MuscleTech has unveiled an exciting new whey protein, and we’re happy to see its arrival here in Canada. Rounding out its family of protein powders is the new Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein. If you’re new to the science behind the whole “grass-fed” movement, you’re definitely going to want to read this review. We cover the performance and health benefits of grass-fed whey and how MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey exemplifies a best-in-class formula. This product is another top-quality offering in MuscleTech’s line of proteins, each offering slightly different protein sources and macro- and micronutrients. But truth be told, navigating through all the whey protein options on supplement shelves can be overwhelming, but we’re here to take you through it.
Why Grass-Fed Whey?
The composition of a cow’s milk is influenced by genetics, the cow’s health, and the lactation stage, but the cow’s diet is the single most important thing that determines its milk’s nutritional density. Allowing cows to naturally graze, freely eating a natural diet of grass (instead of corn, soy and other low-cost feed), is scientifically proven to improve the nutrient profile of milk! Think of grass-fed as “clean eating” for the animal.
Milk sourced this way is free of any artificial hormones (such as rBST or rBGH), antibiotics, pesticides or herbicides being injected into the animals. But the magic happens in the fat contained of the milk. Grass-fed milk 
contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), which have been shown to improve health and protect against diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Grass-fed milk also has lower levels of omega-6 fatty acids and palmitic acid, which have been shown to reduce health. It’s for this reason that grass-fed milk, whey, cheese, butter and other dairy products have been hugely popular with health-conscious people who want the highest-quality nutrition. Because whey protein is derived from milk, an authentic grass-fed whey (such as MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey) will also be higher in these key nutrients. Grass-fed whey costs more than traditional whey, but thanks to its rising popularity, progressive retailers such as Walmart Canada have made these products commercially available at a very reasonable price.
The Health Benefits Are in the Fat
Milk fat comprises approximately 400 different fats (fatty acids) of various chain lengths, most of which are saturated fats, with a lesser amount of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats making its composition very complex.
But as we said earlier, the key take-home to remember is that grass-fed whey is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vaccenic acid and CLAs. These healthy nutrients are found in the fat portion of the whey itself, so you want a grass-fed whey that’s higher in fat not lower. This sounds counterintuitive as we’ve all been told that fat is bad and that when shopping for a whey protein, whey isolate is the best, but in the case of grass-fed whey, this fat is healthy fat!
Each serving of MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey contains 2.5 grams of fat for this very reason. And this healthy fat also delivers a creamy, clump-free drink that’s perfect for everyone from busy executives to parents, busy teens and athletes looking to build muscle. In true MuscleTech form, Grass-Fed 100% Whey offers a wide array of other benefits, which our team’s happy to break down for you.
MuscleTech Grass-Fed 100% Whey Nutrient Profile
A scoop of Grass-Fed 100% Whey weighs in at 35 grams. Each contains 140 calories, comprising 2.5 grams of fat, 9 grams of carbs (2 grams sugar), and 20 grams of protein. MuscleTech researchers used a whey protein concentrate, explaining the fat and carb content, whereas an isolate would have little to no fat or carb macros. Within each scoop are 4.3 grams of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids to support performance and recovery. Each tub contains 23 single-scoop servings—that’s 23 easily digested, protein-filled meals for you.
No Artificial Colours, Flavours or Sweeteners
MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey contains no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners! Skipping artificial ingredients can help alleviate the potential of any digestive upset, and with the high levels of artificial “things” that have found their way into our food supply, we at Muscle Insider think it’s always a good idea to choose more natural ingredients over synthetic when given the choice.
Rounding out the ingredient list are a few items that contribute to the perfect texture and creaminess of the supplement. Specifically, guar gum and xanthan gum are natural fibres that help give it that thick, milkshake taste. Acacia gum is another natural fibre added to many products for its ability to extend shelf life and improve texture. But there are also some health benefits to this natural fibre. In one study, acacia gum was shown to reduce cholesterol. In another study, test subjects consuming acacia gum decreased their body-fat percentage by 2 percent in just 6 weeks. 
Rounding out the ingredients used to help produce the smooth texture is sunflower lecithin. Lecithin acts as an emulsifier, which are included in foods to help them dissolve and mix well. Often emulsifiers are derived from cheaper sources such as soybeans (labeled as “soy lecithin”) but MuscleTech went with the more expensive sunflower source of lecithin, which is ideal for people who want to avoid soy and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). When combined, these natural ingredients work together to give us a delicious, clump-free milkshake experience with extensive health and performance benefits.
Rebuild & Recover
Protein supplements are a convenient way to boost your protein intake but to go beyond just meeting your protein needs, you have to invest in a more premium protein. The macronutrient protein and quality of the fats in the formula are imperative to the growth of muscle mass. Branched-chain amino acids are the most abundant amino acids found in muscle tissue. Thankfully, they’re naturally found in all complete protein sources, and grass-fed whey is no different. With 4.3 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs per serving, Grass-Fed 100% Whey is a solid choice for a pre- or post-workout meal. 
You can use it at any other time of the day between meals or use it as your protein source at a meal. We like it as a post-workout shake as the combination of protein and BCAAs in a fast-digesting form gives your body what it needs to make sure your hard work in the gym pays off—and you can recover efficiently to do it all again tomorrow. Add extra fats (grass-fed sources and/or EFAs) if you’re following a keto diet, or add it to whole-food carbs if you’re on a traditional low- or moderate-fat diet.
Milkshake Taste
If you’re a fan of classic, creamy milkshakes, we know you’ll love this protein. It’s currently available in two classic flavours: Triple Chocolate and Deluxe Vanilla. We don’t know if more flavours will be added later, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a cookies and cream or strawberry added in the future. We don’t know if MuscleTech will do that, but time will tell. The directions suggest mixing a scoop with 6 to 12 ounces of liquid. We found that one scoop mixed with 10 ounces of water produced a creamy texture that was easy and enjoyable to drink. If your preference is a thicker shake, reduce the liquid slightly. If you want to jack up the protein a bit, mix 1½ scoops with about 15 ounces of water and you’ll be taking in 30 grams of protein.
Which Flavour Is Best?
We couldn’t pick a “best” between the two flavours because some of our us are “vanilla” types and others are chocoholics! Muscle Insider CEO Scott Welch prefers Triple Chocolate and says it reminds him of MuscleTech’s original Phase 8 (milk chocolate flavour), which set the standard of gourmet taste when it first launched. But if you like vanilla or chocolate, you’re going to love either option.
Supplements That Work
MuscleTech has been one of the most dominant supplement companies in sports nutrition for over two decades, leading the way with clinical research and innovative (yet safe) science-backed formulas. Its product line is available in well over 100 countries, which has allowed them to formulate specialized products for different needs. Their Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein is one of the most premium protein powders we’ve ever seen in Walmart Canada, which is a testament to its commitment to carry high-quality sports nutrition 
products and the changing demands of its shoppers. No longer do you have to go to an underground supplement store to pick up a best-in-class protein powder. MuscleTech and Walmart Canada have helped make high-quality supplements available to a diverse audience in an easily accessible location. And with the uncertainty of unexpected store closures, Walmart has become a reliable destination for sports nutrition.
If you’re in the market for a clean, grass-fed whey protein with true milkshake taste and great overall value, MuscleTech’s Grass-Fed 100% Whey gets two thumbs way up!
To read our review on MuscleTech’s Iso Whey Clear, click HERE.