Is Premier Protein Good for You?

When my step-mom started buying Premier Protein shakes for my dad–who has been battling cancer for a few years now–I was a little suspicious of its quality.

Although she was getting a great deal for cases of Premier Protein at Costco, I’m generally very skeptical of any type of protein supplement that’s cheaply priced.

Typically, low-cost protein products come at a high cost in terms of your health. That is, they often use artificial sweeteners, low-grade protein sources, and sketchy thickeners that can have adverse side effects down the road.

Sure, Premier Protein tastes incredible. It’s creamy, delicious, and comes in a variety of flavors. But being the natural investigator of the house, I set out to answer the question, “Is Premier Protein good for you?” And if not, why? Here’s what I found.

Problems With Premier Protein

My suspicions proved valid, as I uncovered several problems with Premier Protein shakes that would automatically disqualify them from my diet, let alone my dad’s. These issues include:

Premier Protein Shakes Contain Sucralose

Despite being low in sugar, Premier Protein may still elevate blood glucose and insulin levels. This is because its shakes contain sucralose (aka ‘Splenda’), an artificial sweetener that’s not particularly good for you. 

Research indicates that sucralose may alter glucose, insulin, and gut health, and can potentially contribute to increased inflammation, weight gain, and digestive problems. Studies on sucralose also suggest adverse effects on the microbiome, potentially leading to leaky gut.^[1]

They Also Contain Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)

Premier Protein shakes also contain the artificial sweetener Ace-K, which has questionable effects on long-term health. In animal studies, Ace-K has been linked to risks of cancer, hormone disruption, and effects on the gut microbiome and body weight gain.^[2]

Premier Protein Shake Have Been Recalled

In July of 2022, several flavors of Premier Protein shakes were recalled due to potential microbial contamination, specifically Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum. The recall affected specific types of Premier Protein 11oz ready-to-drink shakes, including flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, and Café Latte. 

The recall was initiated by Lyons Magnus LLC, the company’s co-manufacturer, and was expanded to ensure consumer safety. The recall was conducted in cooperation with the FDA.

I Would Avoid Consuming Carrageenan

Carrageenan, which is a common food additive derived from red seaweed, has been a topic of controversy regarding its potential negative health effects. 

Studies suggest that this thickener may trigger inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcerations, and damage the digestive system, leading to conditions such as bloating, IBS, and chronic illnesses like digestive disorders, heart diseases, and even cancer.^[3] 

Although the FDA has classified carrageenan as generally safe for human consumption, numerous studies have raised concerns about its safety, particularly in animal experiments.^[4] More research is needed to fully understand carrageenan’s implications of on human health. But as a precaution, I choose to avoid it.

1g of Saturated Fat May Be 1g Too Many

Although Premier Protein products only contain 1 gram of saturated fat, this is one of the worst types of fat next to trans fats. For some people, this is no big deal. But for others, saturated fat in all forms should be avoided.

While it’s generally more concerning with high consumption of saturated fats, these fats are notorious for raising LDL (bad) cholesterol, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fats like vegetable oils or high-fiber carbohydrates is viewed as the best dietary prescription for reducing heart disease risk.

Some Premier Protein Powders Aren’t as Bad

It’s worth mentioning that the problems highlighted above involve Premier Protein shakes. Not all of the brand’s protein powders contain these artificial sweeteners and ingredients (Café Latte 100% Whey Powder is the only flavor that does.)

The other protein powders from Premier Protein (Vanilla Milkshake and Chocolate Milkshake 100% Whey Powder) are sweetened with cane sugar, monk fruit extract, and stevia leaf extract. These are natural sweeteners that don’t come with the serious health concerns of artificial sweeteners.

Premier Protein Uses Whey Concentrate

Another obvious thing to call out is the type of protein source Premier Protein uses in its products. Across most of its products, Premier Protein uses whey concentrate. 

Unless you’re vegan or sensitive to lactose, whey protein concentrate isn’t necessarily bad; it’s just not the highest quality or most digestion-friendly option.

Because whey concentrate contains higher lactose levels compared to whey isolate or plant protein sources, it’s notorious for causing gas, bloating, stomach discomfort, and digestive issues. 

