Both brands sell “clean” protein powders with short ingredient lists. They are built differently, and independent reviewers disagree on taste and texture. This comparison uses three outside sources: a 20-powder test, a label-by-label vanilla comparison, and a dietitian roundup.
The short answer
- Pick Truvani if you want the shorter list and fewer calories per serving, and monk fruit doesn’t bother you.
- Pick Just Ingredients if you want a richer, creamier formula with more flavors and don’t mind a longer list.
- Check the label first if you have allergies. Just Ingredients’ vanilla vegan label names almonds and coconut.
First, which Just Ingredients?
Just Ingredients sells two kinds of powder, and the sources reviewed different ones.
- The Protein Powder Guru tested a whey and plant blend. It lists whey isolate, pea, pumpkin seed, chia and collagen.
- The dietitians and allaboutgame.blog looked at the vegan powder.
So “Just Ingredients vs Truvani” means something different depending on which one you buy. Truvani is a plant-only powder.
Ingredients
| Just Ingredients (chocolate, whey + plant) | Truvani (chocolate, plant) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | 10 | 6 |
| Protein source | Whey isolate, pea, pumpkin seed, chia, collagen | Pea, pumpkin seed, chia |
| Sweetener | Stevia, monk fruit | Monk fruit |
| Protein per serving | 24 g | 20 g |
| Third-party tested | Yes | Yes |
| Price per serving | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Flavors | 19 | 11 |
Source: The Protein Powder Guru’s test.
The vegan Just Ingredients formula is different again. The Real Food Dietitians list it with watermelon seed, pea, chia and pumpkin seed protein, plus coconut milk and MCT oil. They put it at about $2.40 per serving and say it is certified gluten-free and free of soy, dairy, eggs and peanuts.
The two sources disagree on the vegan protein blend. allaboutgame.blog (October 2026) lists almond, pea, pumpkin seed and chia for the vanilla version. The dietitian roundup is older (updated September 2025). Formulas can change by flavor and package revision, so read the label on the bag you buy.
The vanilla label numbers
allaboutgame.blog compared the vanilla plant-based labels:
| Just Ingredients Vegan Vanilla Bean | Truvani Vanilla | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 2 scoops (53.7 g) | 1 scoop (29 g) |
| Protein | 20 g | 20 g |
| Calories | 250 | 130 |
| Total sugar | 3 g | 2 g |
| Added sugar | 0 g | 0 g |
Both say 20 g of protein, but the amount of powder behind it differs. By my math, Just Ingredients delivers about 0.37 g of protein per gram of powder, and Truvani about 0.69 g. That works out to roughly 12.5 calories per gram of protein versus 6.5.
The reason is Just Ingredients’ coconut milk powder and MCT oil. They add fat and calories and make it creamier. Whether that is a plus depends on whether you want a shake that feels more like a meal.
Caveat: Truvani’s page shows 29 g per serving in the nutrition image but 33.5 g in its FAQ. At 33.5 g, Truvani’s protein density drops to about 0.60 g per gram. Check the package.
Taste and texture
The reviewers disagree here.
- Truvani: The Protein Powder Guru called the texture slime-like, found it hard to drink, and saw some clumping even with a frother. One of the dietitians liked its fiber (2 to 4 g from chia), flavor range and short lists, but couldn’t get past the monk fruit taste. TikTok creators in the search snippets praised its taste, texture and ingredients, but those are personal opinions, not tests.
- Just Ingredients: The Protein Powder Guru found the whey blend clumpy in water and said it caused her digestion trouble after continued use. The dietitians called the vegan version creamy and not gritty, and slightly sweeter than other brands without being overpowering.
Both brands got the same complaint: the bag can’t be resealed.
If you mix with water only, test a small bag first. The Protein Powder Guru’s test used water as the base for every powder. A blender or high-powered frother helped with Just Ingredients’ clumping.
Price
- Whey blend: $2.00 per serving (Protein Powder Guru)
- Vegan: $2.40 per serving, 25 servings per bag (dietitians)
- Truvani: $2.50 per serving (Protein Powder Guru)
Prices change, so check the current listing.
What reviewers checked, and how Just Ingredients and Truvani did
The dietitians judge protein powders on taste, protein source, ingredient quality, certifications and third-party testing, sweetener and price. Against that list:
- Third-party testing: the Protein Powder Guru marks both brands as tested.
- Sweetener: both use monk fruit. Just Ingredients adds stevia.
- Overall score: both brands scored 3.8 out of 5 in the Protein Powder Guru’s ranking.
That ranking was published in partnership with Equip Foods, whose beef protein won it. Keep that in mind when weighing the scores.
Which should you choose?
- You want the shortest list and lowest calories: Truvani’s displayed vanilla panel names five ingredients and shows 130 calories.
- You want a creamy, filling shake and more flavors: Just Ingredients, on the vegan or whey blend.
- You’re checking allergens: read the package for Just Ingredients (almonds and coconut on the vanilla label) and for Truvani.
- You avoid monk fruit: both use it, so neither is a clean escape.
- You have a sensitive stomach: the Protein Powder Guru reported digestion problems with the whey blend, so the vegan version may suit you better, but only you can tell.
FAQ
Is Just Ingredients vegan? Only the vegan line. The whey and plant blend contains dairy.
Which has more protein per serving? On the Protein Powder Guru’s chocolate comparison, Just Ingredients’ whey blend lists 24 g versus Truvani’s 20 g. On the vanilla vegan labels, both list 20 g.
Which has fewer calories? Truvani’s vanilla panel shows 130 calories per serving, versus 250 for Just Ingredients Vegan Vanilla Bean.
Can I use a protein shake every day? The dietitians say you can, but suggest looking at your whole diet first and adding protein from whole foods like tofu, tempeh, edamame, quinoa and legumes. They also note their picks aren’t meant as meal replacements or for weight loss alone.
This is general product information, not medical advice. Check with a health professional if you have a dietary restriction or condition.