Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Oath Nutrition Clear Protein, a protein powder that's breaking all the rules. Imagine a protein shake that looks like juice, tastes like a blue raspberry popsicle, and claims to have zero added sugar. Sounds impressive, right? But Jenn's not just taking their word for it, she’s making an informed decision based on the nutrition label by asking questions like what exactly is the "acidification process" they use? Why are there three different sweeteners if there's no added sugar? And hold on—why is the spirulina only there for color when it could actually be adding nutrients? Jenn digs into the science, the marketing, and the ingredient label to figure out if this Instagram-worthy protein powder is the real deal or just another pretty package. The verdict might surprise you. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/       

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KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Oath Nutrition Clear Protein, Clear Protein Powder, Whey Protein Isolate, Protein Supplement Review, Clear Whey Protein, Hydrolyzed Protein, Branch Chain Amino Acids, Leucine For Muscle Recovery, Protein Synthesis, Grass Fed Whey, Low Sugar Protein Powder, Artificial Sweeteners In Supplements, Sucralose Protein Powder, Natural Flavors, Coconut Milk Powder, Spirulina For Color, Monk Fruit Extract, Stevia Sweetener, Protein Powder Ingredients, Bioavailable Protein, Muscle Recovery Supplements, Daily Protein Intake, Protein Requirements, Grams Of Protein Per Pound, Complete Protein Source, Sports Nutrition Supplements, Post Workout Protein, Protein Absorption Rates, Nutrition Facts Label, Added Sugar Alternatives, Sugar Free Protein, Blue Raspberry Flavor, Fruity Protein Flavors, Protein Powder Alternatives, Whole Food Nutrition, Macro Ratios, Weight Loss Supplements, Digestive Health, Food Sensitivities, Best Clear Whey Protein Isolate For Muscle Recovery, How To Choose A Protein Powder Without Added Sugar

[00:00:28] Now, I heard about this one through a college friend. We were out of town on a girl's weekend, and of course, the topic of supplements and protein came up. I don't know, I don't think that's just me because of what I do in the, in the world for a living. I think it comes up for everybody these days. Anyway, my friend Stephanie said she found one that she loves, and it was a brand that I hadn't heard of, so.

[00:01:11] Hmm. I think we're gonna need more information than we're gonna get from this Amazon sales page. So I went to their website and then it found, they actually have quite a few products. There's the clear protein. They also have a whey protein, a pre-workout, a hydration packet, and that's just what they're highlighting on their homepage.

[00:01:57] Have those properties because of chemistry. [00:02:00] So then I'm like, well, what have you done to this to change that? Anyway? Then they go on, they highlight their science. So I'm like, okay, I keep scrolling. They say, okay, so it's called Clear Way. I have never heard of this before. Hailey, have you heard of it? Yeah.

[00:02:42] This light clear base then provides the perfect canvas to create fruity, delicious concoctions that your muscles will soak up with joy. So as I think about this, I'm still not a hundred percent sure my brain goes to the word clarified. I'm thinking about how, you know, like how [00:03:00] clarified butter is made where you heat it and then they take away like all of the solids, and so then I'm thinking, is that what they're doing here?

[00:03:30] Then they give another answer and they call this the nerdy answer. So maybe that's, maybe that's really what I'm looking for here. It says, clear whey is a whey protein isolate that's undergone an acidification and purification process to lower its pH value in viscosity. This process increases the overall clarity of the protein while creating a light neutral tasting base well suited for crafting a variety of flavors and like all whey proteins.

[00:04:23] They also don't say anything about owning the patent on it or that would prevent other brands from using it. I did a quick, you know, little search. There are a couple companies using what they're calling clear protein. Those brands described it as hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, and we often talk about hydrolyzed protein with collagen because it's essentially a smaller peptide size.

