Unbiased Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Review

Read my unbiased Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate review before making a purchase. There is no denying that Nutricost has some inexpensive protein powders. 

Should there be a “buyer beware” tag necessary, or are you getting a steal of a protein powder? If you’re looking for my thoughts about Nutricost whey protein isolate, read my Nutricost’s whey protein isolate review.  

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

👥 I choose products for review based on your requests, their relevance, and my genuine interest. Brand sponsorships don’t influence this review, allowing me to maintain impartiality.

💼 Transparency matters to me: I may use affiliate links, but 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.

🔍 I am committed to providing you with clear, honest reviews that empower you to make informed decisions about your protein supplements.

📖 Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Review Details

Nutricost is a supplement company that wants to offer affordably priced products for health and wellness. By keeping the recipes simple and emphasizing affordability, the company feels everyone should have access to high-quality supplements. 

Each container of Nutricost Grass-fed whey protein isolate has these statements

• Nutricost quality guaranteed (60-day backed guarantee)
• Grass-fed product
• cGMP facility
• Non-GMO product

All Nutricost protein isolates (grass-fed or regular isolate) share the same statements: they are third-party tested, gluten-free, cold-processed, and contain 30 grams of protein per serving. 

🏋️‍♂️ Is Nutricost Grass-Fed Isolate a Meal Replacement or Post-Workout Shake?

As a certified nutritionist and sports supplementation specialist, you should know that whey protein isolate has a fast bioavailability. Isolate tends to enter the bloodstream within 30 minutes and digested within 1 hour.

Any of Nutricost’s whey protein isolates is best as a post-workout or anytime shake. To slow down digestion, blend whole fruits with the isolate. If you don’t have fruit, use whole milk or a milk beverage that helps you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Using milk or nut milk will help slow down the digestion process of the isolate.

 💪 How Much Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Isolate to Maximize Muscle Growth

If you’re an avid Nutricost protein user, either it is the isolated or grass-fed isolate, you’ll want to aim for 1.1 scoops of Nutricost protein isolate. Here’s why. 

Researchers found that to maximize post-workout muscle growth, one must consume at least 25 grams of protein with at least 3 grams of leucine. 

Whether your protein is a grass-fed or standard isolate and regardless of the flavor for either protein type, aim for around 1.1 scoops post-workout.

🛒 Where To Buy Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate

You have two choices (as always) on where you should purchase Nutricost. Both places have their advantages. However, I went with Amazon because there wasn’t a sale, and I’m a Prime member. 

💼 Direct from Nutricost

Purchasing directly from Nutricost offers significant advantages: different sales, a bigger subscribe & save percent, and free S&H (only on orders above $59; non-qualifying orders are charged $7 for 2-day business shipping). 

It’s worth noting S&H is not accessible for S&S orders. As shared, all orders above $59 get free S&H.

Nutricost is one of those companies that offers different serving amounts depending on the flavor you select. Instead of listing the servings per flavor, I’m using the median, 25-serving average per container. The same will go for the 5-pound container, too.

• 2-pound container, $61.95, 25 servings average, $2.49 per serving ($1.99 per serving for S&S)
• 5-pound container, $129.95, 58 servings average, $2.24 per serving ($1.79 per serving for S&S)

📦 Direct from Amazon

The prices are cheaper through Amazon. If you’re a Prime member, you get a two-day delivery. The S&S is only 5% off, but a one-time payment will still be lower than direct at Nutricost. 

If you’re looking for the most significant savings, consider purchasing through Amazon. While the flavor and container size options are limited, the prices are cheaper. Even with a 5% S&S discount, a one-time payment will still be lower than buying directly from Nutricost.

Amazon offers only three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and unflavored. If you want a 5-pound value container, the only flavor is unflavored. 

• 2-pound container, $48.95, 25 servings, $1.96 per serving ($1.86 per serving for S&S)
• 5-pound container, $81.95, 65 servings, $1.26 per serving ($1.19 per serving for S&S)

🤑 Why is Nutricost Protein so Cheap?

The same question keeps coming up with protein brands that are budget-friendly. “How can [insert brand name] be so cheap?

Based on my research, Nutricost protein is cheap because it’s imported predominantly from India. That’s the same reason MyProtein is so cheap: it uses globally sourced ingredients, mainly whey protein, that are low quality. 

