Premier Protein RTDs: Worth Spending Your Money On?
It’s safe to say that I’m an RTD protein shake lover. Why? Because I’m lazy and like the convenience of not having to mix up a shake and then deal with the clean up after. My go-to protein shake for a while has been the Muscle Milk RTDs simply because I can grab a 12-count box of them for incredibly cheap at my local Sam’s Club. That being said, I keep seeing Premier Protein RTDs each time I go there. I decided this past weekend that it was time to bite the bullet and give them a try.
Are they worth the money? Or do they fail miserably? Here are all the details so you can decide for yourself if the Premier Protein RTDs are worth it.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
Premier Protein RTDs? Who Dat?
Ok, I’m joking slightly about not knowing who Premier Protein is. However, I always thought of them as a wholesaler’s protein brand. You don’t see supplement retailers or even gyms carrying these RTDs and when I worked for MET-Rx, I NEVER considered them a competitor to our protein shakes.
Related Article: Premier Protein with Oats RTD
My Sam’s Club may be different than yours but mine has a wide variety of Premier Protein RTDs in many flavors. I chose to go with the Peaches & Cream flavor for something different but they also had Cookies & Cream, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberries & Cream, Bananas & Cream, and Caramel. My go-to with the Muscle Milk RTDs is the vanilla (I got sick of the chocolate flavor after a while) hence why I decided to try something new with the Peaches & Cream flavor.
When I compared the 11oz Premier Protein RTDs with the 11oz Muscle Milk RTDs, I found out the below:
|
Nutrition/Pricing | Premier Protein RTDs | Muscle Milk RTDs |
|
Calories | 160 | 160 |
|
Fat | 3g |
4.5g |
|
Carbohydrates | 4g |
6g |
|
Fiber | 1g |
4g |
|
Sugar | 1g |
0g |
| Protein | 30g |
25g |
| Price Per Case of 12 | $17.42 ($1.45/shake) |
$14.98 ($1.25/shake) |
*All information in the chart above is current at of the time of publishing this blog
My Thoughts
I’m actually blown away with the flavor of the Premier Protein shakes. So much so, that I’m planning on going back to buy some other flavors to try as well. I think the Caramel and Strawberries & Cream is calling my name.
The Premier Protein shakes are extremely creamy, the flavor profile was nailed, and the macros are really good in my opinion. Would I justify spending the extra money on the Premier Protein RTDs over the Muscle Milk RTDs? To be honest, I’m going to stick to the Muscle Milk RTDs simply based on price as 5g of protein as a difference I don’t see as justification for the price difference. Do the Premier Protein shakes have a better profile? Sure. However, that being said, I AM going to be purchasing some of the Premier Protein RTDs to keep on hand to mix things up but not for use as my everyday go-to RTD.
If I HAD to be picky and critique the Premier Protein shakes, it would be their callout as well as their protein sources.
The packaging says, “Enjoy a shake as a meal replacement or a healthy snack.” For starters, I hate the term “meal replacement.” You shouldn’t be replacing whole food meals with protein shakes. Protein shakes are SUPPLEMENTS and should not be used in place of proper nutrition. Now, if you need more protein throughout the day to hit your daily intake, add in a protein shake or use one post-workout. I’d call the Premier Protein RTDs a protein shake or even a high-protein snack.
The other negative, in my opinion, is the protein sources used. Muscle Milk RTDs include whey protein isolate in their formula while the Premier Protein RTDs do not use any. To me, if I’m going to use Premier Protein RTDs as a post-workout protein shake, I would want whey protein isolate to be included in the blend for quicker absorption.
Related Article: Which Protein RTD at Sam’s Club is the Best?
To some people those items above may not bother them and to each his or her own. Who am I to tell you what you should consider a good/bad product for your given circumstance? But I will say that if I’m paying more for the Premier Protein RTDs when compared to the Muscle Milk RTDs which sit next to it on the Sam’s Club shelf, I would have liked to see a better-quality protein included for the price difference.
Do Premier Protein RTDs Get My Recommendation?
If you have some extra money laying around and you wanted something different than a protein powder, you can’t go wrong with the Premier Protein RTDs. If you can personally justify the extra cost to get 5g more protein per shake as compared to the Muscle Milk RTDs, go for it. If you’re on a budget and want to stretch your dollar further, maybe the Muscle Milk RTDs are a better option if you shop at Sam’s Club?
All that being said, there really isn’t anything wrong with the Premier Protein RTDs. Would I have liked to see whey isolate included? Absolutely. Is that a deal-breaker for when I want to change up my protein shakes? No, I’ll still utilize both Premier Protein shakes as well as Muscle Milk RTDs (and my usual powdered versions as well).
Up for something new that tastes great? Then, I’d definitely recommend you give the Premier Protein RTDs a try.
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