For our Tone It Up Protein review, we asked Erin Chancer, GGR senior editor, and NASM-CNC, ISSA-CPT, to try this plant protein powder and share her experience. Tone It Up, which also carries collagen creamer and immunity-boosting gummies, offers vanilla and chocolate plant-based protein among its few products.
RELATED: Collagen Protein Vs Whey Protein
That said, high-quality, dairy-free protein isn’t typically cheap, and Tone It Up protein is no different. As a team, we investigated whether the protein supplement was worth the cost. Read on to see our verdict.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Dairy-Free, GMO-Free, and Bias-Free
GGR’s fitness professionals, registered dietitians, and personal trainers personally trial every nutritional supplement we review for you, so you can rest assured you’ll receive an unbiased and raw opinion of each supplement we share.
We rate products using a 1 to 5 scale based on our custom GGR supplement testing methodology. This methodology examines criteria like:
- Quality of the formulation
- Taste/solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Price/value
- Customer reviews/service
Tone It Up Protein
Tone It Up Plant-Based Protein
Product Highlights
- Pea and chia protein blend
- 15 g of protein per serving
- No artificial ingredients
- Available in chocolate and vanilla
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Customers like the taste
- Good solubility
- No artificial ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
- Protein content not as high as competitors
- Not third-party tested
- Only 2 flavors available
Bottom Line
Tone It Up plant-based protein uses a blend of pea and chia protein to provide 15 grams of protein per serving, lower than the average on the market. Customers like the taste and solubility, but only chocolate and vanilla flavors are available.
A Quick Look at Tone It Up Protein
Tone It Up was founded in 2009 by personal trainers Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn, who met at their gym and made plans to build a positive female-centric fitness community.
Tone It Up, affectionately known as “TIU,” is a wellness company that sells plant-based supplements and gummies that are dairy-free, gluten-free and non-GMO. According to TIU, their nutrition line “is made for women, by women”—though anyone can enjoy this vegan protein powder—and the website proudly proclaimed their protein powder is the top-selling at Target nationwide.
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Before You Buy
- Only 14 servings per tub, so plan your supplement schedule accordingly
- For flavor reasons, not recommended if trying plant protein for the first time
- Over $2 per serving
Is Tone It Up Protein Worth It?
With no artificial ingredients, both the chocolate protein powder and vanilla plant protein from Tone It Up are non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, and free of animal products. So, it checks many boxes for specific dietary preferences. However, considering the high price, our experts don’t think it’s a practical source of protein for most active individuals.
Great for:
- Those on a low-calorie diet
- People who want a plant-based, organic protein for casual use
- Individuals who don’t drink protein supplements often
Not recommended for:
- People with high protein needs
- Anyone on a tight supplement budget
- Those who strictly avoid added sugars
Tone It Up Protein Specs
| Price per serving | $2.14 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (29g) |
| Flavors | Chocolate, Vanilla |
| Calories per serving | 110 |
| Protein per serving | 15g |
| Carbs per serving | 9g |
| Fat per serving | 3g |
| Notable ingredients | Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Chia Protein, Oatmilk [Gluten-Free Oats, Water]), Inulin, Natural Flavors, Coconut Creamer (Coconut Oil, Acacia Gum), Organic Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract |
| Third-party tested? | No |
Experience Using Tone It Up Protein
Erin Chancer, GGR senior editor, and NASM-CNC, ISSA-CPT, tested this plant-based protein powder and had a lukewarm reaction.
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“It’s below average when compared to other protein powders in terms of servings and dosage,” Erin says. “Only 15 grams of protein and 14 servings per tub. I’m also not a fan of the flavor compared to other brands of vegan protein powder I’ve had.”
Price Per Serving
We gave a score of 1 out of 5 for the price. At $29.99 per tub and 14 servings per container, Tone It Up protein comes to about $2.14 per serving. This isn’t the best value, considering you only get 15 grams of protein per serving.
Those with high protein needs will need to take multiple scoops, meaning the small tub size offers the double burden of needing to resupply more often than one may be used to, as well as the cost adding up.
Formulation
We rated Tone It Up a 2.5 out of 5 for formulation as we can’t get past that one serving contains only 15 grams of protein and, like most plant-based protein powder, contains 9 grams of carbs. For those who closely monitor their macros, the carb content may pose a problem.
