Unbiased Redcon1 MRE Lite Review

February’s spotlight shines on Redcon1’s MRE Lite. This lactose-free contender grabbed my attention with its bold ‘no whey’ stance. Let’s dive in and see if it’s a game-changer or just playing games.

• How effective are the ingredients in MRE Lite at building muscle?
• What’s the main protein source found in MRE Lite?
• Can MRE Lite be an effective meal replacement?
• What’s beef protein isolate?

🌟 As a certified expert in strength, conditioning (NSCA), nutrition (Precision Nutrition, CISSN), I bring a hands-on, unbiased approach to my protein reviews. My insights come from personal use, not just research, ensuring you get real-world feedback on each product.

👥 I choose products for review based on your requests, their relevance, and my genuine interest. This isn’t influenced by brand sponsorships, allowing me to maintain impartiality.

💼 Transparency matters to me: while I may use affiliate links, they don’t cost you extra. Purchases made through these links might earn me a small commission, but they don’t sway my opinions or the integrity of my reviews.

🔍 Rest assured, my focus is on providing clear, honest reviews to help you make informed decisions.

🧐 Redcon1 MRE Lite Review Details

In January, I reviewed Redcon1’s Isotope protein powder. It’s a good protein isolate, I have no problems recommending the powder. This month, I’m reviewing Redcon1 MRE Lite powder. You’re asking yourself…

“What is Redcon1 MRE lite powder?”

Redcon1 is an American patriotic supplement company. They back our soldiers, the people in blue, and firefighters. Redcon1’s supplement line is to mimic high intensity training situations. If you look at their preworkout, TOTAL WAR. You’re going to war with yourself, to be better, to push yourself to the limit. You get the drift.

What is Redcon1 MRE Lite Powder?

It’s a military term for Meal, Ready-to-Eat. Redcon1 MRE protein powder is a meal replacement protein powder. Redcon1 Fitness has two different types of meal replacement protein powders

• Redcon1 MRE Whole Food Protein (530 calories per serving)
• MRE Lite (130 calories per serving)

Questions you’re asking…

• “What makes Redcon1 MRE Lite the best meal replacement protein powder?”
• “Is MRE Lite a good protein?”
• Does ditching whey give this MRE powder an edge, or is it just skipping the real deal?

Great questions to be answered. Read the entire Redcon1 MRE Lite review to get my opinion on MRE Lite and why I scored it as “No Bueno.” Let’s go!

PROFESSIONAL GRADE FORMULA

MRE is made from natural ingredients and a real protein blend. Our formula contains absolutely no whey! With MRE, we have given you the nutrients you need to repair and recover muscle tissue from the best possible whole foods sources. Stop reaching for fast foods and reach for whole foods with M.R.E…You’ll get beef, salmon, egg, and chicken protein. Plus, the healthy benefits of brown rice protein, pea protein, and MCT oil.

💰 Where to Buy MRE Lite

I purchased a tub of Redcon1 MRE Lite, Apple Pie. I purchased this product part of a December deal. BOGO at 50% off.

There is only one container size for the MRE Lite. The sprinkling of flavors will make your taste buds flip

Standard procedure for purchasing through Redcon1.

• The threshold for free S&H is $50
• Biweekly payments over an 8-week period (Sezzle and Afterpay)
• Subscribe and save 30% off your protein order (great deal!)

Prices will not vary on which flavor you purchase. Prices are different you buy Redcon1 MRE versus Redcon1 MRE Lite. The prices for MRE Lite are as follows.

• 30-servings, $44.99, $1.49 per serving
• (S&S) 30-servings, $31.49, $1.05 per serving
• (50% off) 30-servings, $22.50, .75 per serving

💸 Does Redcon1 Have a Money-Back Guarantee

The app states a 30-day money-back. Noting is stated on the website. Redcon1 has support chat 7 days a week. Speak with a rep.

Value: 5. When purchased as a S&S, you’re thinking you’re getting a great deal. You are not. There are numerous challenge flags with this meal replacement protein shake. It’s not good.

