Is Nutricost Whey Protein Good? An In-Depth Analysis for Budget Seekers

Is Nutricost Whey Protein Good? 💪

If you’re a budget protein hunter, you’ve likely encountered two prominent names: MyProtein and Nutricost. I posed the question: Is MyProtein’s whey isolate truly worth the price? Given the limited information available about MyProtein’s protein powder, I strongly recommend exploring other options, particularly those that are more budget-friendly like Nutricost. Nutricost stands out for its affordability and quality, making it a strong contender in the market. 

I pose the same question about Nutricost, are their protein powders good?

There are some good protein powders you can purchase from Nutricost. I only recommend the whey protein concentrate, only if you don’t have lactose intolerance. In my professional opinion, avoid the rest of Nutricost’s proteins. 

In this review, I’ll delve into the big four proteins: whey protein concentrate, isolate, grass-fed concentrate and isolate. I’ll comprehensively compare Nutricost’s protein lines, highlighting their unique features and benefits.

 I’ll also share a detailed comparison between Nutricost’s protein concentrate and isolate, helping you make an informed choice. Finally, I’ll explain why their whey protein concentrate should be considered, based on its quality and value. 

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Why is Nutricost so Cheap? 💸

Let’s get the easy question out of the way. Why is Nutricost so cheap?

Research indicates that Nutricost imports its whey protein from either Europe, India, or China. Protein companies that import their protein will share the following statements: 3rd party tested, rBGH or hormone-free dairy, made in a cGMP facility, and/or non-GMO ingredients. Importing protein is a standard strategy used by many protein brands, including (but not limited to) MyProtein, Levels, Jacked Factory, and Optimum Nutrition. 

You can check to see if your protein powder contains international ingredients by looking for the “Made in the USA” seal. Some protein companies do not share this last part, which “contains domestically and internationally sourced ingredients.”

I’ve contacted many supplement companies requesting a country of origin ingredient list and where they source their protein powders. However, 95% of supplement companies will not admit the source of their protein powder.

The companies that share the source of their protein powder (Europe, India, or China) offer a full transparency label, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about the quality of your protein powder. 

How Do I Know If My Protein Powder Is Good Quality? 🧐

Where your protein powder is sourced and how the cows are raised will have a huge effect on the quality of protein. If you want a great resource on examining your protein powder’s amino acid profile and quality, AGN Roots offers a great article titled, “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs.”

The linked article is used when I review grass-fed proteins. I’ll share more when we examine Nutricosts grass-fed proteins. 

As a general rule, for protein powder quality, you will need to know two things about your protein powder: the amount of protein per serving and the amino acid profile. If you don’t have an amino acid profile, there is a strong chance your protein powder is of poor quality. 

You can examine the quality of the brand’s protein powder by examining its amino acid profile. Look for the amino acid leucine, which naturally occurs in protein powders between 10% and 11%.

Let’s examine Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey. We know that one serving of ON 100% Gold Standard Whey offers 24 grams of protein. Here is the amino acid profile for ON Gold Standard Whey; the amount of leucine in ON 100% whey is 2.64 grams.

Doing the math: 24 grams of protein * 10% (and 11%) = 2.4 grams and 2.64 grams of leucine. Remember this formula, you’ll need it for Nutricosts protein powders. 

Amount of protein per serving x 10% and 11% = naturally occurring amount of leucine

Is Nutricost 3rd Party Tested? 🔬 

Supplement companies that import protein will share that their protein powder is third-party tested. However, when I reviewed Nutricosts’ protein, there was a generic label sharing “Third-party tested.” I contacted a Nutricost via email.

Research and emails show that it has three third-party independent testers: Analytical Resource Laboratories, Advanced Laboratories, Inc., and Dyad Labs.

Nutricost offers multiple protein types. I’m only going to examine the basic and grass-fed proteins: whey protein concentrate and isolate and grass-fed concentrate and isolate.  

Nutricost Protein Powder 🥄

Nutricosts offers organic protein, plant-based, casein, and collagen protein powders. I’m only focusing on whey protein concentrate and isolate. Whey protein concentrate and isolate are commonly sold everywhere and are the most popular.

I’ll share my thoughts on the four protein powders. Plus, the amino acid profile will be shared for each of the protein types. I have experience with both of the isolates, but not the whey protein concentrates offered by Nutricost. 

