What Makes A Protein Powder Healthy? A closer Look at Nuzest
What Makes a Protein Powder “Healthy”? Let’s Start with What It Isn’t.
There’s no shortage of protein powders on the market, but "healthy" isn’t always what it claims to be. Flip the label and you’ll often find a long list of unpronounceable ingredients: artificial sweeteners, gums, chemical flavour enhancers, and cheap fillers that do more harm than good, despite coming with a hefty price tag. Add to that the bloating, aftertaste, or the mystery of what’s actually inside, and it’s no wonder people are sceptical.
As a long-distance runner and someone who’s always cared about fuelling well, I’ve tried more powders than I care to admit. Most of them didn’t last more than a few weeks on my shelf. Some, not even after one try. Either they upset my stomach, made recovery harder, or simply didn’t feel like real food. That’s why I stopped trying to find the "best" one and started asking a better question:
What does a genuinely healthy protein powder look like—ingredient by ingredient, impact by impact?
For me, the answer is Nuzest.
Redefining Healthy Protein Powder
The word "healthy" has completely lost its meaning in supplement marketing. When I talk about healthy protein powder, I’m not just talking about grams of protein per scoop. I’m talking about what’s not in it. No gums. No artificial flavours. No synthetic sweeteners. No bloating. No guessing. Honestly, if I’m going to pay premium for a product, then the least I would expect from it is premium ingredients, right?
A healthy powder should be easy to digest, made from real food ingredients, and tested for quality. It should support your body, not challenge it, taste clean, not chemical. And it should do its job without adding to the long list of things you’re trying to cut out.
Why I Chose Nuzest (and Still Do)
I’ve been using JSHealth products for years, going all the way back to when I still lived in South Africa. They became part of my routine because I’ve always loved Jessica Sepel’s brand ethos, her commitment to transparency, real ingredients, and formulas that support the body without unnecessary fillers or gimmicks.
When I moved to Cyprus, I assumed it would be just as easy to get hold of JSHealth here. But as the brand grew and split its operations between regions, availability became more complicated.
That’s when I started looking into where their protein range came from and little did I know that Jessica originally built her protein line using Nuzest as the base. That discovery pulled me deeper and the more I learned about Nuzest, the more it aligned with what I had been looking for all along: a clean, plant-based protein with no fillers.
I gave Clean Lean Protein a try and it just worked. No heaviness, no digestive issues, no overpowering flavour. It blended into my routine without fuss and without compromise.
A few years later and it’s still the only protein powder I use. And, when I realised how hard it is to find anything remotely clean or trustworthy in Cyprus (and that Nuzest wasn’t stocked locally at all) I decided to do something about it. I now stock it through my own shop, not just because I use it myself, but because I believe more people here deserve access to genuinely healthy products that are simple, effective, and actually support the body.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein is made from European golden peas. It’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and free from artificial additives. The ingredient list is short and readable. Every batch is independently tested.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
Pea Protein Isolate: High bioavailability, smooth texture, and light on digestion
No gums or thickeners: Unlike many powders that bulk up with additives, Nuzest stays minimal
Natural sweeteners: Subtly sweetened with fruit extracts, not chemical sugar substitutes
Allergen-friendly: Free from common irritants, which makes it ideal for sensitive systems
Clean taste: No artificial flavour lingering after you drink it, just a light, neutral profile that blends well
Independent batch testing: Ensures what’s on the label is what’s in the tub
This kind of clarity is incredibly rare in the protein powder world. Most products hide behind proprietary blends and bloated ingredient lists. Nuzest puts everything out in the open and then delivers.
Everyday Use Cases: How I Actually Use It
One of the most common questions I get is, "How do you use protein powder if you already eat well?"
For me, it’s not about supplementing a bad diet. Rather, I try reinforcing a good one. Here are a few examples of how I work it into my day:
Post-run recovery shake: Clean Lean Protein + frozen banana + oat milk = done
Midday smoothie: Protein, berries, oats, chia seeds. Keeps me going between my normal 9-5
Everyday breakfast: I mix Clean Lean Protein with plant milk or lactose-free Greek Yoghurt, frozen banana, berries, cinnamon and sometimes a blob of peanut butter, and ice. It’s not just a backup option. It’s the go-to breakfast I prepare for me and my husband, and I haven’t missed a day in years. (Except of course, when we’re on holiday)
Evening snack: If I’ve trained hard, it gives my body what it needs to repair overnight.
