[00:00:00] Welcome to Salad with a side of Fries. I'm your host, Jenn Trepeck, talking wellness and weight loss for real life. We're here to clear up the myths, misinformation, bad science and marketing to teach you how to eat and how to cheat. Are you ready? I'm having salad with a side of fries. This week we're talking about pure genius protein shots.

[00:00:28] So Tracy m submitted this one through the website. She said, hi. I'm curious your thoughts on pure genius protein shots. Is it a marketing hype by Mel Robbins or a good option? Thanks. So by the way, if you have an idea for an episode or a nutrition nugget, a question you'd love answered, send it in. You can become a member of the Happy Healthy Hub for the fastest.

[00:00:52] Info and response. You can also submit it through the website like Tracy. You'll go to a salad with a side of fries.com, [00:01:00] and then of course, all social media. You could DM me at Gen Tpic, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K. So anyway, Tracy, let's look at the pure genius protein shots. So I started as usual on their homepage of, you know, their website.

[00:01:16] It says protein for professionals, longevity, travel, life, weight loss, happiness, performance. Okay. You know? Sure. That seems to cover all the things that you know. Protein would do, so it's pocket sized at 3.8 fluid ounces gives you 23 grams of protein. That's gluten-free, fat-free, zero sugar, and 100 calories.

[00:01:40] So they say small bottle, big benefits where protein meets taste and convenience. All of this, by the way, I think is true on like a fact basis, right? Like provided the ingredients and nutrition all checks out and we'll dig further into it. But yes, like protein does the things that they're saying [00:02:00] it does, you know, and especially with the size factor.

[00:02:04] Like, yes, it would work for travel. Okay. Then they have lots of marketing language around the source of the protein, how it's everything you need without everything you don't. So we'll discuss that again. When we get to the ingredients, they focus on how it fits into your life that many people aren't getting enough protein, which can lead to muscle loss.

[00:02:25] Their goal, as they say, is to, and I'm quoting them, bridge the protein gap. I respect that. At 23 grams of protein, we're talking about three ounces, and I say this with love, but three ounces is not bridging the gap. Like we have to do more to bridge the protein gap. Given what I see in practice as the size of that gap in terms of how much we need versus how much we're getting, nevertheless, sure it's helpful.

[00:02:55] It can be another tool in our tool belt. Then they say developed by [00:03:00] doctors. They have a medical advisory board of physicians, and they put the names of these physicians pretty predominantly on the site, which I'm a fan of. I respect it. And there's actually a lot of the names in this list. I know. So the medical advisory board is Dr.

[00:03:15] Amy Shaw, Dr. Betsy Grunch, Dr. Jeff Karp. Dr. Dawn Masala, I think is how you say her name, and Dr. Rocio SLAs, Waylan. Between them, the expertise or their specialty areas are nutrition, longevity, weight management, and hormone health. And I'm a fan. I so far, and again, assuming the nutrition facts and everything else checks out, I'm on board with a lot of this except for the idea that one three ounce protein is gonna solve all your problems.

[00:03:48] Yeah, I mean, but they're saying you to supplement your diet with this, so we're gonna come back to that. Okay. Alright. Yeah, because exactly. So, okay. And is this something you drink? [00:04:00] Yes. So it's like a little shot, it's a 3.8 fluid ounce. Like, remember the five hour energy? Yeah. Yeah. Drinks. It's about that same size.

[00:04:09] Okay. Kind of a thing. And you drink it. Taste. Taste like steak. No. What does it take to say? So they have three flavors, so I'll come to those in a second. I wanna address the Mel Robbins thing that Tracy asked about, because the next thing on their homepage was this video of Mel Robbins. And so then I went digging a little bit further to figure out what's Mel's role.

[00:04:29] In this company, you know, again, 'cause Tracy was like, what is happening? So turns out Nell Robbins is a co-founder. I was gonna say. Right. I'm sure there's some financial gain to this. Exactly. She joined them in early 2025. Apparently she handpicked the scientific advisory team. And they give this personal story.

