Looking for the top grass-fed whey protein supplement to transform your health, body, and performance?
To rapidly:
- Build muscle
- Burn fat
- Heal your gut
- Accelerate recovery
- Optimize immunity
- Protect against disease
- Slow biological aging
So far, nothing beats whey. It’s packed full of potent anabolic nutrients to support the highest levels of performance, growth, and recovery.
But here’s the thing…
Not all whey is the same. Most stuff found in your local supplement shop won’t give you all the studied benefits. Worse, 2025 research found that 47% of protein powders exceed safe lead limits.
What you want is a quality, grass-finished whey protein. Rich in all kinds of micronutrients.
For over a decade, I’ve regularly researched, tested, and reviewed whey protein products.
In a hurry? Jump to the top choices here:
Overall: Paleovalley Whey w/ Colostrum
Quality: Puori PW1
In this roundup and review, I’ll outline the benefits of whey, explain why it’s so great, and help you choose the best grass-fed whey protein for your goals and lifestyle.
Grass-fed whey protein remains one of the best, most complete animal-based protein sources while simultaneously containing among the lowest levels of contaminants like heavy metals. Whey contains 9x less lead than plant proteins.
Choose cold-processed whey certified by NSF Certified for Sport (280+ banned substances), Informed Choice (monthly batch testing), or Clean Label Project (200+ contaminants) to ensure verified safety and purity. Cold-processed whey preserves heat-sensitive bioactive compounds (immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors) destroyed by processing above 160°F
The grass-fed whey protein market is growing at 12% CAGR through 2032, with the global whey market projected to hit $18.2 billion by 2030.
After researching and testing 27+ products, Outliyr recommends Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, Paleovalley Whey with Colostrum, Puori PW1, and Raw Organic Grass-Fed Whey as the top grass-fed picks for most adults.
Whey is the World’s Best Protein Source
Whey is regarded as the world’s highest-quality protein source.
When measured via the protein quality scale called Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), whey comes out towards the top with scores ranging between 125-133 (depending on the type) [R].
Containing all nine essential amino acids (we must get these from diet), other non-essential amino acids, and ample branched-chain amino acids, it’s a powerful tool to build muscle, burn fat, and transform your body.
Things that make whey a superb protein source include:
- The essential amino acid profile
- Leucine levels
- Growth factors
- Mixability
- Digestibility
- Low-calories
- Taste
- Price
Whey has an awesome composition of amino acids making it the ideal choice to build and rebuild tissues. Dollar for dollar, it’s the best-value protein source.
It’s also by far the tastiest and most convenient option. One scoop contains less powder and more protein than alternatives. And a smoother texture.
Best of all, whey contains all kinds of other unique and beneficial compounds:
- Prebiotics — oligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides improve gut health and “feed” probiotics
- Immunoglobulins — bovine antibody proteins involved in immunity and gut health
- Cysteine & glutamate — the rate-limiting amino acids involved in glutathione synthesis (powerful antioxidant)
- Arginine — the amino acid precursor to the potent intercellular messenger & athletic performance enhancer Nitric Oxide (NO) [R]
- Lactoferrin — an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protein that protects against infection, improves bone strength, and promotes healthy skin [R]
- Lactalbumin — a protein that increases tryptophan by up to 130 percent (leading to increased feel-good serotonin production)
- Beta-lactoglobulin — helps protect against allergies and aids glutathione synthesis [R]
- Alpha-lactoalbumin — buffers stress-induced cognitive decline [R]
- Lactoperoxidase — an antimicrobial and antioxidant enzyme that protects against infection
- Protein fragments — growth factors & bioactive peptides like Glycomacropeptide, Bovine Serum Albumin, IGF-1, IGF-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, betacellulin, lactoferricin, and opioid peptides, promote muscle growth, recovery, and overall health [R, R]
Let’s dive into all the best grass-fed whey protein powders you can get in the market today.
Here’s how my top grass-fed whey picks stack up at a glance, from protein per serving to cost, processing, and what makes each one stand out:
Tier #1: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed Whey Protein Powders
Your whey protein source really matters not only to ensure you’re getting the proper nutrition, but to avoid dangerous contaminants.
Third-party testing by Consumer Reports in 2024 and the Clean Label Project in 2025 discovered 47% of protein powders exceed safe limits of heavy metal like lead [R, R].
Here’s how some of the most popular grass-fed whey protein powders compare.
| Product 🏆 | Type 💊 | Serving Cost 💵 | Protein 💪 | Sweetener 🍯 | 100% Grass-Finished 🌾 | 100% Organic 🌱 | 3rd Party ✅ | Rating ⭐ | Best For 🎯 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paleovalley Whey w/ Colostrum | Concentrate | $2.33 | 13g | Monk fruit | ✅ Yes | No | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.65 | Overall quality, immune/gut health, colostrum benefits |
| Puori PW1 | Concentrate | $2.30 | 21g | Coconut palm sugar | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Clean Label Project | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 | Cleanest option, tested for 200+ contaminants |
| Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Isolate | Isolate | $1.99 | 28g | Stevia | ✅ Yes | No | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 | Best high-dose isolate, Forbes/Fortune top pick, cutting |
| Raw Organic Grass-Fed Whey | Concentrate | $1.44 | 21g | None (unflavored) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Published CoAs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.65 | Best value, transparency, USA sourced |
| Kion Clean Protein | Isolate | $1.79 | 20g | Stevia | No | No | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.27 | Superior taste, excellent mixability |
| Legion Whey+ | Isolate | $1.99 | 22g | Stevia | 95% grass diet | No | ✅ Labdoor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 11 flavors, Ireland sourced, lactose-free |
| Thrive Market Organic | Concentrate | $1.79 | 20g | Stevia | No | ✅ Yes | ✅ USDA Organic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 | Small quantities, convenient ordering |
| Natural Force | Concentrate | $2.18 | 20g | Monk fruit | No | ✅ Yes | ✅ USDA Organic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 | Certified organic |
| SFH Recover | Concentrate | $1.99 | 22g | Sugar (2g) | No | No | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 | Recovery fortification (creatine, CoQ10) |
| MyWHEY | Concentrate | $2.25 | 21g | Stevia | No | No | No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1 | NZ sourced, bioactive transparency |
These are my favorite high-quality, grass-fed whey protein powders that I grab whenever I run out.
Paleovalley Whey With Colostrum
Is Paleovalley Whey Protein worth it?
Turmeric, vinegar, Lion's mane, and collagen offer specific health benefits when consumed as whole-food sources [Autumn Smith]
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 2 (vanilla, chocolate)
- Processing
- Low-temperature drying method
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- Yes
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Monk fruit (no refined sugar)
- Beneficial Additives
- Colostrum, coconut milk powder, digestive enzymes
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, grass-fed
- Serving Protein
- 13g
- Cattle Origin
- Not disclosed
Best For
- You want more than muscle: the gut, immune, and recovery edge colostrum adds
- You value 100% grass-finished sourcing and gentle low-temp processing
- You prefer a monk-fruit-sweetened powder that mixes clean
Skip If
- You need high protein per serving (20g+) for muscle building
- You want the most grams of protein per dollar
- You're dairy-free or vegan
Pros
- 100% grass-finished cattle, never grain-fattened at the end
- Added colostrum brings immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors that plain whey can't
- Low-temperature drying keeps the heat-sensitive bioactives intact
- Monk-fruit sweetened, with coconut milk powder and a five-enzyme digestive blend
Cons
- Lowest protein density in the roundup at 13g per serving
- Premium price, among the priciest per gram
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Paleovalley launched this whey in 2022, after years dialing in its supply chain, and it’s my top overall pick in this roundup. One ingredient is the reason: colostrum.
Almost no grass-fed whey includes it. Colostrum is the first milk a cow produces after calving, and it carries bioactive compounds that plain whey simply doesn’t.
