Is Premier Protein Good For You? The Truth from a Dietitian

When it comes to the jam-packed supplement aisle, Premier Protein shakes have carved out a significant slice of the market. With their wide variety of fun flavors and bold claims, you might be wondering: are Premier Protein shakes good for you?

Hi there! I’m Jamie, a Registered Dietitian of nearly a decade. My mission is to empower you with accurate and helpful nutrition information and product reviews so you can make informed choices for your health and nutrition.

In this comprehensive review, we break down what’s inside the bottle and I’ll provide my dietitian’s perspective on whether this household favorite lives up to the hype.

This post may contain affiliate links.

What is Premier Protein?

Premier Protein is a popular and well-known protein supplement brand that offers a range of shakes and powders. They’re targeting a variety of ideal buyers, from fitness enthusiasts to those looking for meal replacement solutions for weight loss.

Their flagship product, their ready-to-drink protein shake, comes in lots of fun flavors and is often praised for its convenience, creamy texture and taste.

The protein shake’s appeal stems from its advertised benefits – an impressive protein punch, low sugar (their chocolate flavor only has 1 gram of sugar!), and a host of essential vitamins and minerals.

While Premier Protein has several products including protein powder and even protein cereal, we’ll mostly be talking about their most popular product, ready-to-drink shakes in this article.

Why do we even need protein?

Protein is a crucial macronutrient responsible for an array of body functions. From building and repairing tissues to making enzymes and hormones, the role of protein in our health is indispensable.

If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the world of protein, check out this post: ​​Facts About Protein From a Registered Dietitian.

In the context of Premier Protein shakes (and protein shakes in general), the promise is to provide a quick and easy way to increase daily protein intake, ideal for individuals looking to support their active lifestyles or manage their weight.

If something is high protein it’s often assumed that it’s automatically “healthy”. But that’s not necessarily the case.

Premier Protein Nutrition

Before we get into the pros and cons, let’s get cover the nutrition facts briefly! These nutrition stats will be based on their 11.5 oz. chocolate flavored shake.

• Calories: 160
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Total sugar: 1g (with 0g added sugar)
• Vitamins and minerals: Each shake has 24 vitamins and minerals including 30% daily value (DV) vitamin D, 50% DV calcium, 25% DV folate, 25% DV magnesium, and 25% vitamin C.

Overall they’re a high protein, low carbohydrate and low sugar protein shake option with the added bonus of a vitamin and mineral blend.

Is Premier Protein Good for You?

Let’s take a closer look and dive into an old-fashioned pros and cons list for Premier Protein so that you can decide if this is a good fit for you and your goals. Whether these shakes are an ideal choice for you depends on what you’re looking for!

Pros of Premier Protein

High protein content: The most obvious benefit is the high protein content, which varies depending on the flavor and type of shake, but usually comes in at around 30 grams per serving. For many, hitting their daily protein goals can be challenging, and protein supplements like this can help bridge the gap.

Convenience: In a culture where time is of the essence, convenience is king. A ready-to-drink Premier Protein shake can be a part of an easy meal or serve as a snack, offering a quick nutritional boost.

Low sugar: Premier Protein shakes are very low in sugar with most only having 1 gram. This makes it a great choice for anyone trying to be mindful of sugar intake (most of us!).

Vitamin and mineral fortification: Another thing that sets Premier Protein apart from other is its vitamin and mineral fortification. For example, one of their chocolate shakes provides 30% of your daily value (DV) of vitamin D, 50% DV calcium, 25% DV of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, 50% DV vitamin C, 20% DV magnesium, 25% DV folic acid, and even 15% DV iron.

Having said that, you may or may not actually need all of those extra vitamins and minerals. Not everyone needs a multivitamin (chat with your doctor or personal dietitian for recommendations). But, a fortified shake like this can bridge any nutritional gaps you may have.

Large flavor range: Premier Protein has arguably one of the biggest variety of flavors of ready-to-drink protein beverages, which is part of the reason they’re such a popular choice. They have lots of different flavors including indulgent flavors like salted caramel popcorn, cookie dough, cookies & cream, and café latte.

Long shelf life: Premier shakes are sold at room temperature and have long shelf lives. That means they’re great for keeping on hand and using when you need them!

Potential Cons

Artificial sweeteners: To keep sugar content low, Premier Protein uses artificial sweeteners, including Sucralose (better known as the brand name Splenda) and Acesulfame Potassium (Sweet One). 

