It’s been some time since my last protein powder review, which focused on a plant-based option. For the past few years, however, I’ve been a fan of Raw Sport, and I’d like to share why.
The Evolution of Protein Powders
Those who remember protein supplements from 20-30 years ago remember the struggle—protein tasted like “a homeless man’s flip-flop”! Thankfully, those days are long gone.
Modern whey protein is smooth, and flavour options have expanded far beyond the original chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry (which, honestly, deserved names like “I can’t believe it’s chocolate,” “Dulux cream,” and “If you think this is strawberry, you need to check yourself in”).
Why Raw Sport?
I initially chose Raw Sport Grass Fed Protein Powder PRO because it was started by a nutritionalist and the clean ingredient profile:
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Third-party tested
- No added sugars
- Free from heavy metals
Their “Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder Pro” ultimately sealed the deal for me.
What Makes It Stand Out?
1. Taste
Raw Sport scores highly in this department, especially if you make your protein shake the way I do (for Chocolate flavour), Ingredients I use are as follows;
- Ice
- Coconut milk
- Nut butter (1-2 tablespoons)
- Half a banana
- 1-2 scoops of chocolate whey
This combination tastes like a Snickers bar! However, Raw Sport’s chocolate whey is enjoyable even on its own with just water, especially when mixed in a PROMiXX shaker check out my review here.
2. Texture
Smoothness isn’t much of a differentiator these days—we’ve thankfully moved past the lumpy formulations of the 90s. Raw Sport delivers a perfectly smooth texture, as expected from a quality modern product. While I haven’t tried their plant-based options (which typically struggle more with texture), I suspect they maintain their high standards there as well.
Ingredients to Avoid in Protein Powders
When selecting protein supplements, I’m also conscious of what I don’t want:
1. Soy Protein
While soy is a complete plant protein, much of it is genetically modified and exposed to pesticides. It contains isoflavones (phytoestrogen compounds) that mimic estrogen and can function as endocrine disruptors, potentially causing hormonal imbalances.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
Common artificial sweeteners include:
- Sucralose*
- Aspartame
- Neotame
- Acesulfame K
These unnatural chemicals can cause negative effects ranging from headaches and digestive issues to mood swings and weight gain.
*Note: Raw Sport does use sucralose which, while artificial, doesn’t affect blood sugar levels. I personally overlook this given the product’s other benefits.
3. Thickeners & Gums
Many manufacturers use cheap thickening agents like xanthan gum (often derived from soy, corn, and wheat) which can cause bloating and gas for some people.
Beneficial Probiotics
A standout feature of Raw Sport’s whey protein is its probiotic content, including:
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
These probiotic strains support gut health, improve digestion, and contribute to overall well-being by maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria, something I recently wrote about in this blog post – The foundation of fitness, why gut health matters more than we thought. Each strain offers unique benefits like immune support, allergy relief, and cholesterol management.
Bottom Line
Raw Sport Whey Protein delivers excellent taste, texture, and nutritional quality with the added benefit of probiotics for gut health. While not perfect (due to the inclusion of sucralose), it represents one of the better options currently available for those seeking a clean, effective protein supplement.
It took me 20 years to start scrutinising ingredient labels properly—don’t wait that long! Learn which ingredients to avoid and make informed decisions about your supplements today.
At the time of writing RawSport have a 20% off for new customers, check out their full range at RawSport!