Here’s what the added colostrum brings that a standard whey can’t:
- Immunoglobulins (mainly IgG): antibodies that reinforce your immune defense
- Lactoferrin: an iron-binding protein with antimicrobial and gut-protective effects
- Growth factors like IGF-1 and TGF-beta: signals that drive tissue repair and recovery
- Gut-barrier support: helps reinforce an intestinal lining that hard training tends to loosen
Plain whey feeds muscle protein synthesis through its leucine and branched-chain amino acids. Colostrum adds a gut and immune layer that whey alone never touches.
The evidence for that layer is real. Bovine colostrum cut the spike in gut permeability caused by hard exercise by roughly 80% in a 2011 double-blind crossover trial in athletes. A 2024 meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials confirmed it consistently improves gut-barrier markers.
The sourcing lives up to the formula:
- 100% grass-fed and grass-finished: the cattle eat grass their whole lives, never grain-fattened at the end
- Low-temperature, non-denatured drying that keeps the heat-sensitive bioactives (immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors) intact
- Sweetened only with monk fruit, with no refined sugar, sugar alcohols, or artificial flavors and colors
- Free from gluten, grain, soy, and GMOs
- Rounded out with MCT-rich coconut milk powder and a five-enzyme digestive blend for absorption
Held up against the other clean picks, this is where it separates:
- vs Transparent Labs & Puori (my other Tier 1 picks): both are excellent, but neither includes colostrum, so you get the protein without the gut and immune layer
- vs SFH & ONNIT: SFH leans on added sunflower lecithin and flavoring, and ONNIT carries the longest filler list of the bunch (silicon dioxide, gums, oil powders) that a clean whey doesn’t need
- vs Pure Label Nutrition: cleaner than its reputation suggests, though thinner on sourcing transparency and third-party testing than Paleovalley
The tradeoff is protein density. At 13g per serving, this is the lowest-protein pick in the roundup, because the colostrum, coconut, and fiber take up room that pure whey would fill. It isn’t the cheapest per gram either.
If your only goal is grams of protein per dollar, a plain isolate like Transparent Labs will stretch further.
Choose Paleovalley if you want more than muscle: the gut, immune, and recovery edge that colostrum adds, from 100% grass-finished cattle and gentle processing, in a monk-fruit-sweetened powder that mixes clean. It’s the grass-fed whey I keep coming back to whenever I restock.
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 18 (unflavored, milk chocolate, French vanilla, etc.)
- Processing
- Unverified
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- Unverified
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Stevia Extract – 1.65g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, Informed-Choice certified, Informed-Protein certified
- Serving Protein
- 28g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You want the highest protein per serving in a clean isolate
- You need athletic certification for banned-substance testing
- You want flavor variety and strong grams-per-dollar value
Skip If
- You want colostrum or other bioactive extras
- You need verified grass-finished or organic sourcing
- You're dairy-free or vegan
Pros
- 28g protein per serving, the most in this roundup, with minimal fat and carbs
- 18 flavors, more variety than almost any competitor
- Informed-Choice and Informed-Protein certified for banned substances and heavy metals
- Stevia-sweetened with no artificial dyes or fillers, and full label disclosure
Cons
- No organic certification
- Processing method and grass-finished status aren't disclosed
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I like the mission and quality control of Transparent Labs supplements. Although I previously ranked their Whey Protein Isolate supplement lower, they’ve made significant improvements over the years.
What once was an overpriced product now provides great value. Particularly having exceptionally high protein content per serving at 28 grams. Pure whey isolate with minimal fats and carbohydrates.
Transparent Labs also built a reputation in the fitness supplement industry for their commitment to transparency and third-party testing.
They also only use natural sweeteners like stevia and avoid all artificial ingredients, food dyes, and fillers. Plus, they even disclose the extra milligram doses of each of the other (inactive) ingredients.
Both Informed-Choice and Informed-Protein certifications provide safety assurance for athletes (or anyone) concerned about banned substances and contaminants like heavy metals.
With an impressive selection of 18 flavors, Transparent Labs offers more variety than most competitors.
My primary concerns from before still holds though. Lack of organic certification and limited information about their processing method.
The grass-fed sourcing ensures the cattle were raised humanely, though the company doesn’t specify whether the cows are grass-finished or just grass-fed.
Transparent Labs backs their product with a 45-day satisfaction guarantee and offers free shipping plus 10% off with a subscription.
I have their Milk Chocolate whey right now, and it’s among the best value third-party tested options available.
Choose Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate if you want a high-protein isolate with exceptional flavor variety, comprehensive third-party testing, and athletic certification.
Puori PW1 Whey
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 2 (bourbon vanilla, dark chocolate)
- Processing
- Low-temperature, ultra-filtration
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- Yes
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Organic coconut palm sugar
- Beneficial Additives
- Colostrum, coconut milk powder, digestive enzymes
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, hormone-free, antibiotics-free, gluten-free, pesticide-free
- Serving Protein
- 21g
- Cattle Origin
- Europe & New Zealand
Best For
- You want the most contaminant-tested whey available
- You value grass-fed European and New Zealand sourcing
- You prefer a short, natural ingredient list
Skip If
- You want a wide range of flavor options
- You want the cheapest protein per gram
- You're dairy-free or vegan
Pros
- Only brand with the Clean Label Project Transparency Certificate, every batch tested for 200+ contaminants
- Just 4 to 5 natural ingredients per flavor, no artificial sweeteners or chemical additives
- 21g of complete protein with strong leucine content per serving
- Ultra-filtration preserves the native protein structure, free of hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs
Cons
- Premium price per serving
- Only 2 flavors: bourbon vanilla and dark chocolate
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URBAN for 20% offSourced exclusively from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows, each serving of Puori’s Whey Protein delivers 21g of complete protein with optimal leucine content for efficient muscle synthesis.
Unlike the 47% of top-selling protein powders that contain lead above California safety limits, Puori is the only brand with the Clean Label Project Transparency Certificate. Every batch gets tested for 200+ contaminants.
Puori also takes a minimalist approach with just 4-5 natural ingredients per flavor and without artificial sweeteners or chemical additives.
The Bourbon Vanilla variant, for example, uses real vanilla seeds for an authentic taste without the artificial aftertaste common in competing products.
Their ultra-filtration process preserves the protein’s native structure while avoiding hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, and pesticides.
This is certainly one of the cleanest, most bioavailable Whey protein powders on the market.
Save 15% by subscribing and enjoy convenient delivery on your preferred schedule.
Get Puori for a premium, guaranteed clean, delicious, highly bioavailable whey protein powder.
Raw Organic Grass-Fed Whey
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 1 (unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- Yes
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- None
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free
- Serving Protein
- 21g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You want the most transparent lab testing and the best price per gram
- You mix whey into recipes or shakes where flavor doesn't matter
- You prefer additive-free, minimally processed whey
Skip If
- You want a flavored powder
- You want colostrum or added bioactives
- You're dairy-free or vegan
Pros
- Best value per gram of protein in the roundup
- Additive-free and unflavored, cold-filtered to protect the bioactives
- Frequently updated third-party Certificates of Analysis for every batch
- Full transparency on farming and processing practices
Cons
- Unflavored only, with a slight milky whey taste
- Easy to grab the wrong bag: buy the one labeled Organic Whey, not the non-organic Grass-Fed
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Despite the seemingly generic name, Raw Organic Whey has become one of the most trusted names of high-quality grass-fed whey protein. Simply because they make ultra-high quality no-frills whey.
I usually have a bag of this sitting in my pantry. It makes a great addition to fortify any low-temperature recipes with extra complete protein and bioactive.
I’m especially fond of this company because they disclose all the important details regarding their farming and processing practices. Plus, they frequently update all of their third-party lab testing Certificates of Analysis (CoAs). So you can be confident knowing you’re getting quality.
The main drawback? Taste. Raw Organic Whey only sells unflavored whey. Although I love that it’s additive-free, it does have that slight milkey whey taste.
Make sure to buy the bag labeled “Organic Whey” on the front. Despite not saying grass-fed in huge letters, this one is also grass-fed.
But the one marked just “Grass-Fed” is not organic. The non-organic version is still a good product, but less pure and with fewer beneficial constituents.