I’ll give props to Nutricost for listing the amino acid profiles for most of the protein powders. The issue is that Nutricost did not list the amino acid profile per serving. I’ll share that information with you so you can make a judgment call about whether Nutricost concentrate is worth it.

The reason why I don’t often review protein concentrate is that I’m lactose intolerant. Whey protein concentrate has more lactose than isolate. I wrote an article examining the amount of lactose in whey protein isolate. 

If you’re lactose intolerant, it’s worth reading. I also recommend a virtually lactose-free protein isolate. 

Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate 🧊

Nutricost whey protein concentrate comes in at 25 grams of protein per serving. Doing the math, we can calculate the quality of the protein powder. 

Leucine per serving is 2.5g to 2.75g of leucine per serving. Nutricosts’ whey protein concentrate appears to be not spiked, ensuring you’re getting a high-quality product. Here is the amino acid profile for Nutricost concentrate. 

Amino acid profile, one serving is 33 grams with 130 calories (unflavored)

• Alanine: 1166.22 mg
• Arginine: 646.66 mg
• Aspartic Acid: 2451.79 mg
• Cysteine: 491.04 mg
• Glutamic Acid: 4151.52 mg
• Glycine: 428.11 mg
• Histadine: 415.4 mg
• Isoleucine: 1338.27 mg
• Leucine: 2522.16 mg
• Lysine: 2213.4 mg
• Methionine: 534.75 mg
• Phenylalanine: 731.91 mg
• Proline: 1352.22 mg
• Serine: 1185.13 mg
• Threonine: 1621.92 mg
• Tryptophan: 390.6 mg
• Tyrosine: 679.21 mg
• Valine: 1363.38 mg

The amount of BCAAs per serving in Nutricost concentrate is 5.223 grams. The average amount of naturally occurring BCAAs for 25 grams of protein is 5.5 grams. Nutricost’s whey protein concentrate is using low-quality whey.

Nutricost Protein Isolate ✨ 

Nutricost protein isolate is supposed to offer a higher amount of protein with fewer calories. The 30 grams of protein per serving is fantastic. 

Leucine per serving is 3.0g to 3.3g of leucine per serving. Nutricosts’ whey protein isolate appears to be not spiked. Here is the amino acid profile for Nutricost isolate. 

Amino acid profile, one serving is 33 grams with 130 calories (unflavored)

• Alanine: 1,482 mg
• Arginine: 821 mg
• Aspartic Acid: 3,116 mg
• Cysteine: 624 mg
• Glutamic Acid: 5,276 mg
• Glycine: 544 mg
• Histadine: 528 mg
• Isoleucine: 1,701 mg
• Leucine: 3,205 mg
• Lysine: 2,813 mg
• Methionine: 680 mg
• Phenylalanine: 930 mg
• Proline: 1,718 mg
• Serine: 1,506 mg
• Threonine: 2,062 mg
• Tryptophan: 496 mg
• Tyrosine: 863 mg
• Valine: 1,733 mg

The amount of BCAAs per serving in Nutricost isolate is 6.639 grams.

What Does Grass Fed Whey Protein Mean? 🤔

“Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs” is a great resource if you’re buying grass-fed protein. Another great resource is another AGN Roots article, “Common Food Label Claims—Explained.”

Research shares that “The USDA does not have an official definition for “grass-fed” claims for dairy products.” Supplement companies can place “grass-fed” but the amount of grass-fed whey used depends on the supplement company. 

Protein companies have been using the “grass-fed” label to charge a premium but not offering a true 100% grass-fed protein powder. AGN Roots shares what exactly is “grass-fed.”

If you have the amino acid profile, using the article “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs,” you can assess the quality of your protein powder by finding how much BCAAs are in one serving. 

The BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Add the total amount of BCAAs per serving and reference “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs,” to see where the claim of “grass-fed” quality well claim. 

Let’s examine Nutricost’s grass-fed whey proteins. AGN Roots uses a 25-gram protein scale to assess the quality of the grass-fed protein. I’ll do the conversions, if needed, and provide the AGN Roots scale. 

Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate 🌾🧊

The amino acid profile is the same for Nutricost grass-fed whey and protein concentrate. 

Amino acid profile, one serving is 31 grams with 120 calories (unflavored).