So, why is 15 grams of protein a problem? Well, the best protein bars and powders contain at least 20 to 25 grams of protein due to multiple studies that show 20 grams is needed to optimally “switch on” anabolic metabolism in the body1.
Let’s look at some other notable ingredients in Tone It Up protein powder:
Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Chia Protein, Oatmilk)
Tone It Up plant protein contains three types of protein powder. Oats are a relatively poor source of protein, so their appearance in this protein blend is a little puzzling.
RELATED: A Registered Dietitian Breaks Down Pea Protein Benefits
Pea protein is one of the better plant protein options due to its leucine content, an amino acid responsible for turning on muscle building2. Compared to whey, pea protein powder has a fairly similar leucine content3.
However, it is important to note that pea protein isn’t high in all essential amino acids (it lacks methionine4), and studies have shown optimal muscle mass gains are made when one consumes all nine EAAs consistently5.
Last, chia seeds do contain all essential amino acids6, but chia proteins are much more poorly absorbed in the gut compared to whey and pea proteins.
Inulin
Inulin is a type of dietary fiber found naturally in dried onions, chicory root, and Jerusalem artichokes. They’re special because they operate as a prebiotic fiber7 that provides your body with all of the health benefits of dietary fiber, while feeding the good bacteria in your gut.
Flavoring/Sweeteners
Finally, this plant-based protein contains natural flavors, coconut creamer (likely for a creamier protein shake consistency), and two types of sweeteners: monk fruit and cane sugar. So, there are 2 grams of added sugar per serving.
RELATED: Best Sugar-Free Protein Powder
Taste and Solubility
We rated Tone It Up a 3 out of 5 for taste. Erin says, “You only have chocolate or vanilla flavor options, so I went with the former. Now, I don’t regularly snack on Play-Doh or anything, but that’s kinda what it tasted like.” She also compares it with other plant-based proteins like Orgain. “I didn’t have very high expectations as it’s a vegan protein, but I’ve tried other dairy-free protein supplements that were definitely better.”
RELATED: Orgain Protein Powder Review
There’s good news, though, as we gave a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility. “It dissolves fast,” Erin states.
Side Effects
For side effects, we gave a rating of 4 out of 5. Though it wasn’t the best protein powder for Erin in terms of taste, she didn’t have any negative side effects like excess gas, which some users report when taking a plant-based protein powder.
RELATED: Does Protein Powder Really Give You Protein Farts?
Third-Party Testing
Tone It Up protein supplements are not third-party tested and the labeling isn’t very transparent, which gives them a rating of 1 out of 5.
Tone It Up Protein vs Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Plant-Based Protein Isolate
Product Highlights
- A rice and pea protein powder
- Rated with 4.3 stars on their website
- Comes in 2 flavors
- 24 g of protein per serving
- Organic product with minimal ingredients
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives
- Organic and vegan
- Only 5-7 ingredients
- Reviewers love the taste
- 24 g of protein per serving
- Subscribe and save
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 2 flavors
- Stevia can cause GI issues for some
- Expensive
Bottom Line
This organic rice and pea protein powder is a good choice for people who want a clean plant-based protein option with minimal ingredients.
Another plant-based protein we’ve tried is Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein and we wanted to see how it measured up to TIU. Tone It Up has a serving size with fewer calories and a smaller scoop compared to Transparent Labs. Both also only come in chocolate and vanilla flavors. However, Transparent Labs is nearly $0.50 cheaper per serving and has 24 grams of protein, closer to what most are looking for, especially for a post-workout shake.
It also has a rice and pea protein blend—which presents an amino acid profile similar to whey—and is naturally sweetened with stevia and no added sugars, unlike TIU. Finally, Transparent Labs is third-party tested.