I can prove the inferior quality purely based on the amino acid profile. You’re still wondering how Nutricost Grass-Fed protein is still cheap. Here’s a secret. 

After emailing Nutricost about an amino acid profile, the representative shared that their grass-fed whey and standard isolates share the same amino acid profiles. 

💸 Does Nutricost Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?

Nutricost offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. Here’s a passage pulled directly from their ‘Shipping & Return Policy’

If you’re not completely satisfied with ANY Nutricost™ product, we don’t want to keep your money. Even though our products are of the utmost quality, no supplement works for everyone. Contact us, and we’ll refund 100% of your purchase price (minus S&H).

Value: 1 out of 10. As with many budget-priced proteins, you feel you are getting a great value. However, I worked hard to explain why Nutricost is so cheap. You’re not going to like the results that I’ve found. You’re paying the total price for a protein powder that isn’t grass-fed.

⚛️ Is Nutricost Grass Fed Isolate Amino Spiked?

An amino acid profile is not readily available on the container or the grass-fed isolate page. I contacted Nutricost and requested an amino acid profile for their grass-fed isolate. The findings were surprising.

The representative replied to the email. The Nutricost representative shared that the amino acid profile is the same for the grass-fed isolate. The same?! The amino acid profile should not be the same if you’re paying more for a premium protein. 

Referencing AGN Roots, “Grass-fed whey contains more BCAAs.” The reasons why there is a higher concentration of BCAAs in grass-fed whey: improved diet, better environment, less stress, and improved psychological well-being. 

Just writing this makes me want to make a comparison between Nutricosts whey protein concentrate and isolate. 

↔️ Amino Acid Profile Comparison Between Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate vs Whey Protein Isolate

We know that neither ingredient for Nutricost, except for sunflower lecithin, was unflavored for both product lines.

🥛 Whey Protein Concentrate (Per 25g of Protein)

• 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
• Histidine: 415.40 mg
• Isoleucine: 1338.27 mg
• Leucine: 2522.16 mg
• Lysine: 2213.40 mg
• Methionine: 534.75 mg
• Phenylalanine: 731.91 mg
• Proline: 1352.22 mg
• Serine: 1185.13 mg
• Threonine: 1621.92 mg
• Tryptophan: 390.60 mg
• Tyrosine: 679.21 mg
• Valine: 1363.38 mg

💪 Whey Protein Isolate (Per 25g 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 amino acid profile differs because isolates are more filtered to remove fat and milk sugar. The result is less lactose, fat, AND calories, With more protein per serving. 

Suppose you want more information on spotting the difference between whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. In that case, Glanbia Nutritionals has a great article about spotting the difference between whey protein isolate vs concentrate.

🕵️‍♂️ Is Nutricosts Grass-Fed Isolate Amino Spiked?

As I dive into the details, including the ingredients, amino acid profile, and nutrition facts, it seems that Nutricost’s Grass-Fed Isolate may not be amino spiked. However, something is interesting to consider. I came across an article titled “Amino Acids as Alternatives to Emulsifying Salts in Processed Cheese Analogues,” which discusses how manufacturers sometimes replace sodium with amino acids like aspartic acid, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

Based on my research, Nutricost appears to be an amino-spiked protein powder. At first glance, Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey offers a robust amino acid profile. However, after diving into a BYU research article, I believe the reason behind its affordability is clear: it likely comes from low-quality protein sourced from a low-quality whey distributor.

This got me thinking: could Nutricost be doing something similar to boost their amino acid profile? By adding these specific amino acids, they might be achieving a higher overall amino acid content, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting better quality protein. It’s a tactic that can make the product look more impressive on paper, but it might not translate to real benefits for you.

Here’s the next issue at hand: is Nutricost grass-fed whey grass-fed?

🐄🌱 Is Nutricosts Grass-Fed Isolate Really Grass-Fed?

I love referencing AGN Roots articles. They are full of factual information and education for people concerned about buying high-quality ingredients. Food claims are placed on labels to impress potential buyers, providing an illusion of value without substantial backing or education. 

Referencing “Common food label claims – explained,” AGN explains in the section referencing “The ‘grass-fed’ Claims” the majority of dairy animal’s daily diet may consist of grass. AGN Roots shares that “The USDA does not have an official definition for “grass-fed” claims for dairy products.”

