If you've switched to Pure Product from another brand, the first shake can be a bit of a surprise. It's thinner. It doesn't coat the glass the same way. A few people have asked whether they got a dud bag.
You didn't. That thinner shake is what whey tastes and feels like when nobody has added anything to thicken it.
Why is my protein shake thinner than other brands?
Because we don't use gums or thickeners in our protein. Many protein powders include ingredients such as xanthan gum or guar gum. They're there to make a shake feel thicker and creamier than the protein would on its own, and they're very good at it.
We leave them out. Our flavoured Whey Protein Isolate lists whey protein isolate, natural flavours, a natural sweetener (stevia) and lecithin, and that's it. Unflavoured is just whey and lecithin.
So what is the lecithin for?
Lecithin is the one helper ingredient we do use, and only in a tiny amount. It's sunflower lecithin, and it helps the powder wet and disperse when it hits water so you're not chasing dry clumps around the shaker. It doesn't thicken the shake. Think of it as helping the powder mix, not changing how the drink feels.
Why leave the gums out?
A few reasons:
- We want the label to be short and easy to understand. If you're paying for protein, we'd like most of the scoop to be protein.
- Thickeners change the texture enough to hide what the protein itself is like. We'd rather you know what you're drinking.
- Plenty of our customers use our powders in cooking and baking, where an extra thickener can throw a recipe off.
It's the same thinking behind publishing our independent lab test results. Keep it simple, and show people what's in the bag.
Is isolate thinner than concentrate?
Yes. Isolate goes through extra filtration that removes most of the fat and lactose, and that fat is a big part of what makes concentrate feel creamy. So a straight isolate shake is the thinnest of our whey range. Whey Protein Concentrate is creamier, and the WPC + WPI Blend sits in between. Our guide to whey isolate vs concentrate covers the trade-offs in more detail.
How do I make my shake thicker without additives?
Easy, and you get to choose how far to go:
- Use less liquid. Start around 200 ml and add more until it's where you like it.
- Swap water for milk, or try our oat milk powder if you're avoiding dairy milk.
- Add ice and blend it. A frozen banana does a lot of the work too.
- Mix in some micellar casein. Casein absorbs and holds liquid, so it naturally thickens a shake. Our Complex Protein already combines whey and casein if you want it in one bag.
- Go the other way and make a dessert out of it. The vanilla whey protein ice cream and protein hot chocolate recipes are good starting points.
Does no thickener mean it won't mix properly?
It should still mix well. Pour the liquid in first, then add the powder, and give it a proper shake for 10 to 15 seconds. A shaker with some space at the top helps, which is why we like a glass one such as The Jar. A bit of foam on top of isolate is normal and settles after a minute.
The short version
A thinner shake is a feature of simple whey, not a fault. If you like it thicker, you can build it up yourself with milk, ice or casein, and you'll still know exactly what's in it. Browse the full whey protein range to find the texture that suits you.
FAQs
Does Pure Product Australia protein contain gums or thickeners?
No. Our protein contains no gums or thickeners.
Why does my protein shake feel watery?
Without added thickeners, whey makes a thinner drink, especially isolate. Less liquid, milk, or a scoop of casein will make it thicker.
What is sunflower lecithin doing in my protein?
It helps the powder mix into liquid. It's used in a very small amount and doesn't thicken the shake.
Which Pure Product whey is the creamiest?
Whey Protein Concentrate, followed by the WPC + WPI Blend. Isolate is the thinnest.