Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts and athletes looking to score a high-quality source of protein.
Transparent Labs is a reputable brand that offers a grass-fed whey protein isolate that has gained a reputation for its purity and effectiveness.
In this article, we are going to be taking a deep dive into this protein supplement. Unlike most other reviews out there, we actually bought it and will let you know how it tastes and mixes.
Let’s get started.
We REALLY Know Protein Powder
Our team of dietitians, personal trainers, and other health and fitness professionals prioritize the delivery of genuine opinions on supplements, which is why we personally test and evaluate each product before providing our insights. The abundance of choices and contradictory information surrounding sports supplements often leads to overwhelming shopping experiences.
Thus, our primary objective is to establish ourselves as industry authority figures and assist you in navigating this journey. We not only focus on determining the highest quality protein powders but also aim to educate you about the scientific foundations behind their formulations. Additionally, we share our sincere experiences with the products themselves, ensuring a comprehensive and trustworthy resource for your supplementation needs.
Who is Transparent Labs?
Transparent Labs is a supplement company based in Utah that manufactures a vast array of supplements geared toward weightlifters, athletes and those that want to live a healthy lifestyle. They are known for using high-quality ingredients along with transparent labeling, as the company name implies.
The company is relatively new compared to some of the other companies out there, but their products have become pretty popular among the fitness community for their purity and all-natural ingredients.
Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Ingredients
Now let’s take a look under the hood with this Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate.
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – It shouldn’t be a surprise that the first ingredient is grass-fed-whey protein isolate. Transparent Labs sources their whey from hormone-free, grass-fed cows in the USA, not overseas or someplace weird. This protein has one of the highest protein-by-weight ratios out there at 88%.
Peanut Flour – The favor I tried is the Vanilla Peanut Butter, so it has peanut flour for the peanut flavoring. Peanut flour is made from ground peanuts. It is a good source of healthy fats and is often used in protein supplements and baked goods. It can be high in calories, though, so it should be used sparingly. Obviously, if you have a peanut allergy, you will want to pick a different flavor.
Natural Flavors – “Natural flavors” on a nutrition label refers to the flavoring used in the product that comes from natural sources, such as extracts from fruits, vegetables, or spices. These flavors are derived from actual foods, as opposed to artificial flavorss which are chemically derived.
Himalayan Rock Salt – Himalayan Rock Salt is one of the purest salts available and it also goes by the name Himalayan Pink Salt. As an ingredient in a protein powder supplement, Himalayan rock salt can add a unique flavor to the powder and also provide minerals and trace elements like potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Stevia – As most of you know, Stevia is a natural sweetener. It is derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. It is much sweeter than sugar but has zero calories and does not affect blood sugar levels. It is also preferered over artificial flavors.
Is Grass-Fed Whey Better?
Grass-fed whey is made from the milk of cows that have been primarily fed grass, while traditional whey comes from cows that have been fed grains a mix of grass and grain.
Grass-fed whey is considered a higher quality of protein since the cows are able to graze on a natural diet and their milk is a higher concentration of nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and conjugated linolenic acid concentration of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and conjugated linoleic acid.
Whey protein from grass-fed cows is also considered to be more sustainable and ethically sourced since cows are able to live in more natural conditions and aren’t given any hormones or antibiotics.
Whey Protein Isolate vs. Concentrate: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between whey protein isolate and concentrate is the amounts of protein, fat, and lactose (sugar) they have in them. Whey isolate contains a higher amount of protein and less fat and lactose than whey concentrate does. This makes it a great choice for people who want a more pure whey protein and also those looking for something low carb.
Nutrition Facts
- 120 calories
- 28g protein
- 0g fat
- 0mg cholesterol
- 90mg sodium
- 1g carbs
- 0g fiber
- <1g sugar (0g added)
- 10% calcium, 2% iron, and 2% potassium
Want to keep your diet on track while still getting the nutritional boost you need? This whey isolate protein powder is a great solution – 120 calories per serving and packed with natural-occurring amino acids, so you’re nourished without sacrificing flavor. So if counting every calorie is important to you, this could be just what the doctor ordered.
