Plenty of people training for strength or endurance try to cut back on sugar for energy, weight goals or to feel better session to session, but some sugar replacements can leave a weird aftertaste or GI hiccups. The challenge is finding tasty sports supplements that stay low in sugar without leaning on artificial sweeteners.
Many brands now use stevia, fruit acids or tiny amounts of real sugar to keep flavor balanced and formulas clean, and several popular picks clearly state no artificial sweeteners on their labels. And while the science on sweeteners is still unfolding, if you’d rather skip artificial options, there are plenty of low-sugar supplements that deliver on taste.
Supplements & Protein Powder Without Artificial Sweeteners
What counts as an “artificial sweetener”?
On labels and in research, “artificial” usually refers to high-intensity, low- or no-calorie sweeteners like acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame and advantame. These are all FDA-approved for use in foods and supplements and contribute little to no calories.
Stevia falls into a gray zone. It’s plant-derived, but once the leaves are refined into purified steviol glycosides, they’re regulated in the U.S. alongside other high-intensity sweeteners.
Sugar alcohols, or polyols, such as erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol, belong to a different category and aren’t considered “artificial”. They add some calories, but because they’re only partly absorbed and fermented in the gut, they can cause GI side effects at higher intakes.
Then there are the “rare sugars,” like allulose. Allulose isn’t a sugar alcohol and provides about 0.4 kcal/g. The FDA even allows it to be excluded from total and added sugars on Nutrition Facts labels, which is why products using it can still read “0g added sugar”.
And it’s worth noting that rules shift depending on where you live. For instance, in Canada, monk fruit extract is only authorized as a table-top sweetener with specific labeling requirements, which makes its use in foods more limited than in the U.S..
Should you avoid artificial sweeteners? A balanced look
Artificial sweeteners get plenty of media buzz, but the trial data are surprisingly steady. When people swap sugar-sweetened drinks for low- or no-calorie versions, weight and related risk factors usually shift in a modest, helpful direction. Short- to medium-term safety signals also look neutral.
Still, guidance isn’t one-size-fits-all. The World Health Organization, for example, recommends against relying on non-sugar sweeteners as a primary weight-control tool because the long-term picture is still unclear, and observational studies are tricky because people who choose diet products often have different health goals or habits than those who don’t. That’s not a red flag for safety, it’s more of a reminder not to expect weight-loss magic.
Two hot research areas, cravings and the gut microbiome, are still unfolding. So far, short human trials using very high doses of sucralose haven’t shown consistent changes in blood sugar control or overall microbiome composition. Broader reviews, though, stress the need for longer and more carefully controlled studies.
If you tolerate artificial sweeteners and like the taste, swapping them in for sugar can be a simple way to cut calories. But if you’d rather skip them, there are plenty of powders and gummies that keep sugar low with stevia, monk fruit, fruit acids or small amounts of real sugar.
How to shop if you avoid artificial sweeteners
Scan the ingredient list. If you’re steering clear of artificial options, keep an eye out for the six FDA-approved high-intensity sweeteners: acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame and advantame.
Know your “natural” high-intensity sweeteners. Stevia (steviol glycosides) and monk fruit (luo han guo) come from plants, but because they’re extremely sweet in tiny amounts, they show up on labels in the same way as other high-intensity sweeteners. If your goal is to skip all high-intensity options, you’ll want to pass on these, too.
Watch sugar alcohols if you’re GI-sensitive. Erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol add bulk and sweetness, but because they’re only partly absorbed and fermented in the gut, they can cause gas or diarrhea if you overdo it.
Understand allulose on labels. Allulose is a rare sugar with about 0.4 kcal per gram. By FDA guidance, it doesn’t have to count toward “total” or “added” sugars on Nutrition and Supplement Facts panels.
Prioritize simple flavor systems. If you’d rather stick closer to “real food” taste, consider unflavored powders, products sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, or formulas that use a small amount of real sugar instead of artificial options.
