If you want the best of the best but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, turn to CytoSport. This is the brand behind the popular Muscle Milk products, but they also make a higher-quality whey protein called CytoSport Whey Isolate. The packaging for this product looks similar to other products by the brand, but the powder inside the package is a little different. While other products from the brand are made from protein concentrates, this powder is made from pure protein isolates.
Protein isolates contain more protein than concentrates and contain less natural-occurring glucose. If you are glucose intolerant, your stomach may tolerate pure isolate protein powders than concentrate protein powders. If you want to maximize the amount of protein that you receive per serving and ensure that your protein is pure, then 100% whey isolate protein powder is a better option than standard whey protein powders.
Tubs vs. Premixed Bottles
CytoSport offers its Whey Isolate in two forms. The most cost-effective option is the 2-pound tub of whey isolates protein powder. The most convenient option is the two-serving premixed bottle, which you can purchase in 12-bottle lots online for the best prices. The bottles cost more than $4 per serving, and the powder costs approximately $1.05 per serving.
This is a substantial difference in price, but you have to consider that the premixed bottles contain milk and other ingredients because it is already in shake form. When you buy the powder, you will add calories to the final product if you add milk and other ingredients. Of course, you can control what you put into the powder and thus control your total calorie count when you go with the unmixed powder.
If you find the bottles too expensive for daily consumption, consider keeping them on hand for those busy days when you don’t have time to mix up a shake. They are convenient when you are on the run and don’t want to fall behind schedule. They may also work well for children if you are trying to convince them to choose healthier drink options or need a healthy meal replacement.
Flavor Options
When you buy the 2-pound tub of CytoSport Whey Isolate, you can select from some unusual flavor options, including:
- Vanilla
- Pineapple Banana
- Sour Apple
If you prefer to purchase the premixed bottles, you still have some unusual flavor options, including:
- Watermelon
- Tangerine
- Tropical
These flavor options make this a great product for children or anyone who doesn’t like the taste of a traditional protein shake. You may also want to select an unusual flavor to break up the monotony of drinking other protein shakes every day.
CytoSport Whey Isolate Nutritional Profile
Each one-scoop serving of the Whey Isolate powder contains:
- 20 grams protein
- 90 calories
- 1 gram fat
- 1 gram carbohydrate
This is a reasonable amount of protein per scoop, but Body Fortress Whey Isolate and Optimum Nutrition Whey Isolate both offer 30 grams per serving. The calorie content per serving is a bit lower in this product than the others, so this is still an ideal option if your goal is to control your caloric intake for fat loss. The fat and carbohydrate content is comparable with most other 100% whey isolate protein powders on the market today.
When you buy the premixed bottles of CytoSport Whey Isolate, you will receive 32 grams of protein and 120 calories per two-serving bottle. The premixed version is fat free and contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrate, so the nutritional profile is a bit better than the powder in that aspect. If you are trying to lose weight, either the powder or the premixed bottles will give you a great protein intake for the calories consumed.
What Does It Cost?
Whey Isolate from CytoSport will cost you about $1.05 per scoop of powder or more than $4 per two-serving bottle for the premixed products. This makes the powder the most affordable pure whey protein isolate powder on the market right now, though some of the competitors are not far behind in price.
These price points are created based on the full retail price of the tubs and the 12-bottle lot of premixed drinks. You can reduce your per-serving cost by catching the products on sale and stocking up. This may reduce your cost to less than one dollar per serving, which is competitive with some lower-quality whey protein concentrate powders.
Is CytoSport Right for You?
If you have a very high daily protein intake goal, you may not be satisfied with the 20 grams of protein per serving in this powder. The good news is that you can easily double that to a two-scoop serving without consuming a lot of calories. Since this is one of the lowest-priced whey isolate protein powders on the market right now, you can afford to go through each tub faster by doubling up your servings.
If your goal is to lose weight, this is an exceptional whey isolate protein powder to consider. It is low in calories, fat and carbs, and comes in unique flavors that will create delicious shakes and smoothies. You can also bake with these protein powders, infusing your healthy baked goods with unique flavors.
Even if you decide to go with another protein powder, consider the premixed bottles for those days when you just can’t take the time to mix up your shake. This will give you a change in flavor as well, and that makes you more likely to stick with your healthier lifestyle in the long term. Boredom is nobody’s friend when it comes to your daily diet!
Best Features Compared to Other Whey Isolate Protein Powders:
- Unique flavor options
- Option to buy in premixed bottles
- Lowest price per serving for pure whey isolate powder
- Lowest calories per scoop