Decided to bring this into its own thread instead of the hemp thread…just because.
Got my unsweetened protein, while it is probably not as harsh tasting as the hemp I just wanted to explore some sweeteners. Right now I usually get my protein sweetened with stevia. I like the stevia, but am not fully convinced it is the best for you and really do not have enough info to say either way. I am still using it btw.
The current protein I got was not processed with soy as most other whey proteins are.
So far sugar by far is the most effective and most cost efficient.
I have tried:
Raw Honey: This is my first choice when it comes to sweeteners for a host of things. Though it has a high sugar rating the benefits are off the chart. The problem is it just does not blend properly with protein powder in a shaker cup.
Pomegranate powder, this is real tasty and I like it, but as a sweetener for protein it is not powerful enough. For others things, depending on what it is, possibly.
Lucuma powder: this has potential, and has a much lower sugar rating (2g tbs) than honey (7g tsp) or sugar (4.2g tsp), but the quanity needed to sweeten protein powder it puts it right close with sugar (1.75-2tbs lucuma=1tsp sugar/honey. It has a maple like flavor to it. It would be good for pancakes or such, but not really for protein. Does have potential though.
Camu powder: Total fail on this one. Not a sweetener by far, very bitter but very high in vitamin c. Waste of money on this one.
Coconut Sugar: So far this is the best I have come across aside from stevia. I really like this stuff and it sweetens the protein to an acceptable level. Not perfect, but close. I can see using this as a sugar substitute in a variety of things. A tbs seems very close to a tsp of sugar when it comes to sweetening. Sugar is still sweeter, but I actually like this stuff better. A tbs of coconut sugar does have twice as much sugar a tsp of sugar however, but the selling point on this is that it is low glycemic and has and index rating of 35. Worth further exploration.
Stevia: So far this is the winner, as far as a protein powder sweetener, IF none of the obscure health concerns are true. I am using it, but am not fully convinced yet.