[00:04:51] They say that her involvement was because of her personal experience. They say she'd been hearing the same message as all of us about how important protein is for strength [00:05:00] and aging, well for energy, weight management, hormone balance, overall health, all the things, and that women in particular tend to undereat protein.

[00:05:09] So she says she was diligent herself focusing on protein, experienced a lot of the same challenges as the rest of us with full lives, full schedules, back to back meetings, little time for meal prep. And apparently, and I'm gonna quote this, couldn't find a convenient, tasty way to get more high quality protein on the go.

[00:05:31] So she created it. Okay, but full disclosure, personally, I have a little bit of a love hate with Mel. This might get me canceled, whatever. Okay. I have a little bit of a love hate with Mel. I find it hard to believe that you couldn't find a single option, given everything that is out there to get convenient, tasty, high quality protein on the go.

[00:05:56] We have talked about a ton of options. [00:06:00] You know, now they're on a spectrum, but even once, like I travel with protein powder in Ziploc bags. You know, knock on wood, famous last words. I've never had a problem with security with my ziplocs of protein powder. You too. Yeah. So I believe that this story is a version of the truth, and that probably more likely, like you said.

[00:06:24] It was probably more likely that she was having all these conversations and hearing all this stuff and thought there's some money to be made here. Let's leverage my platform, add another stream of income. And truthfully, like I don't begrudge her that at all. No, I'm, I'm a capitalist. Like, let's go. I kind of wish I thought of it.

[00:06:43] Right, exactly. I think. I just kind of wish that it was like that was the story, right? You know, like, you know, sometimes you just want people to be honest about something, and I'm not saying she wasn't being honest, but it's more like, okay, you know what? I realize there's [00:07:00] a whole sect of people out there that are looking for, again, very quick, easy, right?

[00:07:06] Let me grab something. They're not getting enough protein and I can add this. To my lunch and I can make this convenient and make some money. Right. Or to me be more specific about what you were looking for that you couldn't find that then is the differentiator here. Right. Right. Okay, so let's look at the nutrition facts and the ingredients.

[00:07:26] So three flavors, pineapple, strawberry, guava, and blue Lemonade to me. These are the strangest flavors. Yeah. Especially thinking they're pro, they're protein. Right. So, but that's okay. All right. And I, I will say there, I can't remember the name of it. There was a different protein product that had sort of similar flavors that was supposed to be like the texture and flavor of juice.

[00:07:54] But gave you protein. So maybe they're working to compete in that category. And [00:08:00] then the other interesting thing about it's that, but they're not talking about their flavors as a differentiator. So anyway, I digress. I thought I would be most inclined of those to do the blue raspberry. So I pulled up that first, but then it's sold out.

[00:08:12] So I thought, all right, let's not look at that one. So I went with strawberry guava for today's. Exploration. Serving size is one bottle, 3.8 fluid ounces. We get 100 calories, zero grams of fat, two grams of total carbs, zero grams of which are coming from sugar, 22 grams of protein. I thought it was 23. Yeah, I thought it was supposed to be 23, but, okay, so 22 or 23 grams of protein, and then there's a little bit of sodium and potassium.

[00:08:44] Okay, so based on this. So far things, more or less checkout, right? We're getting about three ounces of protein, essentially those calories from the protein account for 92% of the total [00:09:00] calorie count. So then there's another 8%, which here is eight calories, and that's coming from those two grams of carbohydrates.

[00:09:08] So. The math is math. You know, we'll have to see what they are based on the ingredients. Still with this, if we look at this, it's a snack size amount of protein, and it's protein only. So if I were to drink this, it would last me maybe 90 minutes, an hour to 90 minutes. It's not a meal replacement. It is not a meal amount of protein.

