The Best Grass Fed Whey Protein Powders for Bodybuilding

March 20, 2024
Sam Andreas

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Top Pick

Whether animal welfare is high on your priorities or you’re someone who wants one of the most potent training products on the market—the best grass fed whey protein supplements can deliver impressive results.

This article explains how they work, in what ways they differ from “standard” whey protein, and the best products available today.

First, here are the top picks of grass fed whey protein. Below, I’ll expand on the pros and cons of each one in detail.

The Best Grass Fed Whey Protein Supplements

Here’s our selection of the best grass-fed whey protein powders.

1. Grass Fed Whey Protein by BN Labs.

This newcomer is my top choice for grass-fed whey protein powder. It serves up 24g of protein and only 120 calories in every serving. This whey product is guaranteed it comes from cows that are raised without growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids, or genetically modified feed, and our products contain zero artificial flavors, fillers, or sweeteners. Fuel your body with quality non-GMO, rBGH/rBST hormone-free, gluten-free, and soy-free grass-fed whey.

Better Nutrition (or BN) was born in 2012. The company is founded upon more than three decades of clinical research and development by a world-renowned manufacturer, British Biologicals, the founder’s family-owned business.

This supplement contains per serving (30 grams):

Protein 24 grams (80 percent).
Fat 2 grams (3 percent).
Carbs 2 grams (1 percent).
Calories 120.
BCAAs 6 grams.

Low carb (120 calories only).
rBGH-Free.
Pure whey with zero fillers.
Humanely sourced.
Non-GMO.
Supports muscle support and recovery.

As the product is unflavored, unbleached, and without additional ingredients, some might find it chalky.

2. Gnarly Whey - Grass Fed Protein

Derived purely from antibiotic-free, non-rBGH grass-fed cow’s milk, Gnarly Whey is a whey protein concentrate that delivers healthy fats, omega-3 acids, and other nutritional essentials that support muscle synthesis and immune health—perfect for replenishing your body after a tough workout.

One of the company’s main missions is sustainability as it aggressively cuts back on plastic use. All of their tubbed products are packaged in steel cans, which are recycled at 70% compared to plastic at less than 8%.

This supplement contains per serving (45 grams):

Protein 25 grams (50 percent).
Fat 3 grams (4 percent).
Carbs 12 grams (4 percent).
Calories 160.

Non-rBGH 100% grass-fed cow’s milk with no hormones or soy.
Has digestive enzyme mix to improve protein absorption and assimilation.
Naturally sweetened.
GMO-free.
Tasty and comes in two flavors; chocolate and vanilla.
Comes in a steel can for sustainability.

Only 20 servings per container.
High in carbohydrates (12 grams).
Since the can is made out of steel, it is irritating to open it without an object.

3. Grass Fed Whey by ProMix Nutrition (Isolate)

This is, in my view, one of the best grass fed whey protein available. This supplement packs in a phenomenal 30 grams of protein per 33-gram serving—which I would consider ideal for the person looking to make impressive muscle gains.

Furthermore, a potent dose of 6.9 grams of BCAAs means the muscle building process will begin fast—possibly appealing to those who want rapid results. Additionally, this is a pure supplement—with no unnecessary fillers to worry about.

Finally, it’s made from the most potent form of protein—whey protein isolate.

This supplement contains per serving (33 grams):

Protein 30 grams (90 percent).
Fat 0.5 grams (1.5 percent).
Carbs 2 grams (6 percent).
Calories 125.
BCAAs 6.9 grams.

Highest protein value of all the top grass fed whey protein products.
Free of GMO, hormones, gluten, soy, and corn.
Cold processed to retain high nutritional value.
Sourced from family-owned farms.
Low in calories.

Available in only unflavored or chocolate versions.

4. Muscle Feast (Isolate)

Containing just 88 calories per serving, I would suggest that this is the best grass fed whey protein supplement for those looking to lose weight.

