Clean Simple Eats Protein Review: Is It Really That Clean? (2024)

Hi, I’m Corey 👋🏽

As an ex NFL/CFL player and current personal trainer, I’ve put countless supplements to the test. I have a degree in Sports Administration and a passion for the science behind sports nutrition.

Plus, I’m backed by a wonderful team of doctors, dietitians, and athletes.

You can read more about our testing process here.

Psyched to try these!

Clean Simple Eats Protein Overview:

*Cost and ingredients may vary depending on the tub size, retailer, and flavor.

What Makes Clean Simple Eats Different?

Founded by nutrition specialists and fitness enthusiasts Erika and JJ, Clean Simple Eats is on a mission to revolutionize clean eating. They believe a delicious, macro-balanced diet is key to achieving sustainable health goals.

Clean Simple Eats offers a line of clean, all-natural protein powders and supplements without artificial ingredients. Their products are packed with vitamins and nutrients to nourish and fuel your body.

As busy parents themselves, Erika and JJ understand the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Through Clean Simple Eats, they aim to prove that clean eating can be simple, sustainable, and downright delicious.

The Performance Test:

As usual, we tested 8 factors in total. To learn more about our testing process, see here.

*Note: Averages are calculated using our proprietary database of 350+ protein powders.

Taste Test (7.25)

The Simply Vanilla flavor was a bit of a roller coaster, earning a score of 7 out of 10. In comparison, Ghost Whey Protein in Milk Chocolate scored higher at 8.5 for taste.

The Chocolate Brownie Batter was better, scoring a 7.5 out of 10. This beats out BSN SYNTHA-6 in Vanilla Ice Cream, which scored 7.25 for taste.

Both Clean Simple Eats flavors had a noticeable coconut oil taste from the MCT oil, which took some getting used to. However, Dymatize ISO100 outperformed both with a taste score of 7.4, without any unusual aftertaste.

Overall, Clean Simple Eats protein powder holds its own in terms of taste, but may not be for everyone. The flavors are solid, but the distinct MCT oil flavor could be a deal-breaker for some.

Trying the Simply Vanilla flavor

Trying the Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor

Nutritional Value (8.5)

Clean Simple Eats protein scored an impressive 8.5 out of 10 for nutritional value. This beats out competitors like Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein, which scored 6.5.

The company’s commitment to using only natural flavors and avoiding artificial ingredients is a standout feature. They also use stevia extract instead of sucralose, which is a healthier sweetener choice.

With 20g of protein per serving, Clean Simple Eats falls a bit short of some other brands like Dymatize ISO100, which packs 25g. However, Clean Simple Eats offers a solid, clean nutritional profile overall.

The only downsides are the slightly higher price compared to other proteins, and the inclusion of milk, soy, and tree nut allergens. But if you’re looking for a high-quality, natural protein powder and can afford the premium, Clean Simple Eats is a top contender.

Close up of the Simply Vanilla ingredients

Close up of the Chocolate Brownie Batter ingredients

Cost (7.5)

At $2 per serving or 10 cents per gram of protein, Clean Simple Eats is pricier than some competitors. This earned it a cost score of 7.5 out of 10.

For comparison, Ascent Whey Protein Powder offers 25g of protein per serving at just 7 cents per gram. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is even more affordable at 3 cents per gram.

However, Clean Simple Eats is similarly priced to other premium, grass-fed whey proteins like Naked Whey Protein Powder, at 5 cents per gram. The higher cost reflects the quality, clean ingredients.

So while Clean Simple Eats may not fit everyone’s budget, the price aligns with its high-end, natural formulation. If prioritizing clean nutrition is worth the premium for you, then the cost is justified. But if you’re looking to minimize your spend, there are certainly cheaper options available.

Here’s a look at how Clean Simple Eats compares on price:

*Prices will vary depending on tub size, time of purchase, and place of purchase.

Third Party Testing (10)

Clean Simple Eats protein powder receives top marks for third-party testing, earning a perfect 10 out of 10. The company uses two reputable labs, Contract Testing Laboratories of America and Summit Nutritional Laboratories, to verify purity and potency.

This commitment to independent testing sets Clean Simple Eats apart from competitors like Ghost and Ryse, which do not appear to conduct third-party testing based on available information.

In contrast, brands like Dymatize ISO100 and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey also score 10 out of 10 for their use of third-party labs. This adds an extra level of assurance for you as the consumer.

So if you value the peace of mind that comes with knowing your protein powder has been rigorously tested for quality and safety, Clean Simple Eats is a solid choice.

Brand Reputation (8)

Clean Simple Eats has built a strong reputation in the industry, earning it a brand reputation score of 8 out of 10. The company has amassed a loyal following of over 200,000 followers on social media.

However, at just 9 years old, Clean Simple Eats is a relative newcomer compared to industry veterans like Optimum Nutrition, which has been in business for 30+ years. This longevity gives Optimum Nutrition a slight edge in terms of established reputation.

That said, Clean Simple Eats has made impressive strides in a short time. Their commitment to clean, natural ingredients seems to have struck a chord with health-conscious consumers.

The company isn’t involved with any controversy or lawsuits, which have plagued some larger brands in the space. So while Clean Simple Eats may not have the same long-standing reputation as some competitors, it has quickly earned trust and loyalty among its dedicated fan base.

Clean Simple VS The Market

Let’s see how Clean Simple Eats compares to other proteins on the market:

As you can see, Clean Simple is one of the more expensive options on the market. It does, however, have fewer calories than many other options out there.

Here’s how it compares in terms of protein density, i.e. the % of calories from protein:

As you can see, Clean Simple is middle of the pack in terms of protein density. If you’re looking for a denser powder, you’re better off going with Transparent Labs or Dymatize which are 86% and 83% dense respectively.

Clean Simple Protein IS a Good Option if:

• You’re willing to pay a premium
• You’re not sensitive to milk, soy, tree nut allergens or coconut-based MCT oil.
• You prioritize clean, natural ingredients and want to avoid artificial flavors, sweeteners, and additives.

Simple Vanilla vs Chocolate Brownie Batter

Clean Simple is NOT a Good Option if:

• You have allergies or sensitivities to milk, soy, tree nuts, or coconut
• You’re on a tight budget and don’t want to spend $2 per serving or 10 cents per gram of protein.

Final Thoughts:

Clean Simple Eats is a top-notch protein powder for those who want a clean, natural supplement. It’s delicious, mixes smoothly, and provides 20g of grass-fed whey per serving to fuel your fitness.

The company’s dedication to quality, third-party testing, and avoiding artificial ingredients is impressive. However, it’s pricier than some other options and not suitable for those with certain allergies.

If you’re willing to invest in a premium, clean protein powder, you can pick up a bag of Clean Simple Eats from Amazon or directly from their website.

Until next time,
Coach Big C ✌🏽