PhD Diet Whey vs MaxiNutrition Promax Lean.
Two UK diet wheys tested across six weighted dimensions, value, density, macro cleanliness, ingredients, mixability and buyer sentiment. The data picks one for most lifters, the other for a specific buyer.
68g protein per 100g with CLA, green tea and L-carnitine
Roughly 30 to 40% cheaper per 25g protein than Promax Lean
8,000+ Amazon UK reviews at 4.4 stars, stocked in Tesco, Asda and Boots
The right pick depends on why you're buying.
A few different buyer profiles, each with a different best answer. Tap any to see the rationale and jump straight to the deal.
- Best valuePhD →
- Cutting / fasted trainingMaxiNutrition →
- All-in-one (skip the multivit)MaxiNutrition →
- Big-volume bulkingPhD →
- Sensitive stomachMaxiNutrition →
- Best-tasting shakePhD →
Best value
Roughly 30 to 40% cheaper per 25 g of protein. Stocked across UK supermarkets so deals appear often, and the 1 kg tub regularly drops below £18.
Ingredients, line by line.
Every ingredient on each label, classified. Approved means nutritionist-positive sources or actives. Neutral is functional (binders, anti-caking, flavouring). Watch flags additives many buyers want to limit.
- Whey protein concentrate (milk) (75% of blend)
- Soya protein isolate
- Milk protein concentrate
- CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) powder
- Acetyl L-Carnitine
- Green tea extract
- Golden brown flaxseed powder
- Waxy barley flour
- Acacia / guar / xanthan gum (stabilisers)
- Lecithins (emulsifier)
- Salt
- SucraloseWatch
- Whey protein isolate (milk) (55%)
- Calcium caseinate (milk) (35%)
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
- Green tea extract
- Caffeine
- B-vitamin complex (B1/B2/B6/B12, biotin, folic acid)
- Low-fat cocoa powder
- Sunflower lecithin (emulsifier)
- Natural flavouring
- SucraloseWatch
Sentiment patterns from public reviews.
We read Amazon UK reviews, Trustpilot threads, and editorial coverage. We don't invent quotes.
- Belgian Chocolate and Salted Caramel land repeatedly as standouts, "great taste" and "very impressive for a diet shake" are recurring phrases across Amazon UK reviews.
- Holland and Barrett buyers praise the appetite-suppressing effect and report keeping hunger at bay between meals.
- Direct PhD orders draw consistent Trustpilot praise for fast delivery and smooth customer service.
- Texture is thicker than a standard whey. The flaxseed addition means some reviewers find it too dense for water-only shakes.
- Forum threads on MoneySavingExpert call out the added CLA, green tea and L-carnitine as dosed below clinically-useful levels.
- Trustpilot regulars describe the caffeine and protein combo as an instant boost from the caffeine and the protein I need, particularly effective as an early-session shake.
- Chocolate is the standout flavour. Reviewers consistently note quick delivery and email order updates from MaxiNutrition direct.
- The vitamin B-complex, L-carnitine and green tea extract built in save stacking separate supplements for body-composition buyers.
- GymTalk's value review is blunt: the £39.99 RRP reads as pretty bad value. The product is high quality, but cheaper retailers around £29 make it palatable.
- A subset of Trustpilot buyers report wrong-flavour deliveries and slow customer-service responses, direct ordering can be hit-or-miss.