🧬 MRE Lite Amino Acid Profile

Reading Redcon1’s MRE Lite nutrition label, there are no recovery blends. Reading Redcon1’s ingredient list, what Redcon is advertising is what you are getting.

Does this mean that Redcon1 MRE powder is not spiked? I mean, Redcon1 advertises that there is NO WHEY in this meal replacement powder. As the label indicates, there is no whey.

What are the main protein ingredients in Redcon1 MRE animal based protein?

Whole food protein blend: beef protein isolate, pea protein, brown rice protein, chicken protein, egg albumin, salmon protein. I’ll discuss more about these protein sources in the Ingredient Profile.

With ALL protein supplements, an amino acid profile needs to be pinged on that label. If an amino acid profile is not on the container, request one from the manufacturer. That’s what I did. What do you think I got for a response?

The same ol’industry jargon–I’m not surprised.

Protein Spiking 7 (not spiked). If an amino acid profile had been provided, 10. I have an issue with MRE Lite animal protein powder. That’ll be addressed in “Ingredient Profile.” Reading the label and ingredient list, this product is not spiked.

💃 MRE Lite Shake Directions

Directions are as follows: 1 scoop with 4 to 6 fluid ounces. Shake well. Consume.

No problems mixing here. MRE Lite is a thick slurry. I experienced no clumping.

Mixability: 10.

📋 MRE Lite Protein Ingredients

Redcon1’s MRE Lite throws down the gauntlet with its ‘NO WHEY’ claim, trading usual whey for beef protein isolate – yeah, you read that right, collagen. But let’s cut to the chase: does it pump up muscle growth, or is it just puffing up its chest?

We’re about to dissect the substance (or lack thereof) behind this bold claim.

Beef protein isolate vs whey. If you don’t want to read the article. Here’s what the website shares

• Beef protein isolate is an incomplete protein
• Beef protein isolate is harder for the body to digest
• Beef protein isolate has a lower amount of BCAAs, espeically Leucine

Doing basic research. The chicken protein is most likely from a company called ChikPro. It’s 100% real chicken, not soy. For the salmon protein, that’s legit too. Here’s a salmon protein write-up by Mr. Supplement.

🔬 MRE Lite Protein Ingredients

Ingredient	Description
Beef Protein Isolate	Protein derived from beef, providing a source of high-quality protein.
Pea Protein	Protein sourced from peas, suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Brown Rice Protein	Protein extracted from brown rice, often hypoallergenic and easy to digest.
Chicken Protein	Protein derived from chicken, adding a different protein source to the blend.
Egg Albumin	Protein from egg whites, rich in essential amino acids.
Salmon Protein	Protein extracted from salmon, offering a unique protein profile and healthy fats.

🍽️ Other Ingredients Found in MRE Lite

Ingredient	Description
Natural and Artificial Flavors	Flavoring compounds used to enhance the taste and aroma of the product.
Milk Creamer (for texture)	A creamy substance added to improve the texture and mouthfeel of the protein powder, typically derived from milk.
Ground Cinnamon	Ground cinnamon is a spice known for its flavor and aroma, often added for taste enhancement.
Cellulose Gum	A common food additive used as a thickening agent and stabilizer to improve the texture of the product.
Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil Powder	A source of healthy fats derived from medium-chain triglycerides, often added for energy and texture improvement.
Maltodextrin	A carbohydrate often used as a filler or thickener in food products. It can serve as a source of quick energy.
Salt	Common table salt, added for flavor enhancement.
Sucralose	A non-caloric artificial sweetener used to sweeten the product without adding calories.
Acesulfame Potassium	Another non-caloric artificial sweetener used for sweetness without calories, often combined with other sweeteners.

The Food and Drug Administration states…

Here are the FDA’s food label guideline. It’s a PDF file, Section 6, page 17.

I contacted Redcon1’s response team. As you can imagine, the response was what you would expect…

How much collagen is in this protein? Your guess is as good as mine.

Before getting into the sciene of which is better, whey protein or MRE Lite. I want to provide some information and research based evidence about beef protein isolate.

🥩 Does Beef Protein Isolate Build Muscle?

