If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best grass fed whey protein isolate for lactose intolerant weightlifters is, then I’d recommend Level’s 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein as the best one.
If you’re a lactose intolerant weightlifter, you may have experienced a little digestive upset from time to time when supplementing with whey protein.
Even when the lactase enzyme that helps us to digest lactose is added to whey protein, it can still be hard to stomach.
This is where grass fed whey protein isolate comes in. The isolate version is a lot easier to digest.
Plus, the whole grass fed deal actually makes a difference in the benefits you’ll get. But which one is the best grass fed whey protein isolate for lactose intolerant weight lifters?
Here are the top grass fed whey protein isolates we’ll be reviewing:
- Muscle Feast Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Level’s 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein
- Naked Whey 5LB Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
- Legion Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
How to Choose the Best Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
While you could just pick up a random whey protein that has lactase added to it to help with digestibility, it may be in your best interest to go for a grass fed whey protein isolate because of the increased nutrient density and protein absorption.
There are so many options available that it can make it difficult to figure out which one is the best.
This will largely come down to the overall quality of the protein powder.
Factors That Affect Whey Protein Powder Quality:
- how it’s processed
- heavy metal content
- addition of fillers or additives
- bioavailability
- digestibility
- protein per serving
What Are the Benefits?
Whey protein has a higher concentration of the branched chain amino acid leucine which directly effects protein synthesis.
This means that if you’re trying to build muscle and want to supplement with protein, then whey is your best bet over other alternatives like plant-based proteins.
One of the main benefits of grass fed whey protein isolate, other than helping you to put on muscle, is that whey protein isolates have undergone more filtration than other types of whey protein, such as whey protein concentrate.
This extra filtration further reduces the lactose and carb content, which makes it more digestible for most people, especially if you’re lactose intolerant.
Whey protein isolate is also higher in protein and a little more bioavailable than other types of protein, meaning your body will absorb more of it.
Another significant benefit of consuming the best grass fed whey protein isolate, in particular, is that grass fed cows, as opposed to grain fed cows, produce more nutrient-dense milk.
This, in turn, means that grass fed whey protein from pasture-raised cows will be higher in omega-3s, antioxidants, CLA, essential minerals, and vitamins.
Attributes to Look For
As I mentioned above, the quality of the protein will determine a lot as far as how well your body uses it and the benefits you’ll get from supplementing with it.
However, there are some other things to look for when choosing the best grass fed whey protein isolate for you.
Servings Per Container
Servings per container are an important thing to note when shopping for a protein powder because it’s a good indicator of how long it will last.
Especially when it comes to the serving-to-cost ratio.
Protein Per Serving
Whey protein isolate generally offers more protein per serving than other types of protein, such as whey protein concentrate.
A good amount of protein per serving will generally be in the mid to high 20s.
Additives
A quality product probably won’t have a ton of ingredients on the list.
If there are a bunch of ingredients, this may be an indication of additives or fillers which can be added to make the product denser.
Certain additives like aspartame, sucralose and maltodextrin can cause gut trouble and upset your stomach so it’s something you may want to keep an eye out for.
Mixability
The isolate version of whey protein is usually easy to mix with other liquids. The addition of lecithin facilitates instantizing or better mixability.
Many whey protein isolates seem to have a fine powder consistency which dissolves a lot faster than grainy protein that can leave residue behind.
Flavor
Whether you want an unflavored product or a flavor to cover the protein taste will depend on your personal preference.
Usually, flavored products will have some added sugar or natural sweeteners like stevia, which can have a weird aftertaste.
What’s the Best Way to Use Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate?
Even if you’re using the best grass fed whey protein isolate, it’s not as simple as just taking it first thing in the morning and getting it out of the way.
When it comes to weight lifting, building muscle and getting results, you may want to consider your nutrient timing, which dictates the most effective time to supplement with protein powder.
Studies have shown that supplementing with whey protein before and after your workout enhances protein synthesis, and can lead to:
- better performance
- better recovery
- more strength gains
- increased hypertrophy
While the average or sedentary person should aim for about 0.8g of protein per kg of body-weight, someone trying to build muscle will require a higher amount of protein to support muscle repair and growth.
If your goal is strength and hypertrophy then you may want to aim a little higher and try to consume between 1.4-1.7g of protein per kg of body-weight.
Precautions for Using Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate undergoes a significant amount of filtration that removes most of the lactose and carbs.
However, if you’re lactose intolerant then whey protein may not be the ideal option for you.
People who are particularly sensitive to lactose may experience some digestive upset when consuming whey protein.
This isn’t always the case, but it is something to note.
Since all products aren’t created equal, it may be worth your while to look into the manufacturing process and keep an eye on the ingredients before making a decision about which one will benefit you the most with the least amount of side effects.
Product Roundup
Muscle Feast Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
While Muscle Feast is one of the higher priced items on the list, it actually offers the most amount of servings!
At one scoop per serving, you’ll get about 20g of protein with the overall lowest amount of calories, fat, and carbs as well.
This may be attributed to its particularly minimal ingredient list.
If you’re looking for a clean protein this is definitely a viable option.
Made from grass fed cows that are raised without hormones or antibiotics, this product packs a nutrient dense punch as far as protein powders are concerned.
It’s gluten friendly, soy free, non-GMO and Orthodox Union Kosher Certified for Dairy.
You have the option of getting it in the 32oz or 80oz size and can choose between chocolate, vanilla, and unflavored.
The company recommends using milk or a milk substitute to mix with the protein for better flavor since there are minimal ingredients and no extra additives.
