars across more than 13,000 ratings. Buyers like that it is not overly sweet, mixes well and sits easily on the stomach, though some find the texture gritty. Creator reviews are cooler on flavor, often calling the vanilla thin or basic. At about $2.24 per serving for the current 40-serving tub, it is one of the pricier mainstream isolates.