Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein
Athletes who want Informed Sport-certified native whey with clean, natural ingredients
Vega Sport Premium Protein
Plant-based athletes who need NSF-certified vegan protein with recovery ingredients
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Ascent Native Fuel Whey Protein
Athletes who want Informed Sport-certified native whey with clean, natural ingredients
Ascent differentiates with its "native" whey process — extracting protein directly from fresh milk rather than cheese manufacturing. Informed Sport certified with zero artificial ingredients makes it a strong choice for clean-label athletes. The native whey distinction may not justify the premium over standard isolates.
Strengths
- Informed Sport certified and uses native whey isolate processed from fresh milk (not cheese byproduct)
- Zero artificial ingredients with only natural flavors and sweeteners
- 25g protein per serving with strong amino acid and BCAA profile
Limitations
- Native whey process marketing may overstate benefits vs standard isolate
- Limited flavor range compared to larger brands
- Pricing at $2.00/serving is mid-range but not budget-friendly
When to Choose Vega Sport Premium Protein
Plant-based athletes who need NSF-certified vegan protein with recovery ingredients
Vega Sport is the premier NSF-certified plant-based protein for athletes. The multi-source blend provides a complete amino acid profile, and added recovery ingredients like tart cherry give it functional edge. Plant-based heavy metal concerns and premium pricing are the trade-offs.
Strengths
- NSF Certified for Sport with 30g plant-based protein per serving
- Multi-source plant blend (pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower, alfalfa) for complete amino profile
- Added tart cherry and turmeric for post-workout recovery support
Limitations
- Some Consumer Reports concern over heavy metals in plant-based proteins generally
- Strong stevia taste can be polarizing for some palates
- Premium price at $3.00/serving for 20 servings per container
