Costco Whey Protein

Diet and Nutrition
41

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
jbodzin wrote:The label on the side of the packaging listing the Amino Acid profile of the product, vs. the label on the side of the packaging listing the Amino Acid Profile of other products.

It’s called COMPARING labels.

Thanks for stating the obvious, but how are you judging one product’s amino acid composition to be superior to anothers?

Are you basing it on the PER or some other nutritional standard or have you come up with your own ideal AA ratio?[/quote]

Before buying it I compared it to a few diffrent brands per weight.

42

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
jbodzin wrote:
ChrisKing wrote:
PGJ wrote: It’s not supposed to be a frosty chocolate shake from McDonalds, it’s fuel for your body.

This is plain dumb. Why not have quality nutrition and great taste? I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I don’t want to gag on nasty supplements any longer, and I’m happy to spend a little more for a high-quality product with a high-quality taste.

I wouldn’t expect a supplement by Costco, Walmart, K-Mart, Target or and any other major retailer to be what I consider to be high quality. I’m not saying it’s complete garbage either. In fact, they probably fall in the middle of the road.

You have to remember that these stores are all about making a certain profit for shelf space. They don’t care if it’s dog food or supplements that are selling. Because of this, it’s silly to think that they are going to invest much time or energy in developing a product. They are simply going to go with the lowest cost product that they can have made.

It’s not a “Costco Product” they don’t make it, they sell it.

Well, if it’s Costco labeled, they pay someone to make it for them. In which case, everything I stated applies.[/quote]

It’s not labeled for Costco, Costco is just a seller, it would be like going to a GNC and buying EAS protein powder or buying Crest Tooth Paste at the grocery. Its just a store, so no it does not apply at all.

43

[quote]PGJ wrote:Expensive does not mean better.
[/quote]

I agree with this. There are some very expensive products that are not what I consider high quality.

By the same token, I don’t believe you’ll find that Costco, WalMart, K-Mart, Target or any other sells high quality under their own labels.

44

What does this have to do with amino acid profile?

45

If this is the case, it’s my bad.

The bulk of this thread has been about Costco Whey Protein, though.

46

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
jbodzin wrote:Before buying it I compared it to a few diffrent brands per weight.

What does this have to do with amino acid profile?[/quote]

I’m not sure what exactly your having difficulty understanding here. We were discussing the amino acid profiles between protein powders. There for it has everything to do with amino acid profiles.

If you look at the labels on your protein powder it should list the Amino Acids it contains and how much of each one.

how hard is this?

You can see it better here:

www.wellements.com/sfacts.asp#Layer33

47

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
PGJ wrote:Expensive does not mean better.

I agree with this. There are some very expensive products that are not what I consider high quality.

By the same token, I don’t believe you’ll find that Costco, WalMart, K-Mart, Target or any other sells high quality under their own labels.[/quote]

I gotta disagree: the products CostCo sells under the “Kirkland” label are uniformly geat deals and great quality.

CostCo’s meat section is far better than any of the supermarket’s in my area, as well.

48

[quote]harris447 wrote:
I gotta disagree: the products CostCo sells under the “Kirkland” label are uniformly geat deals and great quality.

CostCo’s meat section is far better than any of the supermarket’s in my area, as well.
[/quote]

I have to go along with this. Same with Sam’s Club. They even use the better more expensive versions of vitamins like D instead of DL-Alpha Tocheperyl for their inhouse E caps for instance.

The meat deals could only be better if it was range fed. The large package deals for lots of their other stuff like cheese are really good too. I just cannot pass up some of those deals. It may be different if I made more money, but that’s how it is.

–Tiribulus->

49

Okay, lets try this a little differently. What rational are you using to judge one product’s amino acid profile superior to another’s?

If you’ve come up with some magical ideal amino acid profile, I’m sure everyone would like to know. However, if you’re just going by the overall gram weight of the total AA per serving, this is just a function of serving size and has nothing to do with any profile.

50

Sure looks like a Costco brand to me.

I guess some people are just easily fooled.

51

I’m wondering why people still believe that:

expensive = better

less expensive = lower quality

Example: if I go to Payless Shoes and buy a pair of shoes for $20 that look and fit just like the brand name shoes at Nordstrom’s, and they last for several years, are they lower quality?

If I go to the outlet mall and buy a pair of $30 Adidas running shoes on sale, are they lower quality than the $120 Nike Shox at the regular mall? Will the cheaper shoes make me run slower?

What will the expensive shoes do for me that the cheaper ones won’t?

What does an expensive Rolex or TAG watch do that a cheap Timex won’t?

What will the expensive desiner brand protein powders do for me that the less expensive brands won’t?

Yes, sometimes cheap means cheap. But often times there is no significant difference.

52

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
Sure looks like a Costco brand to me.

