Quest Vanilla Protein Shake (11 fl oz): 30g Protein, Labelgrade B-
Labelgrade: B- 73 / 100 — Same 30 g protein / 159 calorie hit as Premier Protein but with a notably shorter ingredient list (10 ingredients vs ~30) and a single sweetener (sucralose only, no acesulfame potassium). The trade-off vs Premier: no comprehensive vitamin-mineral premix and a smaller bottle (11 fl oz vs 11.5 fl oz). If you want one of the engineered high-protein shakes with the cleanest formulation, this is the choice.
The short answer
Quest Vanilla Protein Shake delivers 30 g of protein in 159 calories per 11 fl oz (325 mL) bottle (USDA FDC 2339950) — matching Premier Protein on macros while using a shorter ingredient list (10 ingredients vs ~30) and a single sweetener (sucralose only). The Labelgrade is B- (73 / 100) — the highest-scoring RTD shake in our database so far, on the strength of the cleaner formulation. Per-bottle protein density and per-mL density are virtually identical to Premier; the ingredient-quality margin is what separates them.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | C | 64 / 100 | 9.2 g of protein per 100 mL — comparable to all RTD shakes. The 30-g-per-bottle number is what matters, not the per-mL density |
| Ingredient quality | B- | 72 / 100 | 10 ingredients total: water, milk protein concentrate, sunflower oil, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, salt, two phosphates (sodium polyphosphate + trisodium phosphate), gellan gum, sucralose. Engineered but minimal compared to Premier — and zero acesulfame potassium |
| Sugar load | A+ | 95 / 100 | 1 g sugar, 0 g added — among the lowest in packaged foods |
| Sodium load | A- | 85 / 100 | 250 mg per shake (77 mg per 100 mL) — low, comparable to plain milk |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0 g — RTD shakes typically have no fiber |
| Overall | B- | 73 / 100 | The cleanest of the major engineered RTD shakes. If you’ve decided you want an artificially-sweetened high-protein convenience drink, Quest’s 10-ingredient formulation is the lowest-additive choice in the category |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per bottle | Calories | Sugar | Ingredients | Sweetener(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quest Vanilla (this product) | 30 g | 159 | 1 g | 10 | Sucralose |
| Premier Protein Vanilla (11.5 fl oz) | 30 g | 159 | 1 g | ~30 | Sucralose + acesulfame K |
| Fage Total 0% (180 g serving) | 32 g | 162 | 9 g (lactose) | 2 | None |
| Oikos Pro Vanilla (single-serve cup) | ~20 g | ~140 | ~3 g | 9 | Sugar + stevia |
Among engineered shakes, Quest wins on ingredient simplicity. Among all 30 g-protein options, plain Greek yogurt remains the cleanest if refrigeration and a spoon aren’t problems. Premier Protein’s micronutrient premix is the main thing Quest skips.
Whole-food equivalent
One Quest Vanilla Protein Shake (30 g protein) equals roughly:
- 97 g of cooked chicken breast (about 3.4 oz)
- 170 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (just under a single-serve cup)
- 5 large egg whites + 1 whole egg
- 130 g of plain canned tuna
Scope
This page covers Quest Vanilla Protein Shake as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2339950 (UPC 888849008117), at the 11 fl oz / 325 mL single-bottle size. Quest sells multiple flavors (chocolate, strawberries & cream, salted caramel, etc.) with very similar macros and ingredient profiles. Always check the actual bottle label for the specific flavor you have. The Labelgrade methodology applies consistently across the line.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Water, milk protein concentrate, contains less than 1% of: sunflower oil, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, salt, sodium polyphosphate, trisodium phosphate, gellan gum, sucralose.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 shake (11 fl oz / 325 mL)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 159 |
| Protein | 30g |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 250mg |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Calcium | 852mg |
| Iron | 1.7mg |
| Potassium | 130mg |
Where to buy
Links below are affiliate links. Buying through them may earn Labelgrade a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. The Labelgrade score is not affected by affiliate relationships — see methodology.
Search links are convenience links that may not land on the exact product variant we covered. Always verify the package label (size, UPC) before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a Quest Vanilla Protein Shake?
30 grams of protein per 11 fl oz (325 mL) bottle (USDA FDC 2339950) — identical to Premier Protein's per-bottle protein delivery.
How many calories per shake?
159 calories per 11 fl oz bottle. Identical calorie count to Premier Protein and similar to a 180 g serving of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt.
What sweetens it?
Sucralose, a non-nutritive sweetener. Quest uses sucralose alone, unlike Premier Protein which combines sucralose with acesulfame potassium.
How does Quest compare to Premier Protein?
Same macros (30 g protein, 159 calories, 1 g sugar) but Quest has a notably cleaner ingredient list — about 10 ingredients vs Premier's ~30. Quest uses one sweetener instead of two, skips carrageenan, and omits the extensive vitamin-mineral premix. Premier offers more added micronutrients in exchange for the longer formulation.
Does Quest contain dairy?
Yes. Milk protein concentrate is the primary protein source. The shake is not vegan and contains lactose, though the amount is very small.
Is it keto-friendly?
Yes — 3 g total carbs, 1 g sugar, 3 g fat, 30 g protein per shake fits most ketogenic and low-carb protocols.
How does it compare to Greek yogurt for protein?
Per serving: about the same protein (30 g vs Fage Total 0% at 32 g per 180 g). Per ingredient list: Greek yogurt wins decisively — Fage has 2 ingredients, Quest has 10. Per cost per gram of protein: usually similar at retail. The choice is convenience vs ingredient simplicity.
Is the calcium claim large?
Yes — 852 mg of calcium per bottle is over 65% of the FDA Daily Value (1300 mg). Most of this is naturally-occurring in the milk protein concentrate, not from added calcium carbonate.
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Sources
- USDA · ID 2339950 · accessed 2026-05-27
- MANUFACTURER · accessed 2026-05-27
Last verified: 2026-05-27