In MRE Lite, beef protein isolate is the most dominate protein source. We know this because of FDA food regulation ingredient guidline standards. Let’s find out how effective is beef protein isolate at stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Protein companies are notorious for using different words to confuse buyers. Here is a list of commonly known words associated with beef protein isolate.

Isolated Beef Protein	Beef-Derived Protein	Peptan	Hydrolyzed Collagen
Pure Beef Protein	Beef Isolate Powder	Collagen Peptides	Collagen Hydrolysate
Protein from Beef	Beef Protein Isolate	Collagen Powder	Collagen Supplement
Beef Isolate	Hydrolyzed Beef Protein	Collagen Peptides Powder	Protein Isolate
Collagen Protein	Beef Protein	Pure Beef Protein	Beef Protein Source

Ever felt like you need a decoder ring to understand a protein powder’s ingredient list? Welcome to the club – let’s unravel this mystery together.

When I probed Redcon1’s list, something didn’t quite add up. Ever spotted these inconsistencies in your protein picks? Let’s peel back the layers of this protein mystery together.

🎯 Is Beef Protein Isolate Effective

Finding articles examining beef protein isolate and how effective it is at building muscle and losing weight is quite limited.

There are numerous supplement outlets sharing how effective beef protein isolate is at building muscle and losing weight. Yet, majority of supplement companies are not jumping on the beef protein isolate band wagon, why not?

Beef protein isolate is commonly known as collagen.

When you start looking for research studies about collagen and the effectiveness of weight loss and muscle building. There are numerous studies associated with collagen.

Does Collagen Promote Weight Loss

Collagen can be cheap source. Collagen may also be expensive. Collagen is the most abundant form of protein. Commonly found in tissues and various structures: skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and more.

Can collagen be effective at promoting weight loss?

Disclaimer. Collagen is a dietary supplement not regulated by the FDA.

A 2019 article examined how effective collagen may promote weight loss. Here is a simple article recap of what researchers found.

Metric	Intervention Group (Skate Skin Collagen Peptides)	Control Group (Placebo)
Body Fat Percentage	Decrease (statistically significant)	No significant change
Body Fat Mass (kg)	Decrease (statistically significant)	Increase
Lean Body Mass	Slight decrease	Not prominently discussed
Overall Body Weight and BMI	No significant increase	Slight increase

A Closer Look at the Shortcomings in the Collagen Study

The research study on the collagen and weight loss didn’t tell us everything we need to know to be sure about its results.

Researchers didn’t share how much food (like calories) the people in the study were eating every day or how much they were exercising. This information is important because what you eat and how much you move can change your weight.

Without knowing daily lifestyle choices of the subjects, it’s hard to say for sure if the weight loss was really because of the collagen or something else. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle but some pieces are missing.

💪 Does Collagen Help Build Muscles?

Can collagen be effective at building muscle? I found a research study examining collagen and building muscle. Remember, the study is based only on the consumption of collagen.

What Researchers Found Out	What Happened
How Much Collagen They Took Each Day	15 grams
Muscle Growth (Fat-Free Mass)	People who took collagen grew more muscle than those who didn’t.
Getting Stronger (Muscle Strength)	People who took collagen got stronger than those who didn’t.
Losing Fat	People who took collagen lost more fat than those who didn’t.

In the study, older guys (about 72 years old) who didn’t have a lot of muscle strength were given collagen (15 grams every day) to see if it would help them get stronger and build more muscles.

Participans were on a 12 week lifting program. The researchers found that the men who took collagen every day built more muscles, got stronger, and lost more fat compared to the guys who didn’t take collagen.

Collagen, along with exercise, may help older people get stronger and more muscular.

Understanding the Limits of the Collagen Muscle Study

The study about whether collagen helps older men build muscle was really interesting, but there are a few things we should keep in mind:

1. What Else They Ate and Did: The study didn’t keep track of what else the men were eating or doing in their lives; how much protein they ate for the entire day.
2. What They Compared It To: The collagen was compared to a placebo that didn’t have any real nutrients. This makes it hard to know if the muscle growth was really because of the collagen or just because the men were getting more protein and calories.
3. Who Was In the Study: All the people in the study were older men. This means we can’t be sure if collagen would work the same way for women, younger people, or older people who aren’t men.
4. How Long They Watched: The study only went on for 12 weeks. That’s not very long, so we don’t know if the good effects from collagen would last for a longer time.

