I swapped my protein powder for protein water. If not for the steep price, it'd be a regular part of my routine.
I switched my regular protein shake for a pre-packaged clear protein drink from Clean Simple Eats for three weeks. Here's what it was like.
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Clean Simple Eats.
- I switched my regular protein shake with a pre-packaged clear protein drink for three weeks.
- The drinks from Clean Simple Eats had a thinner consistency than shakes and a fruity taste.
- I loved the taste and texture, but for $35.99 a pack, it's too expensive for me to drink every day.
A balanced meal never used to be my thing, let alone chugging a protein shake for breakfast.
I used to rotate between a sandwich from Chick-fil-A (always with a side of fries), a chicken biryani from the Indian restaurant around the block, or a slice — or two — from Joe's Pizza.
Then, last year, after realizing how my health was spiraling, I set a goal to learn more about nutrition and exercise and made slow, sustainable changes to my diet.
Around this time, I also began incorporating protein shakes — whey isolate powder mixed with water — first in my breakfast and then in any meal that lacked protein. This was a convenient way for me to consume more protein, which helps with muscle maintenance, boosts metabolism, and enhances satiety.
While this was a quick fix that easily added 25 grams of protein to my meal each time, it was often the most annoying part of my new plan.
After trying about 10 different protein powder brands, the same two problems remained: First, my stomach would feel heavy after drinking the shake, and second, the protein powders I tried tasted too sweet, thick, and milk-like for my liking.
I'd long been on the hunt for a protein powder that tasted lighter, so when I found out about Clean Simple Eats' protein water, which is made from clear whey protein, I was excited to try it.
While whey is a type of protein sourced from dairy and available in two forms (concentrate and isolate), clear whey protein "is made by filtering out fats and lactose from whey isolate," Micaela Riley, a certified functional nutritionist, told Business Insider over email.
This filtration process, Riley said, leaves "behind a light, water-like protein drink instead of a thick, milky shake."
Despite its growing popularity, there are still only a few brands —besides Clean Simple Eats — that have ventured into developing clear whey powders or ready-to-drink options. Some other brands include MyProtein, 1Up Nutrition, and GNC, though they each differ in nutritional value, calorie count, and protein content.
Curious to see if Clean Simple Eat's clear protein tasted as light as water, I tried the brand's 12-can variety pack over three weeks.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
I bought two boxes of 12 cans when the brand had a site-wide sale, paying $35.99 per box. This came to $2.99 per 16-ounce can. In addition, I paid $11.99 for shipping.
(A box of 12 normally costs $39.99 or $33.99 if you opt for a subscription service. This comes to $3.33 per can or $2.83 with the subscription.)
The drink is also available at select Vitamin Shoppe stores, with a full list of locations on the brand's website. However, it's not stocked in grocery stores I regularly visit, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
The website says orders ship within seven business days, excluding holidays and promotions. My order arrived in a sturdy cardboard box on my Manhattan doorstep a week later.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
Each box contained four flavors: dragonfruit, tropical orange, prickly pear, and "blue razz."
I hadn't tried many pre-mixed protein drinks before, so I was pleasantly surprised by how convenient these appeared to be.
I could grab a can on my way to work, sip it on the subway, and skip the hassle of washing a bottle afterward. These cans could save me 15 minutes of prep in the morning, and they were easy to keep on hand, like a protein bar.
Clean Simple Eats
"Clear Protein isn't like any protein you've ever tried," Erika Peterson, founder of Clean Simple Eats, told BI over email.
She said the biggest difference between traditional protein powders and clear protein was in taste and texture. "Traditional protein powder has a creamy texture and milky taste, and our clear protein is light and refreshing, available in unique and juicy flavors," she said.
Riley told BI that the most important questions to consider when buying a protein supplement are: "Does it have at least 20 grams of protein in it? What are the main ingredients on the list? Are there any ingredients you don't recognize or can't pronounce?" She also said to "watch out for added sugars."
Ideally, Riley says, adults should consume about 0.7 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day.
Clear protein meets all of the criteria. Each drink has 90 calories, 20 grams of protein, zero sugars or fats, and doesn't contain additives or preservatives "that might disrupt gut health, metabolic function, etc.," said Riley.
When asked if the drinks could be consumed daily, she said the only ingredient to be mindful of in the ingredient list is "natural flavors." Sometimes "natural flavors" in products can include ingredients like "solvents, preservatives, and synthetic compounds" that "can trigger inflammation, gut issues, and food sensitivities, making them worth avoiding for optimal health," she said.
Clean Simple said the natural flavors in its drinks are "additives derived from natural extracts or juices from fruits, vegetables, plants, or spices to enhance the taste of our products, without adding sugar or synthetic additives."
