There's a version of this story where a lightbulb moment happens in a lab. White coats, beakers, a dramatic "eureka"... the whole thing.
That is not this story.
This one starts with late-night fast food, a very patient Registered Dietitian, and a mutual agreement that basically every protein drink on the market... kind of sucks.
THE PROBLEM NOBODY WAS SOLVING
Here's the thing about protein: you probably know you need more of it. Most people do. Protein supports muscle maintenance, keeps you full longer, and plays a role in basically every system in your body. It's not a gym-bro thing. It's a human thing.
And yet, getting enough protein is genuinely annoying.
The options are either intimidating (enormous tubs of powder marketed to people who post workout selfies at 5am) or just... bad. Chalky. Thick. Fake sweet. You choke them down because you're supposed to, not because you want to. Like, come on dude. We can do better than this.
Dalton Anderson, the creative half of ProSo's founding duo, hit this wall hard. After years of grabbing whatever was convenient (see: pizza rolls, fast food, zero thought about any of it), he finally turned to his best friend Sam Kramer for help.
Sam is a Registered Dietitian with an actual master's degree, supervised clinical hours, a board certification, and a resume that includes publishing nutrition research. The man runs ultra-marathons for fun. His answer was simple: more protein, less sugar.
Dalton's response? "Cool, but have you tasted what's out there?"
THE EXPERIMENT THAT STARTED EVERYTHING
Sam and Dalton are, by their own admission, an unlikely team. Sam tracks macros and rock climbs on weekends. Dalton plays Runescape and genuinely believes thawing pizza rolls counts as meal prep. (It doesn't. We've had this conversation.)
But that gap is exactly what makes ProSo work.
Dalton asked the question most nutrition-focused founders never think to ask: is there any way to get more protein without having to think about it?
Not "how do we make the most efficient protein delivery system." Not "how do we hit the highest possible gram count." Just... can this be easy? Can it actually be enjoyable? Gasp, is that allowed?
What followed was a lot of brainstorming, some questionable experiments, and eventually a formula that nobody in the beverage industry had figured out yet: a soda that actually tastes like soda, with 10 grams of clean whey protein isolate, zero sugar, no artificial anything, and only 45 calories per can.
Sam formulated it with the rigor you'd expect from someone who's spent a decade in the supplement and nutrition space. Dalton made sure it was something a normal person would actually want to drink. Straight up, that combination is what makes this thing work.
WHY WHEY ISOLATE? WHY ONOSWEET? WHY 10 GRAMS?
These weren't random choices. Every decision in ProSo was deliberate, and if you give Sam five minutes and a whiteboard he will absolutely walk you through the science behind all of it. But here's the short version for the rest of us.
Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey you can get. At 90% protein by weight, it's filtered to remove nearly all the fats, carbs, and lactose that make other protein drinks taste chalky and sit heavy. That's the stuff that makes you feel like you just drank a milkshake you didn't ask for. Whey isolate skips all of that.
OnoSweet is a patented, zero-calorie sweetener made from fermented rice. It uses Reb M, which is the good one. Not the bitter, weird-aftertaste Reb A that most stevia products use and that you've definitely noticed and hated. OnoSweet tastes like sugar. No blood sugar spike. No bloating. No "why does this taste like a candle" moment. Pretty wild that it exists, honestly.
10 grams is the number Sam landed on for a reason. Research shows 10g is the minimum effective dose for lean body mass support per sitting. It's not designed to be a post-workout shake or a meal replacement. It's designed to be something you actually want to drink throughout your day without thinking about it. That's it. That's the whole idea.
BREWED IN GREENVILLE, SC AND PROUD OF IT
ProSo is made right here in Greenville, South Carolina. Not in some giant facility somewhere in the midwest. Not outsourced to the lowest bidder. Right here, in our hometown, by people we actually know and trust.
The facility is FDA-registered and cGMP-compliant, which is the kind of thing Sam insisted on from day one and Dalton nodded along to while pretending he knew what cGMP meant. The point is: the quality standards are real, the process is legit, and the product is shelf stable so it's ready whenever you are.
Greenville doesn't always get the credit it deserves for what's being built here. ProSo is one small piece of that, and we're not taking it for granted.
THREE FLAVORS. ZERO COMPROMISE.
ProSo currently comes in three flavors, and yes, they all actually taste good. Not "good for a protein drink." Just... good.
Sunny Meyer Lemon is crisp, citrusy, and light. Like lemonade grew up and got its life together.
Cheeky Cherry Vanilla is fresh cherry with a smooth vanilla finish. Natural-tasting, never artificial, weirdly addictive.
Retro Root Beer is creamy, nostalgic, and easy-drinking. A classic that happens to have 10g of protein in it. Float, anyone?
All three flavors have the same nutrition profile: 10g whey protein isolate, 45 calories, zero sugar, no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Seven ingredients total. That's it.
IT JUST WORKS. EASY.
ProSo isn't trying to replace your protein routine or overhaul your entire diet. It's just trying to make protein something you stop dreading... or at minimum, something you don't have to think about.
If you've ever given up soda and missed it, this was made for you. If you're a parent trying to get more protein into your kid without a fight, also you. If you're just someone who wants to make slightly better choices without becoming a whole different person, same. That's literally why we made this.
Try all three flavors at drink-proso.com or find us at select Greenville, SC locations near you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is ProSo?
ProSo is the world's first dietitian-formulated protein soda. It has 10g of whey protein isolate, zero sugar, 45 calories, and no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. It comes in three flavors: Sunny Meyer Lemon, Cheeky Cherry Vanilla, and Retro Root Beer.
Who created ProSo?
ProSo was created by Dalton Anderson and Sam Kramer. Sam is a Registered Dietitian with a background in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition. Dalton is a creative director and brand builder. They're best friends who started the company in Greenville, SC.
Is ProSo actually good for you?
Yes. It's formulated by a licensed Registered Dietitian, made in an FDA-registered facility, and contains no artificial anything. Ten grams of whey protein isolate per can supports lean body mass, and research shows 10g is the minimum effective dose in a single sitting.
What sweetener does ProSo use?
ProSo uses OnoSweet, a patented zero-calorie sweetener made from fermented rice using Reb M. It has no bitter aftertaste, no blood sugar spike, and no bloating.
Is ProSo safe for kids?
Yes. ProSo has no caffeine, no sugar, and no artificial ingredients. It's designed to be approachable for the whole family.
Where is ProSo made?
ProSo is made in Greenville, South Carolina by Upstate Beverage Consultants in an FDA-registered, cGMP-compliant facility.
Where can I buy ProSo?
You can order a 12-pack at drink-proso.com. ProSo is also available at select local retailers in Greenville, SC.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. ProSo is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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