It can be tough to get enough protein, especially if you’re a busy professional who’s used to skipping breakfast, rushing through a quick desk lunch, or throwing together dinner at the last minute. Protein powders have made it easy to get a hefty dose of protein in just one glass, but there’s a lot of variety out there.
So, we asked our testing team to try a popular product in this category, Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate, and report back. Here’s what we learned about its protein content, mixability, flavor, and more—and as always, we had our registered dietician review the product for safety.
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Transparent Labs Protein Powder
| Fortune score | 5/5 |
at Transparent Labs
- Our thoughts: This is an easy-to-mix protein powder with a natural flavor and solid ingredient profile
- Who it’s for: Those looking for an easy, flavorful protein boost and don’t mind consuming dairy
- What makes it different: This protein powder is sourced from grass-fed cows and made without growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, dyes, or fillers
Pros
- Delicious flavor
- No artificial sweeteners, dyes, or fillers
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Contains dairy, so not suitable for people following a vegan diet
- Instructions aren’t as clear as we would like
- Subtle sweetness might be too mild for some
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Specs
Our Experience with Transparent Labs Whey Protein
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is sourced from grass-fed cattle, and the company says the cattle are raised humanely and without growth hormones. The protein powder includes stevia extract as a sweetener, but doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners, dyes, or fillers. It’s also worth noting that whey protein isolate is different from casein protein or whey protein concentrate. That’s because whey protein isolate typically goes through additional processing to remove more lactose, fat, and carbohydrates—and it also results in a higher amount of protein in the finished product.
Pete, a certified nutrition coach, tested this product. He noted, “This protein powder contains 28 grams of protein, which is slightly above the usual 20 to 25 grams of protein in a protein powder. This provides a very high protein-to-calorie ratio, 28 grams of protein per 130 calories.”
He loved nearly everything about this protein powder, reporting only one minor drawback. Here’s what he had to say.
What We Liked
Pete liked several things about Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.
- Mixability (5 out of 5): “The protein powder fully dissolved within 60 seconds and there were no visible chunks or clumping,” said Pete.
- Taste (5 out of 5): Pete tested the French vanilla flavor and said, “I think Transparent Labs nailed the balance of sweetness and flavor for this protein powder.”
- Sweetness (3 out of 5): While a rating of 3 would typically mean we docked points, in this case, it means the sweetness was just the right amount—not overly sweet or under-sweetened. “Transparent Labs doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners and only a moderate amount of stevia extract, giving the protein powder a natural taste and sweetness,” reported Pete.
- Side Effects (5 out of 5): Pete said he didn’t experience any negative side effects or
- digestive issues.
What We Would Change
Even though Pete liked the protein powder overall, he said there was one area where it could be improved.
- Instructions (3 out of 5): Instructions were to mix each scoop of protein powder with 6 to 8 ounces of cold water (or any beverage of your choice), and adjust the amount of liquid to achieve the desired flavor and consistency. Given the lack of specificity, Pete rated these instructions as average—not excellent.
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
As with any supplement, make sure to check with a healthcare provider before adding this to your routine. Here’s who this product may be best suited for.
Comparing Transparent Labs to Other Protein Powders
Frequently asked questions
What is the best brand for whey protein?
Given that everyone has different health goals and dietary needs and preferences, we wouldn’t say there’s one “best” brand for all individuals. Our tester tried Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate and reported that it was an excellent all-around product, but if you’re considering adding this to your routine make sure to check with a healthcare provider first.
Is Transparent Labs FDA-approved?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements for safety or efficacy, so when it comes to supplements, ingredients and their amounts may be different from what’s on the label. For this reason, we look for products that have been third-party tested to confirm safety and accuracy, and Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate has been third-party tested.
Is Transparent Labs high-quality?
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is sourced from grass-fed cattle and made without using growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or fillers. Additionally, it’s been third-party tested. These are some of the key attributes we look for in a high-quality supplement.
