What is Clear Protein? Everything you should know at a glance

Q: Why is Clear Protein clear and not creamy?

Hydrolysis breaks the protein building blocks down small enough to dissolve completely in water. In addition, Clear Protein contains no milk fats or emulsifiers that would create a creamy texture.

Q: What does Clear Protein taste like?

Clear Protein tastes fruity and refreshing – similar to juice or iced tea – rather than creamy or milky.

Q: Is Clear Protein vegan?

It depends on the protein source. Clear Whey is based on whey protein and is not vegan. Plant-based Clear Protein such as our nutri+ Clear VHEY® made from pea protein is vegan.

Q: Why are amino acids sometimes added?

Some Clear Protein drinks – especially plant-based ones such as pea protein – do not contain all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. To achieve a complete amino acid profile, the missing amino acids are specifically added, ensuring the body receives all the building blocks it needs to build proteins.

Q: Where can I buy Clear Protein?

Clear Protein is available online at many supplement shops, for example at nutri+, as well as in selected fitness and sports stores.

Clear Protein is a refreshing protein drink based on hydrolyzed protein that differs significantly from classic protein shakes. While conventional protein powders are usually creamy and milky, Clear Protein is more similar to juice or iced tea in both taste and appearance. This makes Clear Protein especially light and refreshing – a characteristic that is making the drink increasingly popular in the fitness and sports sector.

Many athletes use Clear Protein to meet their daily protein needs without having to rely on “heavy” shakes. Thanks to its clear consistency and fruity flavors, the drink is also ideal as a refreshing alternative after workouts or throughout the day.

In short:

Clear Protein is a protein drink made from hydrolyzed protein.

It tastes fruity instead of creamy and is more reminiscent of juice or iced tea.

Ideal for anyone looking for a refreshing alternative to classic shakes.

Clear Protein: Definition and Production

Clear Protein is a protein drink with a clear, fruity-refreshing consistency. Unlike classic whey or vegan shakes, which are usually creamy and milky, Clear Whey or plant-based Clear Protein offers a light, transparent alternative.

The base is usually whey protein hydrolysate (whey) or a plant-based protein hydrolysate, for example hydrolyzed pea protein. During production, the protein undergoes a process called hydrolysis. In this process, the long protein structures are broken down into smaller peptides – meaning the protein is already “pre-digested”.

Advantages of hydrolyzed protein:

Better solubility in water
Clear consistency instead of milky
Faster absorption in the body
Particularly easy to digest

Due to hydrolysis, Clear Protein products also differ technically from classic whey protein: they contain no milk components and require no emulsifiers for a creamy texture. This keeps the drink light, refreshing, and ideal for quick protein intake throughout the day or after training.

How does Clear Protein differ from classic protein powder / vegan protein powder?

Product	Clear Protein	Classic protein powder
Consistency	Clear, like juice or iced tea	Creamy, milky
Taste	Fruity, refreshing	Sweet, milky (e.g. chocolate, vanilla)
Base	Protein hydrolysate	Whey or plant-based protein isolate/concentrate
Fat content	Usually 0 g	Variable (0.5–3 g)
Digestibility	Very good (already “pre-digested” through hydrolysis)	Variable, depending on the protein source
Tolerability	Particularly good, even for sensitive stomachs	Can be harder to digest, depending on the protein source
Perfect as	Summer shake, more variety, post-workout shake	Classic post-workout shake, meal replacement, base for creamy recipes

What makes Clear Protein special?

Refreshing taste: Fruity and light alternative to creamy, milky shakes
Low-calorie formula: Many products contain little to no fat and low amounts of sugar.
Fast digestibility: Due to hydrolysis, the protein is absorbed more quickly and is usually easy to digest.
Versatile use: Whether after workouts, as a snack, or as a refreshing drink in summer
Low in lactose or lactose-free: Depending on the base, also suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
Wide variety of flavors: Instead of classic chocolate or vanilla flavors, fruity options such as mango or apple are available.
High protein content and high biological value: Partly supported by added amino acids, proteins contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.

Who is Clear Protein suitable for?

Clear Protein is especially suitable for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want more variety in taste and are looking for a light alternative to creamy shakes. Its fruity, light character makes Clear Protein ideal for anyone who doesn’t like creamy shakes or consciously prefers something refreshing after training – especially after intense sessions or on hot summer days.