Furthermore, with just 0.2 grams of carbohydrate (the lowest on this list), it could be a useful product for people following a keto diet regime. With 20.5 grams of protein in each serving, it may suit those looking for health benefits or nutritional supplementation rather than muscle growth.

Each serving (24 grams) contains:

Protein 20.5 grams (85 percent).
Fat 0.2 grams (0.8 percent).
Carbs 0.2 grams (0.8 percent).
Calories 88.
BCAAs 4.8 grams.

Low calorie, low fat, and low carb—ideal for weight loss.
Available in three different flavors.
Gluten and hormone free.
94 servings per container—enough for three months’ use.

A thick texture when mixed.

5. Naked Whey Protein Powder from Naked Nutrition (Concentrate)

This could be the best grass fed whey protein product for anyone looking for the cleanest and most ethically sourced supplement.

All the protein is sourced from small dairy farms in California. It’s free of artificial flavors, coloring, and sweeteners. Put quite simply, there’s one ingredient—grass fed whey protein.

As a concentrate formulation, it’s more calorie-packed than the top products in this list. Together with its inclusion of a powerful 25 grams of protein, this could make it attractive to the bodybuilder looking to gain mass.

In each serving (30 grams) it contains:

Protein 25 grams (83 percent).
Fat 2 grams (6.6 percent).
Carbs 3 grams (10 percent).
Calories 120.
BCAAs 5.9 grams.

Contains just one ingredient.
Free from GMO, gluten, soy, hormones, and bleach.
High protein content.
Sourced from small USA farms.

Being unflavored, unbleached, and without additional ingredients—some users may find it too “rustic”.

6. Levels Pure Concentrate by Levels Nutrition (Concentrate)

I feel this could be the best grass fed whey protein supplement for users who dislike the “characteristic” aroma of pure unflavored whey supplements. Coming in five different flavors, it can make what some consider an acquired taste more palatable.

This also means that additional ingredients have been included, such as lecithin—to preserve taste and improve mixing, flavorings, and sweeteners—such as Stevia and monk fruit. Therefore, this is more suited to the users who don’t require a totally pure supplement.

One serving (30 grams) of this protein powder contains:

Protein 24 grams (80 percent).
Fat 2 grams (6.6 percent).
Carbs 3 grams (10 percent).
Calories 130.
BCAAs 5.4 grams.

Made in the USA.
Five different flavor choices.
Solid protein content.
Gluten, soy, and antibiotic-free.

Includes flavorings and sweeteners.

7. Source Classic Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein by NorCal Organic (Concentrate)

This could prove to be one of the best grass-fed whey protein supplements for people whose number one concern is animal welfare. The reason being this product is certified by the American Humane Association—due to the fact that the herds producing the whey spend over 300 days in open pasture.

Made in the USA, this product contains a solid 21 grams of protein per serving and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

One serving (25 grams) of this supplement contains:

Protein 21 grams (84 percent).
Fat 1.5 grams (6 percent).
Carbs 2 grams (8 percent).
Calories 100.
BCAAs 4.9 grams.

Animal-welfare friendly.
Low in calories.
Suitable for a kosher diet.
Sourced from family-owned farms in California.

Protein content too low for the bodybuilder seeking large muscle mass.
Chalky texture.

Informational guide to Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powders

What Is Grass Fed Whey Protein?

Let’s start with the basics.

When rennet (enzymes) is mixed with cow’s milk, it curdles, producing two products—curds and whey. The curds are used to form cheese, but the whey can be dehydrated to produce powdered protein.

So, what’s significant about grass fed whey protein?

As the name suggests, cows are fed on their natural food source (grass) throughout their lives and allowed to graze in pastures—their milk being turned into grass fed whey protein.

This is opposed to intensive farming, where cows are typically kept in CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations)—areas which are confined and don’t allow the dairy herds to roam.

Here, they’re unnaturally fattened by consuming feeds containing products such as corn or soy—their milk creates the “standard” whey protein you find on supplement store shelves.

Grass Fed vs. Standard Whey Protein

There are three main differences between the two versions.

