Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a common carbohydrate filler, thickener, and bulking agent in shakes and powders — a fast-digesting starch that is inexpensive and flavor-neutral. It is not sinister; it is just cheap calories, which is why it is worth noticing when it sits high on the ingredient list of a product priced as premium. We flag it when it appears to be padding a formula, and we read it in context: a little as a carrier is normal, a lot as the second ingredient in a "clean" shake is a value question.