These points are important to remember because they help us understand that while the study had great findings about colalgen. But, there’s still more to learn about how collagen affects muscle growth in different kinds of people and over a long time.

Now, lets examine which is more effective: Is collagen Or whey protein better?

🆚 Which is Better for You Is Collagen Or Whey Protein; Whey Protein Vs MRE Lite

I’ve raised questions about the effectiveness of Redcon1 MRE Lite in promoting muscle growth. A significant portion of the primary protein source in Redcon1 MRE Lite is derived from beef protein isolate, which contains collagen.

Effectiveness of Collagen for Muscle Growth vs Whey Protein

Let’s explore whether collagen is an effective muscle-building ingredient. In a study comparing collagen and whey protein, the results show that whey protein is superior at stimulating muscle growth.

Researchers wanted to see if taking whey protein (WP) or collagen peptides (CP) after exercising would make a difference in muscle size and strength. They had 22 young adults do weight training for 10 weeks and gave them either WP or CP to see what happened.

The results showed that the group taking WP had bigger leg and arm muscles compared to the CP group. Both groups got stronger, but the WP group had larger muscles.

So, it seems like whey protein is better than collagen for building bigger muscles when you’re working out.

Redcon1 MRE Lite vs Whey. Redcon1 MRE Lite – 0. Whey Protein – 1.

📉 Effectiveness of Collagen for Weight Loss vs Whey Protein

To assess the effectiveness of collagen for muscle growth. Here is a study where participants consumed either 38g of collagen or 40g of whey protein twice a day.

One shake was taken after a leg workout, while the other served as an anytime snack, as indicated on the Redcon1 MRE Lite label, which advertises it as a meal replacement or snack.

Results: Whey Protein vs. Collagen

In the study, researchers gave overweight women either whey protein or collagen for 8 weeks, they found that the whey protein was better than the collagen.

The women who took whey protein saw their belly fat go down and had more of a hormone called nesfatin, which can make you feel full and help with weight loss.

On the other hand, the women who took collagen didn’t have these benefits; instead, their Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a way to measure body fat, actually went up a bit.

Whey protein is more helpful for these women in losing fat around their stomach and feeling more satisfied after eating.

Redcon1 MRE Lite vs Whey. Redcon1 MRE Lite – 0. Whey Protein – 2.

🥛 Effectiveness of Collagen for Muscle Growth vs Whey Protein

In this final article, researchers examined the effectiveness of collagen vs whey protein.

Researchers compared whey protein (WP) and collagen protein (CP), to see which one is better for building muscles in older women.

At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that combined with exercise, whey protein increased muscle building over a longer period.

Whey protein increased muscle building by about 47% more than collagen protein after exercise.

So, whey protein was much more effective than collagen protein, especially when exercising.

Redcon1 MRE Lite vs Whey Protein. Redcon1 MRE Lite – 0. Whey Protein – 3.

Ingredient Profile: 1. How much of the 24g of listen protein is coming from collagen? The world will never know.

If the goal is to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, you’re better off drinking whey protein. Furthermore, research has show that you’re going to be less hungry drinking whey protein instead of collagen.

I awarded MRE Lite a “1” due to the Redcon1 CSR providing false/inaccurate information. Then again, collagen is an unregulated supplement by the FDA.

📋 Nutrition Facts for MRE Lite Protein Powder

Serving size 29g

Calories 130

• Total Fat 2g
• Sodium 85mg
• Total Carbohydrate 4g
• Dietary Fiber 1g
• Total Sugars 2g
• Protein 24g

Percent protein per serving (protein grams/serving size) 24g protein/29g serving size = 83% protein per serving. How much of that 83% is collagen?

🍦 Bloating and Digestion

I experienced no bloating or issues digesting this protein.