Firstly, there’s the question of ethics. Not allowing the herds to wander freely and providing them with processed feeds, hormones, and antibiotics is controversial. Some protein supplement consumers may find the grass fed whey products more appealing.

Secondly, it can impact the cost. The cheap meat seen in stores is the result of intensive farming practices—and the same applies to the milk derivatives. The best grass fed whey protein supplements can be more expensive than the regular variety.

Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, is the question of the nutritional value of the product—which we will look at next.

The Benefits of Grass Fed Whey

Whether grass-fed or standard whey protein powders—they both share the same benefits of:

Promoting muscle gain—whey protein contains all nine of the essential amino acids (those that the body cannot synthesize) which fuel muscle growth.
Including BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids)—not only do these three amino acids promote gains—but they also kick start the body into building muscle.
Enhancing recovery—whether the body is stressed through injury, fitness training, or illness, protein reserves can become depleted—boosting with a supplement improves recovery time.
Strengthening the immune system.
Providing energy (the same value as carbs).
Increasing weight loss by inhibiting the appetite and boosting metabolism.
Providing additional protein for those whose diet lacks this macronutrient.

However, the best grass fed whey protein is thought to have some nutritional benefits over the regular version, as:

Milk from grass-fed cows contains more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)—known to boost testosterone, elevate fat loss, and build lean muscle.
It possesses more “healthy” fats—including omega-3, which can lower the chance of heart disease, alleviate inflammation, and reduce the risk of cancer.

Beef from grass-fed cows is known to possess more antioxidants.

Are there any side Effects for Grass Fed Whey Protein?

Selecting the best grass fed whey protein supplement means the chances of side effects are virtually non-existent.

But, you may have heard some unpleasant rumors.

There’s been some chatter that excessive protein intake can induce kidney or bone problems. Yet, research has indicated that these claims are unfounded.

Best Time to Take Grass Fed Whey Protein

To obtain the optimum results from your best grass fed whey protein supplements, ensure you take them on both your training and rest days.

The general consensus is that the ideal time to consume should be within 30 minutes of completing your workout—with the amino acids helping to rebuild muscle. On rest days, it doesn’t matter when you take it.

For maximum muscle building benefits, consume around 25-30 grams per day.

What to Look for In The Best Grass Fed Whey Protein Supplements

When comparing the numerous products available, there are a few factors to look out for when selecting the best grass fed whey protein supplements for your needs. These include:

Whey Protein Isolate or Concentrate

The isolate version of the grass-fed whey protein has had most of the lactose and fat content removed—meaning that, pound for pound, you receive a higher dosage of protein per identical serving. Additionally, the lack of lactose means it’s more appealing to those with dairy intolerances.

Concentrate is the least processed version of the grass-fed whey protein. This leads it to retain most of the milk’s fat content and often means a lower price than isolate.

Protein Content in the Grass Fed Whey Protein

Generally speaking, the more protein you consume, the greater the benefits. Hence, look for one with the highest content per serving weight possible.

Fat Content

If you’re looking to gain lean muscle or lose weight, select a grass-fed whey protein powder with low-fat content. However, if you’re an off-season bodybuilder and looking to bulk, a higher fat dose could be more appealing.

BCAA Content

BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are essential for muscle growth. While the volume of BCAAs tends to match the overall protein content (more protein means more BCAAs), this isn’t always the case.

Free of Additional Ingredients

If using an unadulterated supplement is your thing, look for grass-fed whey protein powders that contain no other additional ingredients, such as coloring, sweeteners, and dissolvability enhancers.

Conclusion

For me, the best grass fed whey protein supplement available today is Grass Fed Whey by BN Labs.

This is due to the fact that it contains a seriously potent 30 grams of protein in every 33-gram serving. What’s more, it’s high in BCAAs yet low in fat—meaning muscles will be built but not at the expense of piling on the pounds.

It may not be suitable for all—other grass-fed whey protein supplements in this list might prove more appealing if your requirements include weight loss or reassurance of animal welfare.

But, for the whey supplement that offers it all—I’m voting for Grass Fed USA.