[00:05:13] And then they tell some other benefits of using whey versus other kinds of protein. Now, I do appreciate that they talk about. You know how much protein is in there and that, you know, they kind of dig into this when they go to give the guidelines of how much protein a person needs. I do give them kudos.

[00:05:47] I appreciate their updated guideline there. But it's interesting 'cause all of the research that the rest of their stuff links to is not research specifically on this clear protein thing. It's just done whey protein. Alright, let's go to this [00:06:00] flavor and look at the nutrition facts. So it was the blue raspberry flavor.

[00:06:27] Okay. On their package, they're also touting no added sugar developed by experts in sports nutrition, grass fed way. Nutrition facts. One scoop goes in 14 to 16 ounces of water. It has a hundred calories, 0.5 grams of total fat, all of which is saturated fat. Two grams of carbs, one gram coming from sugar, but they say it's not added sugar.

[00:07:22] If I'm right. We're gonna see some sweeteners in the ingredients, and then this probably means we may not wanna have this every single day. We certainly probably don't wanna have it a couple times a day. So the ingredients, it's this whey protein isolate, coconut milk powder, which is made of coconut milk, tapioca maltodextrin, coconut oil, and acacia fiber.

[00:08:09] That there aren't necessarily so many added sweeteners either, and this one has at least three different sweeteners that they're, you know, three that they're listing. And while these sweeteners are low glycemic, they may not impact your blood sugar. They certainly keep us addicted to those sweet flavors and craving more sugar.

[00:08:46] I think the fat is probably coming from the coconut milk protein. It's funny that the spirulina, which is an awesome ingredient, but they're explicitly saying it's only for color. Meanwhile, if they added more of it, it would give them more protein. It would give them [00:09:00] some of the micronutrients that aren't in there at all.

[00:09:24] So all in. We're getting just shy of three ounces of protein, but that's really it. So you're getting some sweeteners in there. And I think to round this out for a snack, if you're gonna choose it, you're gonna wanna make sure that you're getting some fiber. So think veggies or fruit, this blue raspberry flavor, I don't know what I would pair with that.

[00:10:07] And in theory that could be really interesting, except that's where we get into that constant citric acid. And even the maleic acid exposure to the teeth is probably not serving us so. It's not a hard no for me on this one. I just think, I don't know. Definitely take a look at the label of each flavor and then decide if it's a fit for you.

[00:10:31] Dr. Haley Parker: Oh, I knew you were gonna ask me. I'm listening to all of that and I'm like, well, you know, it's with these new products, it's always, it's hard like. There's some delays before there would be a recall or like we wouldn't necessarily have the research behind it. I'm a proponent of try it, you might like it, but then I'm also coming from more of a natural base of like, your body really can absorb bioavailable nutrition from like Whole Foods.

[00:10:58] Dr. Haley Parker: And so. [00:11:00] Understandably, and we're we're lucky in this modern environment to have some modifications to our diet so that, you know, people with food sensitivities or allergies can still enjoy some of the most delectable foods that we have here, right. Than we could, you know, in the past. Yeah. But. Not necessarily does our body see it as food.

[00:11:41] Even blueberry flavor, but at the same time, to your point, jury's still out a little bit.

[00:11:59] But that's the scoop. [00:12:00] Nutrition, clear protein. Steph likes it. Maybe that's enough of a seal of approval for you if you wanna try it. If you do, try it. Let us know. I'm super curious what you experience with it. And then of course, if you want us to look at some of the other products from this company, reach out, let us know.

[00:12:42] Dr. Haley Parker, thank you again for joining us this week.

[00:12:50] Jenn Trepeck: Likewise. I appreciate it. Friends, if you are not already a member, join us in the Happy Healthy Hub. You'll go to a salad with the side of fries.com/membership.[00:13:00]

[00:13:22] Congratulations for making yourself and your health a priority. Thanks so much for joining us. Be sure to click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform. Share us with a friend and we'll be back next week. Always remember you deserve it and you are worth it. Happy, healthy.