Correction first, because it matters more than the comparison. Older posts on this site described our plant protein as pea protein. PlantFuel is fava bean protein isolate plus fermented nutritional yeast protein. It is not pea protein and it is not a renamed pea formula — it is a different product. If you chose it specifically because it was pea, read the panel before reordering.
The two, side by side
| Advanced Whey (Vanilla) | PlantFuel (Vanilla) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.90 | $44.90 |
| Protein source | Whey protein isolate (milk) | Fava bean isolate + fermented nutritional yeast |
| Protein per serving | 22 g | 20 g |
| Calories | 120 | 110 |
| Serving | 2 scoops (34 g) | 2 scoops (35 g) |
| Servings | 24 | 24 |
| Fat | 1 g | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 5 g (2 g sugars) | 6 g (4 g sugars) |
| Sodium | 115 mg | 180 mg |
| Allergen | Contains milk | No milk |
| Added micronutrients | Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium | Effectively none |
The cost comparison people get wrong
The whey is $5 more per container, which makes it look like the premium option. Work it out per gram of protein instead:
- Advanced Whey: $49.90 ÷ 24 servings = $2.08 per serving ÷ 22 g = about 9.5¢ per gram of protein
- PlantFuel: $44.90 ÷ 24 servings = $1.87 per serving ÷ 20 g = about 9.4¢ per gram of protein
They cost essentially the same per gram of protein. Price is not the deciding factor between these two, and anyone telling you plant protein is automatically the cheaper option is not looking at these particular labels.
So what is the deciding factor?
The milk allergen
Advanced Whey is whey protein isolate, which is milk-derived, and the label states Contains: Milk. If you have a milk allergy, that is the end of the conversation. If you are lactose intolerant, whey isolate is the lowest-lactose form of whey and many people tolerate it — but "many people" is not "you", and only you can test that.
PlantFuel contains no milk.
The sodium
PlantFuel has 180 mg of sodium per serving against the whey's 115 mg — about 57% more. In isolation neither is a lot. If you are actively tracking sodium, or you are also using an electrolyte powder, it is a number worth knowing.
The micronutrients
Advanced Whey's panel includes vitamin D (18% DV), calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. PlantFuel's panel lists sodium and 5 mg of potassium, and that is it. If you want the shake to carry a few nutrients along with the protein, the whey does and the plant one does not.
The sugar
4 g of sugars in PlantFuel against 2 g in the whey. Both are low, and both use stevia extract rather than added sugar as the sweetener.
On amino acids, honestly
Whey protein isolate is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids in substantial amounts. That is a straightforward nutritional fact about whey.
Legume proteins such as fava bean are generally lower in the sulphur-containing amino acids, particularly methionine, and yeast protein tends to help in exactly that area — which is a sensible reason to pair the two in one formula. What we will not do is give you an amino acid profile for PlantFuel, because its panel does not print one. We can tell you what is in the blend and why that pairing makes sense; we cannot tell you gram amounts of individual amino acids, and nobody honest can from this label.
How to use either one
Both are the same: two scoops in 6–8 fl oz of water or a beverage of your choice, daily. Both labels also suggest taking it 20–30 minutes before a meal with 8 fl oz of water. Both are 24 servings, so a container is about three and a half weeks at one shake a day.
Protein supports muscle growth and repair alongside resistance exercise and an appropriate diet.* Neither product guarantees muscle gain or weight loss, and neither label claims to.
The short version
- No milk, or you want plant-based: PlantFuel. 20 g, $44.90.
- You want the complete protein and the added micronutrients: Advanced Whey. 22 g, $49.90.
- Watching sodium: the whey, by 65 mg per serving.
- On price per gram of protein: it is a coin flip.
Compare every NutraWell protein powder by source, serving size and nutrition.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All amounts quoted are taken from the approved NutraWell label proofs. Consult a physician before use if pregnant, nursing, under 18, or if you have a medical condition.
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