Best Protein Drinks at Coles - Ranked 2026
The full protein drink range at Coles, scored and ranked. Some pack proper protein for the price, others are basically flavoured milk. Pick the right one.
29 products ranked. Updated 2026-06-13.
Overview
Ready-to-drink protein is the ultimate convenience, ditching the shaker and powder mess for a simple grab-and-go option. The best ones deliver a serious protein hit without loading you up on sugar, and on the numbers, nothing beats the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake. It leads the category with 8.5g of protein per 100ml and keeps sugar low at just 0.2g per 100ml. But that protein density comes with a trade-off. With 12 additives on the label, the Musashi drink is a busy formulation. For a cleaner profile, we'd skip it and look at the Optimum Nutrition High Protein shakes instead. They sit right behind Musashi in the rankings, delivering a hefty 30g of protein per serve with fewer additives. If a truly clean label is your priority, the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer is our pick, earning the highest Clean Score of 9.8 in this guide. So what's the final call? If you're purely chasing the highest protein and lowest sugar numbers, Musashi wins. For everyone else, the Optimum Nutrition High Protein Banana Shake offers a much better balance of high protein and a cleaner ingredient list, making it the smarter pick for a post-gym refuel from the chilled aisle.
The verdict
On paper, the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake leads the category. It delivers a huge 31.7g of protein per serve and is one of the leanest on sugar with just 0.2g per 100ml. But with a list of 12 additives, it's an automatic skip from us. The entire top five, including the Optimum Nutrition range, are similarly loaded with stabilisers and emulsifiers. For a ready-to-drink option, we look for cleaner ingredients that get the job done without the extra baggage. The smarter pick is the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer. It earns the highest Clean Score of 9.8 across all the protein drinks we scored, using natural flavours and stevia instead of a long list of additives. You still get a solid 7.1g of protein per 100ml from a simple filtered milk base, making it a much cleaner post-gym refuel or desk-side snack. If you're grabbing a protein drink for convenience, the Rokeby lineup is where you should be looking first.
Rankings
- #1. Optimum Nutrition High Protein Vanilla Shake - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 8.4/10 · 30g/serve
With a perfect Protein Score of 10.0/10, this drink is all about the numbers. It packs a huge 31.7g of protein per serve into a low-calorie format, with just 48 kcal per 100ml. The sugar content is almost non-existent at only 0.2g per 100ml, making it one of the leanest protein drinks the supermarket shelf. For pure protein density without the sugar load, it's a clear winner. The trade-off for those stats is a massive list of 12 additives. That's a long line-up of thickeners, emulsifiers and sweeteners to make it work. If you prioritise a clean label, skip it. The Musashi Shred & Burn is a numbers-first choice for anyone chasing maximum protein on the go, but it comes at the cost of a highly processed formula.
- #2. Optimum Nutrition High Protein Banana Shake - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 8.2/10 · 30g/serve
Optimum Nutrition's High Protein Banana Shake earns a perfect Protein Score of 10.0/10, putting it in a dead heat for the top spot with the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake. The numbers are elite, delivering a huge 30g of protein per serve from 8g per 100ml. At just 55 calories and 2.3g of sugar per 100ml, it's a lean, protein-first formula that nails the macro targets. The trade-off for that performance is a Clean Score of 8.2/10, driven by 8 additives including thickeners, emulsifiers, and sweeteners. If you're after a cleaner label, skip it. The Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer is a far better pick on that front. But if your focus is purely on hitting a big protein number from a ready-to-drink bottle the supermarket shelf, this one delivers.
- #3. Optimum Nutrition High Protein Strawberry Shake - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 7.9/10 · 30g/serve
Optimum Nutrition's Strawberry Shake earns a perfect Protein Score of 10.0/10, tying with the leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake. It gets there with a solid 30g of protein per serve and just 2.3g of sugar per 100ml. On pure macros, it's a front-runner and delivers exactly what it promises on the label. But here's the trade-off. A Clean Score of 7.9/10 comes from a list of 8 additives, including thickeners and artificial sweeteners. If you're after a cleaner protein drink, skip it. The Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer is a much better pick on that front. This one is for the protein-at-all-costs crowd, but anyone reading the full label will likely move on.