For full transparency on lab testing for safety and quality, plus the best value for price, choose Raw Organic Whey.
Tier #2: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed Whey Protein Powders
These products are also great, and I would buy them again.
But for different reasons, they’re not as great as the above.
Thrive Market Organic Whey Protein
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 2 (chocolate and vanilla)
- Processing
- Unverified
- Lab Tested
- Unverified
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes (on website)
- Sweetened
- Stevia extract – <1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, grass-fed, pasture-raised, USDA organic
- Serving Protein
- 20g
- Cattle Origin
- Not disclosed
Best For
- You want a certified-organic grass-fed whey from a grocery brand you can trust
- You like buying in small quantities instead of a giant tub
- You're buying your first whey and want a low-commitment starting point
Skip If
- You want grass-finished cattle, not just grass-fed
- You care most about mixability and a clean, subtle sweetener
- You want the lowest cost per gram of protein
Pros
- USDA Organic certified, which very few grass-fed wheys manage to earn
- Thrive has sold grass-fed whey longer than most brands, so the supply chain is dialed in
- 20g protein per serving from pasture-raised cows
- Small bag size is low-commitment for first-time whey buyers
Cons
- Cows are grass-fed but not grass-finished
- Stronger stevia taste and weaker mixability than my top picks
- The bag stopped sealing well toward the end of mine
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Thrive Market is the Amazon of healthy online groceries. They sell all the typical food staples and deliver them straight to your doorstep. Their catalog includes nutritional support products like grass-fed whey protein.
Although I don’t trust most store brands of whey (due to rampant contamination and quality control issues), Thrive Market is the exception.
Thrive has sold grass-fed whey for longer than most brands, so they’ve mastered their supply chain. This is also one of the very few companies that have attained USDA Organic certification.
I got a sample of this whey in one of my orders, and would rate the taste “okay”. It certainly has a stronger stevia taste, and the mixability isn’t as good as my top choices.
At about 14 ounces, the bag doesn’t take up much space. Where many companies use tubs (which I prefer), Thrive used a small bag. Towards the end, my bag started to have problems fully sealing.
Thrive Market is a good add-on for first-time whey buyers or anyone that like to buy in small quantities.
Kion Clean Protein: Pure, Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 3 (vanilla, chocolate, unflavored)
- Processing
- Unspecified
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Stevia extract – 1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, grass-fed
- Serving Protein
- 20g
- Cattle Origin
- Not disclosed
Best For
- You follow Ben Greenfield's recommendations and trust the Kion brand
- You want a clean whey isolate that mixes well and tastes good
- You're a flavor connoisseur who can afford the premium
Skip If
- You need a dairy-free or plant-based protein option
- You want the lowest cost per serving
- You want a concentrate with the full bioactive profile
Pros
- Grass-fed whey isolate with a clean, minimal ingredient list
- Backed by Ben Greenfield's brand credibility in the health space
- Organic flavoring plus pink Himalayan salt to draw out taste, third-party tested every batch
- Mixes smoothly without the clumping most isolates have
Cons
- Premium price tag reflective of the brand positioning
- Not certified organic and Kion doesn't disclose its processing method
- Isolate lacks some bioactive compounds found in concentrate
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Created by Angelo Keeley and fitness icon Ben Greenfield to solve their own needs, Kion is a nutrition company focused on scientifically-validated, up-to-date supplement formulas.
Best known for their effective and bioavailable EAAs, Kion has since expanded into other areas of body and mind enhancement. I love Kion Lean as a powerful blood sugar stabilizer when I eat carb-heavy meals. Kion Flex can accelerate athletic recovery and support optimal connective tissue health.
In mid-2022, Kion released their new grass-fed “Clean Whey” protein. The first thing that stands out about it is its mixability. Whether water or other liquid, Clean Protein doesn’t clump like most whey isolates. The taste is decadent without any added sugar.
They choose to nicely sweeten it using stevia but then added some pink Himalayan salt to really draw out the flavor. Many manufacturers cut corners with the flavoring (the label “natural flavoring” itself can be a trojan horse to disguise all kinds of nasty chemicals).
Kion proudly uses organic flavoring and third-party tests every batch to ensure purity and safety.
My two complaints are that it’s not certified organic and Kion doesn’t disclose information regarding their processing. Plus, whey isolate doesn’t contain some of the potent bioactive compounds found within concentrate.
Kion Clean Protein is great for flavor connoisseurs and can afford the premium.
Natural Force Organic Grass-Fed Whey
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 3 (vanilla bean, cacao bean, unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Sugar – 2g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, fillers-free, USDA organic
- Serving Protein
- 20g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You want a certified-organic grass-fed whey from a trustworthy brand
- You prefer monk fruit over stevia or sugar
- You'd rather pay more than risk a generic Amazon supplement scam
Skip If
- You want the best protein value per dollar
- You want added bioactives like colostrum or recovery nutrients
- You need grass-finished sourcing
Pros
- USDA Organic certified with every ingredient fully organic
- Cold-filtered to protect the protein during processing
- Sweetened with a small amount of organic monk fruit, my preferred sweetener
- Offers six whey types in one or five-pound bags
Cons
- High cost per serving and no beneficial additives to justify it
- Cows are grass-fed but not grass-finished
- Mild flavors that won't wow anyone
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Since their 2009 inception, Natural Force has brought trustworthiness to the (often shady) nutrition industry. Their content helps protein seekers choose the exact right products to complement their lifestyles.
These products are usually more expensive than run-of-the-mill generic Amazon listings, but you rest assured you’re getting the real thing. Without worrying about the next huge Amazon supplement scam.
Natural Force offers six types of whey, either in one or five-pound bags. Regardless of your choice, each ingredient is fully organic. Which is how their whey got the highly coveted USDA-Organic certification.
The flavors themselves are mild and sweetened with a small amount of organic monk fruit extract (the superior sweetener).
If whey isn’t right for you, Natural Force also has other highly-bioavailable protein powders. My primary issue with Natural Force is the value. High cost per serving, without any beneficial additives.
Natural Force Organic Grass-Fed Whey is a great, certified-organic, natural product that comes at a premium.
Legion Whey+
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 11 (chocolate, cinnamon, cocoa, cookies & cream, fruity, honey, mocha cappuccino, salted caramel, strawberry banana, vanilla, and unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Stevia extract – <1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, lactose-free, sugar-free
- Serving Protein
- 22g
- Cattle Origin
- Ireland
Best For
- You want an affordable grass-fed isolate with full ingredient transparency
- You value third-party testing and a zero-risk guarantee
- You're building muscle and want a reliable daily protein
Skip If
- You're dairy-free or have lactose sensitivity
- You react to stevia or want a sweetener-free option
- You won't check the label to avoid the seed-oil flavors
Pros
- Cows eat a 95% grass diet from small Irish farms, roaming pasture 250 days a year
- Discloses BCAAs, EAAs, and passes Labdoor third-party testing
- 22g whey isolate per scoop with no fillers or dyes
- No return necessary guarantee makes it truly zero-risk
Cons
- Distinct stevia aftertaste from two forms of stevia, including dextrin-containing Ovasweet
- Some flavors contain harmful industrial seed oils, so check the other ingredients
- Cows are 95% grass-fed but not officially grass-finished
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OUTLIYR for 20% off
Mike Matthews, another prominent fitness influencer, created the natural sports supplements brand, Legion, to advance scientific supplementation. I actually heard about them from a fellow Bioharmonizer, and upon deeper research, I really like this company’s approach.
They also share far more product and processing information than most of their competitors. A few things immediately stand out.
First, they source from small dairy farms in Ireland — a good indication of quality. Second, Legion discloses that the cows consume a 95% grass-fed diet.
Counterintuitively, this is actually ~15% more than most “grass-fed” products and approaches “grass-finished”. The cows also get to roam the pastures 250/365 days.
Legion also mentions the BCAAs and EAAs per serving — showing they understand the science of whey protein. Finally, this one passes Labdoor third-party testing for contaminants.