Have you noticed digestion with MRE Lite? What’s been your experience?

⚖️ Protein Scoop

One scoop is one serving. I usually double up my servings, I’m okay with it.

🥤 Is MRE Lite a Meal Replacement?

If you’re looking to lose or maintain your current weight, I think MRE Lite can be a solid meal replacement shake. Especially if you’re someone who has issues drinking protein shakes. Not once did I experience any GI issues. I’m going to ask you a question.

Why are you taking a high protein meal replacement shake?

The reason why you drink all those high protein shakes is to stimulate and maintain muscle you have worked hard to build. Without knowing the specific breakdown of the protein sources, MRE Lite is a tough recommendation.

Macro Composition: 7. The macro score is based on the percent protein you are receiving per serving. Does beef protein isolate sound like protein? Yup. Does collagen sound like protein? Nope! Marketing hype machine.

😋 How Does MRE Lite Taste?

I’m starting to sound like a broken record. If there’s a picture of what the protein should taste like, IT BETTER TASTE LIKE THE PICTURE. No picture, means you’re left to your own interpretations.

I got Dutch Apple Pie. Does it taste like an Apple Pie? There are shades of it. It’s not horrible. Is Redcon1 MRE Lite Apple Pie the best flavor? It’s okay. Just looking at the list, I think there are better options.

If you’re wondering about the flavors

Strawberry Shortcake	Vanilla Milkshake	Blueberry Cobbler	Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Peanut Butter Cookie	Snickerdoodle	Dutch Apple Pie	Banana Nut Bread
Fudge Brownie	Caramel Macchiato	Cookies & Cream	Cake Pop

Flavor: 7.5. It’s an okay flavor. Would I buy this flavor again–nope. Dutch Apple Pie doesn’t overstay its welcome. At the end of the container, you’ll think, “Not bad.”

🤲 Should You Take MRE Lite?

Visit Redcon1’s social media page. There is constant promotion of their MRE and MRE Lite animal based protein. Should you believe the hype, or should you be questioning the sheeple. (Yup, I went there!)

Is MRE and MRE Lite an animal based protein supplement–YES. Read the ingredient label… BEEF PROTEIN ISOLATE. That’s code word in the supplement industry as cheap protein, upcharge the hell out of it, make money off the masses.

Beef protein isolate = collagen.

There have been numerous studies conducted about collagen and post-workout nutrition.

Collagen by itself appears to be a great dietary aid.

However, when comparing collagen to whey protein

• Whey protein is more effective at weight loss
• Muscle protein synthesis is more prolonged with whey protein
• Regardless of age, whey protein is better at building muscle than collagen

🙌 Is MRE Lite Good?

At the start of this MRE Lite protein review, I had a set of questions I wanted to answer.

• How effective are the ingredients in MRE Lite at building muscle?
• What’s the main protein source found in MRE Lite?
• Can MRE Lite be an effective meal replacement?
• What’s beef protein isolate?

🥩 What’s beef protein isolate?

Beef protein isolate is commonly known as collagen. There are numerous advertised benefits of collegen ranging from skin, hair, and nail health. All the way up to weight loss and muscle building.

This brings me to my next question.

📚 What’s the main protein source found in MRE Lite?

The main protein source found in MRE Lite is beef protein isolate (collagen). Even though there is a various protein sources found in MRE Lite, the main source in any ingredient list on a protein powder ingredient list is always listed first.

I was impressed, even skeptical, to find a MRE with “no whey” listed in the ingredient list. Having no whey listed means no GI issues. I experienced zero GI issues.

Most people are taking a MRE to lose weight. At the same time, MREs are advertised as high protein shakes. Are the main protein sources found in MRE Lite good for building and maintaing muscle?

🚀 How effective are the ingredients in MRE Lite at building muscle?

The main protein source in MRE Lite, beef protein isolate, may help you lose weight and build muscle. I found studies examining and suggesting that collagen may help you reach your health and fitness goals.

When you compare collagen to whey protein isolate. Collagen is ineffective. I would even avoid MRE Lite completly.

🌟 Can MRE Lite be an effective meal replacement?