Nutricost’s only claim is “grass-fed.” Using the amino acid profile, we need to investigate that statement further. As shared by the Nutricost Rep, the amino acid profile for Nutricost Grass-Fed is the same as for Nutricost Isolate. 

Using the “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs,” we can find AGN Root’s classification system for grass-fed whey just by looking at the amino acid profile. Furthermore, we need to convert the 30 grams of protein per serving to 25 grams.

🔁 Nutricost Grass-Fed Amino Acid Conversion of 30 grams to 25 grams of Protein

We know the following information: The BCAA profile of 25 grams of protein for Nutricost grass-fed protein is Leucine: 2289.5 mg, Isoleucine: 1215.0 mg, and Valine: 1237.75 mg. The total amount of BCAAs is 4.751 grams. 

🗂️ Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Classification

Here is the classification of Nutricost’s grass-fed isolate. That’s under the assumption that we are truly getting a 100% grass-fed isolate. I strongly feel this is just an isolate with a grass-fed label on the container.

< 4.9 grams < BCAAs per 25 grams protein –

Whey Processing Plants or Turnkey Suppliers. Brands that buy bulk whey from processing plants or directly from cheese manufactures who accept conventionally produced milk will be rounding up to claim their BCAA concentrations to 4.5 grams or slightly higher. Turnkey suppliers will purchase their whey from these operations; thus, if a product doesn’t share sourcing details, it never hurts to ask questions to avoid unintentionally supporting some for these operations.

AGN Roots, “Grass-fed whey contains more BCAAs.

Here’s why I don’t believe Nutricosts grass-fed claim. No amino acid profile is specifically tailored to grass-fed isolate to provide proof.

Based on my research, Nutricost grass-fed isolate protein is not truly grass-fed. Grass-fed protein has a higher amount of BCAAs per serving. Nutricost grass-fed isolate is their regular isolate: low-quality turnkey whey. 

📜 Is Nutricost Protein Third Party Tested?

The representative I emailed at Nutricost shared that three 3rd party organizations test their products. 

Based on communication with Nutricost, the three third parties that test Nutricost products are Analytical Resource Laboratories, Advanced Laboratories, Inc., and Dyad Labs.

If you’re interested in the third-party websites, here are their pages. Analytical Resource Laboratories, Advanced Laboratories, Inc., and Dyad Labs.

Amino Spiking: 1 out of 10. Nutricost is not an amino-spiked protein isolate. The issue with their grass-fed isolate is that it’s not truly a grass-fed isolate. Nutricost is pouring the same isolate into their protein containers labeled “grass-fed.”

🥤 How to Mix Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate 

Here are the recommended mixing directions for Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein isolate. 

“Mix one scoop (approx. ⅓ cup) daily with 6-10 oz of water, milk, or your preferred beverage.” Shake it up. 

I used the minimum recommended amount of liquid, water. The result was some small dry spots in the shake. There will be dry spots on the shaker walls and at the bottom of the lid, but there are no dry spots at the bottom of the pour spout. 

Nutricosts grass-fed isolate will be frothy. Once the frothiness settles, most of the dry specs go away. I would use a minimum of 8 fl ounces of liquid when mixing the grass-fed isolate. 

⚖️ Powder Scoop Size

Shakability Test: 8 out of 10. Nutricost grass-fed whey protein isolate powder is a bubbly experience. I recommend using a minimum of 8 fl ounces of our preferred beverage. Six fluid ounces works, but you will experience some dry spots drinking the shake. Using 8 ounces, most of the issues go away. 

📋 Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder Ingredients List

The ingredient list will always vary depending on the flavor you select. If you’re a minimalist and want the highest protein-to-serving ratio, always select unflavored. 

Here is Nutricosts Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate for vanilla. 

1. Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate (Instantized): Sourced from supposedly “grass-fed cows,” easily mixable protein essential for muscle repair and growth.
2. Sunflower Lecithin: A natural, non-GMO emulsifier ensuring smooth texture and mixability, enhancing your workout shake experience.
3. Natural Flavors: Delivers a delicious taste profile without artificial additives, perfect for a satisfying post-workout refreshment.
4. Himalayan Salt: Mainly used for flavoring.
5. Stevia: A calorie-free sweetener that naturally enhances flavor without impacting blood sugar levels, ideal for maintaining fitness goals.