- #4. Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 7.9/10 · 31.7g/serve
- #5. Optimum Nutrition High Protein Chocolate Shake - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 30g/serve
- #6. Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie Mango - Protein Score 9.9/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 30g/serve
- #7. Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ Drink Mixed Berry - Protein Score 9.9/10 · Clean Score 8.0/10 · 30g/serve
- #8. Pauls PLUS+ Protein Chocolate Flavoured Milk - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 30g/serve
- #9. Pauls Plus+ Protein Flavoured Milk Banana & Honey - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.6/10 · 30g/serve
- #10. Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie Drink Banana Honey - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 9.0/10 · 30g/serve
- #11. Pauls PLUS+ Protein Double Espresso Caramel Flavoured Milk - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 30g/serve
- #12. Pauls PLUS+ Protein Summer Berries Flavoured Milk - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.1/10 · 30g/serve
- #13. Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie Chocolate - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.4/10 · 30g/serve
- #14. Crankt Premium Protein Shake Chocolate - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.8g/serve
- #15. Dare Protein No Sugar Added Iced Coffee Double Espresso - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.1/10 · 30g/serve
- #16. Dare Protein No Sugar Added Double Espresso Milk | 2L - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.1/10 · 18g/serve
- #17. Crankt Protein Shake Choc Honeycomb 400mL - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.8g/serve
- #18. Crankt Banana Protein Shake 400mL - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.8g/serve
- #19. Dare Protein Mocha Flavoured Milk - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.5/10 · 30g/serve
- #20. Oak Plus Protein Salted Caramel Milk | 2L - Protein Score 9.5/10 · Clean Score 7.8/10 · 30g/serve
Editorial deep dive
The ready-to-drink protein section is all about convenience. It's for the person who needs a quick protein hit without the faff of powders and shakers. You can find these protein drinks lining the chilled cabinets at Coles and Woolworths, offering a simple way to refuel after a workout or tide you over at your desk. They promise high protein and low sugar, but the reality is often a trade-off between nutrition numbers and a very long ingredient list. On paper, the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake takes the top spot with a Protein Score of 10.0. It leads the category on protein density with 8.5g protein/100ml and is lean with just 0.2g sugar/100ml. The numbers are hard to argue with, but the ingredient list is another story. With 12 listed additives, it's a classic example of hitting performance targets at the cost of a clean profile. For that reason, we say skip it. The top of our rankings is filled with similar stories. The Optimum Nutrition High Protein range, including the Banana Shake and Strawberry Shake, also scores well but comes with a heavy additive load of 7 or 8. These drinks deliver a solid 8g protein/100ml but rely on a stack of stabilisers and sweeteners to get there. It's a recurring theme in this aisle: the drinks with the highest protein counts are often the ones with the most complex ingredient panels. For a much cleaner option, we'd look to the Rokeby Protein Smoothie range. The Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer earns the highest Clean Score of 9.8 across all the protein drinks we analysed, using just 2 additives. It still delivers 7.1g protein/100ml, with sugar at 3.9g sugar/100ml. It's a slight dip in protein compared to the leaders, but a massive improvement on the ingredient front. So, what's the final call? While Musashi and Optimum Nutrition technically win on raw protein and sugar numbers, their long additive lists are a major drawback. If you're looking for a convenient protein drink that balances good nutrition with a cleaner label, the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer is the one to grab. It's the smarter pick for anyone who cares about what's in their drink, not just the numbers on the front.
Brand-by-brand notes
Musashi
Founded in 1987 and now backed by Vitaco, Musashi is one of the most recognised names in Australian sports nutrition. While their wider performance range fills specialty stores, the two protein drinks we score here are built for the everyday grocery run. You will easily find both of them sitting in the chilled dairy cabinet at Coles or Woolworths. Across those two drinks, the brand averages a heavy-hitting 8.3g of protein per 100ml and 3.0g of sugar per 100ml.It leads the pack on density alongside a few rivals with 8.5g of protein per 100ml, while keeping sugar down to a minimal 0.2g per 100ml. On the flip side, the Musashi High Protein Shake Vanilla trails behind because while it still delivers 8.2g of protein per 100ml, its sugar load spikes to 5.7g per 100ml. If you are tossing up between the two on your next supermarket trip, the decision is straightforward based on the numbers. Grab the chocolate Shred & Burn for a massive protein hit without the extra carbohydrates. We would leave the vanilla version on the shelf, as that noticeably higher sugar count drags down an otherwise strong profile.