Athletes: check for third-party testing. Certifications like NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport confirm that a product is screened for banned substances and made under tight quality controls, adding an extra layer of trust for clean-label supplements.
10 Sports Supplement Picks Without Artificial Sweeteners
Orgain Grass-Fed 21 g Whey Protein Powder, Pasture-Raised
Orgain’s grass-fed protein powder is made from pasture-raised New Zealand whey, which is a complete protein, ideal for rebuilding muscle tissues after a hard workout. It has a clean label with no artificial sweeteners and is free of preservatives, soy and gluten. It’s sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia.
Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder, Unflavored
This one is pure utility for athletes who want protein without sweeteners. The unflavored whey isolate delivers about 26g protein per scoop and the ingredient list is just whey protein isolate and soy lecithin with no sugars, flavors or sweeteners added. It disappears into oatmeal, soups, sauces or a shaker bottle after training when you want protein without taste or texture changes.
Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Powder, Lemonade
For training days, long runs or hot gyms, this is an easy hydration win. Each stick gives six electrolytes with zero sugar and zero calories, plus vitamin C and magnesium. It uses plant-based flavors and colors and explicitly calls out no artificial sweeteners. Mix one stick with a bottle of water and sip during workouts or between sessions to stay ahead of cramps and fatigue.
Levels Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean
Levels keeps it simple with cold-processed, grass-fed whey and sunflower lecithin for easy mixing into a pre- or post-workout shake. The label is fully transparent, with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and the vanilla bean flavor blends smoothly into shakes, oatmeal or even baked goods. This powder is sweetened with a touch of stevia leaf and monk fruit extracts and flavored with real vanilla.
Momentous Creatine (Creapure)
A clean, athlete-friendly creatine pick made with Creapure creatine monohydrate, which is the most well studied sports supplement with benefits for energy, muscle, joint and brain health. There are no additives or sweeteners, and it’s third-party certified by NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport. This creatine is unflavored for easy stacking with protein or electrolytes. Use 1 scoop (5 g) daily and focus on consistency across training blocks to get the best results.
Nature Made Energy B12 Gummies, Cherry
Useful when training volume climbs or if diet patterns make B12 intake inconsistent. Each serving provides 1,000 mcg vitamin B12 to support energy metabolism and healthy red blood cells, and the label clearly notes no artificial sweeteners, no synthetic dyes and no high-fructose corn syrup. Two gummies a day can help keep B12 status on track during heavier training blocks, with just 2g sugar from cane and tapioca syrup.
Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix, Ginger Turmeric
Cure’s plant-based electrolyte blend is designed for rapid hydration after working up a sweat and skips added sugar and artificial ingredients, sweetened instead with monk fruit and stevia. The ginger-turmeric flavor stands out from typical fruity mixes, offering something a little different for your workout or travel bag.
Codeage Multi Collagen Peptides Powder, Mocha With Kona Coffee
For athletes who want to support connective tissue alongside training, a collagen focused supplement is a great choice. This one from Codeage blends five collagen types from five sources and includes Kona instant coffee for a mocha flavor and caffeine kick, with about 8.4g protein and about 1g sugar per scoop. It is sweetened with stevia rather than artificial sweeteners and mixes well hot or over ice, which makes it easy to slot into a morning routine on lifting or running days.
Vitauthority Creatine+ Mind & Muscle Blend With BHB Ketones, Pineapple Coconut
This blend pairs 5g of creatine (per 2 scoops) with BHB ketones and coffee fruit extract to support physical performance and mental clarity. It’s sweetened with steviol glycosides and designed to boost strength, focus and endurance while staying free of artificial sweeteners, colors and dyes. The pineapple coconut flavor adds a tropical twist, and it’s Non-GMO.
Snap Supplements Nitric Oxide Gummies, Cherry
This is a pre-workout friendly beet-based option for lifters and endurance athletes who prefer gummies to powders. The formula combines beetroot and a small antioxidant blend to support nitric-oxide pathways and healthy circulation. It is sugar-free, relying on maltitol and isomalt as the sweeteners, with no artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame-K.
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