Protein and Sugar Side by Side
| Item | Protein | Calories | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koia Cacao Bean Nutrition Shake | 20g | 180 cal | 3g |
| Koia Vanilla Bean Nutrition Shake | 20g | 180 cal | 3g |
| Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk | 8g | 150 cal | 22g |
| Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk | 8g | 110 cal | 12g |
The two Koia shakes lead on protein and trail on sugar. The Horizon boxes are the reverse: real dairy milk, less protein, and a chocolate version that carries 22 g of sugar in 8 oz.
Koia Nutrition Shakes
Koia is a dairy-free shake built on pea, rice and chickpea protein in a coconut milk base, sweetened with monk fruit, which is why each 11 fl oz bottle carries 20 g of protein and only 3 g of sugar. Both flavors are 180 calories.
- Why choose Koia: vegan, gluten free, 20 g of protein, low sugar.
- Best for: a post-workout stop, or anyone who wants the protein menu without dairy.
Koia Cacao Bean
The Koia Cacao Bean Nutrition Shake tastes of dark chocolate milk without the sweetness. It is the one to pick with a plain coffee as a breakfast substitute.
Koia Vanilla Bean
The Koia Vanilla Bean Nutrition Shake is milder and works as a base: pour it over ice with an espresso shot for a protein iced latte with less sugar than the Iced Vanilla Protein Latte at 29 g.
Horizon Organic Milk Boxes
The Horizon boxes are 8 fl oz shelf-stable organic lowfat milk with a straw, sold mainly for children. The plain Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk is 110 calories with 8 g of protein; the Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk is 150 calories with the same protein and 22 g of sugar. Both are $3.65.
| Item | Calories | Sugar | Caffeine | Protein | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk | 110 | 12g | - | 8g | $3.65 |
| Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk | 150 | 22g | - | 8g | $3.65 |
- Why choose Horizon: a sealed milk a child can hold, no cup, no spill.
- Nutrition tip: the plain box has half the sugar of the chocolate and the same protein.
Shakes vs the Protein Drinks at the Bar
A Koia shake carries less protein than a Grande Vanilla Protein Latte at 27 g but a fraction of the sugar and calories, and it costs less. It is also the only protein option in the store with no dairy. The handcrafted protein drinks win on taste and on protein per cup; the shake wins on sugar and on speed.
Who Each One Is For
- A gym bag: Koia, either flavor, 20 g of protein and no refrigeration worry for an hour.
- A child with a pastry: the plain Horizon box.
- A treat for a child: the chocolate Horizon box.
- A vegan breakfast: Koia vanilla with a bagel.
- A low-sugar day: Koia, at 3 g.
- A breakfast with no time: a Koia shake and a banana from the counter is a full meal without a wait at the bar.
The Horizon boxes are dairy. The Koia shakes declare none declared and are made in a facility that also processes tree nuts; check the label if that matters.