What does the protein score measure?
The score combines protein per 100 calories, estimated cost per 30 grams of protein, added sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and the apparent protein source.
Food and product intelligence
Protein Score Calculator
Compare protein powders, drinks, bars, cereals, bakery products, snacks, dairy products, and comfort foods using label math that stays visible.
Protein powder comparison mode
Day 4 extends this existing score calculator instead of creating a duplicate cost or label analyzer. Use powder mode for whey, isolate, casein, clear whey, pea, soy, collagen, and blended powders, then replace sample values with the exact brand and flavor label.
Product intelligence
Score a protein product label
Barcode and Label Capture
Barcode support uses the browser's native detector when available.
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Label preview
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Product Examples
Editable label-style examples for common high-protein product formats, including powder-specific examples.
| Product | Density | Cost/g | Cost/30 g | Flags | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whey RTD shake 1 bottle, 330 ml | 18.8 g | $0.12 | $3.5 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Plant protein shake 1 carton, 330 ml | 11.8 g | $0.15 | $4.5 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Plain Greek yogurt cup 1 cup, 170 g | 15 g | $0.1 | $3 | Sugar LowSodium Low | |
Low-sugar protein bar 1 bar, 60 g | 9.1 g | $0.1 | $3 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
High-protein cereal 1 cup, 55 g | 8.7 g | $0.07 | $2.18 | Sugar ModerateSodium Moderate | |
Protein cookie 1 cookie, 85 g | 4.4 g | $0.17 | $5.16 | Sugar HighSodium Moderate | |
Protein pasta serving dry pasta serving, 85 g | 6.5 g | $0.04 | $1.34 | Sugar LowSodium Low | |
Frozen protein bowl 1 bowl, 312 g | 6.6 g | $0.2 | $6.1 | Sugar ModerateSodium High | |
Cottage cheese cup 1 cup, 226 g | 13.6 g | $0.08 | $2.36 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Beef jerky snack 1 pouch, 32 g | 11.1 g | $0.23 | $6.75 | Sugar ModerateSodium High | |
Whey protein powder 1 scoop, 31 g | 20 g | $0.06 | $1.87 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Whey isolate powder 1 scoop, 30 g | 22.7 g | $0.07 | $2.2 | Sugar LowSodium Low | |
Micellar casein powder 1 scoop, 34 g | 19.2 g | $0.07 | $2.14 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Plant protein blend powder 1 scoop, 36 g | 16 g | $0.08 | $2.5 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Clear whey isolate powder 1 scoop, 25 g | 22.2 g | $0.11 | $3.22 | Sugar LowSodium Moderate | |
Collagen peptides powder 1 scoop, 20 g | 25.7 g | $0.08 | $2.5 | Sugar LowSodium Low | |
Collagen protein drink 1 bottle, 355 ml | 16.7 g | $0.22 | $6.5 | Sugar LowSodium Low |
Product Notes
Scores are shopping estimates, not medical advice. Use the exact Nutrition Facts or Supplement Facts label for branded products, check allergens and serving size, and treat barcode scans as identifiers rather than verified nutrition data. Protein powder labels can change by brand, flavor, country, package size, and reformulation date.
Why This Layer Matters
Serving-size neutral
Protein per 100 calories makes a shake, bar, cereal, or frozen bowl easier to compare without trusting front-of-pack claims.
Budget aware
Cost per 30 grams of protein separates convenient products from expensive packaging.
Label risk flags
Added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat are shown as percent Daily Value so tradeoffs are visible.
Protein Score FAQs
Why use protein per 100 calories?
Protein per 100 calories makes products easier to compare across different serving sizes. It shows whether a product is truly protein-dense or just a larger serving.
How are sugar and sodium flags calculated?
Added sugar and sodium are converted to percent Daily Value using FDA Daily Values. The FDA general guide treats 5% DV or less as low and 20% DV or more as high.
Can the barcode scanner verify nutrition data?
No. The browser barcode scanner captures an identifier. Nutrition values still need to come from the package label, a verified branded-food database, or the manufacturer's current label.
Can I use this as a protein powder comparison tool?
Yes. Use powder mode to load powder examples, then replace the sample values with the exact Nutrition Facts or Supplement Facts label from your tub. The tool compares protein per 100 calories, cost per gram protein, cost per 30 grams protein, added sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and protein source quality.
Why should I recheck protein powder labels by flavor?
Protein powder labels can change by flavor, serving size, country, package size, and reformulation date. A vanilla whey isolate, chocolate whey blend, and clear whey from the same brand can have different calories, sodium, sweeteners, and protein grams.
Sources reviewed
- FoodData Central API Guide - U.S. Department of Agriculture
- How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Serving Size on the Nutrition Facts Label - U.S. Food and Drug Administration