[00:00:00] Jenn Trepeck - Host: 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 Premier Protein drinks.

[00:00:27] So this one is thanks to Marianne b Marianne submitted this one through Instagram. So by the way, friendly reminder. If you have anything you want to look at together or you have an idea for an episode or nutrition nugget, send it in. Uh, use our website, a salad with the side of fries.com. Our social media on Instagram you have at Salad with a side of fries pod, or my personal is on all the platforms is Gen Tpic, [00:01:00] J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K.

[00:01:00] So whatever's easy for you, send it in. I love doing these based on your requests. So, alright, premier Protein drinks, thanks to Marianne B. For those of you who are less familiar, they are pre-made or packaged. Protein drinks. Maryanne said she typically has one a day, either at the chocolate or the vanilla, and asked if we would analyze a review.

[00:01:27] So we're gonna look at them together and take a look at both of those flavors. First. As always, I like to start with the marketing because this gives us an idea of, you know, is this living up to the hype of what they're telling us we're gonna get? That's always my primary question. So, front and center, on their website, it says our protein shakes, we have a protein shake for every.

[00:01:50] Taste, and then they highlight their classic protein shake. One made with almond milk, their indulgence protein shake, and then mini protein shakes [00:02:00] under the products section. They also have protein powders and protein cereals, protein pancakes, and waffles. Like who knew they had all of these things. Now, on the homepage, they go on to describe each.

[00:02:16] Protein shake option. We're looking today at the classic protein shake, so I'm gonna focus on that. They say classic Premier protein shakes taste like your favorite desserts, ice cream flavors, fun and fruity concoctions, special seasonal treats. They all have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories per shake, no added sugar.

[00:02:39] And then of course there's a little symbol. That symbol next to the no added sugar references. A line further down that says, not a low calorie food. See nutrition facts for more information. I'm gonna say kudos to them for blatantly saying it, [00:03:00] because I think it's kind of implied in their marketing that, you know, especially when we're looking at protein drinks, protein shakes.

[00:03:10] I think there's sort of a almost implied benefit that it's healthier for us than other things. And you know, they're sort of laying it out there that maybe not so much. And they're also saying in their marketing favorite flavors with protein. Less of the things we're told we don't want. Calories and sugar, and I was gonna skip over their about us info until there was a piece that I saw there that caught my attention.

[00:03:44] So after saying, we're changing what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, they say, and I quote, we never sacrifice flavor for nutrition. Okay. I'm sorry. [00:04:00] Why are those in either or? Number one. And frankly, Maryanne, I'm not saying this is what you're choosing or for anybody else, but if I'm turning to this, I'm turning to this fourth, the nutrition, the flavor is the differentiator or the bonus for me.

[00:04:21] Maybe you're different, but I'm guessing. You are using a shake like this to uplevel your nutrition more so than to uplevel the flavor in your life. And I fundamentally disagree that they're making it an either or. I I appreciate, yes, there are trade-offs, but I disagree with the premise that this is an either or.

[00:04:48] And so all of the rest of the section. They're about us and all of these things, everything focuses on flavor. Even what they say when they talk about what fans [00:05:00] love about the product, it's all about flavor. So as I am assessing this, it makes me think that we could end up with some wild ingredients because they're very clearly prioritizing flavor over nutrition.

[00:05:16] So let's see. Looking at the classic protein shake, we see more marketing to reinforce the flavor First approach. Say that 10 times fast flavor. First it says, enjoy the flavors of your favorite desserts every day, all while crushing your protein goals. And then I will say, they do have lots of flavors. If you're using this, you'll want to read the label of each one.

[00:05:41] Maryanne said, vanilla or chocolate. Let's start with the vanilla. I'm looking at the nutrition facts, and then they have a dropdown for either an 11 and a half ounce serving or an 11 ounce serving. So I'm looking at the 11 ounce one, serving size, 11 ounces or one per container. [00:06:00] And then I'm also wowed in the nutrition facts here.

[00:06:04] So towards the top it says, notice, use this product as a food supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction. So. I don't know what your health goals are, but this might be everything we need to know. Right? Coupled with the flavor over nutrition piece, I'm really curious to see what kind of science project they're giving us.

[00:06:29] I don't know. Okay, I digress. Nutrition facts one Shake 11 ounces, 160 calories. Three grams of fat with 0.5 grams of saturated fat. Zero grams of trans fat. Three grams of total carbs, including zero grams of fiber. One gram of sugar says zero grams of added sugar, and 30 grams of protein only. Looking at this part seems like an awesome post-workout protein punch, right?