Taste-wise, it does have a slight but distinct stevia aftertaste. This is because they use two forms of stevia. Including dextrin-containing Ovasweet. Also, made sure to check the “other ingredients” section. Some flavors contain harmful industrial seed oils.
Lastly, their “no return necessary” guarantee is unusual and appreciated, making this a truly zero-risk whey.
Legion Whey+ is an affordable grass-fed product, as long as you choose a flavor without harmful “other ingredients”.
Promix Whey Protein Powder
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 6 (vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate-peanut butter, one ingredient whey, unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-processed
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Coconut sugar – 5g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, gums-free, antibiotic-free, hormones-free, fillers-free, artificial-free, glyphosate-free
- Serving Protein
- 25g
- Cattle Origin
- USA/Ireland
Best For
- You want an affordable grass-fed whey with a high protein count
- You value transparent lab data and a long money-back guarantee
- You'll use the unflavored versions to dodge the added coconut sugar
Skip If
- You want certified-organic whey
- You avoid all added sugar and prefer stevia, monk fruit, or allulose
- You need grass-finished sourcing
Pros
- Low cost per serving from skipping the expensive organic certification
- 25g protein per serving, one of the higher counts in this roundup
- Amino acid profile and lab testing data listed right on the product page
- Backed by a full 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not certified organic, despite supporting organic farming
- Flavored options are sweetened with 5g of coconut sugar
- Cows are grass-fed but not grass-finished
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Promix is a nutrition company created by Albert Matheny and dedicated to athletes. In addition to whey, Promix sells a variety of other products. This one is newer to me, and I’ll test them more thoroughly when I need to stock up again.
I like that they sell six different options of whey, four flavors and two forms of unflavored. They also conveniently list the amino acid profile and lab testing data right on the product page.
The primary drawback I see with Promix is that the products are not certified organic. Despite supporting organic farming and practices, they avoided the huge expense of official certification. Allowing them to pass the low prices on to consumers.
Nonetheless, they’re so confident you’ll like it that they back their whey with a full 90-day money-back guarantee.
My other hesitation is that the flavored options are sweetened with five grams of coconut sugar. Natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, glycine, or allulose are superior and low-glycemic.
Overall, Promix is a great affordable grass-fed whey protein supplement.
SFH Recover Whey Protein Powder
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 4 (chocolate, coffee and mint chip, cinnamon churro)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Sugar – 2g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, no artificial flavors, no RBST
- Serving Protein
- 22g
- Cattle Origin
- New Zealand
Best For
- You want an all-in-one drink built around workout recovery
- You value added recovery nutrients over maximum protein per scoop
- You'll trade a stronger sweetener for less next-day soreness
Skip If
- You need a dairy-free or vegan option
- You're counting macros and want the most protein per calorie
- You just want plain whey without the extra ingredients
Pros
- Whey fortified with a real recovery stack, not just one token ingredient
- Extra leucine plus creatine monohydrate, N-Acetyl L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, Fruitex-B, and CoQ10
- Noticeably decreases post-workout soreness (DOMS)
- Cold-filtered New Zealand whey with no artificial flavors
Cons
- Expensive per serving for only 15g of protein
- Heavier on the stevia to mask the added ingredients
- Cows are grass-fed but not grass-finished
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So far, most of the products have been grass-fed whey protein with few or zero additives. In 2010, the father-daughter team of Jeff & Patricia started SFH (Stronger Faster Healthier).
Like seemingly every company in the industry, they started it to bring transparency and purity to supplements.
What caught my eye about their RECOVER whey protein is the synergy of supportive nutrients.
Most grass-fed protein is either just whey or contains clinical doses of just one supportive ingredient. SFH fortified their whey with extra muscle-building leucine.
But then they also added additional health and performance-promoting ingredients. Such as creatine monohydrate, N-Acetyl L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, Fruitex-B, and CoQ10 (Learn more about how extraordinary CoQ10 is in my review and unlock the healthy you).
The taste is middle-of-the-road. It’s certainly a bit heavier on the stevia, which masks the other non-whey ingredients. But customers buy it for enhanced recovery over taste.
This is one that noticeably decreases post-workout soreness (DOMS).
The main detractor is the value. Each serving is fairly expensive for just 15 grams of protein.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one drink to support your workout recovery, SFH’s RECOVER Whey is a solid contender.
MyWHEY Grass-fed Organic Raw Whey Protein
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 2 (vanilla, chocolate)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- No
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Stevia extract – 1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, acid-free, lecithin-free
- Serving Protein
- 21g
- Cattle Origin
- New Zealand
Best For
- You want maximum protein plus intact bioactive compounds in your whey
- You value full disclosure of sourcing and processing
- You trust New Zealand's strict farming standards
Skip If
- You won't buy nutrition products on Amazon
- You want published third-party testing before buying
- You need a perfectly smooth, no-clump mix
Pros
- Sourced from pristine, small New Zealand family farms under strict regulations
- Cold ultra-micro-filtration preserves immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, CLAs, and growth factors
- Discloses every manufacturing step and the bioactive breakdown per gram of protein
- Rewards large orders with freebies
Cons
- Only sold through Amazon, with no dedicated shop
- Clumps a little when mixing
- No third-party lab testing listed and not officially grass-finished
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Don’t let the low-quality photo and dated labeling fool you. Instead, I like to think that a testament to the way Natur-Pur makes MyWHEY. The old-fashioned way, treating their cows humanely and feeding them grass. Indeed, Natur-Pur sources from pristine, small New Zealand family farms.
Natur-Pur is one of the few brands that just get it. They speak the language of quality. Since New Zealand has some of the strictest farming regulations, this alone can indicate high quality.
They also mention that their whey contains “naturally occurring organic immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, CLAs and growth factors”, vitamins, and minerals.
This company takes steps to preserve that, using ultra-micro-filtration cold processing to prevent denaturing.
Although this product uses stevia, it’s not overly sweet. It does clump a little when mixing though.
I really appreciate Natur-Pur’s attention to detail and disclosure of every single step of the product manufacturing process. They even list the bioactive breakdown per gram of protein! Plus, the company rewards large orders with freebies.
I’m not a fan of buying nutrition products on Amazon, so I wish they’d set up a dedicated shop.
MyWHEY is a top choice for anyone interested in ensuring they get the maximal amount of protein plus other bioactive compounds within their grass-fed whey, all at a fair price.
Naked WHEY 100% Grass Fed Protein Powder
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 4 (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Sugar – 2g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free
- Serving Protein
- 25g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You want a simple, 1-to-3 ingredient grass-fed whey
- You prefer the unflavored version to skip added sugar entirely
- You want an easy-to-find option you can reorder anytime
Skip If
- You don't want any added coconut sugar in a flavored powder
- You want a smooth mix without clumping
- You're prone to bloating from whey
Pros
- One of the cleanest ingredient lists anywhere, down to a single ingredient unflavored
- Even the flavored versions use just whey, sugar, and organic natural flavor
- 25g protein per serving from US grass-fed cows
- Widely available and third-party tested
Cons
- Flavored versions add 3g of coconut sugar, and even a little sugar can impair immunity
- No emulsifiers means it clumps and mixes poorly
- I bloated a bit with this one, which is rare for me
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Naked Whey is probably the most popular grass-fed product on Amazon. It was also one of the first that I used. I’m generally a fan of the Naked line of products, because, as their name suggests, they avoid unnecessary additives. Their whey is no exception.
Even the flavored whey has just three ingredients: whey, some sugar, and organic natural flavor. I do wonder why the serving size is so large. One serving is 37 grams (huge), and only 25 of the grams are protein. The other 8 grams are carbohydrates, three of which are added (organic coconut) sugar.
The downside of not using any emulsifiers with whey isolate is that it clumps fairly easily and isn’t the best mixing experience.
Taste-wise, it’s mild and okay. I don’t like consuming added sugar. Enough other products already contain it. Even just three grams per serving is enough to impair immunity. I also noticed that I bloated a bit with this one (and that’s fairly rare for me).
If you don’t mind a little coconut sugar, Naked Whey is a simple, 1-3 ingredient grass-fed whey.
