Our ReviewQUESTProtein Powder
Unlike most supplement manufacturers, Quest is actually better known for its bars than its protein powder. In fact, Quest Protein Bars are some of the most popular bars on the market. So why is their protein powder not seen as a flagship product? We were wondering about this when we took a look at their protein powder for our review.
What we discovered is that Quest Protein Powder really fills a niche purpose, so let’s get into it!
Ingredients
One 31 gram scoop contains 23grams of protein, 4grams of carbs of which 2grams are fiber. Impressively it contains zero fat content.
The protein content is a blend of Whey Isolate, Casein and Milk Isolate. Combined these make up a rough division of 50/50 whey to casein content, which is highly unusual in a protein powder. There are a couple of benefits, the first being that this would make the product ideal for meal replacements. This is because the high casein content provides a more lasting full-feeling while delivering amino acids over a more prolonged period. In addition, the casein makes this product more ideal for use in baked products and cooking. In fact, we wonder if this powder is created with its great versatility in mind, rather than as a post-workout protein hit. The product often even comes with a recipe booklet to help you get started.
In addition, they have added Sunflower Lecithin, Xanthan Gun and Cellulose Gum as stabilizers and for mixability. Steviol Glycosides (Stevia) and Sucralose are added as sweeteners. Finally, a little salt is added, but that it. This is a pretty lean product!
Effectiveness
As this product is more specifically made for cooking with, it’s a little harder to compare in effectiveness to other products.
Its use to boost protein intake in homemade cooking may make it a valuable tool for those looking to augment their overall protein intake for muscle growth and to curb hunger. For that purpose, it is the only product we know of on the market. It’s very effective for this purpose but really does not compare to other more effective powders to be consumed in shakes as part of a training routine.
Taste
We tried the Chocolate Milkshake flavor which we found very bland and there are many better-tasting products out there. We certainly don’t recommend using this product mixed with water. If you’re using it to combine into your recipes though, the vanilla is probably the flavor you’re going to choose anyway.
Mixability with this product scored a little low, which is likely due to the casein content. It just took a little more vigorous shaking, but it did have a pleasant texture once combined in milk. However, this is not the protein powder to get if you’re simply looking to make shakes.
Value
As the only product of this kind on the market, its value is a little hard to quantify. If we were to compare it to other shake powders on the market it comes up a little more expensive than we would like.
Unfortunately, as the only product specifically suitable for cooking with, it comes at a slight premium. If cooking with protein powder is something you're planning on, then Quest is worth considering. If you are looking for a powder for protein shakes, there are many better value products on the market that are more suitable for this purpose.
Conclusion
This is a product we believe is suitable for specific purposes which makes it a little hard to compare to the usual powders we review. The casein content makes it ideal as a late-night hunger fix, for meal replacement and for use in cooking where you want to boost your protein intake. Would we recommend this as a post-workout supplement? No! Unless perhaps it’s after an evening workout and you’re heading to bed for the night. That way you can make the most use of the casein component which would allow for amino acid absorption throughout the night.
We would certainly not recommend this product as a pre-workout supplement due to the possible bloated feeling you may have to endure.
If you’re looking for a sporting supplement then we would probably give this one a miss. There are more effective, better-tasting alternatives for this purpose. This product is best suited for aiding with weight loss and cooking. If you make your own protein balls, protein pancakes and the like then this product is a great one to try.
Where to buy?
The protein matrix includes the primary protein components included in this product. These protein sources are listed in order of volume from greatest to least in the product.
This diagram provides the digestion profile for the protein types contained within this product. The chart plots the digestion of the included protein types over an hourly timeframe. All profiles have their advantages depending on your goals. More information regarding digestion and timing can be found in our guides.
The cost indicators provide a relative cost comparison with all protein products. The lower the score the better!
The "Product Cost Indicator" provides the comparative product cost, as a whole.
The "Protein Cost Indicator" provides a comparative cost based on only the protein component. While this can be useful for comparing products excluding fillers, many additional ingredients can provide additional benefits and value.
Note: Products that serve a dual purpose, such as mass gainers and ketogenic powders don't include the "Protein Cost Indicator".
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