Transparent Labs vs 1st Phorm: Which Protein Powder is Better?

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The team at FeastGood has tested and reviewed multiple different protein powders, and two brands that have been noteworthy are Transparent Labs Whey Protein, and 1st Phorm Phormula-1 protein powder.

The question is, which one of these protein powders comes out on top?

In this article I thoroughly compare both of these protein powders, using important criteria such as:

• Ingredients
• Protein Percent of Calories
• Quality Assurance (brand trust)
• Cost
• Taste
• Satiety
• Texture & Mixability

After looking closely at each of the criteria, without question, Transparent Labs Whey protein powder came out on top as the best brand to purchase.

There is simply no brand on the market that compares to Transparent Labs when it comes to quality. Their whey protein is no exception, with quality ingredients, third-party testing, and the highest protein content per scoop that we at FeastGood have ever come across.

Key Takeaways

• Transparent Labs Whey Protein packs more protein per scoop and comes from grass-fed whey. It’s sweetened naturally with stevia, while 1st Phorm uses the artificial sweetener sucralose.

• While both protein powders have a higher-than-average cost, Transparent Labs Whey is slightly less expensive at $2.00 per scoop, versus 1^st Phorm at $2.17 per scoop.

• Both protein powders have great taste, texture, and mix easily without clumping. However, Transparent boasts slightly more flavor options (18) compared to 1^st Phorm (11).

What Is Transparent Labs Whey Protein Powder?

Transparent Labs Whey Protein lives up to its name: transparency. Every supplement they make is third-party tested for quality and purity, and you can see the exact breakdown of ingredients right on the label, down to the milligram.

The ingredients are minimal and simple, including whey protein, natural flavors, salt, stevia, and in certain flavors cocoa powder or peanut flour is added as the 5^th ingredient.

There are no soy-based preservatives, artificial additives or colors in the Transparent Labs Whey.

Transparent Labs even has an explanation as to the quality of their natural flavors in their product, and encourages consumers to contact the company directly if there are any concerns about the source of their natural flavors.

On the Transparent Labs website, you are able to view a Certificate of Analysis for each product. This breaks down the percentage of ingredients within each product, and also shows the results for testing for impurities.

Transparent Labs contains 28 grams of protein per 32 gram scoop, which works out to be about 88% protein per serving. This is considered to be an excellent protein content in the supplement industry.

Cost-wise, this protein powder comes in at $2.00 per scoop. You can save a bit of money with a subscription, which brings the price down to $1.80 per scoop.

Macronutrient Breakdown of Transparent Labs Whey Isolate

*Based on Milk Chocolate Flavor

Calories	130 calories
Protein	28g
Carbs	1g
Fat	1g
Sugar	1g

At 130 calories, 88% of the calories in each serving is protein, putting Transparent Labs Isolate on the highest end of the spectrum as far as protein content.

At FeastGood, we grade protein powders by protein percentage per scoop: 65–75% is reasonable, 75–85% is good, and anything above 85% is excellent.

Pros:

• Clean Ingredients and Zero Additives: Transparent Labs Whey consists of 4-5 ingredients (depending on the flavor), and contains zero unnecessary preservatives or additives. The Certificate of Analysis also guarantees that it is free of harmful substances such as heavy metals.

• Grass Fed Whey: Whey that comes from pasture-fed cows has been shown to be a higher quality product compared to cows on a corn or grain diet. This includes having a higher amount of Omega 3, protein, CLA, beta-carotene, and alpha-lipoic acid.

• ·  Great Taste and Mixability: Transparent Labs Whey has a rich, balanced taste that isn’t overly sweet. All 18 flavors are naturally sweetened (no artificial ingredients), which is great for anyone with digestive sensitivities. It mixes easily into a smooth, creamy shake with no clumps, and even blends seamlessly into foods like yogurt.

Cons:

• Above Average Cost Per Scoop: With the average cost of protein powder being approximately $1.34 per serving, Transparent Labs Whey is quite a bit higher than this at $2.00 per serving. However, considering the quality of the product and the staggeringly high protein percentage per scoop, I personally think this product is well worth the cost. With that said, it may be out of budget for some consumers.

Who Should Take It?

Transparent Labs Whey is the ideal protein powder for consumers who really value high quality ingredients and product transparency. It is a great choice for anyone who wants their protein supplement to contain as few ingredients as possible.

It is also the ideal product for individuals who have sensitivities to artificial ingredients, along with those who may have a lactose sensitivity (since TL Whey is extremely low in sugar and virtually lactose free.)

Want more info?  Read my full review on Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate here.

What is 1^st Phorm- Phormula-1 Protein Powder?

Phormula-1 is a protein powder made by the supplement brand called 1^st Phorm, a company that prides itself on the quality of their product.

Like Transparent Labs, 1^st Phorm tests its products through third-party testing facilities for purity and any banned substances. Phormula-1 is NSF Certified for Sport, and is also part of the Informed Choice program, both of which are highly recognized third-party testing facilities for supplements.

This protein powder does contain fairly minimal ingredients, such as whey protein isolate, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, and sea salt, but also uses the artificial sweetener sucralose instead of a natural sweetener. In certain flavors, it also uses artificial flavor alongside natural flavors.

The price point for this protein powder is on the higher end, $2.17 per serving, which is more expensive than Transparent Labs. You can save money with a subscription, which brings down the cost to $2.00 per scoop.

