Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ Drink Mixed Berry
Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ Drink Mixed Berry: independently scored 9.9/10 on Protein Score and 8.0/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
30g protein per serve · 268 cal · 18.4g sugar · 260mg sodium · 400mL serve.
Overview
The standout number here is the total sugar: 18.4 grams in the full 400mL bottle. While none of that is added sugar - it's all naturally occurring lactose from the milk base - it's still a figure worth noting for anyone tracking their daily intake. This drink comfortably out-muscles standard flavoured milk, delivering 7.5g of protein per 100mL versus the typical 3-4g you'd find in the aisle. This Mixed Berry version sits right alongside the brand's Protein Smoothie Vanilla, sharing the exact same protein and sugar numbers. It's a consistent pattern across the Dairy Farmers protein smoothie lineup, where the core nutritionals barely shift between flavours. The choice really comes down to whether you prefer vanilla, chocolate, or berry, as the protein hit remains the same. We see a common strategy in the ingredient list for achieving a sweet taste without adding table sugar. The sweetness comes from artificial sweeteners (950, 951), a trade-off that keeps the nutrition panel looking sharp on the sugar front but won't suit shoppers who prefer to avoid them. The base is simple: reduced-fat milk and milk solids, which provide the high-quality dairy protein. As a chilled product found in the fridge at major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, it's built for convenience. It serves as a legitimate, ready-to-drink alternative to mixing a protein powder, making it an easy pick-up for a post-workout top-up or a filling afternoon snack at the office.
Protein Score: 9.9/10
This bottle lands firmly at the high-protein end of the ready-to-drink category. The 30 grams of protein packed into a single 400mL serve is a substantial figure that positions it as a genuine shake replacement, earning a 9/10. It delivers more than double the protein density of regular flavoured milks, making the protein claim credible. Its performance clears the category average for ready-to-drink products on our shelf. The protein-per-calorie metric is also strong, with 11.2 grams of protein for every 100 calories, meaning the energy you're consuming is working hard to deliver that protein headline. That 30-gram serve makes it a solid choice for post-workout recovery when you don't have a shaker handy. It's a complete, convenient dose of dairy protein that fits easily into a gym bag or work fridge without any prep.
Clean Score: 8.0/10
Dairy Farmers generally keeps its ingredient lists for these protein smoothies concise, and this Mixed Berry version is no exception. With 10 ingredients in total, it achieves a Clean Score/10. This reflects a relatively straightforward formulation for a flavoured drink designed for a long shelf life in the chiller. This score, which is ahead of the category average, is shaped by the inclusion of three additives. The list includes two artificial sweeteners (Acesulphame K, 950; Aspartame, 951) to deliver sweetness without added sugar, plus a colour (120) to give it a berry-like appearance. The trade-off for these additives is a smoothie that tastes sweet while keeping the sugar grams to only the naturally occurring lactose from milk. While ingredient-conscious shoppers might pause at the sweeteners, it represents a clean profile for the convenience and protein punch on offer.
Wins
- A substantial 30g of protein in a single 400mL bottle.
- Contains no added sugar, with sweetness from artificial sweeteners.
- More than double the protein of regular flavoured milk at 7.5g per 100mL.
Watch outs
- Contains 18.4g of sugar per bottle, all from milk lactose.
- Uses artificial sweeteners (950, 951) which some shoppers avoid.
- Includes carmine colour (120), which is derived from insects.
Ingredients
REDUCED FAT MILK, MILK SOLIDS, PREBIOTIC FIBRE (MILK), MIXED BERRY POWDER (0.4%) (STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY), NATURAL FLAVOURS, SWEETENERS (950, 951), COLOUR (120).
10 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sugar is actually in the whole bottle?
- A 400mL bottle of Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ Mixed Berry contains 18.4 grams of sugar. It's important to know that none of this is added sugar; it's all naturally occurring lactose from the milk and milk solids base. This is less than many standard flavoured milks, but still a notable amount. We think it's a fair trade-off for the high protein content, but something to be aware of if you're tracking sugar intake closely.
- Is this a good option for post-workout recovery?
- Yes, with 30 grams of protein per bottle, it's a very effective option for post-workout recovery. This amount of high-quality dairy protein is substantial and aligns with what many people aim for after a training session to support muscle repair. Its ready-to-drink format makes it incredibly convenient when you don't have time to mix a powder. We'd grab it for an easy, no-fuss protein hit on the way home from the gym.
- How does this Mixed Berry version compare to other Dairy Farmers smoothies?
- This Mixed Berry flavour has a nearly identical nutritional profile to others in the Dairy Farmers protein smoothie range. For example, it matches the Protein Smoothie Vanilla version with the same 7.5g of protein and 4.6g of sugar per 100mL. This consistency means you can choose based on your flavour preference without worrying about a different nutritional outcome. In our view, you should just pick the flavour you like best.
- Where can I buy this protein smoothie?
- Dairy Farmers Protein Smoothie+ is a chilled product typically stocked in the dairy or drinks fridge at major Australian supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths. Because it needs to be kept cold, you won't find it on the ambient shelves with long-life drinks. It's designed for convenience, so it's usually easy to find during a regular grocery shop. The brand may also sell it directly from their own website.
- What sweeteners are used in this drink?
- This smoothie uses two artificial sweeteners: Acesulphame Potassium (950) and Aspartame (951). These are included to provide a sweet taste without adding any cane sugar, which helps keep the total sugar count limited to the naturally occurring lactose from milk. The use of these additives is common in the category for flavouring. For shoppers who are comfortable with these sweeteners, it's an effective way to get a sweet-tasting, high-protein drink.