Undoubtedly, the ingredient list in Nutricost protein powders leaves a minimal profile. However, are the ingredients in Nutricost products really of a higher quality?

🌍 Does Nutricost Import to the USA?

The name of the game for Nutricost products is the perceived value that is budget-priced. How does Nutricost get away with such low prices, especially for their grass-fed and regular isolate proteins?

Based on my research, Nutricost is so cheap because it imports inferior products and materials to manufacture its products. The label on all Nutricost protein powders states, “Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.”

Besides that stamp on Nutricost’s protein products, how do I know? Simple: follow the breadcrumbs on the container and the website.

• Manufactured in a cGMP facility
• 3rd party tested
• Non-GMO products and using whey from rGBH-free cows
• Statement sharing “made with globally sourced ingredients”

Here are the locations where Nutricost may import their whey: Europe, India, or China. 

Based on my previous reviews, protein powders that use USA-sourced whey tend to provide fewer servings per container or charge a premium. See my Pure Choice Farms protein review or article about Is Whey Isolate Low Lactose?

Protein powders that use USA-sourced protein powders, mainly locally sourced whey from local farms, will have a higher amino acid profile. Wisconsin mandates dairy farmers to test the finished product as food. 

Ingredients List: 5 out of 10. We found out that Nutricost uses low-quality whey for its protein. I don’t have a problem with using internationally sourced ingredients. I have a problem with the Nutricost Rep “suggesting” their protein is USA-sourced. The protein is of inferior quality. 

🥗 Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Isolate Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Isolate, Vanilla flavored protein. 

Serving size 1 Scoop (1/3c or 39g)
Calories 140

• Total fat .5g
• Sodium 330mg
• Total Carbohydrate 33
  • Dietary Fiber 0g
  • Total Sugars 3g
• 30 grams of muscle-building protein

🍗 How Much Protein Does Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Have Per Serving?

You may think you’re getting tremendous value by purchasing Nutricost’s Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. Based on the four available flavors, let’s look at how much protein you receive per serving. 

Chocolate: 30 grams of protein / 40 gram serving size = 75% protein per serving
Unflavored: 30 grams of protein / 33 gram serving size = 91% 
Vanilla: 30 grams of protein / 37 gram serving size = 81% 
Chocolate Peanut Butter: 30 grams of protein / 41 gram serving size = 73% 

Average amount of protein per serving: 80% protein per serving

An average of 80% protein per serving is a great deal. However, based on AGN Root’s article “Grass-Fed Whey Contains More BCAAs,” the numbers don’t make sense. The average serving size of protein is around 30 grams, and that 30-gram serving has 22 to 25 grams.  

Sending an email to Nutricost, “The amino acid profile for our Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is the same as for our Whey Protein Isolate.” 

My research suggests that Nutricost uses inferior whey protein in its products. Using the amino acid profile shared by Nutricost Isolate, convert it to 25 grams of protein. 

🍨 Is Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Isolate Lactose Free?

I’ve been using this Nutricost Grass Fed Whey isolate for several servings. I used to recommend Nutricost as a budget-priced isolate. The results are all the same. 

Based on my clients’ testimony and personal experience, Nutricosts’ Grass-Fed Whey Isolate is not lactose-free. Their spouses can attest to this. 

Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Isolate is certified gluten-free if you have digestive issues other than lactose intolerance.

Nutrition Facts: 6 out of 10. As we learned in “Amino Spiking” and “Ingredient List,” Nutricost utilizes low-quality ingredients. The average protein per serving may be 80%, but I refuse to provide an eight due to the inferior quality.

👌 Does Nutricost Vanilla Grass Fed Whey Isolate Taste Good?

If you’ve read the ingredients list, you will see stevia. I’m not a fan of stevia. I’m not sure why, but some people will find stevia too sweet or provide a medicinal aftertaste. 

For me, the medicinal aftertaste is quite present when drinking Nutricost vanilla. It’s not unbearable, and it’s pretty tolerable. But it’s worth mentioning. 

That shared vanilla is as advertised. Opening the protein container, you notice the strong vanilla scent. After shaking up your protein shake, the vanilla flavor is barely noticeable, opening your pour spout. Once drinking, vanilla has a medicinal aftertaste.

As I shared, that taste is tolerable. It’s 60/40 for me. There is a 60% chance that I’d rebuy Nutricost’s vanilla.