Clear Protein can also be a suitable option for people with lactose intolerance or for vegans – provided it is a plant-based variant such as our Clear VHEY® Protein. It is naturally lactose-free and contains no animal-derived ingredients. This makes it a well-tolerated, light protein source for both target groups.

How is Clear Protein prepared? – Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Add 20–30 g of Clear Protein powder to a shaker.

Step 2: Add 300–500 ml of cold water (depending on the desired intensity) – do not use milk or plant-based drinks, as this will remove the clear appearance and refreshing character.

Step 3: Shake vigorously (approx. 20–30 seconds) until the powder is completely dissolved.

Step 4: Let it sit briefly so the foam can settle.

Step 5: Enjoy ice cold.

Tip: To create a refreshing, protein-rich lemonade, mix the powder with 250 ml still water and shake until fully dissolved. Then add 250 ml sparkling water on top – and your protein lemonade is ready. Serve with ice cubes for extra refreshment. Give it a try!

Buying Clear Protein – what should I look for?

If you want to buy Clear Protein, you should check the following points:

Protein source: Make sure whether it is a whey hydrolysate or a plant-based protein hydrolysate.

Protein content per serving: A good serving should ideally provide at least 13 grams of protein.

Optimal amino acid profile: For single proteins such as pea protein, check whether amino acids have been added, as pea protein contains only low amounts of L-methionine and L-cysteine.

Additives: High-quality products are free from unnecessary additives. A short ingredient list usually indicates better quality.

Flavors: Since Clear Protein thrives on taste, it’s worth checking the available varieties.

Vegan or non-vegan: Depending on your diet, you should check whether the product suits you. Plant-based variants are suitable for vegans, whereas whey products are not.

Laboratory-tested quality: Ideally, the product is independently tested and meets high quality and purity standards. This ensures safety and transparency.

If you are looking for a vegan Clear Protein, nutri+ Clear VHEY® Protein is a high-quality option. nutri+ Clear VHEY® Protein is based on pea protein hydrolysate and provides 14 g of protein per serving. Clear VHEY® Protein therefore helps support your protein needs. It is fat-free, low in sugar, and free from soy, gluten, and lactose, making it ideal for intolerances or allergies. It is also available in three fruity-refreshing flavors.

Proteins contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and to the maintenance of normal bones.

Clear Protein recipes – creative ideas

Protein Slushy

Ingredients (for 2 glasses)

Approx. 10 ice cubes
100 ml water
30 g Clear VHEY® Ice Tea Peach or another flavor

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Put the ice cubes together with some water and our vegan Clear VHEY® into a blender.
Set the blender to the highest setting.
Pour your protein slushy into a nice glass and garnish with some fruit.

FAQ: Clear Protein

Why is Clear Protein clear and not creamy?

Hydrolysis ensures that the protein building blocks are small enough to dissolve completely in water. In addition, Clear Protein contains no milk fats or emulsifiers that would create a creamy texture.

What does Clear Protein taste like?

Clear Protein tastes fruity and refreshing – similar to juice or iced tea – and not creamy or milky.

Is Clear Protein vegan?

That depends on the protein source. Clear Whey is based on whey protein and is not vegan. Plant-based Clear Protein such as our nutri+ Clear VHEY® based on pea protein is vegan.

Is Clear Protein better than regular protein powder?

Clear Protein is not better or worse than conventional protein powder, but simply different. Clear Protein is lighter and more refreshing, while classic protein shakes are creamier and often more filling. The choice depends on your personal preferences.

Why are amino acids sometimes added?

Some Clear Protein drinks, especially plant-based ones such as pea protein, do not contain all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. To achieve a complete amino acid profile, these missing amino acids are specifically added. This provides the body with all the necessary building blocks for protein synthesis.

Where can I buy Clear Protein?

You can buy Clear Protein online from many supplement shops, for example at nutri+, as well as in selected fitness and sports stores.

Sources:

Li, W., Dong, W., Tian, C., Zhao, Y., & Li, Y. (2025). Hydrolysis behavior evaluation of sports protein supplements with different composition and dosage forms: In vitro dynamic gastric digestion. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 215, 117274.

Prado S, Kamm A, Dannenberg K, Keidel I, Castro-Alves V, Hyötyläinen T, Lentjes M, Repsilber D, Marques TM, Brummer RJ. Effects of incrementally increased plant-based protein intake on gut microbiota and inflammatory-metabolic biomarkers in healthy adults. Food Funct. 2026 Jan 26;17(2):942-956.