[00:09:32] If you wanted this as a snack to last you longer. Then we compare it with veggies or fruit to get some fiber. We compare it with some nuts to get some quality fat and maybe sort of bulk up this snack to help it last us a little bit longer. Alright, ingredients. They read filtered water whey protein, that's specifically beta lactoglobulin bovine collagen peptides.

[00:09:59] Then less [00:10:00] than 2% monk fruit extract, L histidine. Eveline Sylvia Leaf extract. Citric acid, maleic acid, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium denate, natural flavors. Okay, the carbs are coming from the sweeteners. We have monk fruit extract and the Sylvia leaf extract. Citric acid and maleic acid are probably part of the flavors, I'm guessing, combined with the natural flavors and whatever their in air quotes, natural flavors are.

[00:10:33] And for some people, natural flavors is a deal breaker. Fine. I also wanna see, they don't really say anything else about the natural flavors in there. The potassium sorbate and sodium benzite are preservatives, right? Again, you get to decide based on all of this, like let's just be clear, it's a processed food on the spectrum of processed foods.

[00:10:55] It has less of the other stuff in it, [00:11:00] nevertheless. Okay, let's talk about the protein blend. It's whey protein and collagen, and then they added two other amino acids, the El Histidine and the Eveline. So those are two other amino acids. Essentially what they've done is created a complete protein from mostly plant sources like the way.

[00:11:25] I suppose WA is a plant source, so Right. The only thing that isn't is the bovine collagen. Right? Again, pick your battles. You decide if that is a thing for you. I mean, that's one of the only ways you can get a collagen, right? So, so they actually, on their website, they have an in-depth explanation of the protein sources and the AM amino acid profiles.

[00:11:47] Of each of these protein sources. So if you want, you can go check that out. I respect that they put it out there and explained it all. I think it's worth noting whey protein probably not gonna work for someone with a [00:12:00] lactose challenge, so just. Thinking through that, the sweeteners being monk, fruit and stevia.

[00:12:06] Those work for me for the most part. I think even the tough critics of sweeteners would be on board with these. Yeah. Provided that we're keeping the doses down. Right. You know, it's this within the spectrum of what else I think becomes one of the questions. And then they also talk about third party testing on their product, which I really like.

[00:12:28] So they say they test for heavy metals, glyphosate, plastic chemicals, contaminants, gluten, bisphenols, which are also chemicals in plastic and pesticides. The sourcing and testing is probably how we get to their price points. So they, I think it's like, depending on how many you order, whatever, but it's on average, it's about $4 a serving, which it's not wildly expensive.

[00:12:52] It's also not nothing. No. So you can buy a package of chicken for $4 and have the big Right, but that's not the [00:13:00] same purpose. Right? No, I know. I know, I know. You know, it kind of depends. Again, it depends what need you're filling and where you want it to be. I think. All in for me. I'm on board with these as a tool.

[00:13:12] I think we just wanna be aware of whether or not they're becoming a staple of our every day. You know, again, it's a snack size amount of protein, not a meal. For me, it's gonna last me an hour, maybe 90 minutes. I could add other foods to it to help it last me longer. On its own, it's a small amount of liquid, which might be helpful, like pre or post workout to get a little bit of protein without the carbohydrates there.

[00:13:42] So maybe that's another time where it could fit in or the travel, because it can easily fit. In your suitcase, in a carry on in an airport like that might be a great little thing to have in your bag in case you're stuck traveling or whatever. The other [00:14:00] caveat, so they say, going back to your point of do they think this needs to be in everything, so they say it's an easy, simple, and delicious way to get enough protein every day.

[00:14:09] When life is busy, you have no appetite or time. To cook. Yeah, and I was gonna say also for people who are on Ozempic. Wegovy, exactly. They're not getting their protein. They're not eating like, let's face it, they're not eating. They're losing tons of weight because they've got all these side of their, it is an huge appetite suppressant.