This protein powder mixes easily and seamlessly when simply shaken with water and leaves zero lumps. The instructions recommend that you let it sit for 60 seconds after shaking for the smoothest texture, and I found that this tip really did make a difference.

The flavors offered are reminiscent of dessert, with options like Chocolate Milkshake, Cookies & Cream, Salted Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Café Mocha, and Chocolate Mint Cookie.

I personally tried the Chocolate Milkshake flavor and found it to be smooth and creamy, but not too chocolatey. If you wanted a stronger chocolate flavor, you could mix this protein flavor with chocolate milk.

Macronutrient Breakdown for 1^st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder

*Based on Milk Chocolate Flavor

Calories	110 calories
Protein	23g
Carbs	1g
Fat	0.5g
Sugar	0g

Phormula-1 is a whey isolate protein powder, and contains 23g of protein and 110 calories per 29g scoop. This means it contains 84% protein per scoop, which is just below being considered an “excellent” protein percentage on the market.

Pros:

• High Quality Whey:1^st Phorm boasts how their manufacturing process is a cut above the rest, as they use whey protein processed at a low temperature, which reduces the risk of denaturing the protein and helps to keep essential nutrients intact. It can also produce a smoother texture and be easier to digest.

• Third-Party Tested: All 1^st Phorm products are produced in facilities that are FDA inspected and cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant. All of the ingredients used are third-party tested prior to arriving at their facility, and have a Certificate of Analysis to verify the source, purity, and quality of each ingredient.

• Mixes Great and Tastes Like Dessert: Phormula-1 whey protein comes in 11 different flavors, most of which mimic some of the most popular desserts and sweet treats. There are more basic flavors like Strawberry and Vanilla Milkshake, along with more niche favours like “Loop D Fruit”.

Cons:

• Higher Cost Per Scoop: Sitting between $2.00 and $2.17 per serving, Phormula-1 falls right in line with Transparent Labs in being a higher priced protein powder on the market (the average protein powder cost being $1.34 per serving.

• Contains Artificial Sweetener: While the majority of ingredients used by Phormula-1 are high quality and the list was minimal, the main sweetener used in this product is sucralose, a sweetener that has been linked to negative health effects such as an altered gut microbiome and increased inflammation.

Who Should Take It?

1^st Phorm Whey Protein Powder is a great option for athletes who want a fast-digesting protein that is high quality. It is a great option for athletes who also want to ensure their products are free of harmful or banned substances.

It is also an ideal choice for consumers who are always on the go and have to mix their protein with water instead of being able to use a blender. It mixes easily simply shaken with water and leaves no lumps or clumps.

Want more info?  Read my full review on 1^st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder here.

Main Differences: Transparent Labs vs. 1^st Phorm

Ingredients

The Winner: Transparent Labs

When it comes to high quality ingredients, Transparent Labs takes the cake. While both products have minimal ingredients and high-quality whey, Transparent Labs specifically uses grassfed whey. In addition to this, Transparent Labs does not contain any emulsifiers like sunflower lecithin, and uses the natural sweetener stevia instead of sucralose. Lastly, Transparent Labs contains more protein per scoop (88%) compared to 1^st Phorm (84%).

Quality Assurance

The Winner: Transparent Labs

Both companies do a fantastic job at ensuring product quality and safety through third-party testing. However, Transparent Labs comes in slightly ahead, since they put in extra effort to have their testing results readily available on their website. Not only that, but they even include the exact breakdown of the amounts of each ingredient in their products, which helps ensure you know exactly how much you are getting of each ingredient.

Cost

The Winner: Transparent Labs

Although both protein powders cost a bit more than the average protein powder on the market, Transparent Labs is slightly less expensive at $2.00 per scoop vs. $2.17 per scoop. This price is very much justified given the overall quality of the product.

Taste

The Winner: Transparent Labs

While both of these protein powders taste fantastic and offer a ton of different flavors, Transparent Labs wins this category simply because it offers slightly more flavor options (18 flavors) compared to 1^st Phorm (11 flavors).

I’ve tested every flavor of Transparent Labs, which you can watch here 

Satiety

The Winner: Tie

Both of these whey protein powders are similar when it comes to satiety, and blend in with most other protein isolates on the market. Since they are composed mostly of protein and are not accompanied by much carbs, fat, or fiber, they won’t keep you full for very long when consumed alone.

You can increase satiety and feel fuller for longer if you combine your whey isolate with something other than water, such as milk, yogurt, or even mixed into oats.

Texture & Mixability

The Winner: Tie

Both Transparent Labs Whey and 1st Phorm Phormula-1 mix easily even when just shaken with water, and have a smooth texture free of clumps.

Where To Buy

Transparent Labs Whey Protein

Best for clean ingredients & max protein: Transparent Labs

1st Phorm

Best for dessert flavors & NSF certification: 1st Phorm

References

Alothman, M., Hogan, S. A., Hennessy, D., Dillon, P., Kilcawley, K. N., O’Donovan, M., Tobin, J., Fenelon, M. A., & O’Callaghan, T. F. (2019). The “Grass-Fed” Milk Story: Understanding the Impact of Pasture Feeding on the Composition and Quality of Bovine Milk. Foods, 8(8), 350. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods8080350

Bian X, Chi L, Gao B, Tu P, Ru H, Lu K. Gut Microbiome Response to Sucralose and Its Potential Role in Inducing Liver Inflammation in Mice. Front Physiol. 2017 Jul 24;8:487. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00487. PMID: 28790923; PMCID: PMC5522834.