Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Premier Protein, to see if these popular protein drinks live up to the hype. She assesses the marketing of Premier Protein drinks, which heavily emphasize a "flavor-first" approach and boldly state they "never sacrifice flavor for nutrition." Jenn questions this premise, pointing out that most people turn to a protein shake for its nutritional value, not only for its flavor. She dissects the nutritional facts and ingredient list, looking for what a "flavor-first" approach might add or miss altogether. What does Jenn uncover that makes her conclude this might be a pass for her? Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday.  Have an idea for a nutrition nugget?  Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/       

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KEYWORDS: Premier Protein Drinks, Wellness And Weight Loss, Nutrition Nugget, Pre-Made Protein Drinks, Chocolate Flavor, Vanilla Flavor, Classic Protein Shake, Almond Milk, Indulgence Protein Shake, Mini Protein Shakes, Protein Powders, Protein Cereals, Protein Pancakes, Protein Goals, Nutrition Facts, Food Supplement, Not A Low Calorie Food, Post-Workout Protein, Micronutrients, Vitamin Blend, Milk Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Sucralose, ACE K, Flavor First, Progress Over Perfection, Happy Healthy Hub, Vegan Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Food Marketing, Protein Marketing, Flavor First

[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.

[00:01:27] 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.

[00:02:16] 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.

[00:03:10] 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.

[00:04:21] 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.

[00:05:16] 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.

[00:06:04] 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.

[00:06:58] 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.

[00:08:02] 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.

[00:08:55] 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.

[00:09:55] 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.

[00:10:47] 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.

[00:11:50] 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.

[00:12:44] 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.

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