My Hunt For The Best Canadian Whey Protein Powder

Posted by New York Times Bestselling Author and Founder of Clear Medicine, Natasha Turner on 28th Mar 2025

When talk of the tariffs came into effect, I immediately began my search for a Canadian whey protein. As the Founder of Clear Medicine and Formulator of the Clear Medicine Supplement Line I am proud to report most of our product formulations and recommended products are Canadian but we do have a few exceptions. One is our customer favorite – Dream Protein. Now, I chose this as my recommended whey protein over 16 years ago because I felt it had the highest nutritional value, and it also met these crucial criteria that I feel must be in a whey product, especially as we typically consume it daily:
• Sourced from grass-fed cows which makes the whey higher in nutrients and less inflammatory

• Is free of added growth hormones (rBGH) and antibiotics

• Is free of artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium K as well as sugar alcohols

• GMO free

• Pesticide free

• No artificial colors

• Is processed in such a way that is free from high-heat processing which denatures the protein and reduces the biologically active elements of the powder.

• Is rich in immunoglobulins to assist with the immune response and inflammation

• Provides a source of whey that is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids

• Dream protein is unique in that it also provides Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) prebiotic fibre that supports healthy digestion and the gut wall permeability, immunity and gut inflammation. It does not cause bloating or GI upset.

So, with the tariffs and newfound pride in shopping Canadian – I hunted for options in Canada that included similar ingredients, were free of the harmful ingredients and also created using low temperature processing. I found four. It is incredible how many unhealthy options are out there!

I want to begin by expressing that all four of these companies must be commended for making great products. They are well above the curve for meeting the criteria I just listed. The customer service I experienced from each was also exceptional and the samples I received helped me complete my search. I can say that taste and mixing was not a deterrent in any of the brands as each one of them taste good and mix well - without needing a blender, simply in a shaker cup with water. For consistency, I consumed each protein powder sample with my creatine formula (Clear Recovery), 15 grams of marine collagen + 500mg vitamin C powder, and a soluble fiber supplement before my strength training workout every day.

I am a research nut and always looking to find the absolute best when it comes to foods, supplements – or anything wellness in fact – including skincare too. In the following chart you will find a breakdown of my deep dive into all four options as compared to Dream Protein when it comes to ingredients, nutrition info per serving, protein per serving and cost - right to the gram of protein! While I can confidently say I would be happy if you selected any one of these Canadian brands – this summary should help you to see how I determined my number one Canadian choice.

Brand and flavour	Prairie Naturals - lean whey vanilla	ATP Lab Performance - vanilla	Plain Nutrition Whey - Vanilla	Gruppo - vanilla	Dream Protein - vanilla
Country of Origin	Canadian	Canadian	Canadian	Canadian	USA
Ingredients	whey protein concentrate, xanthan gum, natural ice cream flavour, stevia, whey protein isolate, papain, bromelain, enzyme blend ( lipase, amylase, cellulase, protease)	whey protein isolate Non-medicinal ingredients:nNatural vanilla flavour, Stevia rebaudiana leaf, Xanthan Gum	grass-fed whey protein concentrate, catural plant-Based vanilla flavour, stevia, sea Ssalt, non-GMO sunflower lecithin	whey protein isolate, natural flavour, sunflower lecithin, stevia	whey protein Isolate (milk), whey protein concentrate (milk), fructooligosaccharides, anthan gum, stevia extract. natural vanilla flavour (creamy french vanilla)
whey protein source in bottle	concentrate and isolate - 30 servings of 24 grams protein/32 gram scoop serving	isolate - 30 servings of 26 grams protein /30 gram scoop serving	concentrate - 33 servings of 23 grams protein /30 gram scoop serving	isolate - 39 servings of 20 grams protein /24 gram scoop serving	isolate and concentrate - 30 servings 20 grams protein /25 gram scoop serving
serving size in grams; botte size in grams and number of servings per bottle	Per 32 gram serving - 2 scoops - 908 gram bottle - 30 servings	Per 30 gram serving - 1 scoop - 900 gram bottle - 30 servings	Per 30 gram serving - 2 scoops - 990 gram package - 33 servings per container	Per 24 gram serving - 1 scoop - 930 gram bag – 39 servings	Per 25 gram serving - 1 scoop - 750 gram bottle - 30 servings
Color Legend	Second Choice/highest		First Choice/highest
Nutrition info	fat 2.5 grams/carbs 2 gr/ protein 24 g/ fibre 0 g/ sodium 150 mg / potassium 125 mg / calcium 175 mg / calories 130	fat - 0.7 grams, carb 2.6 grams / protein 26 grams/ fibre 0.8 grams/ sodium 78 mg/ potassium 110 mg / calcium 90 mg / calories 121	fat - 3 grams/carbs 2 grams/ protein 23 grams/ fibre 0 grams/ sodium 38 mg/ potassium 0 mg/ calcium 97 mg/ calories 135	fat - 0 g/ carbs 2 grams/ protein 20 grams/ fibre 0 grams/ sodium 120 mg/ potassium 10 mg/calcium 20 mg / calories 90	fat 0 g/carbs 3 grams/protein 20 grams/fibre 1 gram/sodium 40 mg/potassium 135 mg /calcium 120 mg /calories 90
Amino Acid Profile
glutamic acid	4.03	4.89	3.80	3.50	4.55
leucine	2.10	2.79	2.40	2.90	2.71
isoleucine	1.44	1.59	1.30	1.30	1.70
valine	1.34	1.30	1.30	1.10	1.52
Pricing
*price per bottle	$63.50	$66.69	$54.99	$69.95	$74.65
price per serving	$2.12	$2.22	$1.67	$1.75	$2.49
price per gram protein	$0.09	$0.09	$0.07	$0.09	$0.12
Conclusion	Tastes great, mixes well, good value for the quality of the product - second highest in valine. Third highest in glutamic acid and isoleucine - Highest in calcium per serving and good dose of potassium. Contains enzymes to assist in digestion and absorption. Slightly higher in fat and in calories.	My Canadian choice - contains fibre - only other option which does besides Dream Protein; decent dose of calcium and potassium, highest amount of protein per serving - highest amount of glutamic acid - second highest for leucine and isoleucine and third highest for valine - overall best most rounded choice - lucky too as it tastes great and mixed well with metal whisk in 20 ounce shaker cup - shake well otherwise clumping .	Lowest in price but lowest in amino acid profile as well as highest in fat and lactose due to being 100% concentrate - Great biodegradable packaging; mixes well tastes good. Concentrates are always cheaper than isolates.	Highest in leucine - the most anabolic amino; lowest in the other three BCAA's and from my research it is important to have a balanced source; lowest in calcium and potassium ; matches Dream in calories per serving and grams protein per serving ; very mild taste - not sweet - mixes well.	My choice for many years - Second highest in glutamic acid and highest in isoleucine and valine - third in leucine - highest in fibre and potassium - second highest in calcium - lowest in calories - highest in price but also the best in nutritional quality - and USA made – very little lactose -only source that contains a prebiotic; mixes great, taste great.

*Pricing information from time article was written (March 2025).

So the take home message is that my favourite Canadian whey protein isolate is atp lab Performance. Now you have a choice of both a great USA and Canadian product on shop.clearmedicine.com, with a complete explanation about why.