MuscleTech Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein

MuscleTech has unveiled an exciting new whey protein, and we’re happy to see its arrival here in Canada. Rounding out its family of protein powders is the new Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein. If you’re new to the science behind the whole “grass-fed” movement, you’re definitely going to want to read this review. We cover the performance and health benefits of grass-fed whey and how MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey exemplifies a best-in-class formula. This product is another top-quality offering in MuscleTech’s line of proteins, each offering slightly different protein sources and macro- and micronutrients. Truth be told, navigating through all the whey protein options on supplement shelves can be overwhelming, but we’re here to take you through it.

Regular Milk vs. Grass-Fed Milk

The composition of a cow’s milk is influenced by genetics, the cow’s health and the lactation stage, but the cow’s diet is the single most important thing that determines its milk’s nutritional density. Allowing cows to naturally graze, freely eating a natural diet of grass (instead of corn, soy and other low-cost feed), often improves the nutrient profile of milk! Think of grass-fed as “clean eating” for the animal.

Many progressive farmers are raising cows without the use of hormones (such as rBST or rBGH), antibiotics, pesticides or herbicides being injected into the animals. But the magic happens in the fat contained in the milk. Grass-fed milk contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), which have many benefits. It’s for this reason that grass-fed milk has been hugely popular with health-conscious people who want the highest quality nutrition.

Healthy Fats in Milk

Milk fat comprises approximately 400 different fats (fatty acids) of various chain lengths, most of which are saturated fats with a lesser amount of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, making its composition very complex. Key nutrients are found in the fat portion of milk, so you want a grass-fed milk that’s higher in fat, not lower. This sounds counterintuitive as we’ve all been told that fat is bad. 

MuscleTech Grass-Fed 100% Whey Nutrient Profile

A scoop of Grass-Fed 100% Whey weighs in at 35 grams. Each contains 140 calories, comprising 2.5 grams of fat, 9 grams of carbs (2 grams sugar) and 20 grams of protein. MuscleTech researchers used a whey protein concentrate, explaining the fat and carb content, whereas an isolate would have little to no fat or carb macros. Within each scoop are 4.3 grams of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids to support performance and recovery. Each serving contains 2.5 grams of fat. And this fat also delivers a creamy, clump-free drink that’s perfect for everyone from busy executives to parents, busy teens and athletes looking to build muscle. In true MuscleTech form, Grass-Fed 100% Whey offers a wide array of other benefits, which our team’s happy to break down for you. Each tub contains 23 single-scoop servings—that’s 23 easily digested, protein-filled servings for you.

No Artificial Colours or Flavours

MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey contains no artificial colors or flavors! Skipping artificial ingredients can help alleviate the potential of any digestive upset, and with the high levels of artificial “things” that have found their way into our food supply, we at Muscle Insider think it’s always a good idea to choose more natural ingredients over synthetic when given the choice.

Rounding out the ingredient list are a few items that contribute to the perfect texture and creaminess of the supplement. Specifically, guar gum and xanthan gum are natural fibres that help give it that thick, milkshake taste. Acacia gum is another natural fibre added to many products for its ability to extend shelf life and improve texture. But there are also health benefits to this natural fibre making it a solid choice for inclusion.

We also have to include sunflower lecithin, which is included to help produce the smooth texture in each shake. Lecithin acts as an emulsifier, which are included in foods to help them dissolve and mix well. Often emulsifiers are derived from cheaper sources such as soybeans (labeled as “soy lecithin”) but MuscleTech went with the more expensive sunflower source of lecithin, which is ideal for people who want to avoid soy and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). When combined, these natural ingredients work together to give us a delicious, clump-free milkshake experience with extensive benefits.

Rebuild & Recover

Protein supplements are a convenient way to boost your protein intake, but to go beyond just meeting your protein needs, you have to invest in a more premium protein. The macronutrient protein and quality of the fats in the formula are imperative to the growth of muscle mass. Branched-chain amino acids are the most abundant amino acids found in muscle tissue. Thankfully, they’re naturally found in all complete protein sources, and grass-fed whey is no different. With 4.3 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs per serving, Grass-Fed 100% Whey is a solid choice for a pre- or post-workout meal.  You can use it at any other time of the day between meals or use it as your protein source at a meal. We like it as a post-workout shake, as the combination of protein and BCAAs in a fast-digesting form gives your body what it needs to make sure your hard work in the gym pays off—and you can recover efficiently to do it all again tomorrow. Add extra fats (grass-fed sources and/or EFAs) if you’re following a keto diet, or add it to whole-food carbs if you’re on a traditional low- or moderate-fat diet.

Milkshake Taste

If you’re a fan of classic, creamy milkshakes, we know you’ll love this protein. It’s currently available in two classic flavors: Triple Chocolate and Deluxe Vanilla. We don’t know if more flavors will be added later, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a cookies and cream or strawberry added in the future. We don’t know if MuscleTech will do that, but time will tell. The directions suggest mixing a scoop with 6 to 12 ounces of liquid. We found that one scoop mixed with 10 ounces of water produced a creamy texture that was easy and enjoyable to drink. If your preference is a thicker shake, reduce the liquid slightly. If you want to jack up the protein a bit, mix 1½ scoops with about 15 ounces of water and you’ll be taking in 30 grams of protein.

Which Flavor Is Best?

We couldn’t pick a “best” between the two flavors because some of us are “vanilla” types and others are chocoholics! Muscle Insider CEO Scott Welch prefers Triple Chocolate and says it reminds him of MuscleTech’s original Phase 8 (milk chocolate flavor), which set the standard of gourmet taste when it first launched. But if you like vanilla or chocolate, you’re going to love either option.

Supplements That Work

MuscleTech has been one of the most dominant supplement companies in sports nutrition for over two decades, leading the way with clinical research and innovative (yet safe) science-backed formulas. Its product line is available in well over 100 countries, which has allowed its researchers to formulate specialized products for different needs. The new Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein is one of the most premium protein powders we’ve ever seen in Walmart Canada, which is a testament to its commitment to carry high-quality sports nutrition products and the changing demands of its shoppers. No longer do you have to go to an underground supplement store to pick up a best-in-class protein powder. MuscleTech and Walmart Canada have helped make high-quality supplements available to a diverse audience in an easily accessible location. And with the uncertainty of unexpected store closures, Walmart has become a reliable destination for sports nutrition.

If you’re in the market for a clean, grass-fed whey protein with true milkshake taste and great overall value, MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey gets two thumbs way up!

To read our review on MuscleTech’s Iso Whey Clear, click HERE.