I guess some people are just easily fooled.[/quote]

What if it is? Is this an ipso facto proof that it must suck. Do you consider it even possible that any store brand version of any product may be worth the purchase. It sounds like you’ve dismissed this out of hand on no other basis than it’s a store brand. The product itself determines it’s worth, who cares what name is on the label. Of course companies with a documented track record of fraud or other miscreant behaviors give one reason to look elsewhere, but calling something unworthy of consideration just because it’s an inhouse brand is neither logical nor frugal. I eat greens (and other stuff) everyday my wife grew from seeds she got for 3 packages for a dollar at a dollar discount store that sells everything from tools to coloring books. Would I be better off if she had bought the Burpee brand seeds from the nursery for a buck and a half apiece?

–Tiribulus->

53

I recently purchased a bag of whey protein from Costco manufactured by Sportspharma in a six pound bag for $23.00. I was trying to economize because I’m spending alot on supplements. My findings: taste- fair to good, better with skim milk than water (milk is not recommended). Mix ability- use a blender, it was clumpy no matter how much it was shaken.

Left me with a bloated feeling for a couple of hours after consumption, so I don’t use it pre workout. This said I would probably not purchase this product again opting to spend a couple of extra bucks for a different product. Hope this was helpful

54

[quote]PGJ wrote:
I’m wondering why people still believe that:

expensive = better[/quote]

Typically it does.

Usually this is the case.

The issue here is typically the shoes don’t last two years. If they do, then it’s likely a case that you aren’t hard on your shoes and a more expensive, better made pair would likely last you four years.

The distinction here is whether a product is more expensive because it actually is better and uses better parts/ingredients, or if you are just paying for the brand name. There are enough good examples of both types that we could debate this for years.

Bad example. The shoes at the outelt mall were either 1. outdated model, 2. odd lot (damaged somehow or not made correctly), or 3. Just on sale. The only fair comparison here would be to compare that to the full priced Adidas shoes sold elsewhere. Comparing a clearance shoe with a non-clearance shoe is not justified. Now comparing those new Nikes to something sold at Payless, as you previously did, is a good comparison.

I would say this is a case where you are likely paying a premium for the brand name. If that brand name means nothing to you, then you would be justified to not pay the extra.

That’s a personal thing. Some people actually like certain brands, or certain features on a certain brand has. Some are willing to forgoe that name or those features to save money. The fundamental difference in the overall arguement with Protein Powder is that taste- unlike a label or a “feature”, is more important to more people, or at least it should be.

Nothing if all you care about is knowing what time it is.

Most likely taste better. Simple as that.

We agree here. What we don’t seem to agree on is the definition of [i]significant.[/i]

55

[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
jbodzin wrote:It’s not labeled for Costco, Costco is just a seller, it would be like going to a GNC and buying EAS protein powder or buying Crest Tooth Paste at the grocery. Its just a store, so no it does not apply at all.

Sure looks like a Costco brand to me.

I guess some people are just easily fooled.[/quote]

Yes, I guess you are eaisly fooled.

I will talk really really slow for you.

PRO-RATED PROTEIN POWDER IS MADE BY WELLEMENTS COMPANY.

IT IS NOT MADE BY KIRKLAND. IT IS MADE BY WELLEMENTS A SEPERATE COMPANY.

OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN NOT READ BECAUSE I HAVE SAID THAT I COMPAIRED THE AMINO ACID PROFILE AGAINST OTHER PROTEIN POWDERS PER WEIGHT.

THAT MEANS I COMPARED IT AGAINST A 35g SERVING SIZE.

DO YOUR OWN MATH.

56

[quote]Big T-Rex wrote:
I recently purchased a bag of whey protein from Costco manufactured by Sportspharma in a six pound bag for $23.00. I was trying to economize because I’m spending alot on supplements. My findings: taste- fair to good, better with skim milk than water (milk is not recommended). Mix ability- use a blender, it was clumpy no matter how much it was shaken.

Left me with a bloated feeling for a couple of hours after consumption, so I don’t use it pre workout. This said I would probably not purchase this product again opting to spend a couple of extra bucks for a different product. Hope this was helpful [/quote]

I share your view on taste and mixability. I put it in cottage cheese and that’s pretty good though I honestly don’t care about taste. Myself, my wife or my daughter haven’t experienced anything like the bloat you desribe though. Assuming the label is not a total fabrication it profiles pretty much like most other whey powders I’ve seen. However when what I have runs out, which will be a while, I plan on using Grow! to support this site which has been very helpful to me. It’s more expensive, but still less so than dozens of other whey products. In the meantime my gains and overall progress are on schedule so I don’t see the Sportpharma “off” brand protein as hurting me and like you say 23 bux for a six pound bag is tough to pass up.