If you’re in the market for an effective meal replacement protein, MRE Lite is great! I was not hungry for about 3-hours. That thick slurry you drink, coates your stomach and you are good to go.

But, be aware that beef protein isolate is not as effective as whey protein. If you’re someone who can not consume dairy, I recommend MRE Lite.

Compared to whey protein, MRE Lite may potentially hinder your weight loss goals.

In conclusion, Redcon1 MRE Lite offers a unique, whey-free protein option, appealing to those with lactose intolerance. However, its reliance on beef protein isolate may not suit everyone’s muscle-building goals. Its taste and mixability are commendable, but consider the ingredients’ effectiveness for your specific needs.

I’d love to hear your experiences with Redcon1 MRE Lite or any other protein powders you’ve tried. Please share in the comments below!

I’m always looking to improve my reviews. What other information would you like to see in future posts?

If you’re looking for alternative MRE’s keep reading.

🔄 Alternatives to Redcon1’s Meal Replacement Protein

If you haven’t figured out, I’m not a fan of Redcon1’s meal replacement protein. Beef protein isolate is used extensively. With the research provided, beef collagen is not a good for stimulating and keeping on that hard-earned muscle.

Redcon1 MRE Lite Review Round Up

Value 5 out of 10
Protein Spiking 7 out of 10
Mixability 10 out of 10
Ingredient Profile 1 out of 10
Macro Composition 7 out of 10
Flavor 7.5 out of 10

Overall Score 37.5/60, 63%, Not Recommended

Sources

Bryn Mawr Communications. (n.d.). What’s really in a “Collagen” supplement? – Practical dermatology. Practical Dermatology. https://practicaldermatology.com/articles/2021-sept/whats-really-in-a-collagen-supplement#:~:text=Consumers%20should%20be%20aware%20that,at%20least%20one%20collagen%20supplement.

Giglio, B. M., Schincaglia, R. M., Da Silva, A. S., Fazani, I. C. S., Monteiro, P. A., Mota, J. F., Cunha, J., Pichard, C., & Pimentel, G. D. (2019). Whey protein supplementation compared to collagen increases blood nesfatin concentrations and decreases Android fat in overweight women: a randomized Double-Blind study. Nutrients, 11(9), 2051. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092051

Hinchman, W., & Hinchman, W. (2021, February 19). Whey vs Beef Protein: The Truth about Beef Protein. Swolverine. https://swolverine.com/blogs/blog/whey-vs-beef-protein

IDF. (2021, August 1). Chicken Protein Isolate Powder – IDF®. https://idf.com/ingredients/chicken-protein/

Jacinto, J. L., Nunes, J. P., Gorissen, S. H., Capel, D. M., Bernardes, A. G., Ribeiro, A. S., Cyrino, E. S., Phillips, S. M., & Aguiar, A. F. (2022). Whey protein supplementation is superior to Leucine-Matched collagen peptides to increase muscle thickness during a 10-Week resistance training program in untrained young adults. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 32(3), 133–143. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0265

Nutrition, C. F. F. S. a. A. (2021, June 29). Guidance & Regulation (Food and Dietary Supplements). U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements

Oikawa, S. Y., Kamal, M., Webb, E. K., McGlory, C., Baker, S. K., & Phillips, S. M. (2020). Whey protein but not collagen peptides stimulate acute and longer-term muscle protein synthesis with and without resistance exercise in healthy older women: a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 111(3), 708–718. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz332

Tak, Y. J., Kim, Y. J., Lee, J. G., Yi, Y., Cho, Y. H., Kang, G. H., & Lee, S. Y. (2019). Effect of Oral Ingestion of Low-Molecular Collagen Peptides Derived from Skate (Raja Kenojei) Skin on Body Fat in Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Marine Drugs, 17(3), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/md17030157

Y, D. (2018, November 21). Salmon protein powder. MrSupplement.com.au. https://www.mrsupplement.com.au/salmon-protein-powder

Zdzieblik, D., Oesser, S., Baumstark, M. W., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2015). Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 114(8), 1237–1245. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114515002810