Chocolate or vanilla protein: how to choose

Flavor is the first thing most people think about with protein powder, but chocolate and vanilla versions of the same brand can differ on the label too. Here are the numbers from our own products, so you can compare them side by side.

Compare the labels, not just the flavor

Per serving, as listed on each product page:

• Pure3 Chocolate (whey): 18 g protein, 90 calories, 2 g carbohydrate, 1 g sugars, 28 servings
• Pure3 Vanilla (whey): 19 g protein, 90 calories, 2 g carbohydrate, 2 g sugars, 28 servings
• Advanced Whey Chocolate (2 scoops): 22 g protein, 120 calories, 4 g carbohydrate, 24 servings
• Advanced Whey Vanilla (2 scoops): 22 g protein, 120 calories, 5 g carbohydrate, 2 g sugars, 24 servings
• PlantFuel Chocolate (2 scoops): 21 g protein, 110 calories, 4 g carbohydrate, 1 g sugars, 24 servings
• PlantFuel Vanilla (2 scoops): 20 g protein, 110 calories, 6 g carbohydrate, 4 g sugars, 24 servings

What makes the flavor

On the whey labels, natural flavors give the taste, and chocolate versions of Advanced Whey and PlantFuel also list cocoa powders. Vanilla versions list natural flavors without cocoa. All of them are sweetened with stevia extract.

Think about how you will use it

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Will you mix it with water only, or blend it into a smoothie or coffee? Chocolate is a common choice for coffee and banana shakes, while vanilla is easy to pair with fruit or oats.
• Do you want one tub for many uses? Vanilla is often the flexible choice.
• Do you want a lower-sugar option? Compare the sugars line on each label, as shown above.

Whey or plant

Pure3 and Advanced Whey are whey protein isolate and contain milk. PlantFuel is built from fava bean protein isolate and fermented nutritional yeast protein. Pick the source first, then the flavor.

How to try one

Adults mix the serving on the label with 6-8 oz of water or a favorite beverage. If you are not sure you will like a flavor, start with one container and compare the next flavor after.

Questions people ask

Does chocolate have more calories than vanilla?

Not always. Pure3 Chocolate and Vanilla both list 90 calories per scoop, and each PlantFuel flavor lists 110 calories per serving. Advanced Whey lists 120 for both.

Which flavor has less sugar?

Read the sugars line on each label. Of the six above, PlantFuel Chocolate and Pure3 Chocolate list 1 g, and PlantFuel Vanilla lists 4 g.

Do the flavors have the same protein?

Close, but not always identical. Check the protein line for the flavor you pick.

Which one is plant-based?

PlantFuel, in both chocolate and vanilla.

Pure3 Chocolate · Pure3 Vanilla · Advanced Whey Chocolate · Advanced Whey Vanilla · PlantFuel Chocolate · PlantFuel Vanilla · Protein powder guide · Take the 60-second quiz

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.