In the ever-evolving world of fitness and nutrition, athletes and health enthusiasts are continually seeking optimal solutions to enhance their performance and achieve their goals. Protein powder has become a mainstay for athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
That said, there are a lot of different protein powders to choose from out there, and selecting one that is decent can be tricky.
We bought 100% Grass-Fed Casein and tried it for ourselves. This comprehensive review delves into this bad boy and explores its taste, unique benefits, and effectiveness.
At The Athletic Build, we truly believe in transparency. Our team consists of certified personal trainers, competitive endurance athletes, and nutrition experts who are committed to providing you with unbiased reviews of every multivitamin, creatine, and pre-workout supplement we test, regardless of our relationship with the company. This approach has helped us become the trusted source for honest reviews of home gym equipment and supplements.
Who Are Transparent Labs?
Transparent Labs is a supplement company that is based in Utah. They focus on making quality supplements and as you can probably tell by their name, they are always transparent about their ingredients and dosages.
I can actually remember when Transparent Labs started. All they had to offer was a pre-workout and a fat burner. They have since grown to have a vast array of supplements and are always coming out with new products that are usually pretty high quality.
Nutrition for 100% Grass Fed Casein Protein
One scoop of the Chocolate flavor we tried contains 120 calories: 25 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbohydrates (1 gram of fiber, 3 grams of sugar), and .5 grams of fat (0 grams of saturated fat). That’s 4,8 calories per gram of protein, a little higher than a standard whey protein.
There’s also 5 percent of your daily cholesterol, 13 percent of your sodium, and 60 percent of your daily calcium. That’s plenty of calcium which is about the right amount for the better casein protein powders out there. It also contains 6% of your daily Iron and 2% of your daily calcium.
Ingredients for 100% Grass Fed Casein Protein by Transparent Labs
Checking out the ingredients, and there aren’t many of them, which is a good thing.
We tested out the Chocolate Flavor, and its ingredients are: Instantized Grass-Fed Micellar Protein, Cocoa Powder, Natural Flavors, Himalayan Rock Salt, and Stevia Extract.
Let’s break down each ingredient individually.
Instantized Grass-Fed Micellar Protein
That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? This form of casein protein comes from cows that are fed a more natural diet of grass rather than grains.
The term “instantized” refers to the processing method used to enhance the solubility of the protein powder. During the instantization process, the protein is treated to improve its ability to dissolve quickly and easily in liquid, resulting in a smooth and easily mixable protein shake which is what everyone prefers. I have yet to meet anyone that prefers their protein shakes lumpy.
Instantized Grass-Fed Micellar Protein is often considered a high-quality protein supplement due to its superior amino acid profile, which includes all essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair. It is usually pretty rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which can help with muscle building and repair.
Cocoa
I bought the chocolate flavor so it is only natural that cocoa would appear in the ingredients. It would be pretty weird if it didn’t. Although I am sure there are some supplement companies out there that would cut corners and use some sort of artificial flavoring.
Natural Flavors
Natural flavors are essences or extracts derived from plants or animals utilized to enhance the taste of food products. In contrast, artificial flavors are laboratory-created additives for food. It’s important to note that natural flavors provide no nutritional value and contribute zero calories.
Himalayan Rock Salt
Himalayan Rock Salt is a type of salt that comes from the Himalayas (obviously). It is believed to have more nutritional value than the regular table salt you get at the grocery store.
It is unclear whether Transparent Labs incorporates Himalayan rock salt for flavoring or preservation purposes in its protein powders.
Nevertheless, individuals at risk of high blood pressure or heart disease should be aware that Transparent Labs protein powders have a relatively higher sodium content compared to most other brands. However, it still amounts to only 12% of the Recommended Daily Value, making it generally suitable for the majority of individuals.
Stevia
Stevia, derived from stevia leaves, is a natural sweetener utilized as a sugar alternative. While some individuals avoid stevia due to its slight bitterness compared to sugar, I discovered that Transparent Labs skillfully balances its usage, ensuring an optimal flavor experience.
Is Grass Fed Casein Better?
Transparent Labs uses grass-fed casein rather than conventional casein in this protein powder.
Grass-fed casein protein powder offers several advantages compared to conventional options. Firstly, grass-fed sources often provide a more nutrient-dense protein. Cows that are grass-fed tend to have a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants in their milk. These components have been associated with various health benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and enhanced immune function.
Additionally, grass-fed casein protein is typically free from artificial hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, which are sometimes used in conventional farming practices. This can be appealing to individuals seeking a more natural and organic protein source. Moreover, grass-fed casein protein is often considered to have a better taste and texture due to the cows’ diet of natural forage, resulting in a cleaner and more flavorful product.
