Most Premier Protein products are vegetarian but not vegan, with one important exception: their protein bars contain gelatin, which is not vegetarian. The answer depends on which Premier Protein product you’re looking at, because the brand’s lineup spans dairy-based shakes, gelatin-containing bars, and a fully plant-based protein powder.
Premier Protein Shakes: Vegetarian, Not Vegan
The ready-to-drink shakes, which are by far Premier Protein’s most popular product, are vegetarian. Their protein comes from two dairy-derived sources: milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate. Both are made from cow’s milk, which means they’re off the table for vegans but perfectly acceptable for lacto-vegetarians.
The rest of the ingredient list is straightforward. Beyond the dairy proteins, the shakes contain filtered water, sunflower or soybean oil, thickeners like cellulose gel and gum, sweeteners, and a vitamin and mineral blend. The shakes list milk and soy as allergens. One ingredient worth noting for strict vegetarians is cholecalciferol, the form of vitamin D3 included in the vitamin blend. Vitamin D3 is commonly sourced from lanolin, a waxy substance in sheep’s wool. Lanolin-derived D3 is generally considered vegetarian since it doesn’t require slaughtering the animal, but some vegetarians prefer to avoid it. Premier Protein does not publicly specify whether their D3 comes from lanolin or a plant source.
Premier Protein Bars: Not Vegetarian
The protein bars are a different story. They contain hydrolyzed gelatin, which is derived from animal bones, skin, and connective tissue. Gelatin is neither vegetarian nor vegan. It appears as a core structural ingredient in the bars, not a trace additive, so there’s no way around it if you follow a vegetarian diet.
The bars also use whey protein concentrate, whey protein hydrolysate, and soy protein isolate as their protein blend, along with whey powder and nonfat dry milk further down the list. Even without the gelatin, these would still be dairy-heavy products. But the gelatin is the dealbreaker for vegetarians. If you’re browsing the protein bar aisle, you’ll want to skip these entirely.
The Plant-Based Powder Is Fully Vegan
Premier Protein also makes a plant-based protein powder that uses a blend of pea protein and rice protein. This product is labeled both vegetarian and vegan, and it’s also gluten-free and lactose-free. It contains no dairy, no gelatin, and no other animal-derived ingredients. If you want to stay within the Premier Protein brand while avoiding all animal products, this is your only option.
The plant-based powder is a stand-alone product, though, not a direct substitute for the shakes. It comes as a powder you mix yourself rather than a ready-to-drink bottle, and the flavor and texture will differ from the dairy-based shakes.
Quick Breakdown by Product
- Ready-to-drink shakes: Vegetarian (contain dairy). Not vegan.
- Protein bars: Not vegetarian. Contain gelatin from animal sources.
- Plant-based protein powder: Vegan and vegetarian. Made from pea and rice protein.
What to Check on the Label
Premier Protein regularly updates flavors and formulations, so it’s worth scanning the ingredient list even if you’ve bought a product before. The two ingredients that matter most for vegetarians are gelatin (which rules out any product entirely) and dairy proteins like casein, whey, and milk protein concentrate (which are fine for lacto-vegetarians but not for vegans).
If you’re a strict vegetarian who also avoids lanolin-derived vitamins, contact Premier Protein directly to ask about the source of their vitamin D3 in the shakes. The brand doesn’t make this information easy to find on the label or their website.