Optimum Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition is a massive global sports nutrition brand, but their ready-to-drink options have moved right into the mainstream. You will find all 4 protein drinks we cover here stocked in major Australian supermarkets, sitting in the fridge next to the usual dairy options. They bring their supplement background to the grocery run, focusing on high protein totals without the heavy sugar load of traditional flavoured milks. Across the 4 protein drinks we scored, the brand averages a heavy-hitting 8.0g of protein and just 2.3g of sugar per 100ml. While the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake claims the overall top spot in our index, this lineup sits right near the top for muscle-building macros. The Optimum Nutrition High Protein Banana Shake stands out with 8g of protein per 100ml and 2.3g of sugar per 100ml. Since all four flavours share identical macros, that exact same banana drink also flags as their weakest on the numbers, but it still easily outclasses standard supermarket iced coffees. If you need a serious protein hit while walking the supermarket aisles, these are worth throwing in the basket. Grab any flavour from Coles or Woolworths knowing the numbers are identical across the board, so you can just pick based on taste. Skip them only if you are strictly avoiding artificial sweeteners, as the entire range relies on them to keep those sugar counts down.
Dairy Farmers
Dairy Farmers is an Australian dairy giant now operating under the Bega Group umbrella, expanding beyond standard milk into the functional space. We have scored 4 protein drinks from their lineup, and you will find them sitting right in the chiller aisles of Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi. Across the 4 products we score, the brand averages 7.5g of protein per 100ml and 4.6g of sugar per 100ml. The Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ Drink Mixed Berry stands out in their range, delivering that exact 7.5g of protein per 100ml alongside 4.6g of sugar per 100ml. The Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie Drink Banana Honey sits as the weakest link in our index, though it mirrors those identical numbers with 7.5g of protein per 100ml and 4.6g of sugar per 100ml, showing a rigid formula across the board. While these dairy macros, they fall short of the category leader; the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake takes the crown with a Protein Score of 10 and 8.5g of protein per 100ml. If you want a straightforward milk-based option during your regular supermarket trip, Dairy Farmers offers a reliable baseline. Shoppers look for high protein, and while these sit comfortably mid-pack, the entire range relies on artificial sweeteners like aspartame to keep the sugar down. Grab the Mixed Berry if you want a familiar flavour profile, but if you want to push for higher protein density from the fridge at Coles or Woolworths, you might prefer the specialist sports brands instead.
Pauls
Pauls is one of Australia's oldest dairy names, bringing decades of milk expertise into the modern sports nutrition aisle. You will find all 4 of the protein drinks we score from them right in the chilled cabinets at Coles and Woolworths. Instead of launching a separate fitness brand, they have adapted their everyday milk lines to hit higher macros for the grab-and-go crowd. Across the lineup, these drinks average 7.5g of protein per 100ml, though they also carry an average 5.1g of sugar per 100ml. We look at the Pauls PLUS+ Protein Double Espresso Caramel Flavoured Milk as both their standout and their weakest link depending on your goals, delivering 7.5g of protein per 100ml alongside 5.1g of sugar per 100ml and a mix of artificial sweeteners. If you want to see what the top end of the fridge looks like, the category leader is the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which earns a Protein Score of 10 and pushes protein up to 8.5g per 100ml while keeping sugar strictly down to 0.2g per 100ml. For a standard supermarket trip, the Pauls range works if you just need a quick dairy hit, but the additive profile makes them tough to recommend as a daily staple. The inclusion of sweeteners like 950 and 955 across the board means you might want to skip them if you prefer a shorter ingredients list. If you are chasing the cleanest pick in the category, grab the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer instead, which earns a Clean Score of 9.8 without relying on artificial sweeteners.
