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What is protein soda?
Protein soda is a carbonated drink with added protein. The ready-to-drink products here use either whey protein isolate or pea protein. They offer a fizzy alternative to a creamy protein shake, but the word “protein” does not tell you how many calories, grams of protein or milligrams of caffeine are in a can.
This guide compares six brands sold in the U.S., using seven specific products. It covers packaged protein soda, rather than homemade mixes of soda and protein shakes. Each product name links to the manufacturer’s nutrition information.
Protein soda calories and protein: brand comparison
The table is ordered by calories per whole can. Can sizes differ, so check the volume beneath each product name. These are label figures for the specified versions, not averages across every flavor or product a brand sells.
| Brand, flavor and can size | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|
| PRODALemon Lime12 fl oz / 355 ml · Whey isolate | 40 | 10 g |
| BarebellsClassic Cola12 fl oz / 355 ml · Whey isolate | 50 | 10 g |
| Clean Simple EatsFrosted Lemonade · 12 oz12 fl oz / 355 ml · Whey isolate | 50 | 10 g |
| Koia Protein PopSour Squeeze12 fl oz / 355 ml · Pea protein | 70 | 10 g |
| Clean Simple EatsFrosted Lemonade · 16 oz16 fl oz / 473 ml · Whey isolate | 90 | 20 g |
| Premier ProteinLemon Lime12 fl oz / 355 ml · Whey isolate | 90 | 15 g |
| Bucked UpOrange Cream16 fl oz / 473 ml · Whey isolate | 100 | 25 g |
Manufacturer information checked 27 October 2026. One can is the comparison serving, not the entire multipack. U.S. 12 and 16 fl oz are approximately 355 and 473 ml. Formulas can change; the label on the can you buy takes priority.
Watch the Clean Simple Eats size. Its Frosted Lemonade 12 oz can lists 50 calories and 10 g protein; the 16 oz version lists 90 calories and 20 g. Those are different formulations, so multiplying the smaller can’s numbers by its volume does not reproduce the larger one.
Which protein soda has the fewest calories?
PRODA Lemon Lime has the lowest calories per can in this selection: 40 calories with 10 g protein in 12 fl oz. Barebells Classic Cola and the 12 oz Clean Simple Eats Frosted Lemonade each provide 10 g protein at 50 calories.
The answer changes if your priority is more protein in one drink. Bucked Up’s 16 oz Orange Cream provides the most protein in this comparison: 25 g at 100 calories. A smaller calorie number and a larger protein serving are two different ways to choose a drink.
Infographic: protein per 100 calories
To compare protein relative to energy, divide protein grams by calories and multiply by 100. This puts different can sizes on the same scale. It is a calculated ratio, not a recommendation to drink a 100-calorie portion.
Same 100 calories.
Different protein.
Grams of protein per 100 kcal · calculated from the labels
Protein grams ÷ calories × 100
For example, 20 g ÷ 90 calories × 100 gives about 22.2 g protein per 100 calories for the larger Clean Simple Eats can. PRODA and Bucked Up tie on this measure, even though their whole-can calorie totals differ. The ratio does not measure taste, protein quality, fullness or the overall nutritional value of a drink.
How to choose a protein soda
Start with the amount you will actually drink
If you usually finish a can, compare whole-can figures first. If you pour half, log half of that can’s listed calories and protein. The FDA’s label guide explains why serving size and servings per container matter when comparing foods and drinks.
Check caffeine separately
Barebells Classic Cola contains 200 mg caffeine per can. PRODA and Bucked Up describe their sodas as caffeine-free. Do not assume that a drink with protein is caffeine-free, or that every fizzy protein drink is an energy drink. Barebells advises against its caffeinated product for children, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and those sensitive to caffeine.
Check the protein source and sugar
Koia Sour Squeeze is the plant-based option in this comparison, using pea protein. It lists 2 g sugar and 4 g fiber per can. The other brands shown use whey, which comes from milk. “Clear” or “low lactose” does not mean dairy-free; check the allergen statement if you avoid milk.
Premier Protein Lemon Lime lists 3 g sugar, while the PRODA, Barebells, Clean Simple Eats and Bucked Up versions here list zero. Sugar is only one part of the label: a sugar-free protein soda still has calories. If you are also comparing dairy-free drinks, see our plant-based milk calorie comparison.
Is protein soda good for weight loss?
A protein soda is a drink to account for in your eating pattern, not a weight-loss treatment. Whether a swap reduces your calorie intake depends on what it replaces and what else you eat and drink. Adding a can on top of your usual intake adds its listed calories.
If your current drink has 150 calories and the replacement has 50, that swap is 100 calories less. If you keep the original drink and add the new one, the total becomes 200.
None of those numbers predicts a specific amount of weight loss. The CDC’s weight-management guidance considers eating patterns, activity, sleep and other factors together. For tracking, include drinks alongside food; see why a logged calorie deficit may not show up immediately on the scale.
Protein soda also should not stand in for a balanced meal. Its protein number does not tell you whether you have eaten enough food or met your other nutritional needs.
How to log protein soda accurately
- Match the exact can. Check brand, flavor, volume and the current label rather than selecting the first generic “protein soda” entry.
- Use the labeled calories. Do not reconstruct the calorie total from protein alone; other ingredients and label rounding can affect the result.
- Record the amount consumed. One can, half a can and a multipack are different quantities. Include any juice, syrup or other ingredients you mix into it.
For a homemade version, add the values for each ingredient and divide by the portion you drink. Our guide to counting calories in homemade meals uses the same ingredient-to-portion method.
Protein soda FAQ
How many calories are in protein soda?
The seven products compared here contain 40–100 calories per can, with can sizes of 12 or 16 fl oz. This is the range in this selection, not a limit for every protein soda on the market.
Which protein soda has the most protein?
Bucked Up Orange Cream has the most protein per can in this comparison: 25 g in 16 fl oz at 100 calories. Compare the specific serving size when looking at other products.
Is there a dairy-free protein soda?
Koia Protein Pop Sour Squeeze uses pea protein and is described by Koia as vegan. The other five brands in this comparison use whey protein, which comes from milk.
Does protein soda have caffeine?
Some does. Barebells Classic Cola lists 200 mg caffeine per can, while PRODA and Bucked Up state that their protein sodas are caffeine-free. Check the exact product rather than assuming all protein sodas are alike.
Is sugar-free protein soda calorie-free?
No. The sugar-free products in this table still contain calories. Use the calorie figure on the Nutrition Facts label even when the front of the can says zero sugar.
Is protein soda better than a protein shake?
There is no single winner. Compare the exact drinks by calories, protein, serving size, ingredients and any caffeine. A carbonated drink may suit your taste, but the format alone does not make it a better choice or a complete meal.
Where the numbers come from
We checked the manufacturers’ U.S. nutrition information on 27 October 2026 and selected seven products across six brands. Whole-can calories and protein are reported values; protein per 100 calories is our calculation. This is a nutrition-label comparison, not an exhaustive market ranking or a taste test. No product was purchased or taste-tested for this guide. Check your package for changes. The cover is an AI-generated editorial illustration with unbranded cans.