[00:14:35] They are losing muscle mass, so a small bottle of liquid now they'd have to be drinking. Probably, you know, six to eight of these a day. Well, to get their Well, so that's Exactly, exactly. So I was like, okay, so from this you're telling me you're targeting GLP one users. The other target, and I've worked with a lot of people in my practice over the years who are post bariatric surgery or [00:15:00] post gastric bypass or that kind of thing.

[00:15:01] Right. This would also be an awesome tool for them. For them. Yeah. With that said, I don't agree that it's the thing that's going to get you enough protein every day by itself. Still, I think it's helpful. And then their literal next sentence basically contradicts that and says, it doesn't replace all the amazing whole food protein options that are available.

[00:15:23] Rather, it works alongside beef, chicken peas, hemp protein powders, bars, and everything you may be consuming. So they agree with us. Even though they just said the opposite thing. So again, I respect that it's there. It's almost like their medical team and their marketing team are like, you know, trying to figure out the message and they're saying that they're bridging a gap.

[00:15:45] Yes. So, yeah. So if I'm. On the go, or I'm at an airport and you know, I don't have time and I'm grabbing some quick salady thing or something. I don't know, but I need a little extra protein [00:16:00] just to supplement exactly that. Then, you know, yeah. Something like that might be fine, but that this is not something that people should be thinking, oh, I could just drink this and now I've got my full recommended amount of food.

[00:16:15] Right. Exactly. That I need every day. No, and I see that. That's where they're saying both things. Right. This isn't to bridge a gap. This is not, and let's be clear, where I pulled that from was not the headline of the website. Like I kind of had to dig for some of that. Okay. Language from them. All in though.

[00:16:32] I think it's another option that we could add. To me, it's gonna come down to two things. One is the flavor. 'cause I normally don't love those fruity flavored things on the Mel Robbins front. For me personally, it's not necessarily a selling point. It may be to you, it may be a reason not to, you know, play with these.

[00:16:52] You get to decide. But I think if, you know, if we're looking strictly at the nutrition facts and the [00:17:00] ingredients, I'm game for these. Yeah. It's a tool. Yeah. Like you said, it's a tool. It is not a meal replacement. It is a tool. And again, it, for me, it would come down to. Personally, I don't like to drink my food.

[00:17:13] I like to eat it. I like to chew it. So even with my protein powders, I make things with it. I don't just make smoothies. I actually make like things I can chew and eat. So, but in a, that once in a while where, you know, you're too busy, you're not getting what you need, this might be a good supplement and, but it would depend for me on the flavor.

[00:17:38] I, I, exactly. I'm not sure. Yeah. Well, there you have it, Tracy. I hope this answered all of your questions. As always, everybody, I'm your host and health coach, gen Tpic. Connect with me on Instagram or all social media. I am at Jenn Trepeck, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K. Website is a salad with the side of rice.com. Pick your platform.

[00:17:58] Send a message. [00:18:00] Hearing from you is the highlight of my day. It is also the easiest way to learn more about working with me as your coach. Donna, thanks again for joining us this week. Thank you, Jen. This was so much fun and I know I coerced you into this, but thank you so, so much. I had a blast. Oh good.

[00:18:16] Well you're gonna have to come back. I would love to. Alright, and of course friends, if you are not already a member, I invite you to the Happy Healthy Hub. You'll go to a salad with a side of fries.com/membership. This shows your support for this podcast, this community, and your health. On top of access to the community board where we can interact, ask, and answer questions and more, you are getting discounts, curated content, this week's recipe for the crunchy Thai kale salad, and 10% off those supplements that I mentioned for support around food noise.

[00:18:50] Well, friends, that's it for today's episode of Salad with a Side of Fries. Congratulations for making yourself and your health a priority. Thanks so much for joining us. Be sure to [00:19:00] click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform. Share us with a friend and we'll be back next week. Always remember you deserve it and you are worth it. Happy, healthy.