Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
Whether going to the gym or not, you’ve undoubtedly heard of proteins. And you might have heard the word ‘whey’ mentioned once or twice in that protein conversation.
I’m not here to talk about regular or traditional protein. I want to talk about grass fed whey protein - the best grass fed whey protein in fact - and why it is so different from standard whey protein.
This won’t be a sales pitch or me rambling about how this is the best thing in the world. No.
I’ll lay out all the facts for you, so you can make an informed decision on what you think is best for you and your body.
First, I’ll list the top 7 grass fed whey proteins that you can buy, all of which I can recommend. I’ve used all of them, and I like some more than others, and I’ll tell you my thoughts on why that is.
After that, in this article, I’ll tell you what grass-fed whey protein is, what the benefits of grass-fed whey are and what the difference is between asking for regular protein and grass-fed whey protein. That section will likely blow your mind.
I’ll also go into detail about what you are buying: Is it just pure protein, or is it filled with fluff stuff? Will there be artificial or natural sweeteners or no sweeteners at all?
Because what is the point of going through all this trouble to buy some high-quality and healthy protein, only for it to be sweetened with something that will counteract all the benefits you might be getting otherwise?
Ok, let’s finally list all 7 whey proteins I’ll cover in this article, with their overall score in various categories. After that, we will cover each one in more detail.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.
Starting our list of the best grass fed whey protein is Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. It dissolves in water very easily, so that won’t give you any trouble at all.
Our team of expert nutritionists (both professional and certified) has tested 16 different branded grass-fed whey proteins. After a total of 220 hours invested, our nutritionists have narrowed this list down to the 9 best ones that you can currently buy. This list will be continuously kept up-to-date as new grass fed whey protein products appear on the market and are thoroughly tested.
Top 7 Grass Fed Whey Proteins Reviewed
1. Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate - Best Overall
My top pick out of the seven is the grass-fed whey protein from Transparent Labs.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (32,96-34,5g) / 120 calories
- Price per Serving: ∼$1.99
- Protein Percent of Calories: 93%
- Proteins: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 1-2g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: <1-1g
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by: Generation Iron, BarBend, Ryan Treadaway
I’ve used this one before and keep returning to it.
This one, you might’ve caught it in the name, is a whey protein isolate. So, let’s quickly get that out of the way.
What is whey protein isolate?
I’ve used this one before and keep returning to it.
This one, you might’ve caught it in the name, is a whey protein isolate. So, let’s quickly get that out of the way.That means the protein is isolated from the rest of the stuff during processing, and you get almost pure protein with each serving.
Back to the product:
Transparent Labs 100% grass fed whey protein isolate comes in eight different flavors - and there are some really unique ones. I personally love Chocolate Peanut Butter, but you can pick whichever one you like the most.
The whey isolate is sourced from 100% grass fed American cows. It has no additives. Almost completely pure protein.
In terms of servings, combine each scoop with 6-8 ounces of cold water (or any beverage of your choice). Adjust the liquid quantity to produce the desired flavor and consistency. Drink 1-3 scoops daily for the best result.
It dissolves in water very easily, so that won’t give you any trouble at all.
I’ve tried many different brands of whey protein and whey protein isolate and some I had trouble digesting. With this one, I never had any issues, and that is a big plus in my book.
Great taste, great smell, and great color, and if you want weight loss or a pure protein source, this product is what you are looking for. You will pay a little more for it, but at least you'll know that what you’re putting in your body is top quality.
Positives:
Super high protein-by-weight ratio of 93% in relation to the calorie content of the portion
Easily digestible
Sourced from 100% grass fed US cows
Could be better:
Premium priced option
You can only buy it from their website
2. Naked Whey 100% Grass Fed Whey - Runner Up
My runner-up pick is Naked Whey, 100% premium grass-fed whey protein.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Serving Size: 2 scoops (30) / 120 calories
- Price of Serving: ∼$1.25
- Protein Percent of Calories: 83%
- Proteins: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fat: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by: PR Strength, BarBend
You might have noticed that this one is not a protein isolate.
What does that mean?
It means that the whey protein still comes from cattle but is not filtered out. So it retains its fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
Don’t worry. The cows are still happily raised on pastures!
Pasture-raised happy cows have a higher concentration of Omega 3 fats, which are outstanding in dealing with Omega 6 fats.
Back to the product:
Naked Whey, 100% premium, grass-fed whey protein, has four flavors to choose from – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and unflavored. I like the “unflavored” one the most, even though some friends complained about it having a weird taste.
I’ve been using protein my whole adult life, and I like that “weird” taste that they are referring to – maybe I’m just crazy, who knows! I think you are free to choose whichever flavor you like the most.
