What Kind of Protein Powder Does Smoothie King Use?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Smoothie King's own website, the company uses several proprietary protein powder blends, not just one, catering to a wide range of dietary needs and fitness goals. This comprehensive approach means your smoothie can be customized with options like whey, vegan, or special blends like Gladiator® to meet your specific nutritional requirements.

Quick Summary

Smoothie King utilizes multiple proprietary protein powders, including whey, a plant-based Sunwarrior™ blend, Gladiator®, Lean1™, and Keto options, to accommodate different dietary preferences and wellness objectives. Each blend is formulated with specific ingredients to serve various purposes, from muscle building to weight management.

Key Points

Variety of Proteins: Smoothie King uses several proprietary protein powders, not a single one, including whey, vegan, and specialized blends.
Proprietary Blends: Their proteins, such as Gladiator®, Lean1™, and Keto, are proprietary formulas developed specifically for their menu.
Vegan Options: For non-dairy and vegan diets, they offer a Sunwarrior™ organic plant-based protein blend.
Customization: Customers can typically swap protein enhancers in any smoothie to match their dietary needs, such as opting for vegan protein instead of whey.
Goal-Oriented: Different proteins are formulated for different goals, including muscle building (Gladiator®), weight management (Lean1™), and keto diets.
Ingredient Transparency: While proprietary, Smoothie King provides ingredient information for each of its protein enhancers.

Smoothie King's Proprietary Protein Powder Blends

Smoothie King, known for its extensive menu of customizable blends, offers a variety of proprietary protein powders designed for specific wellness outcomes. Instead of a single, generic powder, the brand provides several distinct 'enhancers' to give customers control over their protein source. Understanding these different options is key to building a smoothie that perfectly aligns with your dietary needs, whether you're seeking muscle growth, weight management, or a vegan-friendly boost.

Whey Protein

For those seeking a classic, fast-absorbing protein, Smoothie King offers a whey protein enhancer. This option is fat-free, low-cholesterol, and designed to support workout recovery and muscle-building goals.

Ingredients: Proprietary blend of Whey Protein Concentrate, MCTs, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, and Stevia Leaf Extract.
Best for: Post-workout recovery and muscle building.
Considerations: This contains milk-derived ingredients and is not suitable for those with dairy allergies or vegan diets.

Organic Vegan Protein

Addressing the growing demand for plant-based options, Smoothie King developed an organic vegan protein. The Sunwarrior™ blend is formulated for easy digestion and is free from dairy and soy.

Ingredients: Sunwarrior™ proprietary blend of Organic Pea Protein, Organic Goji Berry, MCT Oil, and Organic Stevia Extract.
Best for: Vegans, those with dairy or soy sensitivities, or anyone preferring a plant-based protein source.
Commonly used in: Vegan Dark Chocolate Banana and Vegan Mango Kale smoothies.

Gladiator® Protein

Arguably one of Smoothie King's most well-known enhancers, Gladiator® is a complete, proprietary blend designed for serious fitness enthusiasts. It's a high-quality, low-carb protein designed to fuel athletic performance.

Ingredients: Whey Isolate, Egg White Powder, Micellar Casein, Hydrolyzed Whey Concentrate, and an Amino Peptide Blend.
Best for: Serious muscle building, low-carb diets, and providing sustained energy.
Considerations: Contains whey and egg, so it is not vegan or dairy-free.

Lean1™ Protein

Lean1™ is a meal replacement protein formulated to assist with weight management goals. It’s a complex blend that includes fiber, vitamins, and minerals to promote fullness.

Ingredients: Includes whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, pea protein, oat fiber, and probiotics.
Best for: Meal replacement, weight management, and satiety.
Considerations: Contains dairy and is not suitable for vegan diets.

Keto Protein

For those following a ketogenic diet, Smoothie King offers a specific Keto protein blend. This blend is higher in fat and uses ingredients that align with keto dietary principles.

Ingredients: Whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, collagen peptides, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
Best for: Supporting a ketogenic lifestyle by providing a high-fat, high-protein mix.
Considerations: Contains dairy and collagen, making it unsuitable for vegans.

Comparison of Smoothie King Protein Powders


Feature	Whey Protein	Organic Vegan Protein (Sunwarrior™)	Gladiator® Protein	Lean1™ Protein	Keto Protein
Primary Source	Dairy (Whey Concentrate)	Plant-Based (Pea, Goji Berry)	Dairy (Whey Isolate, Casein) & Egg	Dairy (Whey, Milk Isolate) & Plant (Pea)	Dairy (Whey) & Collagen
Dietary Suitability	Non-Vegan, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol	Vegan, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free	Non-Vegan, Low-Carb	Non-Vegan, Meal Replacement Focus	Non-Vegan, Keto-Friendly
Main Goal	Muscle Growth, Post-Workout Recovery	General Protein Boost, Plant-Based Needs	Intense Muscle Building, Low-Carb Performance	Weight Management, Meal Replacement	Ketogenic Diet Support
Notable Features	Fast-digesting	Organic, Easy-to-digest	Complete amino profile, high protein	Includes fiber and probiotics	Contains MCTs and Collagen

Can You Request a Specific Protein in Any Smoothie?

Yes, one of the primary features of Smoothie King's menu is the ability to customize your blend. While many smoothies come with a default protein enhancer, you can typically substitute it with another option based on your dietary preferences and goals. For instance, you could swap the standard whey in a 'Get Fit Blend' for the Sunwarrior™ vegan protein, or add Gladiator® to any blend for an extra protein punch. This flexibility is what allows customers to create a truly personalized smoothie experience.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Protein for You

Smoothie King's use of multiple proprietary protein powders is a strategic choice that benefits a diverse customer base. By offering everything from dairy-based whey and Gladiator® for fitness goals to the plant-based Sunwarrior™ and specialized Lean1™ and Keto blends, the company ensures that nearly every customer can find a protein option that suits their needs. When visiting, simply specify your dietary goals and ask about the different enhancers to ensure your smoothie delivers the right type of protein for you. The best protein for your smoothie is the one that aligns with your personal health objectives, and Smoothie King provides the tools to make that choice. For more detailed nutritional information on these enhancers, you can visit the official Smoothie King website.

Smoothie King's Ingredient Spotlight on Protein Enhancers

Frequently Asked Questions

Gladiator® is a proprietary protein blend used by Smoothie King for high-protein, low-carb smoothies. It is a complete protein containing whey isolate, egg white powder, and casein, making it ideal for muscle building.

Not all of Smoothie King's protein is dairy-free. While they use dairy-based options like whey and Gladiator®, they also offer a dairy-free and soy-free organic vegan Sunwarrior™ protein made from pea and goji berry.

The Hulk smoothies at Smoothie King often use their standard whey protein, a proprietary blend of whey protein concentrate, to add a fat-free, low-cholesterol protein boost.

Yes, customization is a key feature at Smoothie King. You can request to swap the standard protein in a smoothie with any of their other enhancers, such as trading whey for vegan protein.

Whey protein is a simple, fast-absorbing whey concentrate, while Gladiator® is a more complex, complete protein blend featuring whey isolate, casein, and egg white powder, designed for more intense fitness goals and low-carb diets.

Lean1™ is a meal replacement protein formulated with lactose-free protein, fiber, probiotics, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It is used to support weight management.

According to Smoothie King's website, their protein blends are formulated without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They instead use natural flavors and stevia as a sweetener.