Tier #3: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed Whey Protein Powders
I wouldn’t seek out these options, but I’d consider them in special circumstances or if I could not find the others.
Opportuniteas Coffee Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 5 (vanilla, chocolate, coffee, unflavored, and vanilla-chocolate)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- No
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Sugar – <1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, gluten-free
- Serving Protein
- 27g
- Cattle Origin
- New Zealand
Best For
- You want a travel-friendly iced mocha that doubles as your protein
- You already drink coffee and like combining it into one shake
- You don't mind adding your own sweetener
Skip If
- You want to protect the heat-sensitive bioactives in grass-fed whey, since heat and caffeine work against them
- You need third-party lab testing and grass-finished sourcing
- You'd reach for a non-coffee flavor and want to avoid 8g of added sugar
Pros
- 27g protein per serving with only 60mg caffeine, flavored by real instant Colombian coffee instead of artificial syrups
- No added sugar or artificial sweeteners in the coffee flavor
- Travel-friendly way to fold your morning coffee and protein into one shake
Cons
- Instant coffee is never as fresh or high quality as whole bean
- The other, non-coffee flavors carry 8 grams of sugar per serving
- No third-party lab testing, and the cows aren't grass-finished
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I generally don’t like to combine whey, hot liquids, and/or caffeine. First, heat destroys many of the valuable bioactive micro-ingredients exclusively found within grass-fed whey. Second, caffeine can irritate the gut and stomach and disturb optimal whey digestion.
But every once in a while, it’s nice to break the routine and have a yummy flavorful cup of Joe. Opportuniteas’ Coffee Whey Protein Powder has just 60 mg of caffeine and 27 grams of protein per serving.
Luckily, they don’t add any sugar or artificial sweeteners or flavors. The flavor itself actually comes from instant Colombian coffee powder.
Great for a travel-friendly, on-the-road iced mocha. If you like sweets, you’ll want to add a dash of your favorite sweetener.
Note that all of the other non-coffee flavors contain 8 grams of sugar per serving. And instant coffee is never as fresh or high-quality as the whole bean variety.
Opportuniteas’ Coffee Whey Protein Powder is the mocha-enthusiasts grass-fed choice.
Muscle Feast 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 3 (vanilla, chocolate, unflavored)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Soy-free, gluten-free, rBST/rBGH-free
- Serving Protein
- 19.1g
- Cattle Origin
- Not disclosed
Best For
- You want lean, low-calorie macros from a simple isolate
- You like grabbing your protein in person at the gym
- You want the lowest per-serving cost in this list
Skip If
- Taste is a dealbreaker for you
- You want maximum protein per scoop
- You want disclosed, grass-finished sourcing
Pros
- Very lean macros at about 88 calories, 0.2g fat, and 0.2g carbs per serving
- Simple isolate with stevia and sunflower lecithin, third-party lab tested
- Cheapest per serving in this roundup
Cons
- The taste leaves something to be desired; vanilla has stevia sweetness but little real vanilla
- Protein per serving is low at 19g for what you pay compared to other isolates
- Cattle origin isn't disclosed and it's not grass-finished
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Sean and Shelley Gillespie wanted to help their son’s bodybuilding career. The two brought their related backgrounds in the health industry together to form the nutrition product company, Muscle Feast.
Today, this brand is heavily involved in bodybuilding and you can find Muscle Feast products in most gyms.
The Nutrition Facts alone tell a very different story from most grass-fed whey protein powders. This one is very low-calories (88 kcal), low-fat (0.2g), and low-carb (0.2g). It’s basically just whey isolate, a flavoring agent like cacoa, sunflower lecithin for emulsification, and stevia to sweeten it.
The taste leaves something to be desired. Vanilla has the classic stevia sweetness but little real vanilla taste. The protein quantity for the price also isn’t as good as some of the other options.
If you want stevia sweetness and like the convenience of in-person shopping, Muscle Feast Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is one of the easiest finds.
Garden of Life Organic Whey Protein
- Whey Type
- Concentrate
- Flavors
- 5 (vanilla, chocolate, chocolate-peanut butter, lightly sweet and strawberry)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Sugar – 2g
- Beneficial Additives
- Probiotics
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, rBST/rBGH-free
- Serving Protein
- 21g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You're an athlete who can't risk a banned-substance flag and want the certifications
- You want added probiotics in your protein
- You already trust the Garden of Life label
Skip If
- You react to sugar alcohols or want to avoid GI distress
- You want a clean label without a vague Creamer Flavor
- You'd rather not buy from a Nestle-owned brand
Pros
- Pure whey concentrate with added probiotics and 21g protein
- Extra certifications like California Grass-Fed and American Humane Certified
- Third-party tested, useful if you can't afford to test positive for banned substances
Cons
- Adds a vague Creamer Flavor with undisclosed chemicals
- Uses sugar alcohols that can cause GI distress, and 7g total carbs per 21g protein runs high
- Now owned by Nestle, and the quality has slipped since the buyout
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Jordan Rubin created Garden of Life in 2000 to simplify nutrition for the masses. Over the next few decades, Garden of Life grew tremendously. So much so that Nestle purchased them. At the time, they were one of few dedicated to quality and transparency at reasonable prices.
Since then, their quality has slid some, but they’re still a decent option for grass-fed supplements. Garden of Life’s Organic Grass-Fed whey is their flagship animal-based protein powder.
This one has additional certifications like California Grass-Fed and American Humane Certified. Unlike their other whey, this one uses pure whey concentrate.
The label alone raises a couple of red flags. First, they add “Creamer Flavor” and who knows what chemicals are in that? Next, this Organic Grass-Fed Whey Protein uses sugar alcohols which can cause GI distress. Finally, 7 grams of total carbs per 21 grams of protein seems suspiciously high.
I’ve also noticed that the prices constantly fluctuate and vary significantly between flavors.
I’d recommend this product to athletes and others that cannot afford to test positive for banned substances.
Garden of Life Sport Whey Protein Powder
- Whey Type
- Blend
- Flavors
- 2 (vanilla, chocolate)
- Processing
- Cold-filtered
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- Yes
- Sweetened
- Sugar – <1g
- Beneficial Additives
- Probiotics
- Quality Standards
- Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free
- Serving Protein
- 24g
- Cattle Origin
- Ireland
Best For
- You're a tested athlete who needs NSF Certified for Sport
- You want added glutamine and BCAAs for recovery
- You can catch it on a major sale
Skip If
- You have any dairy intolerance, since the 9% milk protein will find it
- You react to sugar alcohols
- You want a clean label without Creamer Flavor
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport, Truly Grass-Fed, and Non-GMO Project Verified
- 4g of recovery-supporting glutamine and 6g of BCAAs per serving
- Backed by sustainability and humane-treatment awards
Cons
- Cut with 9% milk protein, a problem if you have even a slight dairy intolerance
- Same chemical-filled Creamer Flavor, plus sugar alcohols that can cause bloating and gas
- Nestle-owned, so the value only makes sense on a major sale
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Garden of Life’s grass-fed whey protein ticks some of the boxes of quality. It’s NSF-certified for Sport (contains no banned substances), is “Truly Grass-Fed”, and Non-GMO Project Verified. Plus, Garden of Life regularly wins awards for sustainability and humane worker treatment.
I like that it has a full 4 grams of recovery-improving glutamine, and 6 grams of anabolic BCAAs. I haven’t tested this one enough to comment on the taste, but note that it is stevia and sugar-alcohol-based.
As with their other product, this whey has a few additional issues. I’m not too surprised since it’s now owned by Nestle. First, they cut the whey with 9% milk protein. Problematic for anyone with even the slightest dairy intolerance.
Second is the chemical-filled “Creamer Flavor”. Third, the sugar alcohols in Sport Whey Protein can cause bloating and gas.
I’d only buy Garden of Life’s Sport Whey when on a major sale.
