Fairlife Protein Shake Vs Premier Protein
Today, we're diving deep into the world of pre-made protein shakes, specifically Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein. Both are popular choices for busy people on the go, but which one is the better choice?
As a fitness and nutrition coach who focuses on helping people achieve sustainable fat loss and muscle development, high protein intake is a cornerstone of my recommendations. Many of my clients come from a low-protein background, where eating sufficient protein wasn’t a priority. For these people, specifically, I have found that sometimes fitting in enough protein through whole food sources alone can be a challenge early on. That's where protein shakes come in: as a convenient way to boost your daily protein intake and support your health and fitness goals.
However, with so many protein shakes on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. I've analyzed both Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein to help you navigate the world of pre-made protein shakes and pick the one that best suits your needs.
But first, a Protein 101 Recap!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of each brand, let's revisit why protein is so crucial. For those of you who are familiar with protein's role in health and fitness, feel free to skip ahead!
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle tissue. It's essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function. When it comes to weight loss goals, protein also helps you feel fuller for longer, which can curb cravings and aid in portion control. It also plays a crucial role in mitigating the loss of muscle during a calorie deficit, or a period of fat loss. Since muscle is metabolically active tissue, it plays a huge part in the body’s overall metabolism and energy expenditure. This is important for anyone trying to lose body fat, as you would never want to work against your efforts by losing precious muscle.
How much protein do you actually need?
The recommended daily protein intake varies depending on several factors, including your weight, activity level, age, and fitness goals. Generally speaking, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends a daily value of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, however, this value represents the bare minimum. A more appropriate range would be 1.6-2.2g/kg per day, especially for older individuals and active individuals focused on building and maintaining muscle.
Fairlife Core Power Protein Shake
Fairlife Core Power comes in two varieties: Core Power and Core Power Elite. Core Power offers 26 grams of protein, while Core Power Elite offers 42 grams of protein per serving. Both options are made with ultra-filtered milk, which is a lactose-free milk that has undergone a filtration process to remove lactose sugars while concentrating the protein content. This makes Fairlife a good option for those who are lactose intolerant.
Here's a breakdown of the core nutritional value (per serving) of Fairlife Core Power Original:
Protein: 26 grams (high-quality protein from milk protein concentrate)
Fat: 5 grams (includes healthy fats like high oleic sunflower oil)
Carbs: 11 grams (includes 2 grams of sugar)
Calories: 170
Other noteworthy nutrients: Fairlife Core Power contains a blend of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, and iron.
Premier Protein Shake
Premier Protein is another popular choice in the fitness industry. They offer a wider variety of flavors compared to Fairlife and boast a protein content of 30 grams per 11-ounce serving. Premier Protein is also lactose-free and uses a blend of whey protein concentrate and micellar casein, which provide different rates of protein absorption.
Here's a breakdown of the core nutritional value (per serving) of Premier Protein Chocolate:
Protein: 30 grams (from whey protein concentrate and micellar casein)
Fat: 4 grams (includes healthy fats like coconut oil)
Carbs: 5 grams (includes 1 gram of sugar)
Calories: 160
Other noteworthy nutrients: Premier Protein contains a blend of minerals including calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Fairlife Core Power vs Premier Protein: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here, we'll take a closer look at Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein to help you decide which pre-made protein shake might be the best fit for you.
Protein Content
Fairlife Core Power takes the lead in this category, particularly with the Elite version boasting a whopping 42 grams of protein per serving. Premier Protein still offers a respectable 30 grams, which is sufficient to support your post-workout needs or act as a convenient protein snack.
Sugar Content
Both brands keep their sugar content in check. Fairlife Core Power Original has 2 grams of sugar, while Premier Protein has 1 gram per serving. If you're mindful of sugar intake, Premier Protein might be a slightly better choice.
Artificial Ingredients & Sweeteners
This is where the two brands differ. Fairlife Core Power relies on natural flavors and uses stevia leaf extract and monk fruit juice concentrate for sweetness. Premier Protein uses sucralose (Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Acesulfame K), both FDA-approved sweeteners. However, some people prefer to avoid artificial ingredients altogether.
Flavor & Texture
Personal preference plays a big role here. Both brands offer a variety of flavors to suit your taste buds. Fairlife Core Power is known for its creamier texture due to the ultra-filtered milk, while Premier Protein has a slightly thinner consistency.