🍦🍫🥜  Flavors of Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate

Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate offers a concise lineup of flavors: straightforward, Unflavored, rich Chocolate, smooth Vanilla, and unique Chocolate Peanut Butter. 

⭐️ Based on Amazon Reviews, Which Flavor of Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate is Best? 

Based on 856 reviewers, Nutrciost’s Grass Fed Whey Isolate score is 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

With the limited flavor profiles available, reviewers focused on quality. Most negative reviews are based on quality assurance (missing tamper seal and odd odor). 

However, most of the negative press stems from the ingredients. Many reviewers echo the same sentiments in this unbiased review: How do I know if I’m getting a true grass-fed isolate? There is no information to back up Nutricosts’ claim of “grass-fed.”

There are also ingredient and quality concerns. Long-time buyers have experienced major GI issues switching from isolate to grass-fed isolate. “Change in the formula” is code for a different whey supplier.

These GI issues are not concrete proof of inferior whey quality but suggest Nutricosts is more concerned about its bottom line. An inferior product with low-quality ingredients while charging a premium.

Negative comments aside, the most positive press comes from users buying unflavored.

Examining the reviews at Nutricost, I see that there isn’t much description of who is buying specific flavors. If you’re still interested in buying Nutricost grass-fed isolate, stick with the basics. Stay far away from the unique flavor of chocolate peanut butter.

Flavor: 8 out of 10. The flavor is on point. However, at a premium price point, I was left wanting more than an above-average vanilla. Be warned, if you’re sensitive to stevia, you will be in one of two camps: too sweet or a medicinal aftertaste.

🏁 Is Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Good?

Another protein review is coming to a close. I will tell you the honest and brutal truth about Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.

Based on research, Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate needs to be improved. It has the same amino acid profile as the standard isolate, a false advertisement for grass-fed isolate, and a customer service rep who provides misinformation. Therefore, purchasing Nutricost’s grass-fed whey should be avoided at all costs.

🚫💸 Refund Woes and False Claims: Unveiling Nutricost’s Grass-Fed Isolate

When the customer service representative of Nutricost shared that the amino acid content of grass-fed whey was the same, that was more than enough to demand a refund. Unfortunately, the 60-day money-back guarantee is well past the 60 days for this reviewer. I would be more than happy to pay the S&H to get my money back. 

If you’re looking at Nutricost standard whey protein isolate, that is another Nutricost product to tread lightly. Check out my Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate review if you want my in-depth research. In that review, I recommended a “steep discount purchase.” 

True to Nutricosts, they want to provide high-quality supplements for everyone to achieve their health and fitness goals. If you’re a gym buff, I can not recommend their grass-fed protein because it’s steeply overpriced, has inferior protein quality, and false claims of “grass-fed product.”

Save your money, don’t buy Nutricost’s Grass-Fed Isolate. 

Do you agree with my review of their grass-fed protein? Have you tried any of Nutricost’s protein powders or supplements? I want to read your take. 

Are you looking for all the protein reviews I’ve done? Here’s my list of unbiased protein reviews. If there’s a protein powder that you are hesitant to purchase, leave a comment below, and I’ll review it. If you want to leave me a personal email, visit ‘Contact Me’ and email me. 

Remember, being consistent is taking one step forward.

🧐 Nutricost Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Review Round-Up

Value: 1 out of 10
Amino Spiking: 1 out of 10
Shakability Test: 8 out of 10
Ingredients List: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 7 out of 10
Flavor: 8 out of 10

Overall Score 30/60, 50%, Don’t Buy

📚  Sources

AdornThemes. (n.d.). Shipping & return policy. Nutricost. https://nutricost.com/pages/return-policy

Kremmer, J. (2024, April 11). 🚫 Understanding the best whey protein for lactose intolerance. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/is-whey-isolate-low-lactose/

Nutritionals, G. (2023, March 23). Spot the Difference: Whey Protein Isolate versus Concentrate. Glanbia Nutritionals. https://www.glanbianutritionals.com/en/nutri-knowledge-center/insights/spot-difference-whey-protein-isolate-versus-concentrate

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

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

Pack, J. (2022). Amino Acids as Alternatives to Emulsifying Salts in Processed Cheese Analogues. In https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/. BYU ScholarsArchive. Retrieved July 13, 2024, from https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=11000&context=etd