NutraBio Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Type
- Isolate
- Flavors
- 4 (vanilla, chocolate, ice cream cookie, matcha latte)
- Processing
- Unverified
- Lab Tested
- Yes
- Grass-Finished
- No
- Amino Acid Profile Shown
- No
- Sweetened
- Stevia extract – <1g
- Beneficial Additives
- None
- Quality Standards
- Gluten-free, antibiotic-free, rBST-free
- Serving Protein
- 25g
- Cattle Origin
- USA
Best For
- You want a high-protein grass-fed isolate on a base you can trust at 95% grass-fed
- You like unusual flavors most brands don't offer
- You value US manufacturing in a brand's own facility
Skip If
- You want confirmation the whey is cold-processed to preserve its bioactives
- You want the cheapest protein per gram
- You're sensitive to dairy or need a plant-based option
Pros
- Truly Grass Fed base means the cows eat grass for at least 95% of their lives, above the roughly 80% industry average
- 25g protein per serving, sweetened only with stevia and monk fruit
- Unusual flavors like Ice Cream Cookie Dough and Matcha Latte, made in NutraBio's own facility
Cons
- They don't disclose their processing method, so I'd assume high-heat denaturing of the delicate nutrients
- Expensive per serving
- Not grass-finished
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NutraBio has made nutritional supplements here in the USA since 1996. For a long time, I used their creatine monohydrate supplements. So when I discovered their grass-fed whey, I was excited to check it out.
I like that they use “Truly Grass Fed” whey as their base. So we can be confident that the cows actually consume grass for at least 95% of their life (compared to the grass-fed industry average of ~80%). Then they sweeten with stevia and monk fruit.
NutraBio also offers some unusual flavors like “Ice Cream Cookie Dough” and “Matcha Latte”.
Their marketing also mentions the naturally occurring peptides and BCAAs within grass-fed whey, giving me confidence that they understand the importance of processing technology.
My main gripe with them is that they don’t discuss details about their processing methods. With supplements, if it’s not labeled, you can safely assume the worst. So despite grass-feeding their cows, I imagine that a lot of the nutrients get denatured during high-heat processing.
NutraBio is expensive and might not cold process their grass-fed whey, but they do offer some unique flavors.
Popular Grass-Fed Whey Protein Supplements I Don’t Recommend
For different reasons, I avoid some very popular grass-fed whey powders.
Either they’re way overpriced, contain deal-breaking ingredients, or overall don’t meet my quality standards.
ONNIT Grass-Fed Whey Protein
ONNIT is a fairly well-known supplement company, put on the map by their Alpha Brain nootropic product. I like their whey protein, except that it contains a long list of other ingredients. The first of which, for example, is “Natural flavor”.
Flavors are often trojan horses to sneak all kinds of chemicals into products. Not long after that comes sunflower oil. An industrial seed oil that’s heavily oxidized and damaging to human cells. I’m not convinced that this is a healthy protein supplement.
Centenarius Nutrition Grass Fed Whey Protein
Centenarius Nutrition’s Certified Grass-fed Whey Protein Isolate looks like one of the higher-quality products I found. Except, for about $3 per serving, it should be organic. Preferably USDA-Certified Organic. It’s also an isolate, so there will be fewer bioactive and growth factors that make grass-fed whey so precious.
Pure Label Nutrition 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate
Pure Label Nutrition’s Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate has a lot of what I was looking for. However, I noticed multiple big red flags. Such as an obscured product label. Only one photo actually shows the contents of the protein, and the photo gets intentionally cut off. Second, they list very little information about the product and their process on the product page too.
This product has also been out of stock for quite a while. Regardless, it wouldn’t be one of my top picks.
Clearly, whey is much more than a simple protein. Buying the right whey, however, isn’t so simple. Here’s what you must know.
Buyers Guide to Quality Whey Protein
There are all kinds of considerations that go into your ideal whey protein choice.
No matter which you choose, quality whey proteins fit the following criteria:
- Grass-fed (preferably grass-finished)
- Certified Organic
- Free of antibiotics, hormones, heavy metals, contaminants, pesticides, artificial colors, preservatives
- Minimal sweeteners, artificial flavors, or even natural flavors
- Non-GMO
- Third-party lab tested for purity and safety (ideally NSF Certified or Informed Choice Certified)
- Cold-processed (as opposed to the industry standard ethanol/hexane processing)
- Non-denatured
- Fortification with additional beneficial additives
Sadly, very few products match these standards.
Some grass-fed whey is not certified organic. Yet choosing grass-fed whey guarantees that the cows get a far better diet. Which in turn, results in more nutritious products.
Why does grass-fed (and grass-finished) matter?
Grass-fed whey over traditional whey protein
A quick “Nutrient Facts” comparison between grass-fed and conventional whey will fool you. The macronutrients (fats, carbs, proteins) look nearly identical.
First and foremost, the nutrient composition, density, and quality of grass-fed livestock is in a different league.
The fatty acid profile, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive nutrients far exceed conventional products. One notable example is called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). People often supplement with this to help burn fat and for the immunoregulatory properties.
Grass-fed whey tends to be rich in rare (but essential) minerals notoriously lacking in the modern diet. Things like phosphorus and manganese. Dairy from cattle proportionally has larger quantities of healthy, cardioprotective unsaturated fats (unoxidized PUFAs and MUFAs).
It contains astronomically more bioactive peptides and growth factors. Plus, the micro-RNA from quality, properly raised foods is starkly more biosupportive.
Grass-fed whey processing tech: cold-processed vs traditional high-heat processed
Since you’re here reading about grass-fed whey, you likely already know some of the factors comprising the quality difference.
Filtration is the necessary process of extracting whey from dairy. Specifically, removing the other primary protein (casein) and fat. Two types of processing dominate the industry.
Just like science has established with food, high-heat whey processing also denatures many of the most health-benefitting bioactive compounds within it. Destroying all but the macros, vitamins, and minerals. Thermal processing can even reduce BCAA levels.
Denatured whey is also more allergenic, tastes worse, and lacks gut-supportive peptides and growth factors.
Thermal processing is common because it’s easier and far cheaper. Since most consumers don’t know the difference and solely compare the protein content, manufacturers happily opt for the cheapest option.
On the other hand, you’ll see grass-fed protein powders advertised as “cold-filtered”, “cold-processed”, “un-denatured”, “low-temperature processed”, “micro-filtered”, and all kinds of other technological buzzwords.
Cold processing sidesteps all the above issues, while still effectively neutralizing pathogenic microorganisms.
Once you find quality, cold-processed, grass-finished whey protein, you’ll run into one other primary hurdle.
Whey protein concentrate vs whey protein isolate vs others
Each type of whey comes with distinct pros and cons.
Milk Protein isn’t technically whey. So what’s the difference and why choose one over the others? Let’s compare and contrast the forms of true whey protein.
| Whey Protein Concentrate 👍 | Whey Protein Isolate 😐 | Whey Protein Hydrolysate 👎 |
|---|---|---|
| 25% – 89% pure protein | ~90% protein | ~99% protein |
| Minimally refined | Moderately refined | Highly refined |
| Full bioactive compounds | Some bioactive compounds | Few bioactive compounds |
| Slowest absorption | Fast absorption | Extreme absorption |
| High lactose | Low lactose | ~0 lactose |
| Delicious | Yummy | Meh |
| Affordable | Great value | Very expensive |
Whey Protein Concentrate is the best option for most people. It’s the easiest to use, costs less, and undergoes minimal processing — whey in its natural form. Concentrate preserves the healthy fats, peptides, and full-spectrum benefits of the myriad bioactive constituents.
By ease of use, I mean easy to mix, tastiest, and with the most appealing texture. It’s higher in naturally occurring sugars and fats. All whey proteins absorb and stimulate muscle protein synthesis relatively quickly, so its slowness compared to the others doesn’t matter much.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate is the most refined, most expensive, and fastest-acting. It also tastes the worst and lacks many important peptides and other bioactive ingredients. It only makes sense for those highly lactose intolerant (but still not recommended for those allergic to dairy).
