The Iowa-based company Raw Grass Fed Whey offers two products: Raw Grass Fed Whey™ and Raw Organic Whey™. While the former is derived from free-roaming Jersey cows that exclusively graze on grass and clover, the latter is sourced from cows that have access to pasture but may also be fed with organic grains. The Raw Grass Fed Whey product is less expensive than the organic alternative.
This product prides itself on being all-natural, with no artificial ingredients or additives and no use of bovine growth hormone or antibiotics on the cows. In addition, grass-fed dairy may have a healthier fatty acid composition than conventional dairy. If you’re curious about what exactly goes into this product, read on.
Nutrition Information
You won’t find a scoop inside, but the recommended serving size is 5 tablespoons or 25 grams, which provides 21 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs (all from sugar), and 1 gram of saturated fat.
In terms of micronutrients, a serving contains 15 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of calcium, 3 percent of potassium, and 2 percent of sodium. It’s worth mentioning that a serving also provides 17 percent of your daily cholesterol intake.
Raw Grass Fed Whey Ingredients
This bad boy has only 1 ingredient, grass-fed whey concentrate.
Benefits & Effectiveness of Raw Grass Fed Whey
When it comes to whey protein, there are two main types: concentrate and isolate. Whey concentrate typically contains more fat and carbs than isolate, which is more expensive but undergoes more processing. However, Raw Grass Fed Whey takes a different approach. They use enzymes to process their concentrate, rather than acid treatments, and state on their website that their isolate competitors are “overly processed.”
While the whey is “flash pasteurized” and therefore not strictly considered “raw,” it is cold-processed to ensure that the protein doesn’t denature. Although the denaturing process doesn’t necessarily impact the protein’s efficacy, there is a market for cold-processed whey.
One of the standout features of Raw Grass Fed Whey is that it contains absolutely nothing but whey protein – not even artificial flavors or sweeteners, gums, soy, or gluten. Additionally, the company provides certificates of analysis on their website, assuring consumers that their product has been tested for contaminants, heavy metals, antibiotics, and pesticides.
It’s worth noting, however, that the whey concentrate does contain lactose and 17 percent of the recommended daily intake of cholesterol. While some concentrates add lactase to minimize digestive issues, Raw Grass Fed Whey does not. On the other hand, the protein content is high and the product provides more calcium than you might expect from whey.
Price Raw Grass-Fed Whey
For $23, I purchased a small bag of Raw Grass Fed Whey containing 14 servings. At a cost of $1.64 per serving (measured as 5 tablespoons), the protein comes out to about 7.8 cents per gram – on the higher end for a grass-fed whey concentrate. However, the price is reasonable for a whey isolate.
To cut down on costs, Raw Grass Fed Whey offers a 5-pound bag option, which brings the price down to roughly 4.5 cents per gram of protein – a much more affordable option.
Taste of Raw Grass-Fed Whey
Let me tell you, Raw Grass Fed Whey is a game changer! Despite being unflavored and low in fat (only one gram per serving), it actually tastes great. I mixed a serving with 8 ounces of cold water and it dissolved easily, leaving me with a subtle, creamy taste. Trust me, I’ve tried a lot of unflavored whey proteins, and this is one of the best.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re looking to really up the ante on taste, try mixing it with milk. Not only does it add a ton of protein, but it also makes the milk taste richer and creamier. Who knew getting your protein fix could be so delicious?
Related: Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners
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Related: Muscle Feast Grass Fed Whey Isolate Review
Conclusion
While the price may be a bit steep and individuals who are lactose intolerant may not find it appealing, this protein powder boasts an exceptionally high quality. The fact that certificates of analysis are available is a plus for me. Additionally, I appreciate that it is free of soy, gluten, and artificial ingredients. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste as well. If I were seeking an unflavored whey concentrate, I would opt for a 5-pound container of this product.
We like this product enough to put it on our list of the best grass-fed whey protein powders. Give it a try, you will like it.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and fitness fanatic who specializes in supplements for building muscle. He has written for online publications like TheAthleticBuild.com and FitnessTopFives. He is also an expert lawn mower and has been known to slay apple pie with little regard for his own safety. Hit him up on Linkedin below so he feels the love.