Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Powder Vanilla Bean

Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil is a refined seed oil. High-oleic varieties are higher in monounsaturated fat and lower in omega-6 than standard versions, but remain industrially processed seed oils — Scout classifies all seed oils as very_bad regardless of oleic profile.

Proprietary flavor blend; can hide dozens of synthetic aroma chemicals and phthalate carriers under FDA trade-secret rules.

USDA Organic plant-based protein that's notably good for a legume but still less bioavailable than whey or other animal-source proteins, meaning more grams are needed to deliver the same usable amino acids for muscle protein synthesis. Naturally low in methionine, so it does not stand alone as a complete protein and is typically blended with rice. Organic certification controls pesticides and synthetic fertilizers but not soil-accumulated heavy metals — pea crops are well-documented lead and cadmium accumulators.

USDA Organic plant protein commonly paired with pea to round out the amino acid profile. On its own, brown rice protein is naturally low in lysine and less bioavailable than whey, so a larger gram dose is required to deliver the same usable amino acids for muscle protein synthesis. Brown rice is also the most well-documented arsenic accumulator in the food supply — the suspected source of arsenic detected here.

USDA Organic legume-based plant protein adding amino acid diversity. Less bioavailable than whey or other animal-source proteins. Soil-grown so does not avoid heavy-metal accumulation.

Plant-derived (acacia tree sap) prebiotic fiber and emulsifier; inert and may support gut health at higher doses.

Sugar alcohol with near-zero glycemic impact. A 2023 NIH-funded observational study suggested an association with cardiovascular events at high blood levels, but causation is not established; generally considered safer than synthetic sweeteners.

Dutch-processed organic cocoa has reduced flavanol content vs natural cocoa. Cocoa is also a known cadmium accumulator.

Natural zero-calorie sweetener from the stevia leaf. No significant health concerns, but Scout treats all stevia forms as neutral — neither penalized nor counted as a beneficial ingredient.

USDA Organic plant-derived (legume seed) thickener; inert and safe at typical concentrations.

Microbial-fermentation-derived thickener; inert and safe at typical concentrations.

Whole-seed plant protein adding amino acid diversity, polyphenols, and omega-3 ALA. Less bioavailable than whey and contributes only a small fraction of the total protein dose — a whole-food positive but not a primary protein driver.

Plant-derived prebiotic fiber that supports gut microbiome diversity.

Unrefined sea salt — a minimally processed, natural source of sodium and essential trace minerals, and a legitimate whole-food seasoning. Treated as a positive ingredient.