Crankt
Crankt pitches itself to the grab-and-go crowd needing a quick hit of liquid fuel. We track exactly 3 protein drinks from their current lineup, all of which are widely distributed across the country. You will easily spot these bottles during a regular supermarket trip to Coles or Woolworths, usually sitting right alongside the standard iced coffees. On the numbers, this range sits noticeably lower than the category heavyweights. The lineup averages 5.2g of protein and 2.7g of sugar per 100ml, making it a fairly light option for recovery. The standout is the Crankt Premium Protein Shake Chocolate, delivering 5.2g of protein and 2.6g of sugar per 100ml, though it also doubles as the weakest since the entire brand lineup shares nearly identical macros. If you want maximum density, you will need to look past this brand entirely to the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which pushes 8.5g of protein per 100ml. If you are walking the supermarket aisle and just need a moderately dosed drink, this brand is entirely serviceable. However, the reliance on artificial sweeteners across all 3 drinks means shoppers looking for a cleaner profile might want to skip it. Grab one if it is the most convenient bottle in the fridge, but keep in mind that harder-working shakes are usually sitting on the very same shelf.
Dare
Dare is a familiar face in the Australian iced coffee scene, backed by Bega. They have stepped into the functional space by adding extra milk solids to their classic espresso and mocha profiles to bump up the macros. You will easily find all 3 protein drinks we've scored in the fridge across major Australian supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, or Aldi. Looking at the numbers, the Dare lineup averages 6.0g of protein and 4.6g of sugar per 100ml. It is a helpful morning boost, but it trails the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which delivers 8.5g per 100ml. The standout in their range is the Dare Protein Mocha Flavoured Milk, offering 6g of protein per 100ml alongside 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. Because their functional lineup is tightly formulated, this same drink is also the weakest on the roster if you are trying to avoid artificial sweeteners like 950 and 951. If you want a caffeinated hit that tastes exactly like a traditional iced coffee with a better macro profile, grab one on your next grocery run. However, if you are chasing the absolute lowest sugar in the fridge, skip Dare and look for the Atkins Creamy Vanilla Protein Shake, which drops it right down to 0.02g per 100ml. For a quick drink from the local supermarket, Dare gets the job done without overcomplicating your morning routine.
Oak
Oak is a mainstream Aussie milk label that stepped into the functional aisle with its Oak Plus line. We score 3 protein drinks from their range, and they are dead easy to find during a regular supermarket trip across Coles, Woolworths, or Aldi. Rather than targeting the hardcore fitness crowd, they deliver a familiar flavoured milk experience with a moderate macro bump. Across the lineup, these drinks sit firmly in the middle of the pack. They average 6.0g of protein and 5.3g of sugar per 100ml, which falls short of the true heavy hitters in our index. For context, the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, pushes a much denser 8.5g of protein per 100ml. Our standout from the brand is the Oak Plus Protein Salted Caramel Milk | 2L, delivering 6g of protein per 100ml alongside 5.4g of sugar per 100ml. The weakest link is the Oak Plus Protein Chocolate No Added Sugar Flavoured Milk, which yields 6g of protein per 100ml and 5.3g of sugar per 100ml. If you want a casual top-up that tastes exactly like standard milk, dropping one of these into your Coles or Woolies trolley makes sense. However, if you are chasing serious protein density, you should skip the Oak Plus range and grab the Musashi instead. The numbers show this brand functions better as a traditional flavoured milk than a dedicated sports drink.
Füll+
Füll+ is a familiar name in the functional dairy space, offering ready-to-drink options designed to keep you moving. We have scored 2 of their protein drinks in our index, and both are easy to grab from the fridge on a standard supermarket run at Coles or Woolworths. They position these as complete "on the go meals", aiming to balance macros for shoppers who need a quick fix rather than just a post-gym protein hit. Across the lineup, Füll+ averages 7.3g of protein per 100ml. That is showing, though it trails the outright category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which tops the category with 8.5g per 100ml. Sugar is where the meal-replacement style becomes obvious, with the brand averaging 6.7g per 100ml. The Füll+ Chocolate - On the Go Meal delivers 7.3g of protein per 100ml alongside 6.6g of sugar per 100ml, while the Füll+ Iced Coffee - On the Go Meal mirrors that performance with 7.3g of protein per 100ml and 6.7g of sugar per 100ml. If you are scanning the supermarket aisle for convenience, Füll+ offers a decent protein baseline for a busy day. They are an easy grab-and-go option when you hit Coles or Woolies. Just keep in mind that you are getting a noticeable sugar and artificial sweetener load along with the protein, so if you want a strictly low-sugar drink, you might want to skip these and look elsewhere in the fridge.
