Plant-based cacao protein shake for sensitive stomachs: Cleanit

Since I started working out recently, I wanted to make sure I was getting enough protein, so I looked into protein shakes and bought Cleanit Cacao Plant-Based Protein Shake.

I usually like chocolate flavors, so I was especially curious about the cacao flavor. More than anything, though, it is plant-based, and there were lots of reviews saying it was easy on the stomach, so I had high hopes.

Being plant-based was easy on my stomach

Cleanit Protein Cacao is a plant-based protein shake made with pea protein and rice protein. I have sometimes felt bloated or uncomfortable after having whey protein products, but I barely had that feeling with this one.

It did not feel heavy even after a workout, and it worked well as a meal replacement too.

Serving size and how to mix it

One serving is 40 g. Mix it with 170 ml of water or 200 ml of soy milk and have it once a day. I usually make sure to have one after working out.

It uses finely ground cocoa powder, so it dissolved smoothly when mixed with water or soy milk! I put it in a shaker and gave it a few shakes, and it mixed cleanly without clumps, which made it easy to drink.

I have a kitchen scale at home, so I measured it myself. Using a regular tablespoon, two heaping spoonfuls plus about one level spoonful came to roughly 40 g. At first I wondered whether I could manage without a measuring scoop, but it was not as difficult as I expected, and I do not think being a little approximate would make a big difference.

I recommend mixing it with soy milk rather than water!

The package says to mix it with water or soy milk. Personally, I found it much tastier with soy milk. Maybe it is because I also like mixing misutgaru (multigrain powder drink mix) with milk or soy milk, but it tasted nuttier and richer that way. Mixed with soy milk, the cacao flavor came through more intensely and it went down smoothly.

It was fine mixed with water too, but with soy milk it felt more like a chocolate drink, which I really liked. Protein shakes can sometimes be hard to drink because of their distinct fishy smell or artificial sweetness. Cleanit Cacao did not have that feeling strongly. It was closer to a straightforward cacao flavor than sweet chocolate milk, and it was not overly sweet, so I could drink it without feeling weighed down. As someone who likes chocolate, I was quite happy with the taste.

How filling was it after a workout?

The fullness was better than I expected too. I usually get hungry after finishing a workout. Rather than reaching for cookies or bread then, I am trying to get into the habit of having a glass of protein shake. Cleanit Cacao was easy to have after exercise and was more filling than I expected. After one glass, my hunger settled down to some extent, so it was also fine as a light meal replacement or snack.

I think it would be especially convenient on busy mornings when it is hard to fit in a meal, or in the afternoon when you are feeling peckish. Since it comes in powder form, it is easy to store, and I also liked that I could portion out only what I needed and take it with me.

Overall

• Plant-based protein that felt easy on the stomach
• A cacao flavor that is not too sweet
• Nuttier when mixed with soy milk
• Easy to have after a workout
• Satisfying fullness too

If dairy usually feels heavy for you or you are looking for a plant-based protein shake, I think this is worth trying at least once. I was especially satisfied with the rich cacao flavor when mixed with soy milk, and I would be willing to repurchase it.