While these are approved by the FDA as safe in the amounts you’d consume in a typical day, some consumers prefer to avoid them due to personal preference.

Processed ingredients: A look at the ingredients list reveals a pretty long list of processed ingredients such as artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners and various stabilizers and preservatives. While these are generally recognized as safe, they may not align with everyone’s definition of healthy eating. As a dietitian I’m a firm believer that the big picture is what matters most and processed foods can be a part of a healthy diet, but you can decide if this is a deal breaker for you.

Less Satiety: This may surprise you, but a liquid shake might not be as satisfying as “real food” aka one you have to chew, even if the calories and grams of protein are exactly the same. So while high protein foods do help with fullness, you may be more satisfied if you pair a protein shake with something that you actually have to chew, like a sandwich or even just a piece of fruit. Having a “real” meal with 25-30g of protein is likely more satisfying than a shake.

How much do the shakes cost?

It depends on where you buy them and if you’re buying them individually or in bulk. 

On average, the ready-to-drink shakes are about $2 to $3 per bottle.

You can find them at several different retailers but I usually grab them from Amazon for convenience.

Are Premier Protein shakes dairy-free?

Nope – original Premier Protein shakes are milk-based and include milk protein concentrate (their protein powders include whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate).

If you choose to avoid dairy, this protein brand may not be a good fit for you. If you suffer with lactose intolerance, you may still tolerate these since the lactose content is low.

Having said that, there are now two options for plant-based (dairy-free) protein powders by Premier Protein so you can still use their products to make plant-based protein shakes. They don’t have quite as much protein per serving (25 vs. 30g) and only use Splenda as the sweetener instead of the acesulfame potassium and Splenda combo. 

Are Premier Protein shakes gluten-free?

Yes, they’re gluten-free if you’re in need of gluten-free diet modifications.

A Dietitian’s Verdict on Premier Protein

My verdict as a dietitian: I think they’re a great option! I’m a fan and enjoy them sometimes when I’m in need of a quick and convenient protein source.

As with any protein supplement, the potential benefits of Premier Protein shakes is dependent on your nutrition needs, your preferences and your goals.

Because they’re so easy and convenient, these shakes are an especially good option for anyone struggling to get enough protein in. While they are a bit more processed than some other choices, they can absolutely be included as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Remember, your diet doesn’t need to be perfect, and protein shakes like these can be a helpful tool for keeping you fueled when you’re low on time (or you just don’t feel like making “real” food!).

For anyone seeking a convenient, high-protein supplement for muscle recovery and muscle growth, meal replacement, or satiety, Premier Protein can be a great choice.

In general, I recommend that you use any protein shakes as one part of a balanced diet and not as your sole source of protein. Protein shakes can serve as a convenient on-the-go option, but whole foods should still make up the bulk of your overall meals and drinks.

Grab some to try!

• 8-Flavor Variety Pack
• 12-Pack Chocolate
• 12-Pack Vanilla
• 12-Pack Cake Batter

Other high-protein recipe ideas

Protein IS an essential nutrient but there are many healthy (and tasty!) ways to get enough. Here are a few of my recent protein-boosted recipes for you to check out:

• ​​Easy Healthy High Protein Pizza (30+ grams Protein) 
• Easy 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad (High Protein, High Fiber) 
• Easy Crustless Egg White Quiche with Spinach & Feta 
• The Best High Fiber Smoothie Recipe (Easy + Healthy!)

If you try any of these recipes, I would be so excited if you’d share a photo on Instagram and tag me!

More product reviews

Thank you for the opportunity to take a deep dive into products and supplements so that you can feel informed and empowered about how you fuel yourself. There is so much misinformation online these days!

If you’d like to explore other reviews that I’ve written, here are a few more to check out:

• Is Fairlife Milk Healthy?
• 15 Best High-Fiber Bread Choices from a Dietitian
• Fairlife vs Premier Protein: Which Shakes are Best?

Is there anything else you’d like for me to review? Comment below! I love requests. 

That’s a wrap!

Premier Protein shakes have become a staple in many households and for good reason. They offer a convenient and tasty way to boost protein intake, along with other essential nutrients.

However, just like any other supplement or processed food, it is important to use them in moderation and not rely on them solely for nutrition. With the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian, you can decide if Premier Protein shakes are a good fit for you.

Can we stay in touch? Give me a follow on Instagram! You’ll get first dibs on my new easy and tasty recipes, many of which have a satisfying amount of protein in them to support your nutrition and wellness goals. 

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