What Protein Powder Does Smoothie King US Use?

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Smoothie King's official website, they offer a diverse range of protein enhancers to customize your drink, catering to different dietary needs and fitness goals. Whether you are a vegan or require a whey-based option for muscle growth, Smoothie King provides several proprietary protein powders to suit your needs. This includes their popular Gladiator® protein blend, as well as plant-based options like Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein.

Quick Summary

Smoothie King uses a variety of proprietary protein blends, including whey-based options such as Gladiator® and Lean1™, alongside plant-based alternatives like Sunwarrior™ and Keto Protein for diverse dietary requirements.

Key Points

Diverse Protein Options: Smoothie King uses several proprietary protein blends rather than a single type, allowing for maximum customization based on dietary needs.
Gladiator® for Muscle Growth: The Gladiator® protein is a popular whey-based blend designed for athletes, containing a mix of whey isolate, egg white powder, and casein for muscle recovery.
Sunwarrior™ for Vegans: For plant-based diets, Smoothie King offers Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein, a dairy-free and soy-free blend of organic pea and goji berry.
Lean1™ for Weight Management: The Lean1™ protein is formulated as a meal replacement to aid in weight management, featuring a combination of protein, fiber, and probiotics.
Keto Protein for Low-Carb Diets: A specific Keto Protein blend is available, containing collagen peptides and whey proteins suitable for those on a ketogenic diet.
Clean Blends Initiative: As part of its commitment to clean ingredients, Smoothie King's protein powders are made without artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.

Smoothie King's Protein Blends: A Comprehensive Overview

Smoothie King offers a range of proprietary protein powders designed for various dietary needs and fitness goals. This approach allows for customization beyond a single protein option.

The Gladiator® Protein Blend

The Gladiator® protein is a proprietary blend popular for muscle recovery and performance. It is a complete protein, often chosen by athletes.

Gladiator® Protein Ingredients: The blend includes Whey Isolate, Egg White Powder, Hydrolyzed Whey Concentrate, Micellar Casein, Amino Peptide Blend (L-Glutamine, L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine, L-Valine), MCTs, Natural Flavors, Sucralose, Sunflower Lecithin, and a Vitamin Mineral Blend.

Lean1™ Protein Blend

The Lean1™ Protein blend is a proprietary formula aimed at weight management and serves as a meal replacement. It combines protein with fiber, carbs, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. It features a mix of milk- and pea-based proteins.

Lean1™ Protein Ingredients: Key components are Buttermilk Creamer, Fruit and Vegetable Blend, MCTs, Milk Protein Isolate, Oat Fiber, Pea Protein, Sweet Dairy Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Whey Protein Isolate.

Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein

For those seeking vegan or plant-based options, Smoothie King offers the proprietary Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein. This blend is dairy-free and soy-free, suitable for vegan or paleo diets. It combines organic pea and goji berry protein.

Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein Ingredients: Ingredients include Organic Pea Protein, Organic Goji Berry, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Organic MCT Oil (Coconut Oil, Acacia Gum), Sea Salt, and Organic Stevia Extract.

Keto Protein Blend

A Keto Protein blend is available for individuals following a ketogenic diet. This blend balances protein and fat with low carbs and includes Type II collagen peptides.

Keto Protein Blend Ingredients: This blend contains Collagen Peptides, Cinnamon, MCTs (Coconut), Natural Flavors, Oat Fiber, Sea Salt, Stevia Leaf Extract, Whey Protein Isolate, and Whey Protein Concentrate.

Comparison of Smoothie King Protein Blends

Here is a comparison of some popular Smoothie King proprietary protein blends:


Feature	Gladiator® Protein	Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein	Lean1™ Protein
Protein Source	Whey Isolate, Egg White, Casein	Organic Pea and Goji Berry	Whey, Milk Isolate, Pea Protein
Key Benefits	Supports muscle growth and strength	Dairy-free, soy-free, organic, and vegan	Meal replacement, weight management
Dietary Suitability	Non-vegan, contains dairy and egg	Vegan, paleo, keto-friendly	Contains dairy, not vegan
Key Components	Complete protein with amino peptide blend	Organic ingredients, easily digestible	Probiotics, fiber, vitamins, minerals

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

Selecting the best protein at Smoothie King depends on your health objectives, dietary needs, and potential allergies. Gladiator® is suitable for muscle support, especially for athletes. The Sunwarrior™ blend is an organic, dairy-free option for vegan or dairy-free lifestyles. Lean1™ is beneficial as a meal replacement for weight management due to its fiber and nutrients. The variety of proprietary blends ensures options for most customers.

Conclusion

Smoothie King offers a range of proprietary protein blends instead of a single type. Options include whey-based Gladiator® and Lean1™, and plant-based Sunwarrior™ and Keto Protein. This variety allows customers to customize their smoothies based on dietary requirements, fitness goals, and taste preferences, reflecting Smoothie King's focus on personalized nutrition. More details on enhancers are available on the official Smoothie King menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Smoothie King uses real protein powders, but they are proprietary blends formulated specifically for the company. Instead of a single off-the-shelf brand, they offer different options like Gladiator®, Sunwarrior™, and Lean1™ to cater to various dietary preferences and goals.

The Gladiator® protein is a whey-based blend, meaning it is derived from milk. It also contains egg white powder and micellar casein, making it a non-vegan option.

For muscle gain and recovery, the Gladiator® protein is the most suitable option, as it is a complete protein blend containing key amino acids like L-Glutamine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Leucine, which are beneficial for muscle repair after a workout.

Yes, the Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein is completely dairy-free and soy-free. It is made from a blend of organic pea and goji berry protein, making it a great option for vegans and those with dairy sensitivities.

Yes, most proteins can be swapped out for a plant-based option like the Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein. This allows for a great deal of customization to meet vegan or other specific dietary needs.

The Keto Protein blend contains a proprietary mix of collagen peptides, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, MCTs from coconut, and natural sweeteners like stevia. It is specifically designed for low-carb, high-fat diets.

As part of their 'Clean Blends' initiative, Smoothie King aims to use high-quality, clean ingredients. The Sunwarrior™ Organic Plant-Based Protein, for example, is made without artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.