[00:06:58] Or pair it with fruits or [00:07:00] veggies if you needed more of a meal on the go. Again, though, I'm suspicious because of the other things that we read. On the micronutrients, there's lots of calcium and phosphorus. Then we have vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B six, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, magnesium, zinc, a little iron, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and some potassium.

[00:07:36] That chart's a lot. I feel like it's the part of their effort to make you think it's a health food. And I mean the I amount and forms are what we'd want to know here, but it, it's just feels very conflicting to me between highlighting all of these things and then also in the fine print saying, you know, do not focus [00:08:00] on this as a health product.

[00:08:02] Right. Or, you know, flavor over nutrition is our motto. So let's see what the ingredients tell us. And yes, as I predicted, it is not short. It's not the longest we've ever seen, but it's not short. Okay, here we go. This is the vanilla filtered water, milk, protein concentrate, calcium caseinate. Less than 1% of sunflower oil or soybean oil, natural and artificial flavors.

[00:08:30] Cellulose gel and cellulose gum salt, sucralose, acyl sulfate, potassium, ACE K is what that's referred to. Keraginin, tri potassium phosphate dye, potassium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, vitamin and mineral blend. And that's where we get all these vitamins and minerals. And I will save you. Reading all of them.

[00:08:55] Okay, so the protein is coming from milk protein concentrate and [00:09:00] calcium caseinate. If you have issues with lactose, this is probably not your favorite. Even as far as the milk protein concentrate and the calcium caseinate, they're both a bit slower for the body to absorb than weigh. Protein, although you do have some way in the concentrate, so it's interesting because that makes it a little less optimal as a post-workout option.

[00:09:30] The sunflower or soybean oil, maybe deal breakers for some people. I'm not sure we need them in our protein drinks. My guess is here they're helping with texture. You also have the cellulose gel and cellulose gum for texture. Carrageenan is also a texture thing and a bit of a preservative, kind of the tri potassium phosphate.

[00:09:55] The dye potassium phosphate and the sodium phosphate [00:10:00] also may enhance flavor. Some of the additives, you know, with all these additives, they might be deal breakers for some people. And while there isn't quote unquote sugar per se, there is sucralose, ACE K, which we've talked about before a few times, and I will say it's not my choice ingredient.

[00:10:21] Then looking at the vitamin blend. I know I didn't read every single one, but looking at it, I, you know, do a quick scan. I like that it's vitamin D three. I like the source of the D three. The rest of it is all pretty standard for what you'll see in any protein powder or protein drink. It's vitamin K one, so you may wanna be aware of that if you're on certain medications.

[00:10:47] And as I always say. You have to decide for yourself. I think, you know, some of this is par for the course with any protein, powder, or protein drink. [00:11:00] I do think there are options for what you want of protein and flavor without as many additives and chemicals as this one. It really comes down to how often are you having this, what role is it playing in the grand scheme of everything that you're having.

[00:11:20] I don't think I would choose this one every day for me. Now, as promised, I will do a quick look at the chocolate. Also, it looks more or less the same. It's one gram of saturated fat versus 0.5 in the vanilla, four grams of carbs versus three in the vanilla. The chocolate though has two grams of fiber, and then the only difference in the ingredients it looks like is the addition of cocoa powder.

[00:11:50] All in, I'm gonna heed their own language on this one where they said, one, we will not sacrifice flavor for nutrition. [00:12:00] And two, use this product as a food supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction. So consider your goals. Consider where this may or may not fit into the grand scheme of your nutrition choices.

[00:12:16] And. I'm also a fan of picking your battles. You get to decide if this product makes life infinitely easier for the moment. Maybe you'll go for it and in time you may be willing or ready to adjust again later. Remember, progress over perfection even with these products. For me personally, the Premier Protein is gonna be a pass.

[00:12:44] For you. Lemme know. I wanna hear if you are opting in or out on the Premier protein drinks or shakes. So Marianne, I hope this was helpful. Thank you again for sending this in. Well, as always, everybody, I'm Gen [00:13:00] Tpic. Connect with me on Instagram or all social media. I am at Gen Tpic, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K website is.

[00:13:08] A salad with a sat of fries.com. Pick your platform, send a message. I truly love hearing from you and your ideas, your takeaways, your questions. This is also the easiest way to learn more about working with me as your health coach, Dr. Michael Bi Biam. Thank you again for being here. You are welcome. And friends, if you are not already a member, join us in the Happy Healthy Hub.

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[00:13:53] Bia Monte's Candida Chronicles Overview, and the other is Microbiome and Hashimoto's. [00:14:00] 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 click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform.

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