• Alanine: 1,166
• Arginine: 647
• Aspartic Acid: 2,452
• Cysteine: 491
• Glutamic Acid: 4,152
• Glycine: 428
• Histadine: 415
• Isoleucine: 1,338
• Leucine: 2,522
• Lysine: 2,213
• Methionine: 535
• Phenylalanine: 732
• Proline: 1,352
• Serine: 1,185
• Threonine: 1,622
• Tryptophan: 391
• Tyrosine: 679
• Valine: 1,363

The number of BCAAs found in Nutricost Grass-fed concentrate per serving is 5.223 grams.

AGN Roots classifies this protein as “partially grass-fed.” The issue though is the claim of being “grass-fed.” “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs” states that grass-fed whey is to have a higher amino acid profile, not similar. 

Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate🌾✨

An amino acid profile is not listed with Nutricost Grass-fed whey. I reached out to Nutricost to find one. The representative shared that the amino acid profiles are the same for grass-fed isolate and regular isolate. 

Amino acid profile: one serving is 35 grams with 130 calories (unflavored).

• Alanine: 1,482 mg
• Arginine: 821 mg
• Aspartic Acid: 3,116 mg
• Cysteine: 624 mg
• Glutamic Acid: 5,276 mg
• Glycine: 544 mg
• Histadine: 528 mg
• Isoleucine: 1,701 mg
• Leucine: 3,205 mg
• Lysine: 2,813 mg
• Methionine: 680 mg
• Phenylalanine: 930 mg
• Proline: 1,718 mg
• Serine: 1,506 mg
• Threonine: 2,062 mg
• Tryptophan: 496 mg
• Tyrosine: 863 mg
• Valine: 1,733 mg

The number of BCAAs found in Nutricost Grass-fed isolate per 30-gram protein serving is 6.639 grams.

Examining AGN Roots grass-fed classifications, Nutricost’s is above or has the highest yield for grass-fed protein. The issue is the amount of protein per serving. 

AGN Roots classification is based on a 25-gram serving. When we compare, I’ll share that amino acid profile based on 25 grams of protein.

Calculating Amino Acid Profile for Nutricost Grass-Fed Isolate for 25 Grams of Protein 📱

• Alanine: 1058.75 mg
• Arginine: 586.75 mg
• Aspartic Acid: 2225.75 mg
• Cysteine: 445.5 mg
• Glutamic Acid: 3768.75 mg
• Glycine: 388.5 mg
• Histidine: 377.25 mg
• Isoleucine: 1215.0 mg
• Leucine: 2289.5 mg
• Lysine: 2009.25 mg
• Methionine: 485.5 mg
• Phenylalanine: 664.25 mg
• Proline: 1227.25 mg
• Serine: 1075.75 mg
• Threonine: 1472.5 mg
• Tryptophan: 354.25 mg
• Tyrosine: 616.5 mg
• Valine: 1237.75 mg

The number of BCAAs found in Nutricost Grass-fed isolate per 25-gram protein serving is 4.743 grams.

With the new 25-protein gram amino acid profile, AGN Roots would classify this grass-fed protein as purchased from a “turnkey supplier.”

Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Vs Concentrate ⚖️

It may sound like a great value if you have your heart set on purchasing protein from Nutricost. Here is my recommendation on which protein you should purchase.

As a whole, avoid any of Nutricost’s “grass-fed” protein powders. The regular protein powders share the same amino acid profile as their grass-fed counterparts. The grass-fed protein is sourced from turnkey producers that may artificially inflate the amount of BCAAs.

We learned that grass-fed proteins are supposed to have a higher BCAA concentration. This is not the case with Nutricost. Chances are, Nutricost is placing the same whey protein found in their standard line and filling containers labeled “grass-fed.”

Is Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Good ✨💪

When you examine Nutricost’s protein isolates, you may think you’re getting a great deal. Thirty grams of protein per serving is a great deal. Then, you’re examining the amino acid profile. 

Research reveals that Nutricost is using low-quality whey protein isolate. Calculating the amino acid profile per serving gives you an extremely low-quality protein. Using Nutricost isolate may cause your muscles to starve. 

The reason why you purchase an isolate is you may be lactose intolerant. On top of that, whey protein isolates are further filtered protein that provides fewer calories, fats, and carbs—due to the filtration process, receiving a higher amount of protein per serving. 