Whey Protein Isolate is middle of the road in just about every regard. Compared to concentrate, it’s lower in fat, lower in carbs/sugars, considerably more expensive, and also lower in beneficial compounds. Manufacturers often add sunflower lecithin or other ingredients to help whey isolate mix better.
Very few products use WPH since it’s prohibitively expensive and negates many of the benefits of choosing grass-fed whey. Most are either WPC or blended with WPI.
What Are The Benefits of Grass-Fed Whey Protein?
A plethora of research has investigated the health benefits of whey protein.
Most of us don’t get enough protein. Although we get some protein through eating whole foods, I imagine some of the research-backed benefits stem from just increasing overall amino acid intake.
Yet others are unique to high-quality, organic whey supplements.
No matter your health, fitness, or performance goals, grass-finished whey protein can accelerate your results.
Nutrient density
By all measures, whey is a nutrient-dense food. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, aminos, growth factors, peptides, and other powerful bioactive compounds.
Grass-finished whey is a few notches above traditional, with far higher levels of cardioprotective omega-3 fats, hormone-like vitamin D, immune-strengthening beta carotene, and fat-burning CLA. Omega-3 is the same brain and body super fat that’s abundant in salmon. Grass-fed whey is also lower in saturated fat.
Then there are all the powerful micro-nutrients modern science is just beginning to research.
Muscle gain
Perhaps the most widely recognized benefit of supplementing whey is the stimulation of muscle growth and hypertrophy.
Consistent training paired with ample protein intake virtually guarantees bigger and stronger muscles. Whey protein is a high-quality, complete protein, meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids necessary for muscle protein synthesis and overall tissue growth. It’s especially rich in the anabolic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which prevent muscle tissue breakdown.
Grass-fed whey specifically tends to have greater concentrations of anabolic amino acids. Plus, higher levels of peptides, growth factors, and other bioactives. CLA, for example, influences PPAR signaling which leads to favorable steroid hormone changes. Together, making grass-fed whey even better than conventional whey for building lean tissue.
Fat loss
Whey protein also improves fat burning, weight loss, and body composition. Both directly and indirectly.
First, protein is the most satiating macronutrient. Gram per gram, protein makes you the fullest while also resulting in the lowest net calorie gain. This is also due to an effect called the thermal effect of protein. About 30 percent of every protein calorie is “wasted” as the body metabolizes it.
So, despite labels saying 100 calories for example. you’ll only gain 70. Fat and carbohydrates do not have this.
Grass-fed whey protein also acts on multiple hormones intricately connected to weight. It can reduce insulin levels which reduces fat storage within cells. Next, it normalizes levels of leptin and ghrelin — two hormones involved in satiety and hunger. As well as appetite-decreasing signals from neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, and cholecystokinin (CCK).
When consumed before a meal, whey blunts the resulting blood sugar spike, resulting in less fat gain.
Other nutrients like CLA and omega-3s improve overall metabolic function and can optimize other anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone (through PPAR signaling, for example). At the same time, helping burn body fat.
Whey is a powerful tool for healthy weight management.
Optimized immunity
One of the more notable benefits of whey protein is the multi-faceted immunomodulatory effects. Especially grass-fed, organic whey since it preserves immune-boosting protein fragments (like immunoglobulins).
It also contains high levels of the amino acids cysteine and glutamate which are building blocks for the immune-strengthening antioxidant called glutathione.
Grass-fed whey improves gut health by stimulating the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. Since the majority of our immune system resides in the gut, this translates into greater immunity.
Finally, whey also has antimicrobial benefits.
Healthy gut
Unlike highly processed and pasteurized dairy, whey can actually improve the gut. Both its function and overall health.
Those same bioactives also exert strong gut-protective effects. Animal models show that in both healthy users and disease conditions, these compounds reduce inflammation and bring the gut back into a state of balance.
Whey also helps strengthen the gut barrier.
Since the gut is widely considered the root of overall health, this shows promise.
Accelerated recovery
All kinds of components within grass-fed whey accelerate recovery from workouts.
The BCAAs and other amino acids like glutamine, taurine, and glycine stimulate muscle repair. At the same time, whey optimizes immunity which leads to a healthier post-exercise (beneficial) inflammatory response.
Whey also contains vitamins like A, B, E, choline, and folate. Then minerals like phosphorus, zinc, selenium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Then there are the protein fragments, and growth factors like Glycomacropeptide, Bovine Serum Albumin, IGF-1, IGF-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, betacellulin, and lactoferricin.
Scientists are investigating many of these compounds independently for their recovery and repair benefits.
Grass-finished whey is rich in bioactive compounds that accelerate the regeneration and growth resulting from exercise. Helping you get back to your chosen physical activity faster.
Faster metabolism
Whey protein positively impacts multiple facets of metabolic function.
It contains far more leucine than other protein sources—50-75 percent more than most. Leucine activates a gene signaling pathway called the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).
As a result, you preserve muscle mass while cutting and can even increase lean muscle tissue. In turn, boosting how many calories you burn while relaxing (resting metabolic rate).
Whey also improves glucose utilization and muscle protein synthesis.
Additionally, whey seems to stimulate mitochondrial activity and reduce damaging oxidative stress in the brain. At least, that’s what a mouse study found. I suspect that the benefits partially come from high levels of glutathione precursors like cysteine and glutamate.
Optimized metabolic function helps protect against disease as well as improves performance.
Increased disease resiliency
Research suggests that whey helps protect the body against a wide variety of diseases.
By improving anabolic signaling, metabolic function, and providing a rich supply of anabolic nutrients, the body’s built-in repair (and detoxification) processes work more effectively.
Supplementing whey protein can improve conditions:
- Cachexia and sarcopenia
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Gut disorders
- Sleep issues
Although whey doesn’t cure these diseases and disorders, it can dramatically improve quality of life.
Many of the improvements hinge on whey’s ability to improve metabolic function, bolster antioxidant cellular defenses, and supply the body with ample amino acids and anabolic nutrients.
Cardioprotective
Grass-fed whey protein impacts cardiovascular health via many mechanisms.
First, by upregulating glutathione production (the body’s “master antioxidant”), it helps protect the heart from oxidative stress-induced dysfunction.
Whey balances cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. It also contains CLA and omega-3 fatty acids—including anti-inflammatory EPA and DHA. These reduce the risk of heart disease. CLA, on the other hand, can reduce cancer risk.
Overall, quality whey benefits various measures of cardiovascular health.
Slows aging
Whey may help slow the biological aging process.
It contains several important nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Things like omega-3 fatty acids, and certain vitamins and minerals.
By elevating levels of the antioxidant, glutathione, whey shields against oxidative stress—one of the nine recognized tenants of aging. This also encourages optimal mitochondrial function.
Finally, many longevity enthusiasts actually inject or supplement the same peptides & growth factors found within organic, grass-fed whey protein. These small molecules and bioregulators have profound impacts on telomeres and other facets of biology that decline with age.
Anti-cancer
Whey protein has several anti-cancer effects.
Increased synthesis of glutathione as well as lactoferrin found within whey show potential to prevent cancer. In exiting cancer cells, it can cause cell death. This is especially notable since cancer cells have escaped the regulatory cellular processes that normally destroy them.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is the other primary nutrient found in whey that’s studied for its anti-cancer properties. CLA can also inhibit tumors and reduce cancer morbidity.
Improved cognition
Whey has slight cognitive-enhancing properties.
Again, increasing glutathione preserves neurons and bodily cells from damage and reduces subsequent inflammation. Neuroinflammation/overexcitation is one of the chief causes of brain disorders, which increasing glutathione in the brain prevents.
Those that suffer from stress-induced cognitive decline (all of us to some extent), experience greater cognitive function and performance from consuming a whey protein shake. Researchers hypothesized this was due to increasing levels of a feel-good neurotransmitter called serotonin.
Omega-3 fats can also reduce neuroinflammation while delivering brain-boosting nutrients like DHA and greater blood flow.
Overall, dietary whey can improve mood, memory, information processing speed, and other facets of brain performance.
Ethical
While ethics isn’t technically a health benefit, feeling good about your choices positively impacts your well-being.