| Tone It Up Protein | Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein | |
| Price per serving | $2.14 | $1.66 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (29g) | 1 scoop (37g) |
| Flavors | Chocolate, Vanilla | Chocolate, French Vanilla |
| Calories per serving | 110 | 140 |
| Protein per serving | 15g | 24g |
| Carbs per serving | 9g | 7g |
| Fat per serving | 3g | 2.5g |
| Notable ingredients | Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Chia Protein, Oatmilk [Gluten-Free Oats, Water]), Inulin, Natural Flavors, Coconut Creamer (Coconut Oil, Acacia Gum), Organic Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract | Rice Protein (20g), Pea Protein Isolate (9.411g), Natural Flavor (1.56g), Pure Vanilla Sugar (500mg), Himalayan Rock Salt (310mg), And Stevia (270mg) |
| Third-party tested? | No | Yes, Informed Sport |
Customer Experience
“Despite a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, they ask you to return it unused, which won’t work for most people,” says our tester Erin. “You also have to cover the cost of return shipping and don’t have a phone number to call if you need help. You can, however, email contact@toneitup.com for assistance or to request a return.” That said, Erin had no issues with ordering or receiving her chocolate protein powder.
Ordering Tone It Up Protein
If you want to save 10%, you can enroll in their Subscribe and Save program, which is probably the move considering you only get a two-week supply per tub. However, unlike other brands, you don’t get free shipping when you enroll, as free three- to five-day shipping is also included for one-time purchases.
Customer Reviews
On the Tone It Up website, the vanilla protein has a 4.8 star rating based on 217 reviews with some stating it’s “my favorite protein powder,” and that it tastes better than the likes of Orgain Organic Vanilla Plant Protein.
On Amazon, TIU protein has a 4.3 star rating out of 5 based on 254 global ratings. Some reviews say it tastes great in an almond milk protein shake. However, many reviews report it has a chalky texture.
Final Verdict of Our Tone It Up Protein Review
A 110-calorie serving size is pretty sweet for those trying to keep their calories low. The fiber content can even help with further appetite control. However, the form and amount of protein this product contains makes it a suboptimal choice for those trying to gain muscle or significantly increase their protein intake with multiple scoops of protein per day.
RELATED: Best Protein Shakes For Weight Loss
So, Tone It Up is worth a try if you want a plant-based protein shake that’s more for casual drinking rather than muscle-building chugging.
- Mix with 8 fl oz of water or almond milk if your goal is to keep your calories low
- Approach with caution if potential contaminants are a worry, as non-third party tested supplements may contain heavy metals
Full Rating
Tone It Up Protein
Tone It Up is a plant-based protein that can be used to increase protein intake or aid in post-workout muscle recovery.
Product Brand: Tone It Up
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 20.90
Product In-Stock: InStock
2.75
Tone It Up Protein: FAQs
Is Tone It Up Protein healthy?
Tone It Up is made with all-natural ingredients, but contains few vitamins and minerals
When should I drink Tone It Up protein?
Many drink protein powder post-workout, but Tone It Up protein is more useful as a general-use protein that you can consume anytime.
What does Tone It Up do?
Tone It Up is a plant-based protein that can be used to increase protein intake or aid in post-workout muscle recovery.
RELATED: Best Muscle Recovery Supplements
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Moore DR, Areta J, Coffey VG, et al. Daytime pattern of post-exercise protein intake affects whole-body protein turnover in resistance-trained males. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012;9(1):91. Published 2012 Oct 16. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-9-91
- Fujita S, Dreyer HC, Drummond MJ, et al. Nutrient signalling in the regulation of human muscle protein synthesis. J Physiol. 2007;582(Pt 2):813-823. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2007.134593
- Babault N, Païzis C, Deley G, et al. Pea proteins oral supplementation promotes muscle thickness gains during resistance training: a double-blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled clinical trial vs. Whey protein. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12(1):3. Published 2015 Jan 21. doi:10.1186/s12970-014-0064-5
- Gorissen SHM, Crombag JJR, Senden JMG, et al. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids. 2018;50(12):1685-1695. doi:10.1007/s00726-018-2640-5
- Church DD, Hirsch KR, Park S, et al. Essential Amino Acids and Protein Synthesis: Insights into Maximizing the Muscle and Whole-Body Response to Feeding. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3717. Published 2020 Dec 2. doi:10.3390/nu12123717
- Sandoval-Oliveros MR, Paredes-López O. Isolation and characterization of proteins from chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(1):193-201. doi:10.1021/jf3034978
- Hughes RL, Alvarado DA, Swanson KS, Holscher HD. The Prebiotic Potential of Inulin-Type Fructans: A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2022;13(2):492-529. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab119
