If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know mountain biking isn’t just a hobby for me, it’s my lifestyle and job. From long training rides in the Scottish mountains with my Dalmatian trail dog, the gorgeous Mylo, to tackling some of the toughest races abroad, my body is constantly being pushed to its limits. Training and racing at this level means one thing: recovery has to be a priority. Your body is only as good as you let it be. We can all be guilty of pushing it to its limits and not listening to it and what it needs.
That’s where protein comes in. I’ve tried plenty of powders over the years, but so many are packed with fillers, sweeteners, and unnecessary extras that don’t do my body or stomach any favours. When Naked Nutrition reached out, I was excited to put vanilla naked Whey protein to the test. It's a protein powder that promises simplicity, clean ingredients, and performance you can feel. Also, the tub is as big as my head! This gal loves value for money.
What’s in Vanilla Naked Whey?
The first thing that stood out to me was just how short the ingredient list is. Instead of a long paragraph of additives you can’t pronounce, you get just three: grass-fed whey protein, natural vanilla flavour, and organic coconut sugar. That’s it. No artificial sweeteners, no GMOs, no fillers, no colouring.
The whey comes from small, non-GMO dairy farms where cows are grass-fed and allowed to graze, which not only supports better animal welfare but also produces a cleaner nutrient profile. But the fact that they care about this is just music to my ears.
Naked Nutrition explains that their whey protein is cold-processed to minimise heat exposure. This careful method helps preserve the natural amino acids, immunoglobulins, and other nutrients that can be lost with high-heat processing.
In a 37 g serving (2 scoops), Vanilla Naked Whey provides:
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Around 146 calories
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25 g protein
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5.9 g BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids for muscle repair)
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8 g carbohydrates, of which about 5 g are sugars
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2 g fat (including 0.5 g saturated fat)
It’s a well-balanced profile for recovery fuel, high in protein without unnecessary sugars or excess calories. Which is a game-changer for me. I like to have my protein as a training aid, not a full meal. Some of the calories in other protein brands are crazy, and it's all chemicals and fillers.
Why Clean Ingredients Matter for My Training
As a mountain bike athlete, my muscles are constantly under stress. Whether it’s climbing steep mountains on my bike, powering through interval training on Zwift, or balancing on technical descents, or the dreaded accidental falls. (I do mountain bike if you're not flying, you're not trying right) Every ride causes micro-tears in the muscles that need protein to repair. The quality of that protein matters just as much as the quantity. Even if you are not training like me, you would be surprised how much protein your body needs to repair just from day-to-day life.
With Naked Whey, I know exactly what I’m putting in my body. No artificial flavours that upset my stomach, no sweeteners that trigger sugar crashes, and no extras that don’t serve a purpose. As a girl with major stomach issues, this is so important to me. The natural vanilla gives a subtle flavour that isn’t sickly, while the coconut sugar provides just enough sweetness to make it enjoyable.
Compared to other powders I’ve tried, the ones that taste like milkshakes but leave me bloated or jittery. This feels lighter, cleaner, and much more in line with what endurance training actually demands. I need to mention how easily this digests. Honestly, I can not emphasise this enough. This does not upset my stomach. Huge win.
Why Our Bodies Need Protein
Protein is often thought of as something only athletes worry about, but the truth is, it’s essential for everyone. Every cell in our body relies on protein. It’s the building block for muscles, skin, hair, and even the enzymes that keep our metabolism ticking over.
When we exercise, whether that’s cycling like me, a gym session, or just a long walk, our muscles experience tiny tears that need protein to repair and grow stronger. Beyond fitness, protein also plays a huge role in keeping us fuller for longer, supporting healthy hormones, and maintaining steady energy throughout the day. Without enough of it, recovery slows, fatigue sets in more easily, and it’s harder to maintain overall health and vitality.
How I’ve Been Using It
I’ve tested Vanilla Naked Whey in a few different ways to see how it slots into my routine:
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Post-ride recovery shakes: After a long Highland ride, I’ll blend it with oat milk and frozen banana. It mixes smoothly and doesn’t leave that chalky texture I dread. If you know, you know.
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Morning oats: On strength training days, I stir it into porridge. It adds a gentle vanilla taste and keeps me full until lunch.
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Protein snacks: I’ve also added it to pancakes and energy balls. Because it’s so clean, it doesn’t overpower the other flavours.
Coffee: I have added it to my coffee if I am in a rush in the morning. Works perfectly.
What I’ve Noticed
After a few weeks of use, the difference is clear. I’m recovering faster between training days, meaning I can ride more often without dragging sore legs into the saddle. My energy is steadier when working out, and I’m not reaching for snacks mid-morning when I’ve had it in my oats. Most importantly, I’ve had no digestive issues, which has been a problem with other whey powders. What magic is this? I have found a whey powder that doesn't make me feel bloated and heavy every time it enters my body. Amazing.
Why It’s Not Just for Athletes
While I’ve been using Naked Whey vanilla as part of my mountain bike training and recovery, the truth is you don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from it. Protein plays a role in so many areas of daily life, from keeping you fuller for longer to supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails. I think of it as an everyday wellness tool just as much as a sports supplement.
If you’re a busy parent who struggles to grab breakfast, stirring a scoop into your morning oats or smoothie, or coffee can help you stay satisfied until lunch. If you’re working long hours at a desk, adding protein to your diet can stop that mid-afternoon slump and keep your energy stable. And if you’re someone who enjoys baking, it’s an easy way to sneak extra protein into snacks without resorting to overly processed bars. I recommend making pancakes; they are lovely.
Quick Take
Vanilla Naked Whey is versatile enough to support any lifestyle, whether you’re hitting the trails, juggling a hectic schedule, or just looking for a clean, simple way to get more protein into your day.
Sustainability and Transparency
Naked Nutrition is transparent about its sourcing, which I am so happy about. The whey is from grass-fed cows on small, non-GMO farms, and the brand avoids artificial sweeteners, colours, and fillers. For me, that level of honesty really matters; it’s fuel I can trust. I am from a farming family, and I love this.
Price and Availability in the UK
Vanilla Naked Whey is available directly through Naked Nutrition’s UK site. They offer two sizes and a subscription to save some pennies.
A 450g tub is 21.99 for a one-time purchase and £17.59 with a subscription.
A 2280g massive tub costs £79.99 as a one-time purchase, or around £63.99 with a subscription.
Free shipping is available on orders over £45. Talk about value for money. I would have thought it would have been so much more for pure, unmessed-with ingredients like these.
You can find it directly here: Naked Whey.
Other Flavours and Products from Naked Nutrition
Although I’ve been using the Vanilla Naked Whey, Naked Nutrition’s UK site also offers Chocolate Whey and Unflavoured Whey if you prefer something richer or completely plain for cooking and smoothies.
Final Verdict
For me, Vanilla Naked Whey ticks every box. It’s clean, effective, and easy to use, the kind of supplement that supports my training and recovery without any of the extras I don’t want. Plus, it doesn't hurt my stomach. It’s earned its place in my cupboard, and I’ll be keeping it in my recovery toolkit for future training blocks and races. This is a protein I’ll keep buying, because it actually works for me. Which is incredible. I have never found a protein that doesn't have any side effects and cares about its cow as much as this one win-win-win.
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