–Tiribulus->

57

OK, now I got drawn into the shoe thing ;-] . IMHO shoes and especially performance shoes like for running are a bad example. Your knees and shins will let you know in no uncertain terms the difference there is between a reputable brand name and a bargain store model. Even for general use better and usually somewhat more expensive shoes will be more comfortable and durable, though even this has exceptions.

I used the example of my wife’s vegetable seeds because as long as they grow the same, which they have for, there is no differnce whatever between the famous national brand and the ones with the red 3 for a dollar tag already printed on the package. You get what you pay for is many times a legitimate saying, but is not universally true.

–Tiribulus->

58

The relationship between cost and quality is usually more significant at the lower end.

Are $60 shoes twice as good as $30 shoes?

I don’t know how you would precisley measure “twice as good,” but in my experience, mid-priced shoes are are constructed with better materials and methods and will last longer before falling apart.

Are $180 shoes twice as good as $90 shoes?

IMO, no. The materials and contruction in the $180 shoes may be slightly better than those in $90 shoes, but only incementally. Most of the extra $90 you’re paying is to impress people by having the latest fasion. So the extra $30 you’d pay for $60 shoes over $30 shoes buys a lot more extra quality than the the extra $90 you’d pay for $180 shoes over $90 shoes.

As fot the Wellements Pro-Rated powder. This product is also sold at GNC, but in smaller tubs, probably at a significantly higher price. Costco offers better values by making deals with manufactures to make large purchases in larger package sizes. The fact that Costco sells it tells you nothing about the taste & quality. Compare the Nutrition Facts lable and taste it yourself.

59

[quote]eengrms76 wrote:
PGJ wrote:
I’m wondering why people still believe that:

expensive = better

Typically it does.

less expensive = lower quality

Usually this is the case.

Example: if I go to Payless Shoes and buy a pair of shoes for $20 that look and fit just like the brand name shoes at Nordstrom’s, and they last for several years, are they lower quality?

The issue here is typically the shoes don’t last two years. If they do, then it’s likely a case that you aren’t hard on your shoes and a more expensive, better made pair would likely last you four years.

The distinction here is whether a product is more expensive because it actually is better and uses better parts/ingredients, or if you are just paying for the brand name. There are enough good examples of both types that we could debate this for years.

If I go to the outlet mall and buy a pair of $30 Adidas running shoes on sale, are they lower quality than the $120 Nike Shox at the regular mall? Will the cheaper shoes make me run slower?

Bad example. The shoes at the outelt mall were either 1. outdated model, 2. odd lot (damaged somehow or not made correctly), or 3. Just on sale. The only fair comparison here would be to compare that to the full priced Adidas shoes sold elsewhere. Comparing a clearance shoe with a non-clearance shoe is not justified. Now comparing those new Nikes to something sold at Payless, as you previously did, is a good comparison.

I would say this is a case where you are likely paying a premium for the brand name. If that brand name means nothing to you, then you would be justified to not pay the extra.

What will the expensive shoes do for me that the cheaper ones won’t?

That’s a personal thing. Some people actually like certain brands, or certain features on a certain brand has. Some are willing to forgoe that name or those features to save money. The fundamental difference in the overall arguement with Protein Powder is that taste- unlike a label or a “feature”, is more important to more people, or at least it should be.

What does an expensive Rolex or TAG watch do that a cheap Timex won’t?

Nothing if all you care about is knowing what time it is.

What will the expensive desiner brand protein powders do for me that the less expensive brands won’t?

Most likely taste better. Simple as that.

Yes, sometimes cheap means cheap. But often times there is no significant difference.

We agree here. What we don’t seem to agree on is the definition of [i]significant.[/i][/quote]

If taste determines quality, then that has nothing to do with the actual quality of the product. Just get some slim-fast. Loaded with sugar and really tasty.

I’m thinking of quality in terms of ingredients and what it will actually do for me. What does Met-Rx have in it that makes it better (more expensive) than the similar GNC product? I read the ingredients on all the bottles and they all pretty much have the same stuff. And since it’s unregulated, companies can pretty much say what they want since they don’t have to actually prove their claims.

“this product contains a proprietary blend of alpha-hydroxy biolipids designed to help with recovery and assists in the muscle building process”

WTF does that mean? “Helps and assists” means nothing in a legal sense.

So how does one justify expensive supplements?

60

[quote]jbodzin wrote:OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN NOT READ BECAUSE I HAVE SAID THAT I COMPAIRED THE AMINO ACID PROFILE AGAINST OTHER PROTEIN POWDERS PER WEIGHT.

THAT MEANS I COMPARED IT AGAINST A 35g SERVING SIZE.
[/quote]

In that case, you’re not compairing amino acid profiles at all, you’re comparing total AA content or protein content.

I realize saying this like “the Amino Acid profile is also very good” makes you sound more high tech to those that don’t know better, but it’s simply not the case here.

If you’re still confused, please research the meaning of “amino acid profile.”