Nutrition Info
- Calories per scoop: 88cal
- Total fat: 0.2g
- Total carbs: 0.2g
- Total protein: 20.5g
- Serving size: 1 leveled scoop
- Servings per container: 94
Pros
- very clean product without fillers
- fine powder has great mixability
- significantly less bloating
- better recovery
Cons
- flavored versions may be way too sweet for some people
- the artificial sweetener is too strong
- may not mix well with oatmeal
- not the best taste
Opportuniteas Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Opportuniteas is a highly rated product among people who like to stay cognizant of what they’re putting into their bodies regularly.
It’s gluten-free and non-GMO, and only comes unflavored. This means there are no artificial additives!
No sweeteners, preservatives, fillers or dyes that could potentially irritate your stomach.
It has one of the shortest ingredients lists you’ll find, with just whey protein isolate and less than 1% lecithin.
Not only is this product made from grass fed Wisconsin cows, Opportuniteas uses a low-temperature drying technique which gives it an improved texture and taste.
This is another keto-friendly and gluten-free product and can be purchased in a 1lb or 2.5lb bag.
It’s worth noting, however, that at two scoops per serving and only 15 servings per container it may not last you long.
But, it is one of the more affordable grass fed whey protein isolates available.
Nutrition Info
- Calories per scoop: 114cal
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbs: 1g
- Total protein: 27g
- Serving size: 2 scoops
- Servings per container: 15
Pros
- barely any taste, and if it does it’s really subtle
- dissolves immediately for great mixability
- doesn’t cause acne breakouts which some people experience with whey protein
- won’t bother you if you’re a little lactose intolerant
- tastes pretty good with vanilla almond milk
Cons
- some may notice a chemical aftertaste
- not certified pure organic
- the bag is fragile and may not arrive fully intact, messy
Levels 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein
Levels 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein is one of the most bioavailable options that you can choose from, considering it goes through cold process microfiltration which protects the protein and makes it more effective in signaling your muscles to grow.
There are also no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, yet you can get this product in 5 different flavors including unflavored, pure chocolate, chocolate mocha, vanilla bean, and vanilla cinnamon.
It’s also very mixable, thanks to the addition of 1% non-GMO sunflower lecithin which makes it dissolve easily in liquid.
This is another paleo, gluten and keto-friendly product that’s free of antibiotics and hormones.
It has the highest calories per serving at 130cal, but it also gives you 25g of quality protein per 1 scoop.
And at 76 servings per container it should last you for a good amount of time so it’s worth the mid-range price.
Nutrition Info
- Calories per scoop: 130cal
- Total fat: 2g
- Total carbs: 2g
- Total protein: 25g
- Serving size: 1 scoop
- Servings per container: 76
Pros
- great mixability, no chunks of gritty powder left behind when you use a shaker
- flavors taste really good, by far
- no synthetic ingredients which can irritate your stomach
- Lots of protein per serving
Cons
- can’t mix it in a glass with a spoon or you get globs of protein powder that don’t mix
- the vanilla cinnamon flavor isn’t as good as the other ones
- some containers may have a missing scoop
Naked Whey 5LB Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Naked Whey is a higher-end product that runs a little more expensive than your average protein powder and with good reason.
It’s a clean, pure product with just one ingredient so you’re getting a quality protein powder without any fillers or additives. It’s made in the USA and certified gluten-free.
One of the most notable features of Naked Whey protein is that it’s been lab tested for heavy metals and the results were significantly minimal!
Heavy metals can become a concern when you supplement with protein powders regularly because they can build up in your system and potentially lead to health issues.
Nutrition Info
- Calories per scoop: 120cal
- Total fat: 2g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Total protein: 25g
- Serving size: 2 scoops
- Servings per container: 76
Pros
- it’s actually really flavorless and doesn’t have a weird taste as long as you add it to something with flavor (protein smoothie, yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods)
- a super-fine powder that mixes well with a creamy consistency
- the company is quick to respond and very informative if you have questions
- great for people with IBS because it’s a pure product that shouldn’t irritate your gut health
Cons
- you need two scoops for the full 25g protein
- may taste like plastic to some people
- may give you gas
Legion Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Legion is a popular brand in the fitness community. They’ve gained a reputation for selling quality products, like their Legion Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate that’s made from hormone-free cows raised on small farms in Ireland.
Their use of cold microfiltration and ultrafiltration technologies allow them to make a quality product without breaking down the protein and rendering it ineffective.
If you’re someone who likes to try out different flavors, then you’re in luck because Legion offers 10 different flavor choices, some of which include cookies and cream, birthday cake, and chocolate peanut butter!
This product is naturally sweetened with stevia and has no dyes in it.
The protein comes in 2lb or 5lb containers and is non-GMO, as well as gluten-free.
Nutrition Info
- Calories per scoop: 100cal
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Total protein: 22g
- Serving size: 1 rounded scoop
- Servings per container: 30
Pros
- not chalky like some other brands
- easy to mix with a variety of things if you don’t like the taste
- good mouthfeel/consistency after mixing
Cons
- very sweet, strong stevia taste that may have a weird aftertaste for some
- the company’s customer service isn’t very helpful in getting issues resolved
- may cause bloating
- difficult to return, discrepancies with return-policy
Roundup Winner
While the list is filled with fantastic options for the best grass fed whey protein isolate, I think Level’s 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein comes out on top, although not by much!
It offers the most protein per scoop, and also has the second highest amount of servings compared to the other products, which makes it a worthwhile investment.
I also really like that it’s clean, with minimal ingredients and no fillers or additives or artificial sweeteners, so it’s less likely to bother your stomach.
One of my favorite things about this product is the manufacturing process that protects the proteins so you’re able to absorb more of them for better results.