Taste of Transparent Labs Whey Isolate
The directions say to mix this protein powder with 6-8 ounces of cold water or your beverage of choice. My beverage of choice is milk, but I also tried it with water for comparison.
The protein powder with milk came out thick and creamy like a milkshake which is just how I like it. Thin and watery protein shakes are kinda gross, in my opinion. If you like it thick and creamy, then mixing it with milk works great.
I also tried it with water for comparison. The water version was a bit less creamy, as you can imagine it would be, but it was still pretty good.
In my opinion, the milk was a bit better, but that could just be a personal preference. If you prefer water, you will be happy, though.
As for the actual taste, it was pretty good, certainly above average. It seemed like you could taste the peanut butter flavor a bit more than the vanilla.
I would give this flavor an A- for a grade. It was above average, for sure/
I have also had the vanilla flavor before and would say that one is an A+. The flavor is great all by itself and with it just being vanilla, you can easily mix fruit or peanut butter with it.
Available Flavors:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Milk Chocolate
- French Vanilla
- Peanut Butter
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Unflavored
- Strawberry
- Vanilla Peanut Butter
- Mocha
- Cinnamon French Toast
Mixability
No problems with mixability at all. Whey protein isolates tend to mix a bit easier, and this one is no different, mixes like a champ and for a nice frothy.
I tried it with a blender which I prefer, and also with the shaker bottle. The blender got the job done a lot faster, obviously, but both turned out great.
Price for Grass-Fed Whey Protein
As you can imagine, with a high-quality protein powder like this, the price will be above average.
I’m not going to give the actual price because it will change as soon as this article goes live.
While the price is above average, there are a few ways to save. One thing you can do is buy a larger tub. They just came out with 4 lb tubs. The price of the 4 lb tub is currently $20 less than 2 of the 2 lb tubs.
Another easy way to save is to use the coupon code TL10, which will save you 10% on your order.
Lastly, you can also get a subscription which will save you an additional 10% and get you free shipping.
Shipping, Returns and Subscriptions
Transparent Labs follows a refund policy that exclusively applies to unopened products. However, in the event that you are dissatisfied with a product you have already opened, the company may consider providing an exchange or store credit as an alternative solution.
Shipping costs are subject to variation based on the shipping destination. It is worth noting that Transparent Labs does offer free shipping on orders exceeding $149, which presents an opportunity for additional savings.
To unlock further benefits, customers can enjoy a 10% discount on each Transparent Labs protein product by enrolling in a monthly subscription. This not only ensures a consistent supply of protein powder but also guarantees that you will never run out. The subscription also gets you free shipping which is a nice bonus.
Related: Ghost Protein Powder Review: Chips Ahoy Flavor
Third-Party Testing for Transparent Labs
Transparent Labs proudly presents on its website the laboratory analysis results for all of its products, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring that each product undergoes thorough testing to detect any presence of potentially harmful substances such as lead, arsenic, salmonella, and E. coli. By making these analysis reports accessible to customers, Transparent Labs emphasizes its dedication to transparency, quality assurance, and the well-being of its consumers.
Pros and Cons of Grass-Fed Whey by Transparent Labs
Pros
- Available in 9 different flavors
- Solid Taste
- Uses whey from grass-fed cows in the USA
- Super high quality
- No artificial ingredients
- Mixes great
- No sugar
Cons
- Above average in price
Final Word
Overall, Transparent Labs Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a high-quality protein supplement that offers a variety of benefits for those looking to improve their athletic performance or overall health. The grass-fed, non-GMO, and hormone-free ingredients make it a great option for those who are conscious about what they put in their bodies. The taste and texture are also noteworthy, with a smooth and creamy consistency that makes it easy to mix and enjoy.
It is a bit above average in price, but there are ways to lower the price which we mentioned above.
Overall, this protein supplement is a great choice for anyone looking for a natural and effective way to support their fitness goals. We liked it so much that we even ranked it as our top choice for the best whey protein isolate powders on the market.
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.