Furthermore, grass-fed farming practices are generally more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
What’s The Difference Between Casein Protein and Whey?
If you have never tried casein protein powder before, there are some differences to take note of.
For starters, let’s talk about how each one is made. Whey protein is derived from milk, specifically the liquid portion that separates during the cheese-making process. It is a byproduct of cheese production. Casein protein, on the other hand, is also derived from milk but is obtained from the curds that form when milk is coagulated.
Casein protein digests much more slowly than whey protein, so it is often taken at night to feed your muscle protein and amino acids all night while it is digested.
Casein is also much more satiating than whey protein. It will have you feeling quite full for a while, almost like a meal replacement shake. Something I definitely noticed when testing out this product.
When it comes to price, and they are about the same. As far as taste is concerned I would give a slight edge to whey protein.
Transparent Labs offers its casein protein at a price of $1.99 per serving for one-time purchases and $1.79 per serving for monthly subscriptions. This pricing falls within the average range for higher-end proteins and proves to be cost-efficient compared to some protein sources like eggs.
Granted, this is the price at the time this article was written, and it will likely change before long, as prices often do.
Casein by Transparent Labs Initial Impressions
One unmistakable thing I noticed is how massive the tub was for this Casein powder. It’s twice as big as a regular protein powder tub. I thought maybe they sent me a bulk-size tub, but it has the standard 30 servings in it. It was also just a little over half full.
For comparison, the picture above shows the tub compared to the Casein powder tub from Kaged Muscle. The Transparent Labs tub has 30 servings and the Kaged Muscle tub has 27 servings.
I’m not complaining I just thought it was interesting. I will probably keep the tub after the protein powder is gone and store something in it.
Taste And Mixability of Transparent Labs Casein
I tested the Chocolate flavor this time instead of the Vanilla flavor I usually go with since their casein powder only comes in chocolate at this time,
The directions say to mix it with 10-12 ounces of cold water or your beverage of choice. I first decided to try it with milk since I like my protein shakes on the creamier side.
The casein powder mixed with milk tasted great, but it was very thick. Casein powders tend to be thicker and more satiating and this one was both thick and satiating. You could almost use it as a meal replacement shake. It did keep me full for hours as well. I was able to skip lunch and not even be hungry.
I also tried it with water for comparison. I must say I like it better with water. Not as thick, tastes great, and mixes easily.
Water is the best mixing option for this protein powder unless you like your protein shakes super thick. Almond or oat milk would likely be good choices that aren’t too thick but I didn’t try those.
Note: Transparent Labs Casein only comes in chocolate flavor at this time,
On Transparent Labs’ website, you can find laboratory analysis reports for all of their products, demonstrating thorough testing for potential contaminants such as lead, arsenic, salmonella, and E. coli. This transparency ensures the safety and quality of their products.
Shipping, Returns and Subscriptions
Transparent Labs has a refund policy that applies to unopened products. However, if you have opened a product and are dissatisfied with it, the company may offer an exchange or store credit instead.
Shipping costs for Transparent Labs products vary depending on the location of the recipient. Nevertheless, the company provides free shipping for orders above $149, which can be advantageous for customers.
To enjoy a discount of 10% on each Transparent Labs Protein purchase, customers can opt for a monthly subscription. This subscription not only provides savings but also ensures a consistent supply of protein powder, eliminating the risk of running out.
Reviews for 100% Grass Fed Casein Protein
Not surprisingly, the reviews on their website were very positive, and the product has a 4.5 star rating.
Not every review was positive, though, this guy didn’t like the Vanilla flavor.
This review didn’t like the vanilla flavor. They don’t make it in vanilla anymore, though, only chocolate.
Overall though. the reviews were very positive. It was tough even to find any negative ones.
Pros and Cons of Transparent Labs Casein
Pros
Tastes Great
Coupon code TL15 saves you 15% at checkout
A subscription save you 10% and gets you free shipping
3rd Party tested for lead, arsenic, salmonella, and E. coli
Conclusion for 100% Grass-Fed Casein by Transparent Labs
Overall 100% Grass-Fed Casein is a really nice protein powder. It is derived from grass-fed cows that are in higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants and are also free of hormones.
I enjoyed the taste of the chocolate flavor, but I would recommend you mix it with water over milk unless you like your shakes VERY THICK.
Pricewise it is a bit above average, but you do get excellent quality and you can save 15% when you use the coupon code TL15 at checkout. A subscription will also save you 10% and get you free shipping. These can bring the price down quite a bit.
Definitely worth it if you are looking for a high-quality casein protein without anything artificial or any other junk in it.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
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