Cows able to roam on a pasture require fewer chemicals and antibiotics while also emitting less carbon into the atmosphere. Pasture-raised, grass-fed cows also get nutrition from the land. Rather than transportation (unhealthy) feed from across the world.
Plus, organic grass-fed/grass-finished whey is devoid of contaminants, synthetic chemicals, hormones, and other hazards found in conventional whey protein.
Choosing grass-fed whey is an economic vote towards regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices.
How to Upgrade Your Whey
High-quality, organic, grass-finished whey protein deserves a spot in just about every pantry.
Yet there are little biosynergies you can apply to dramatically improve your results.
There are two things I like to add to my whey:
- Colostrum
- Essential amino acids
And then we’ll finish with one pro tip.
Colostrum is nature’s growth and repair serum. Newborns consume it to inoculate their guts and capitalize on an elixir rich in powerful growth factors and immune factors. It nicely amplifies whey protein. Colostrum contains just about every immunoglobulin, including IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM.
It’s anti-microbial, nutrient-dense, gut-protective, and a useful body transformation agent (muscle building and fat burning). Best of all, some companies choose to fortify their grass-fed whey with colostrum.
Essential amino acids powder. These aminos are one of the core differences between whey and inferior proteins. The essential aminos must all come from diet. Leucine is especially anabolic and effectively activates the mTOR growth pathway. Leading to faster body transformation, and potentially requiring less whey protein to do so.
Note that you’ll want EAAs instead of BCAAs (that guide explains why in depth) because the other essential aminos are important for optimal metabolism.
Protein rotation. You can temporarily use something else or just skip your whey for a day. With any degree of intestinal permeability (most of us have some), whey proteins leak into the bloodstream. Over time, this can create an immune response as your body tags the whey circulating in the blood as a foreign particle. Eventually leading to intolerance.
I recommend taking a few consecutive days off every month. Giving the body time to reset. This is the premise behind the “rotation diet”. During that time, you can use essential amino acids or other protein sources.
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Questions & Answers
What is the best kind of protein supplement?
Grass-fed whey is the top protein because it’s well absorbed, low-calorie, delicious, economical, effective, and contains all kinds of beneficial vitamins, minerals, and micro-nutrients.
What are the side effects of grass-fed whey?
Aside from dairy allergies, whey doesn’t have serious side effects. Some people report bloating and increased bowel movements. Very few users mention headache, fatigue, nausea, unusual thirst, or cramps.
How much protein should I consume?
Most people thrive between 0.6 – 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Activity levels and age are the two primary determining factors. Sedentary adults: ~0.55-0.9 g /lb. Build lean mass: ~0.65-0.8 g /lb. Athletes: ~0.6-1.4 g /lb. Maintain muscle while dieting: ~0.75-1.4 g/lb.
Is grass-fed whey protein better for you than conventional whey?
Yes. Grass-fed whey contains higher levels of bioactive nutrients and lower levels on dangerous contaminants. Grass-fed whey has been shown to have 2–5X more omega-3 fatty acids and 3–5X more CLA than regular whey, and it’s richer in antioxidant vitamins.
Many grass-fed products are also free from hormones and unnecessary antibiotics, supporting better health outcomes and a cleaner nutritional profile.
Does grass-fed mean organic, and why does this matter for protein powder?
No. “grass-fed” refers to cows’ diets, while “organic” means the feed and pastures are free from pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and GMOs.
Some of the best grass-fed whey supplements are also USDA Organic certified, meaning your protein is both pasture-raised and free of chemicals; a dual assurance for purity and sustainability. USDA certification is also quite expensive, so that cost is passed on to consumers via higher product prices.
How to Buy a Quality Grass-Fed Whey Protein Supplement
Organic, grass-fed, grass-finished whey is some of Earth’s best protein.
It’s a complete protein, with an impressive quantity of anabolic branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and other essential amino acids (EAAs).
Whey has a vast scientific backing and is the go-to nutritional addon for body transformation. But it goes beyond athletic performance and recovery. In addition to helping build muscle and burning body fat, whey also protects the gut, optimizes the cardiovascular and immune systems, improves metabolic function, and even has anti-aging benefits.
Then there are the myriad protein fragments, growth factors, and other potent bioactive constituents. These are one of the major frontiers of modern preventative medicine, and many longevity experts supplement with them too.
Quality whey gets you both, in one.
But there’s a lot of junk on the market. When choosing products, you want to look for clean whey:
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Free of hormones, contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, seed oils, artificial flavors, fillers, and other additives
- Pasture-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished
- Cold-processed and un-denatured
- Lab tested for purity and safety
Ideally, the manufacturer will also fortify the products with additional beneficial nutrients like colostrum, digestive enzymes, or probiotics.
Most of the research and known benefits relate to grass-finished whey specifically.
When you take all this into consideration, few products fit the bill of utmost quality.
These are the products I know and like. But new ones constantly arise.
Do you supplement grass-fed whey protein? Check them out and let me know your experience or questions in the comments below!
Every product Outliyr reviews is measured on real instruments, spectrometers, EMF and thermal imaging, oscilloscope, EEG and microscopy. See the full lineup in the Outliyr Testing Lab.
So much wrong.
1) “Naked WHEY 100% Grass Fed Protein Powder. Whey type: isolate”
Wrong, it’s concentrate
2) “Manufacturers often add sunflower lecithin or other ingredients to help whey isolate mix better…An industrial seed oil that’s heavily oxidized and damaging to human cells. ”
And yet you claim every isolate WITH sunflower lecithin is superior to “Pure Label”, the only one that doesn’t.
Do better.
Good catch on #1! Thanks, I updated that table.
Not sure what you mean about #2. Despite both having “sunflower” in the name, sunflower lecithin and sunflower oil are two very different things. High-heat processed, GMO sunflower oil (as virtually all is) is toxic. Not sunflower lecithin…
Your review of Legion Whey+ Protein Powder was mostly positive, but you mentioned the possibility of “harmful industrial oils” and “natural flavors” that I decided to research by reaching out to the manufacturer. I included a question about why there was a Prop 65 Warning on their containers. After hearing back from one of Legion’s personal trainers, I thought I would share this with you so you can share it with your readers. Her response alleviated my most pressing concerns, which included the lead level content and the sunflower oil content, both of turned out to be non-issues.
Dated: 11/15/23
Hi Danny,
Sorry for the delayed response, I was gathering all the info needed to answer you.
Here are the heavy metals results for Whey+ French Vanilla:
https://legionathhletics.gyazo.com/532c09026d25d5761d19b98df3cdb4b1
The natural flavors are a combination of ingredients our manufacturer uses to create the specific flavor we want. The exact recipe varies depending on the flavor, but all of the ingredients are natural. The recipes are unique to the manufacturer and they don’t want to fully disclose everything in them on the label. However, we can find out if there are specific ingredients in the product like if you have an allergy or something.
You can read more about natural flavors here: https://legionathletics.com/how-natural-are-natural-flavors/
We include sunflower oil creamer in some of our Whey+ flavors to improve the texture and mouthfeel of the protein.
As you mentioned, the health concern with seed oils comes when they are heated at very high temperatures. What’s used in Whey+ is not high-heat processed, so there’s no cause for concern.
Also, there’s only about 1-2g of sunflower oil creamer in the flavors that contain it, which is a very, very small amount (1 tablespoon of oil is 15g). You can learn more about seed oils here:
https://legionathletics.com/muscle-for-life-episode-1001/
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any further questions.
Best,
Lauren S.
Certified Personal Trainer
Senior CX Specialist
Hey Danny! Thanks for doing that for us 🙂
That’s definitely my biggest concern about industrial seed oils. They also add all kinds of toxic chemicals to make them more palatable (and not smell offensive). So perhaps there’s less concern, but I still wouldn’t say “no concern”. It’s good to know that they’re only using 1-2g. But since seed oils are entirely unnecessarily, I’d still like to seem them removed entirely. After all, most people don’t need an extra mg of them as they are already in everything.
Good to know about both of those though!