Clean Simple Eats
The first flavor I tried was made from eight ingredients:
- Filtered water
- Grass-fed whey protein isolate: According to the brand, this is a "high-quality, fast-absorbing complete protein," where "clear whey isolate is filtered to remove excess fats, sugars, and lactose, resulting in a clear liquid when mixed with water."
- Natural flavors: These are "additives derived from natural extracts or juices from fruits, vegetables, plants, or spices to enhance the taste of our products, without adding sugar or synthetic additives," per the brand.
- Citric acid: "A natural acid derived from cassava root used to enhance flavor."
- Malic acid: "A natural acid found in fruits and vegetables used to enhance flavor."
- Stevia leaf extract: "A natural zero sugar sweetener sourced from stevia leaves."
- Reb M: "A natural, calorie-free sweetener with a zero glycemic index."
- Mushroom extract: "A natural preservative."
Each can I tried was 16 ounces or 473 ml.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
When I cracked open the can, I noticed a slight fizz, similar to what you'd find with sodas. The brand clarified that this isn't due to carbonation but rather the pressure inside the can, which gives it a fizzy sensation.
The blue razz flavor instantly reminded me of a blueberry-flavored gummy — it was sweet with a slightly tangy kick but not overwhelmingly sugary.
The drink was incredibly light and smooth, like flavored water. It wasn't thick and didn't clump like protein shakes can, making it easy to drink quickly.
Clean Simple Eats.
Tropical orange is made using the same eight ingredients as blue razz but with different fruit flavors.
Similar to my first drink, this flavor has no artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or preservatives.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
I'm a fan of pulpy, fresh-pressed orange juice, so I tend to hold orange-flavored drinks to that standard. I was bracing myself for the artificial taste that can follow after you drink orange soda, but I was pleasantly surprised.
While it didn't taste like fresh orange juice or have the pulp, it also didn't have the fake, syrupy taste I often find in other drinks. The flavor had just the right balance: a slight sweetness complete with a fresh, citrusy tang that was bright but not overpowering.
It felt refreshing without veering into the overly sugary territory.
This was important because an excessively sweet flavor would be a bit nauseating for me to drink every day.
Clean Simple Eats.
Most other brands offer three common flavors of protein powders: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Some have also added coffee, cookies and cream, and cookie dough, among others.
Before trying clear protein drinks, I had never encountered dragonfruit-flavored protein powder or water, and given that dragonfruit is my favorite fruit, I was excited to try it.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
I can usually scoop up a whole dragonfruit or two in one sitting, but I struggled to finish this can because it tasted sweeter than the other flavors I'd tried so far.
I don't think everyone would find it as sweet, but I enjoy bitter and fruity desserts, so this was definitely too much for me.
Similar to the tropical orange, it also did not have a rich, pulpy fruit flavor, but unlike the tropical orange, it did feel fake. After my first attempt, I avoided this flavor for as long as possible.
Clean Simple Eats.
This was another unique flavor I hadn't come across in the protein-powder world before.
One thing that became clear as I worked my way through the flavors is that having variety made a huge difference. Instead of feeling like a routine task, drinking my protein water felt a little more exciting and something I looked forward to each day.
Each can of prickly pear protein drink is 16 ounces or 473ml.
Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider
This drink made for the perfect post-workout drink because it felt hydrating. It actually reminded me of watermelons and not pears, perhaps because of how refreshing it was.
It also didn't have any artificial aftertaste. I saved all my prickly pear cans for my strength-training days.
I enjoyed it cold, so I put it in the fridge 10 to 15 minutes beforehand. If you like your drinks chilled, I'd definitely recommend doing the same.
Clean Simple Eats.
Overall, I enjoyed trying new flavors and having access to a variety of lightweight pre-mixed protein drinks.
From day one, they didn't leave me feeling sluggish, digested easily, and kept me full for hours. I also saw an improvement in my energy levels, even on days I got less than six hours of sleep.
On some days, I also added a scoop of Vital Proteins unflavored collagen peptides, which tasted terrible if mixed in water but blended well with these drinks and bumped up my protein intake.
I agreed with Peterson's estimation that her brand has "raised the bar in the category of ready-to-drink beverages." But at nearly $40 (without the discount) for just 12 cans, my wallet isn't as enthusiastic. By comparison, my go-to Optimum Nutrition protein powder costs $31.75 for 29 servings, which comes to $1.09 per serving.
Peterson attributes the higher costs to convenience, additional filtration processes, and packaging, which ensures long shelf life. "You're paying for both the premium ingredients and the ease of having high-quality protein anytime, anywhere," said Peterson.
Still, the cost can add up fast.
As much as I enjoyed these, they're more of an occasional treat than an everyday fix. When I need a break from mixing protein powder, I'd happily grab a can, but for everyday use I'm sticking to the powder and already scouting for a budget-friendly clear whey alternative.