Besides the crazy taste, I like this one when I’m building muscle. I find it gives excellent results that I’m happy with.
It is also worth mentioning that Naked Whey 100% premium grass-fed whey protein is one of the most popular proteins in its category. So, I’m probably not the only one that likes it a lot.
Unfortunately, this comes with being out of stock quite often.
Positives:
Great for bulking up
- One of the most popular whey proteins on Amazon
- Made in the USA
- No additives
- Soy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free
Could be better:
“Unflavored” has some flavor to it that takes getting used to
Often out of stock due to high popularity
ProMix ‘unflavored’ grass fed whey protein truly is unflavored. I can best describe the taste as if you were drinking cloudy water. While I realize this sounds scary or bad – I assure you, it is not.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Serving Size: 2 scoops (30g) / 120 calories
- Price per Serving: ∼$1.04
- Protein Percent of Calories: 83%
- Proteins: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fat: 1.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Company Founded: 2011
- Recommended by: Jeremy Ethier
This protein used to come in these giant plastic tubes, which was great, but now they are shipping out the protein in sealable bags.
I am okay with the packaging change, but the seals on the bags are really bad. They are hard to open, and they are super hard to close sometimes. And it just frustrates me and leaves a mess.
They should have changed the product image.
Now that my rambling is over if you want to lose weight or get leaner, this is a great option. But if you are trying to bulk up – you can still go with it and achieve great results.
I like its versatility and how you can use it depending on what you try to achieve with your body.
Positives:
Cold-processed
- Higher concentration of Omega 3 fats and CLA
Could be better:
Instead of a tube container (as advertised), the product can sometimes come in a bag, which is hard to open and even harder to close. Messy!
Levels is a mega-popular protein brand on Amazon and tend to sell out quickly. I’ve used this organic grass fed protein powder grass fed whey protein isolate several times, and it didn’t disappoint.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (32g) / 130 calories
- Price per Servings: ∼$0.49
- Protein Percent of Calories: 75%
- Proteins: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fat: 2.5g
- Sugar: 2g
- Company Founded: 2019
- Recommended by: Seth Kardos
It is probably why Levels grass fed 100% whey is this popular because it has so many flavor choices – a total of 9! I haven't tried all of them, but I love the chocolate peanut butter taste.
If I had to complain about something when it comes to this product, then it is the way it dissolves in water. It is very stubborn and hydrophobic. It's not like trying to dissolve cinnamon in water, but sometimes it feels like it. You won't have any issues if you have a mixer or even an electric mixer.
Levels grass fed 100% whey protein is excellent for muscle recovery after a long and hard workout routine. It helps you keep up with a demanding gym schedule and still allows you to build muscles quite noticeably if that is what you're aiming for.
One package will last you a long time!
Positives:
9 flavors to choose from!
No added sugar
A no gluten, no soy
Made in the USA
Super-popular
Could be better:
Often out of stock due to popularity
Dissolves poorly in water
Garden of Life Sport Premium Grass Fed Whey Protein has quite a lot going for it. It is certified by the world-class sports anti-doping lab, LGC. It is also NON-GMO certified.
It is technically a whey protein isolate, but it is only about 85%, with the 15% being milk protein. That doesn’t bother me, but it is good to lay it out there.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (32g) / 120 calories
- Price per Serving: ∼$1.99
- Protein Percent of Calories: 75%
- Proteins: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Company Founded: 2000
- Recommended by: Seth Kardos
Garden of Life Whey protein is not without drawbacks, however. There needs to be more mileage you are getting from one package.
And while that might not be a big issue because the price is quite reasonable – you might often find yourself in a situation where you don’t have enough or are suddenly out of protein before you know it. That might put you in a position where you must wait to restock, which can be annoying.
Buying more at once or having a backup plan is a good idea.
I love the chocolate taste more, but chocolate and vanilla taste like natural shakes.
If you are all for the “unflavored” taste or are high in protein isolates, then you might be surprised by the sudden sweet taste – so keep that in mind before buying.
If you don’t like sweets, this might not be the whey protein for you.
Positives:
No added sugar
Tastes a lot like chocolate or vanilla milkshake
Could be better:
Uses sweeteners [Organic Erythritol, Sea Salt, Organic Stevia Extract (leaf)]. This isn’t inherently a downside, but protein isolates usually aren’t sweet, so that might shock you when you first try it.
You'll get a BIG tube container when you buy Muscle Feast Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. And that one will last you for a very long time.