Rokeby
Western Australian dairy brand Rokeby Farms focuses on cold-pressed milk drinks that skip the heavy artificial sweeteners found elsewhere in the chiller. We track 6 protein drinks from their lineup, and you will find all of them sitting comfortably on the shelves at major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths. They lean on lactase enzymes to keep things easy on the stomach, making them an easy grab-and-go option for morning commutes. Across the range, Rokeby averages 7.1g of protein per 100ml alongside 4.9g of sugar per 100ml. The Rokeby Protein Smoothie Choc Honeycomb is the standout here, delivering 7.1g of protein per 100ml while keeping sugar down to 3.9g per 100ml. If you want the purest ingredient profile in the category, the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer earns a Clean Score of 9.8 to take the crown. On the flip side, the Rokeby Protein Smoothie Strawberry brings up the rear, offering the same 7.1g of protein per 100ml but bumping the sugar up to 5.9g per 100ml. Next time you do a supermarket run, this brand is worth throwing in the basket if you want real dairy without an intense chemical aftertaste. Grab the Choc Honeycomb or Vanilla Wafer flavours to keep the sugar profile tight. If you need absolute maximum protein density, you will need to look past this shelf to the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which hits 8.5g of protein per 100ml. Otherwise, Rokeby delivers a highly drinkable everyday option.
Ice Break
Ice Break is a familiar face in the Australian iced coffee scene, transitioning from traditional morning caffeine hits to functional dairy. The brand is built around real coffee and milk, aiming at tradies and commuters who want an extra kick with their brew. We track 2 protein drinks from their lineup, and you will find both stocked in the dairy fridge during a standard trip to Coles, Woolworths, or Aldi. The numbers show these are iced coffees first and functional drinks second, with the brand averaging 4.7g of protein and a heavy 8.3g of sugar per 100ml. The standout on the numbers is the Ice Break Iced Coffee Strong Espresso + Protein, delivering 6g of protein per 100ml and 6.6g of sugar per 100ml. On the weaker end, the Ice Break Iced Coffee Triple Shot offers a minimal 3.3g of protein per 100ml alongside 9.9g of sugar per 100ml. For context, the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, sets the pace at 8.5g of protein per 100ml, leaving this coffee-first brand trailing on density. If you are tossing one of these into your supermarket trolley, grab the Strong Espresso + Protein for a morning caffeine hit that includes a moderate macro bump. We suggest skipping the Triple Shot entirely if you are actually looking for muscle recovery, as the sugar load heavily outweighs the functional benefit. These are convenient fridge grabs for commuters, but shoppers focused purely on macros will find leaner options a few doors down in the dairy aisle.
UP&GO
Bridging the gap between a quick morning meal and functional sports nutrition, the UP&GO Protein Energize line takes a familiar Australian breakfast format and bumps up the macros. You will find both of the 2 protein drinks we score right in the cereal or long life milk aisles at Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi. They rely heavily on a mix of skim milk powder and soy protein rather than the pure whey or casein blends seen elsewhere in the category. Across the 2 protein drinks we track here, the brand averages 7.2g of protein per 100ml and 6.5g of sugar per 100ml. That protein density is decent for a breakfast crossover, but falls short of the category leader, Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which pushes 8.5g of protein per 100ml. The standout in the lineup is UP&GO Protein Energize Vanilla, delivering 7.1g of protein per 100ml and 6.2g of sugar per 100ml. The UP&GO Protein Energize Choc Hit 500mL runs slightly sweeter, hitting 6.7g of sugar per 100ml alongside its 7.2g of protein per 100ml. If you are grabbing a quick liquid breakfast during your weekly Woolworths shop, these drinks do the job of getting some early protein in. However, they rely on added cane sugar, maltodextrin, and vegetable oils, which drags down their overall appeal compared to cleaner options in the fridge. Skip them if you want a lean recovery drink with minimal sugar, but keep them in mind as an accessible supermarket backup when you are rushing out the door.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best protein drink in Australia 2026?