Additional Nutrients & Ingredients
Fairlife Core Power includes a blend of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, D, and E, which are often lacking in modern diets. Premier Protein features a mineral blend with essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, but lacks the added vitamins of Fairlife.
Environmental Impact
Fairlife's ultra-filtration process raises some environmental concerns as it uses more resources than traditional milk processing. Premier Protein utilizes a whey protein blend, a more common dairy-based protein source with a generally lower environmental impact.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your protein requirements, sugar intake goals, taste preferences, and any dietary restrictions you may have.
Making Your Choice
Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide:
Prioritize high protein content? Choose Fairlife Core Power, especially the Elite version.
Value added vitamins and minerals? Fairlife Core Power might be the better option.
Lactose intolerant and prefer a creamier texture? Fairlife Core Power is a good choice.
Seek a wider variety of flavors or lower sugar content? Consider Premier Protein.
Concerned about environmental impact? Premier Protein might be a better fit.
Avoid artificial ingredients? Fairlife Core Power uses natural sweeteners.
DIY Protein Shake Ideas
While pre-made protein shakes are handy, they can get pricey. Here are some quick and easy DIY protein shake ideas to keep your protein intake up:
The Green Goddess: Blend Greek yogurt, spinach, banana, your protein powder of choice, and a splash of almond milk for a refreshing and protein-packed post-workout drink.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss: Combine peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, and unsweetened almond milk for a decadent and satisfying protein snack.
Berry Blast: Blend your favorite berries, protein powder, and a cup of low-fat cottage cheese for a creamy and delicious protein smoothie.
FAQs
I'm overwhelmed by all the protein shake options on the market. What are some of the best protein shakes?
Both Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein are excellent choices, but the "best" one depends on your individual needs. This blog post compared the two brands to help you decide which best suits your protein content needs, sugar preferences, and desired ingredients (natural vs artificial sweeteners).
Do protein shakes have all the essential amino acids my body needs?
Yes! High-quality protein shakes, like Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein, use complete protein sources like whey protein or milk protein concentrate, which contain all nine essential amino acids your body can't produce on its own.
I'm lactose intolerant. Can I still enjoy protein shakes?
Absolutely! Both Fairlife Core Power and Premier Protein are lactose-free. Fairlife uses a special filtration process to remove lactose sugars from milk, while Premier Protein uses whey protein concentrate and micellar casein, which are lactose-free milk protein sources.
What are some of the ingredients I see listed on protein shakes, and should I be concerned about them?
There are a variety of ingredients in protein shakes, some more familiar than others. Here's a quick breakdown of a few you might encounter:
Low-fat Grade A Milk: This is the base of Fairlife Core Power shakes, providing a good source of protein and calcium.
Natural Flavors vs Artificial Flavors: Fairlife Core Power uses natural flavors, while Premier Protein uses some artificial flavors like sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The choice depends on your preference for natural vs artificial ingredients.
Vitamin A Palmitate: This is a form of vitamin A often added to protein shakes for its health benefits.
Thickening Agents: Cellulose gum and cellulose gel are common thickeners used in some protein shakes to improve texture. They are generally safe for consumption.
Minerals: Look for protein shakes with added minerals like potassium iodide, dipotassium phosphate, and tripotassium phosphate, which are essential for various bodily functions.
Are protein shakes part of a healthy diet?
They're a tasty supplement, but whole foods should rule your plate. Protein shakes complement meals, not replace them.
I'm looking for a protein shake with extra protein for muscle building. Should I choose Fairlife Core Power Elite or Premier Protein?
If extra protein is your priority, Fairlife Core Power Elite is the winner with a whopping 42 grams of protein per serving compared to Premier Protein's 30 grams.
Remember, a balanced diet with whole food sources should be the foundation of your protein intake. Protein shakes can be a helpful tool to supplement your diet and reach your fitness goals.
Do you have a favorite protein shake brand? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Did you make the recipe? What did you think?! Tell me in the comments below!
To your health and happiness, & protein intake,
x, Ashley
Hey, I’m Ashley Grace
aka: the protein snack queen
I’m an evidence-based Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach who specializes in helping my clients lose body fat and build muscle using convenient, approachable, and sustainable methods.
