Written byMatthew Magnante, ACE
Last Updated onJuly 7th, 2021
Transparent Labs products are top-notch, quality options formulated for those looking to effectively supplement their nutritional needs.
And their grass-fed whey protein concentrate contains plenty of muscle-building nutrients including naturally-occurring amino acids. It’s a minimal-ingredient product that leaves out all the junk to ensure you’re getting the best.
Protein is essential for the growth and support of all body tissue, plus several other processes of the body. And it’s a macronutrient which means we need plenty of it to sustain these many functions. But the effects of whey protein have been studied and its benefits for body composition and performance are proven.
So, I’ve reviewed Transparent Labs whey concentrate milk chocolate flavored powder to find out just how it stacks up!
What we like
- High-quality/minimal ingredients
- Great-tasting
What we don’t like
- Minimal vitamins and minerals
- Added stevia (if it’s not your thing)
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
Transparent Labs' 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate is a healthy, less-processed complete protein source harvested from American grass-fed cow milk.
Ingredients
Each batch of ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate contains very minimal ingredients per serving which makes this protein powder an ideal product for the very health-minded individual.
A serving provides 24 grams of quality, grass-fed whey protein concentrate, naturally providing all nine, essential amino acids which are very important for aiding in muscle growth.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.
The additional ingredients which make up the formula include cocoa (1,150mg), natural chocolate flavor (690mg), sodium chloride (salt) (250mg) and stevia (200mg) for sweetness.
And you won’t find artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives in this gluten-free formula either.
Carbs and fats are low but there aren’t micronutrients like vitamins and minerals either. So, this protein supplement should not replace your meals as it’s a nutritional aid which mainly consists of high-quality protein.
Whey Concentrate vs. Whey Isolate
Both whey concentrate and whey isolate are derived from milk and they’re made from the leftovers of the cheese or yogurt making process.
But the main difference between the concentrate and isolate form is that the latter is achieved through additional processing which results in 90% or more protein. The additional filtration process reduces the amount of fat and carbs which results in a more isolated form. (1)
So, protein isolate costs more than protein concentrate and is much preferred by individuals with sensitive stomachs. But whey concentrate is acceptable for most people since both forms do not contain bothersome amounts of lactose. (2)
Nutrition Facts
- 130 calories
- 2.5g fat (1.5g saturated)
- 70mg cholesterol (23%)
- 160mg sodium (7%)
- 2g carbs (<1%)
- 0g fiber
- 1g sugar (0g added)
- 24g protein
- 12% calcium, 4% iron, and 2% potassium
130 calories are pretty standard for a serving of whey protein powder and it’s definitely ideal for people who are monitoring their weight. Keeping your calories low is the best way to shed the pounds and higher protein diets are definitely beneficial for this purpose.
There are only a few grams of fat and carbs per serving which is beneficial in that it’s easier to add protein in your diet without the additional macronutrients.
The 1g of sugar is nothing to write home about since it’s not a significant amount which is a good thing. And 24g of protein per serving is a decent amount to support your muscle gains. Vitamins and minerals are minimal like mentioned previously so keep that in mind when considering the number of servings you’ll have per day in addition to your meals.
Benefits
Research has proven the benefits of consuming protein for muscle gains and performance through countless studies. And there’s no doubting the advantages of having a good whey protein in your nutritional arsenal.
Now, according to one study, protein consumption pre and post-exercise should not be separated by any more than 3-4 hours. And the reason is that there’s an “anabolic window” of opportunity in which we can maximize muscle protein synthesis (MPS) for the benefit of muscle hypertrophy. (3)
Whey protein is fast-digesting which is very beneficial for shuttling nutrients into the muscles as quickly as possible. And therefore, we can maximize the anabolic window with a quick shake.
According to research, whey protein ingestion following a resistance training session has a greater advantage for initial protein synthesis as opposed to a slower-digesting protein form; which is better for maintaining protein synthesis for prolonged periods. (4)
Protein is also necessary for weight maintenance since it promotes satiety and increases metabolic rate. It contains fewer calories per gram compared to fat and has the same amount as carbs. So you can see how consuming more protein is beneficial for weight loss goals. (5, 6)
Now, you don’t definitely don’t want to consume too much protein as this is not healthy (same as any other macronutrient). And anyway, the body can only process so much at one time to be effectively utilized.
How Much Do I need?
Check our protein calculator to figure out how much you need per day to achieve your goals.
But generally, 1.6-2.2kg/day should be a sufficient range to remain within for muscle hypertrophy. And more recent research has actually found that ingesting 40g of protein is more beneficial for MPS than 20g following resistance training. (7, 8)
Taste
It’s hard to go wrong with a good milk chocolate-flavored protein, especially when you mix it with a plant or animal-based milk for an even creamier texture. And although the shake isn’t quite like chocolate milk, it was pretty tasty and satisfying.
So, I had no issues with the taste and most people likely wouldn’t either.
Mixability
Mixing this protein in a blender or even in a shaker cup caused no issues as long as enough liquid is used. The powder dissolves nicely when mixed thoroughly and the consistency is pleasant when the right amount of liquid is added (typical of pretty much all protein powders).
Price
The cost of whey protein varies greatly based on many factors like the quality, amount of servings, ingredient profile, etc.
And although Transparent Labs whey concentrate contains minimal ingredients; it’s not the cheapest option for that very reason. More is required during the production process to create a quality supplement.
But you’re definitely getting what you pay for with brand and I’m not deviating from that statement based on my experiences with Transparent Labs products.
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
Transparent Labs' 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate is a healthy, less-processed complete protein source harvested from American grass-fed cow milk.
Here are the prices based on the number of bags purchased…
- 1 bag: $49
- 2 bags: $92 (you’ll save $12)
- 3 bags: $123 (you’ll save $33)
Overall Rating
- Ingredients: 8.5/10
- Taste: 8.25/10
- Mixability: 8.5/10
- Price: 8.5/10
Wrapping Up
Transparent Labs whey protein concentrate is as good as it gets where quality is concerned. It’s beneficial for supporting muscle gains and is a recommended nutritional aid for supplementing your diet.
Its minimal ingredients are what makes it a unique product and the transparency is very much appreciated considering there are no “secret proprietary blends”. So in other words, you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
The product is a good value overall and I would definitely recommend this whey protein concentrate to anyone who was looking for a quality nutritional aid.
If you have any questions about this article, please feel free to contact Matthew Magnante by leaving a comment below.
The Review
ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
ProteinSeries Whey Protein Concentrate by Transparent Labs is their grass-fed whey protein concentrate contains plenty of muscle-building nutrients including naturally-occurring amino acids. It’s a minimal-ingredient product that leaves out all the junk to ensure you’re getting the best.
PROS
- High-quality/minimal ingredients
- Great-tasting
CONS
- Minimal vitamins and minerals
- Added stevia (if it’s not your thing)
Review Breakdown
-
Ingredients
-
Taste
-
Mixability
-
Price