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (24) / 88 calories
- Price per Serving: ∼$1.11
- Protein Percent of Calories: 86%
- Proteins: 20.5g
- Carbohydrates: 0.2g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Company Founded: 2009
- Recommended by: Oppermanfitness, BarBend, Fitnessinformant
If you aren’t someone who consumes protein daily or semi-daily, I will skip this product. It is good quality, and I like it – but I also consume protein daily.
And this product is not made to last forever. So, people that had it opened and then had it sit somewhere for a year found themselves with protein that had gone bad and is now wasted.
So, if that is the case with you – go for one with the least quantity.
Otherwise – this is a great buy, IMO. It has seven flavors, though some may be seasonal - like the “Pumpkin Spice.” I had it once, and it tasted great! But I could never get more because it would always be out of stock.
I tried contacting the company by email and call, but I am still waiting to hear back from them.
Again, this one is a whey protein isolate, so be sure to use it for high muscle recovery if you’re trying to cut down some weight from your body.
Positives:
Sugar-Free, only natural sweetener used (Stevia)
Certified Kosher
Gluten-free, soy-free
Non-GMO
Could be better:
Hard to get a hold of the company if you have any questions or complaints
The first thing to notice with Raw Grass Fed Whey is the packaging. It comes in a bad instead of the cylindrical plastic tubes that most proteins come in. It is relatively uncommon and a refreshing sight for sure. The design is also quite stunning!
- Diet Type: Cutting weight, mass gaining, muscle recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (25) / 97.5 calories
- Price per Serving: ∼$0.89
- Protein Percent of Calories: 84%
- Proteins: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Company Founded: 2010
- Recommended by: Awesomebassam, BarBend
Even though it comes in a bag, you get quite the amount. And the downside of that is the zip bag. It can be tough to close. And it broke after a few tries.
So I just switched the protein into another container, and I was good to go – but if you aren't prepared, you might come to question the quality of the product because of a simple small thing like that.
The product quality is excellent. It comes only in the "unflavored" flavor, so keep that in mind if you like its protein-sweetened or strawberry taste.
Anyway, I love it. It feels like you are getting pure protein. No sugars, no added sweeteners.
You won't even notice if you like to mix your whey with something like milk and some fruit like banana or strawberry.
Great buy, but the price is a bit high.
Positives:
Unique, cool-looking packaging
rBGH/rBST Hormone free
Processed without acid or bleach
Sourced from 100% grass fed US cows
Happy cows!
Could be better:
The seal on the bag is of poor quality. It opens and closes hard and is known to fall off, leaving you with an unsealable bag.
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What Is Grass Fed Whey Protein?
Grass fed whey protein is a protein that we get from cattle that is pasture raised and pasture fed as opposed to cows that are raised in confined areas such as slaughterhouses, milking houses, dairy farms, or any dairy plants.
While I stand behind the ethical treatment of animals – I’m not here to preach about that. We are talking about what will ultimately be good for our bodies.
Cattle raised in confined spaces, as described above, will be so compacted that the farmers have to give them antibiotics to fight bacteria and disease simply by being in close quarters with each other.
When you take pasture-raised beef or pasture-raised cattle, you almost always don’t have that proximity problem.
1. So Why Is Every Cow on the Planet Not Pasture-Raised?
Well, that comes down to cost – it is costly. And it also requires a lot of land. You need more space per cow than you would need on a typical dairy farm. That is also why grass-fed whey is more expensive than regular whey protein.
2. So Why Am I Talking About Antibiotics as if They Were Terrible?
Antibiotics aren’t harmful – we wouldn’t have the society we live in now if we didn’t have them.
The problem with this is as we consume antibiotics, even if they come through the food we eat – we will start creating resistance toward them. And once we gain antibiotic resistance, they will stop working efficiently when it comes to our bodies – and thus, we will be prone to more diseases in the future.
Antibiotics also affect our gut biome. When we jeopardize our gut biome, we directly affect the nutrients we can absorb.
If you’ve ever been taking antibiotics for something, the doctor would suggest you take a probiotic and lots of fibers to stimulate the natural flora in your guts again.
Well, a lot of the time, when you eat non-pasture-fed beef, you are ingesting those same antibiotics into your body.
Research done in 2019 suggests that food treated with antibiotics will have the same antibiotics transferred to humans via ingestion in smaller amounts. And they will affect your gut flora.
Ok, next topic!
2 Grass Fed Whey Protein Benefits
✅ No Antibiotics Used
Grass fed cattle that are raised on pastures do not need antibiotics as cows in a more confined place would need.
This benefits you greatly because when you consume food previously treated with antibiotics, you mess up the natural fauna inside your gut.
✅ Happy Cow, Gives a POW!
Grass-fed cows produce milk with better ratios of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids and have a better overall nutrient profile.