Component	Whey Powder	Whey Concentrate	Whey Isolate
Protein	11 – 14.5	25 – 89	90 +
Lactose	63 – 75	10 – 55	0.5
Milk Fat	1 – 1.5	2 – 10	0.5

Source of data

Research suggests about 68% of the adult human population has a lowered ability to digest lactose.^[5] That’s over two-thirds of people who encounter sensitivity issues digesting lactose.

However, due to less processing like with isolates, whey concentrate typically has more biologically active components and proteins that make them well-suited for athletic recovery.^[6]

In short, if you’re sensitive to whey protein, dairy, or lactose, Premier Protein shakes and protein powders are probably not the best choice for you. Instead, I would opt for a vegan protein vs whey protein supplement.

Final Verdict: Premier Protein is Not Good for You

Premier Protein is an inexpensive and widely available brand of whey protein shakes and powders. While it’s cheap to buy, it comes at a cost in terms of your health.

In short, Premier Protein shakes are not good for you. They contain artificial sweeteners, thickeners, and saturated fats–all of which signal potential health concerns. There are far better options that taste just as great, like OWYN or Orgain Protein supplements, which also come in both shakes and protein powders.

However, some Premier Protein powders are not bad for you. The Vanilla Milkshake and Chocolate Milkshake do not contain artificial ingredients and instead use natural sweeteners like cane sugar, monk fruit extract, and stevia. 

Although I am not particularly fond of whey protein concentrate given its higher lactose levels, it is a complete protein with all essential amino acids and is effective for muscle recovery. 

I prefer vegan protein supplements for many reasons. They provide just as complete protein sources and typically pack more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that are good for your health. They’re also easier on the gut and digest better than a lot of lactose-containing protein sources.

For Those Who Asked: Alternatives to Premier Protein

Several people have asked for alternative options to Premier Protein shakes, so I’ve updated this post with healthier recommendations.

Like Premier Protein, these protein shakes provide sufficient protein with little to no sugar. Most importantly, they don’t contain any artificial ingredients.

• OWYN Pro Elite High Protein Shakes – 32g of plant-based protein, zero sugar, and zero net carbs. It contains prebiotics and Omega-3 ALA, and is considered a ketogenic option.
• Jocko Mölk Protein Shake – 30g of concentrated milk protein, 2g of sugar/5g of carbs, and 4.5g of fat. Sweetened with monk fruit extract and a touch of cane sugar, Jocko Mölk tastes incredible and offers a diabetic-friendly and keto-friendly option without artificial ingredients.
• Slate High Protein Shake – 20g of skim milk protein blend (lactose-free), only 1g of sugar, and no artificial ingredients. It comes in a wide variety of flavors and is considered keto-friendly.

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About the Author

This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health and athletic space who has tried hundreds of nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can visit his site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.

Scientific References

1. Schiffman SS, Rother KI. Sucralose, a synthetic organochlorine sweetener: overview of biological issues. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2013;16(7):399-451. doi: 10.1080/10937404.2013.842523. PMID: 24219506; PMCID: PMC3856475.
2. Bian X, Chi L, Gao B, Tu P, Ru H, Lu K. The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium affects the gut microbiome and body weight gain in CD-1 mice. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 8;12(6):e0178426. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178426. PMID: 28594855; PMCID: PMC5464538.
3. Liu F, Hou P, Zhang H, Tang Q, Xue C, Li RW. Food-grade carrageenans and their implications in health and disease. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2021 Jul;20(4):3918-3936. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12790. Epub 2021 Jun 19. PMID: 34146449.
4. Tobacman JK. Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments. Environ Health Perspect. 2001 Oct;109(10):983-94. doi: 10.1289/ehp.01109983. PMID: 11675262; PMCID: PMC1242073.
5. Storhaug CL, Fosse SK, Fadnes LT. Country, regional, and global estimates for lactose malabsorption in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2017;2(10):738–746.
6. Hoffman JR, Falvo MJ. Protein – Which is Best? J Sports Sci Med. 2004 Sep 1;3(3):118-30. PMID: 24482589; PMCID: PMC3905294.