Who It’s Good For
Nuzest isn’t just for one type of person, and that’s what I love about it. It’s built on clean, minimal ingredients, which makes it versatile, reliable, and easy to fit into real life, no matter what that looks like for you.
It’s ideal for:
Runners and endurance athletes who want to recover well without digestive side effects
People with food sensitivities, IBS, or autoimmune issues who are tired of navigating long ingredient lists
Those transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and looking for a protein that doesn’t taste like a compromise
Anyone new to protein powders who wants to start with something gentle and trustworthy
Busy professionals, parents, and teachers who need stable energy without the crash or the caffeine
Real humans trying to eat more intentionally without obsessing over every label
It fits into lives that are already full. So, if you're fuelling a workout, managing your energy between meetings, or simply trying to take better care of yourself, this is the kind of support that doesn't complicate things. It just works.
Common Myths About Protein Powder
There are a lot of assumptions about protein powder, and most of them are outdated or just plain wrong. Here are a few I’ve heard over and over again, especially from people who genuinely care about what they put in their bodies.
“It’s just for bodybuilders.”
This one’s everywhere. Yes, bodybuilders use protein powder. (And perhaps more than the average human). But runners, shift workers, stressed professionals, and anyone trying to recover well, stay energised, or build a balanced plate also gravitate towards a protein powder that compliments their lifestyle. Protein supports muscle repair, immune function, hormone health, and blood sugar stability. You don’t need a gym membership to benefit.
“It’s not real food.”
A fair concern and in most cases, true. Many powders are filled with synthetic extras that have no place in a normal diet. But, Nuzest keeps it simple. The ingredients are real, recognisable, and purposeful. In fact, I’d trust it over most of the so-called health snacks lining store shelves.
“All vegan protein is gritty and gross.”
That used to be the case, but it’s not anymore. Nuzest has a smooth, neutral texture that blends easily and doesn’t leave that clumpy after-feel or chemical taste. It doesn’t need masking, and that’s rare.
“You don’t need it if you eat well.”
Ideally, yes. But realistically, even a well-balanced diet can fall short—especially for people on the move, plant-based eaters, or anyone recovering from stress, illness, or hard training. Protein powder isn’t a shortcut. It’s a tool, and when it’s made well, it can quietly support everything else you’re already doing right.
What to Look for in a Healthy Protein Powder
Not all protein powders are created equal. If you care about quality and want something that actually supports your body, here’s what to keep an eye on:
Short, clear ingredient lists. If it reads like a science experiment, it probably behaves like one in your gut.
Independent testing. Brands that have nothing to hide will prove it.
No fillers, no gums, no weird sweeteners. These aren’t there to help you. They’re there to bulk the tub and make a profit.
Digestibility. Pay attention to how it feels. Bloating, heaviness, or discomfort is a red flag, not something to get used to.
Versatility. If it only works when buried under six other ingredients, it’s most likely not doing its job.
Consistency. Would you actually want to use it every day, or are you forcing it down?
Nuzest checks every one of these boxes. That’s not my marketing talk. It’s why it’s in my kitchen, why I want the Cyprus market to have easy access to it, and in the routines of many of the people I coach.
Final Thoughts: Why I Stock Nuzest in Cyprus
If you’ve been searching for a vegan protein powder in Cyprus that’s actually clean, easy to digest, and made from ingredients you can trust, this is it. No bloating, no artificial extras, and no need to second-guess what you’re putting into your body.
I don’t stock Nuzest because it’s part of a trend. I stock it because it’s the one product that’s earned a permanent place in my daily routine and because I know how hard it is to find genuinely healthy options on this island.
You deserve better than the usual supermarket shelf fillers. If you're ready for something simple, effective, and made with integrity, start here. Explore the full range of vegan protein powder in Cyprus →