How to Find the Best Grass Fed Whey Protein?
1. Look for Labels
Grass-fed is not the same as pasture-raised. Look at the protein product's label on the packaging and make an informed decision based on your findings.
If you can see only one of the two, then pick pasture-raised – pasture-raised cattle are likely grass-fed, while the other way around – not so much!
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Check the “Nutrition Facts” Label at the Back
You want to avoid whey proteins with fluff-stuff such as soy or flour – grass-fed or not. There is no point in trying to reap the benefits of grass-fed whey only to counteract them by consuming sugar.
3. Look Out for “Protein Isolate”
Whey protein isolates are amazing in recovering your muscle tissue quickly – think of them as pure protein. But you lose other benefits from grass-fed whey protein like Omega 3 fats and other beneficial nutrients.
If you want Omega 3 and other nutrients, go for a regular grass-fed whey protein. And take an isolate when trying to gain muscle definition quickly or lose weight.
4. What Is Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate?
With the isolate, you get a protein content of 85% or more in a serving of whey protein. That also means you get less lactose, cholesterol, and fat. Some products like this go even further to remove everything but the protein. What you’re left with is a pure unadulterated form of whey protein.
The whey protein isolate is sourced from 100% grass-fed cows.
While it is accurate that cattle that pasture-raised cattle have much more Omega 3 fast, which is fantastic in counteracting the harmful Omega 6 fats that we usually get from ‘everyday food,’ or let’s be honest here – from junk food.
So, if Omega 3 fats are so unique, why would I ever get an isolated protein over a non-isolate whey protein product? It would sometimes help if you also had that fat and cholesterol.
5. What About Non-isolate Grass Fed Whey Protein?
If you want to gain muscle mass or bulk up, go with whey protein, but if you want to lose weight or get leaner, then definitely go with the whey protein isolate.
Should You Buy Grass Fed Whey Protein or Regular?
With grass fed whey protein you are paying more money in order to make sure that there are no antibiotics in the product.
FAQ
Does Grass Fed Whey Protein Build Muscle?
Regular whey protein helps build muscle. Organic grass fed whey protein does the same, just much better.
It has much more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than non-grass-fed whey. CLA may promote muscular development and metabolism, aiding in weight reduction.
Is Grass Fed Whey Protein Easier to Digest?
Other than that, if you are lactose intolerant, you might find it harder to digest because while grass-fed cows have a higher amount of nutrients – some of it is also lactose. So, keep that in mind.
A good alternative is grass-fed whey protein isolate. This way, you would get pure protein without any other nutrients. This type of grass-fed protein will be digested and absorbed most quickly.
Does Grass Fed Whey Protein Cause Bloating?
Whey protein is derived from cow's milk and contains lactose, a milk sugar. Whey protein isolate can reduce lactose, although some lactose may remain.
Lactose intolerance is a common issue that can cause stomach distress, bloating and gas.
Conclusion
While grass-fed might sound a bit hippy, it doesn’t matter what it sounds like when it comes to your health.
In this article, I’ve shared what I think are the best seven grass fed whey protein powders you can buy, but I also went a step further to explain what exact “grass-fed” means and what it does.
I hope that I’ve answered all questions that you might have had and that my grass fed whey protein reviews helped you decide which grass-fed protein is best for you based on your needs and preferences.
TRANSPARENT LABS 100% GRASS-FED WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE receives the highest score and our TOP PICK rating. It is an excellent grass fed whey isolate powder that completely changes your gym game.
Or any exercise for that matter. While you might not see or feel the benefits immediately, it will take a little while to see why using this product was a great decision!
If you have already used any of our 7 recommended grass-fed whey proteins or have just now decided to buy them, please share your thoughts and impressions via the comment section below. I would be delighted if you’d share your experiences and tell me how you found grass-fed vs. non-grass-fed whey!
References:
- Does Dietary Consumption of Antibiotics by Humans Promote Antibiotic Resistance in the Gut Microbiome? // National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31512932.html
- Pasture Raised Advantage Nutrition Study // Meet Industry Association: https://www.mia.co.nz/nutrition/research/the-pasture-raised-advantage-nutrition-study.html
- All Photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team.
Why Trust Us?
Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
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Hi @Henrik!
The purest form of whey protein is known as whey protein isolate. It undergoes additional processing to remove most of the fat, lactose, and other impurities found in regular whey protein. Whey protein isolate contains a higher percentage of protein per serving, typically 90% or more, making it an excellent choice for individuals who are lactose intolerant or looking for a protein source with minimal carbohydrates and fats.
Henrik
What is the purest form of whey protein?