Understanding What Are the Ingredients in Fairlife Milkshakes?

December 14, 2025 •

2 min read

Fairlife's proprietary ultra-filtration process removes much of the natural sugar and water from milk, while concentrating its protein and calcium, which directly influences what are the ingredients in Fairlife milkshakes and their nutritional profile. This process is foundational to creating the specific composition that defines the brand's products, setting them apart from traditional milk beverages and many protein shakes.

Quick Summary

Fairlife milkshakes are formulated primarily with ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and fortified with vitamins A and D3. They contain a blend of natural flavors, stabilizers, and multiple non-nutritive sweeteners to achieve their low-sugar content. The ingredients vary slightly by product line, such as Nutrition Plan versus Core Power, but share a common base rooted in dairy concentration.

Key Points

Ultra-filtered milk base: The primary ingredient is highly filtered milk, which concentrates protein and calcium while removing lactose.
Lactose-free composition: Fairlife shakes contain a lactase enzyme, making them a suitable option for individuals with lactose intolerance.
Low-sugar formula: The shakes use a blend of monk fruit, stevia, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium to provide sweetness with minimal sugar content.
Added stabilizers for texture: Ingredients like cellulose gel, cellulose gum, and carrageenan are used to create the signature smooth and thick consistency.
Fortified with vitamins: Essential vitamins A and D3 are added to the shakes to boost their nutritional value.
Flavor-specific ingredients: Additives such as alkalized cocoa for chocolate and natural flavors for vanilla differentiate the various shake options.

The Ultra-Filtered Milk Base

At the core of all Fairlife shakes is their signature ultra-filtered milk, which is the primary ingredient listed. This unique filtration method concentrates the milk's natural protein and calcium while reducing lactose. This makes Fairlife's products inherently lactose-free, a significant feature for individuals with lactose intolerance. To ensure a truly lactose-free product, an extra lactase enzyme is also added. The ultra-filtration process is what allows Fairlife to offer a product with a higher protein content and fewer calories than many standard milk-based drinks.

Common Ingredients Across Flavors

While specific flavorings differ, a set of common ingredients helps create the shake's taste, texture, and nutritional value. These are added in amounts less than 1% of the total volume.

Stabilizers and Thickeners: Cellulose gel, cellulose gum, and carrageenan are used to give the milkshake its smooth, creamy texture and prevent separation.
Sweeteners: Fairlife uses a combination of sweeteners to keep the sugar count low, including monk fruit juice concentrate, stevia leaf extract, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.
Added Nutrients: Vitamins A (as palmitate) and D3 are added for fortification.
Flavoring: A generic 'natural flavors' ingredient is included, with specific additions depending on the flavor.

Flavor-Specific Ingredient Variations

Ingredients like alkalized cocoa are added for chocolate flavors, while specific natural flavors create vanilla and other varieties like salted caramel and strawberry.

Common Ingredient List (Chocolate Flavor)

The chocolate Fairlife Nutrition Plan shake typically includes:

Ultrafiltered partly skimmed lactose-free milk
Alkalized cocoa
Natural flavor
Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Cellulose gel and gum
Salt
Concentrated monk fruit juice
Acesulfame-potassium
Carrageenan
Stevia leaf extract
Maltodextrin
Sucralose

Fairlife Nutrition Plan vs. Core Power Elite

Here is a comparison of ingredients and nutritional focus between two popular lines.


Feature	Fairlife Nutrition Plan	Core Power Elite
Protein Content	30g per bottle	42g per bottle
Primary Use	Daily nutrition, meal replacement	Post-workout recovery
Sweeteners	Monk fruit, stevia, sucralose, acesulfame potassium	Acesulfame potassium, sucralose
Base Ingredients	Ultra-filtered partly skimmed milk	Filtered lowfat Grade A milk
Added Nutrients	Fortified with vitamins A & D3	Fortified with vitamins A & D3
Notable Additive	Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Sodium Polyphosphate

Are Fairlife Milkshakes Healthy?

Fairlife milkshakes can be a nutritious option due to their high protein, low sugar, and lactose-free nature, along with added vitamins and minerals. However, the inclusion of artificial sweeteners is a factor for some consumers, and individual health needs should be considered. Consulting a health professional for personalized dietary advice is recommended.

Conclusion

Understanding what are the ingredients in Fairlife milkshakes reveals a formulation based on ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and a blend of stabilizers, natural flavors, and low-calorie sweeteners. This composition allows for a high-protein shake with desirable texture and taste. While variations exist between product lines like Nutrition Plan and Core Power, the brand consistently provides concentrated dairy nutrition. This information is valuable for consumers seeking a lactose-free, high-protein beverage option while monitoring sugar intake.

Visit the Fairlife website for detailed product information

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary protein source is dairy protein from Fairlife's ultra-filtered milk, not added protein powders or concentrates.

Yes, Fairlife shakes are lactose-free. The ultra-filtration process removes most of the lactose, and a lactase enzyme is added to ensure it is completely lactose-free.

Fairlife shakes use a combination of sweeteners, including stevia leaf extract, monk fruit juice concentrate, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, to achieve a low-sugar profile.

The thick and creamy texture is created by stabilizers and thickeners such as cellulose gel, cellulose gum, and carrageenan, which prevent the ingredients from separating.

No, while they share a base of ultra-filtered milk, the ingredient list can differ between product lines like the Fairlife Nutrition Plan and Core Power shakes, often affecting protein and calorie counts.

Carrageenan is a common food additive derived from seaweed and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, though some individuals may choose to avoid it. It is used in Fairlife shakes as a stabilizer.

The ultra-filtration process concentrates the natural protein and calcium from the milk, resulting in a higher protein content, while removing much of the lactose, which lowers the sugar content.

The ingredient lists for Fairlife Vanilla shakes and Nutrition Plan typically list 'natural flavors' and do not specify artificial colors. The color comes naturally from the milk and other ingredients.