- The best protein drink in Australia for 2026 is the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, which earns a perfect Protein Score of 10.0. It leads the category on protein density, delivering 8.5g of protein per 100ml, and is one of the leanest options available with just 0.2g of sugar per 100ml. It shares its top score with the Optimum Nutrition High Protein Shake range and several Rokeby Protein Smoothies, but the Musashi's combination of maximum protein and minimal sugar makes it our standout pick.
- Is Rokeby a good protein drink brand?
- We don't give nutritional advice, but on the numbers, Rokeby makes some of the best protein drinks in Australia for 2026. Several of their protein smoothies, including the Choc Honeycomb and Vanilla Wafer flavours, achieve a top Protein Score of 10.0. The Rokeby Protein Smoothie Vanilla Wafer is a standout, earning the highest Clean Score of 9.8 in the category for its simple ingredient list. While their protein content of 7.1g per 100ml is solid, it's their focus on clean formulas that sets them apart.
- Musashi vs Optimum Nutrition: which is better?
- Both Musashi and Optimum Nutrition produce top protein drinks, with products from both brands achieving a perfect Protein Score of 10.0. Musashi's Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake pulls ahead on protein density at 8.5g per 100ml and is extremely low in sugar at 0.2g per 100ml. The Optimum Nutrition High Protein Shake range is just behind on protein at 8.0g per 100ml, with a still-low 2.3g of sugar per 100ml across its flavours. Pick the Musashi Shred & Burn for the absolute highest protein density, or go with Optimum Nutrition for a slightly lower protein hit across more classic shake flavours.
- What is the best protein drink for weight loss?
- We don't give nutritional advice, and no single protein drink is a weight-loss product, but the data can help you choose a lean option. The Atkins Creamy Vanilla Protein Shake is low in sugar at just 0.02g per 100ml, but its protein content is also lower at 4.6g per 100ml. For a more powerful protein hit, our number one ranked Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake delivers 8.5g of protein per 100ml while keeping sugar to a tiny 0.2g per 100ml, making it a more satisfying option.
- Is UP&GO Protein Energize high in protein?
- The UP&GO Protein Energize Choc Hit contains 7.2g of protein per 100ml, which is a decent amount and certainly higher than standard breakfast drinks. However, when compared to the leading dedicated protein drinks, it falls short. The top options from Musashi and Optimum Nutrition deliver between 8.0g and 8.5g of protein per 100ml. The UP&GO also carries a higher sugar load at 6.7g per 100ml, so it's more of a convenient, protein-boosted drink than a high-performance protein supplement.
- How does ProteinScore rank protein drinks?
- Our Protein Score is a 0-10 rating that assesses the nutritional quality of a protein drink, not just its marketing claims. We analyse two key factors from the label: protein density, which is the amount of protein you get for the calories consumed, and the overall ingredient quality. We reward protein drinks with high protein-to-calorie ratios and penalise those with excessive sugar, saturated fat, or a long list of artificial additives and sweeteners. The score is designed to quickly show which products offer the most protein with the fewest nutritional compromises.
- Is Dare Protein Milk good?
- We can't say if it's a good choice for your specific needs, but on the numbers, the Dare Protein No Sugar Added Double Espresso is a mid-tier protein drink. It offers 6.0g of protein per 100ml, which is a step up from regular flavoured milk but well below the 8.5g per 100ml found in our top-ranked drinks. While it's marketed as having 'no added sugar', it still contains 4.6g of sugar per 100ml from milk's natural lactose and relies on artificial sweeteners for taste. It's an improvement on a standard iced coffee, but not a top protein supplement.
- What is the best low sugar protein drink?
- The lowest-sugar protein drink we scored is a tie between the Atkins Creamy Vanilla Protein Shake at 0.02g of sugar per 100ml and our number one pick, the Musashi Shred & Burn Chocolate Protein Shake, at 0.2g per 100ml. Both are lean and far below the category average. For context, many other protein drinks contain over 5g of sugar for the same amount. While both are great low-sugar choices, the Musashi drink provides nearly double the protein (8.5g vs 4.6g per 100ml), making it the more effective option for protein intake.