Without calculating the amino acid profile per serving for Nutricost’s isolate, it’s still a poor isolate. Then, you examine the calories, carbs, and fat and get a poor protein isolate. 

Nutricost Protein Review 📝

I have never reviewed Nutricost’s whey protein concentrate. The reason is I’m lactose intolerant. Using Nutricost’s isolate, I still experienced high amounts of lactose. 

I’ve reviewed both Nutricost Whey Isolate and Grass-fed Isolate. 

Based on my reviews, Nutricost grass-fed isolate is not a true “grass-fed isolate,” avoid it at all costs. The regular isolate may provide a better value. However, I still advise future buyers to look elsewhere. I only recommend the standard isolate at a steep discount price. 

If you want to read my full reviews and how they scored, please see my Nutricost Whey Isolate review and Nutricost Grass-fed Whey Isolate review.

Is Nutricost a Good Brand for Protein Powder? 🏆

Nutricost protein isolate could be better. If your stomach (and the people you live with) can handle the higher amount of lactose, Nutricost concentrate may be a good value buy. 

I shared that Nutricost sources its protein internationally. Furthermore, we know that Nutricost gets its whey from producers that “round up to claim their BCAA concentrations.” Nutricost concentrate is not a good deal.

Nutricost isolate is a better product than the isolate. However, due to the inferior protein producer/supplier… That’s your buyer beware.

Is Nutricost Protein High Quality? 🌟

I’ve done a MyProtein Whey Isolate Review, a Jacked Factory Iso review, and a Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Review. Those brands refused to share an amino acid profile, so the protein quality is likely very low.

Nutricost does an about-face. The amino acids are readily available but not calculated by serving. Furthermore, the amino acids are the same when comparing their standard protein line to their grass-fed line. Add in the fact that the protein source is from a manufacturer who may artificially round up their BCAA concentration.

Nutricost does not use the highest-protein manufacturers. The protein sources are internationally sourced, low-quality dairy farms after examining the amino acids for all proteins and using producers that artificially round up their BCAA concentrations. Nutricost is a high-quality protein powder. 

For every market budget-brand protein power, is it worth using their product post-workout? You use a post-workout shake to help stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS). 

Researchers have found that 25 grams of protein with 3 grams of leucine is necessary to stimulate MPS. Using Nutricost protein powders means using more of their protein.

 Spend ten more dollars on a nationally recognized brand. You hate wasting time in the gym, so why waste your time with an inferior protein powder?

Remember, being consistent is taking one step forward.

Resources 📚

AdornThemes. (2001a, April 25). Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate Powder. Nutricost. https://nutricost.com/collections/protein/products/nutricost-grass-fed-whey-protein-concentrate-powder-5-lbs

AdornThemes. (2001b, April 25). Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder. Nutricost. https://nutricost.com/collections/protein/products/nutricost-grass-fed-whey-protein-isolate-powder-5-lbs

AdornThemes. (2001c, April 25). Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate Powder. Nutricost. https://nutricost.com/collections/protein/products/nutricost-whey-protein-concentrate-powder-5-lbs

AdornThemes. (2001d, April 25). Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Powder. Nutricost. https://nutricost.com/collections/protein/products/nutricost-whey-protein-isolate-powder-5-lbs

Kremmer, J. (2024a, April 5). 🤔MyProtein whey isolate: worth your money? 💰. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/is-myprotein-whey-isolate-worth-it/

Kremmer, J. (2024b, April 21). 🚫 Understanding the best whey protein for lactose intolerance. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/is-whey-isolate-low-lactose/

Roots, A. (2019, October 26). Grass-Fed whey contains more BCAAs. Sourced the Right Whey^TM. https://agnroots.com/blogs/articles-info/highest-bcaa-concentrations

Roots, A. (2020, January 13). Common food label claims – explained. Sourced the Right Whey^TM. https://agnroots.com/blogs/faq-the-best-unflavored-grassfed-whey/common-food-label-claims-explained

What is the amino acids profile in Gold Standard 100% Whey? (n.d.). Optimum Nutrition. https://service.optimumnutrition.com/en/support/solutions/articles/80000543110-what-is-the-amino-acids-profile-in-gold-standard-100-whey-

Stark, M., Lukaszuk, J. M., Prawitz, A. D., & Salacinski, A. J. (2012). Protein timing and its effects on muscular hypertrophy and strength in individuals engaged in weight-training. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-54