Transparent Labs meal replacement powder is a real food product made for those who want convenient, good-quality nutrition minus the synthetic junk, soy protein, artificial sweeteners, cheap “creamers,” and fillers. . Whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, regular gym-goer, or someone who eats healthy, this supplement was designed with these folks in mind.
It seems the formula is perfectly adequate regardless of the task at hand, supplying an effective balance of nutrition that includes slow-digesting carbohydrates, healthy fats, and 24 grams of muscle-building protein.
Check out our full review of this product below.
Pros
- Hefty 24 grams of muscle-building protein
- Includes fast and slow-digesting proteins
- Slow-digesting carbs provide a sustained release fuel source to last you through training sessions
- Supplies an adequate dose of macronutrients to support health and performance
- Easy on the stomach
- No artificial sweeteners
- No synthetic junk
- Soy-free
- No cheap creams
- No fillers
Cons
- Only offered in two flavors – chocolate and vanilla
- Some don’t like stevia as a sweetener
- Not ideal for those sensitive to dairy
Nutrition Facts
Below we’ve provided the basic nutrition information for transparent Labs meal replacement supplement in both the chocolate and vanilla flavor options.
- Serving Size: 1 Scoop Chocolate (56.5g) / 1 Scoop Vanilla (52.3g)
- Serving Per Container: 30
- Calories – 220 chocolate / 210 vanilla
- Total Fat – chocolate 7g / vanilla 7g
- Cholesterol – chocolate 20mg / vanilla 20mg
- Sodium – chocolate 380mg / vanilla 160mg
- Total Carbohydrates – chocolate 19g / vanilla 16g
- Dietary Fiber – chocolate 5g / vanilla 4g
- Sugar – chocolate 7g / vanilla 6g
- Protein – chocolate 24g / vanilla 24g
- Potassium – chocolate 227mg / vanilla 96mg
- Iron – chocolate 2mg / vanilla 0mg
Evaluation of Ingredients
The ingredients make the product and Transparent Labs is known for their effective formulas. Let’s talk about what goes into this meal replacement.
Protein blend
Transparent Labs meal replacement powder contains an impressive protein blend that includes whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, grass-fed beef bone broth, egg white protein, pea protein isolate.
Also check out our review of Transparent Labs 100% whey isolate protein powder.
Whey isolate goes through an additional filtration process compared to whey concentrate. This rids most of the carbs, fats and lactose which results in a product that consists of 90% protein. While whey concentrate is not as filtered, it’s still a very high-quality source of protein that’s found in many of the best protein powders on the market.
Another form of protein in the product is egg whites, one of the purest and best protein sources.
Pea protein is a plant-based protein that has shown in studies to have similar effects on muscle growth compared to whey.
MCT oil powder
MCT oil is a fat source in Transparent Labs meal replacement supplement.
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides which are medium-length chains of fats. MCT oil is a popular ingredient added to various dietary supplements because they are faster absorbed and more easily digested by the body due to their shorter length and compared to longer-chain fatty acids.
Fats, along with carbohydrates are the body’s main sources of energy and because MCTs are not broken down in the liver unlike longer-chain fatty acids, they can supply an immediate source of fuel for the body (1).
MCT apparently may also have some health benefits such as reducing disease risk factors, aiding in weight loss and improving brain health.
Organic flaxseed powder
Flaxseed is a nutrient-rich ingredient used in many nutritional products and for good reason. It’s a decent source of omega 3 fatty acids and fiber plus vitamins and minerals and especially thiamine, copper and magnesium, all of which play a role in bodily functions and maintaining health.
But we’d like to focus on the superstar nutrient in flaxseed – Omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – a plant-based fatty acid source that has to be consumed from foods for its supposed heart and general health benefits as it’s an essential fatty acid which means the body does not produce it.
There’ve been many studies that have found flaxseed to reduce heart health risk factors, plus it may be beneficial for cancer, diabetes and weight loss.
TapiOK® organic tapioca maltodextrin
A type of food starch, tapioca maltodextrin is a carbohydrate source derived from tapioca. Transparent Labs chose this ingredient as one of the fuel sources in the formula that provide the body with energy.
Carb10® (pea starch)
Carb10® is another carbohydrate source but it’s made from peas. It’s supposedly a faster-digesting carb source but it is also said to be low glycemic, not causing a rapid spike in insulin while also preventing stomach bloating.
Other ingredients: organic evaporated cane sugar, cocoa powder, natural flavors, Himalayan rock salt, Stevia, silicon dioxide.
How To Prepare A Meal Shake
We suggest reading the product label if you do not have experience mixing powder shakes. From there, you can tweak the liquid to powder ratio based on your desired shake consistency.
Transparent Labs meal powder mixes easily in a shaker bottle unlike other products that clump up and are almost impossible to want to drink. But you can also use a blender too which many prefer.
If you’re wondering what the best liquid is to mix with the powder, well it depends on what you like or prefer. Milk will create a creamier and thicker shake while water typically results in a thinner protein drink.
You can even mix it with your morning coffee!
Cost
This is something most have to consider before making a purchase. Transparent Labs offers a few different purchase options and we’re here to help you choose the best one for your needs and budget.
While neither of the three options qualify for free shipping, purchases of $150 or more do.
1 tub: $59.99 (not including shipping)
2 tubs: $109.98 (not including shipping)
3 tubs: $149.97 (not including shipping)
Whichever package option you choose is ultimately up to you. However, we’ve explained the differences below.
Buying one bottle is always going to be the priciest option. However, it’s the best choice for those who want to test out the product without having to commit to the other purchase options that include two or more containers.
If you opt for the two-bottle package, you’ll save $10 but if you go with the three-bottle purchase, this will save you $30.
Flavor Options
One drawback of this meal replacement is that it’s only offered in two flavors – chocolate and vanilla. We understand that some people have a more sophisticated palate, but chocolate and vanilla are standard flavors and we don’t think most people will have an issue with happily choosing one or the other.
When Is The Best Time To Take TP Meal Replacement?
There is no “best” time. Unlike a pre- or post-workout specific supplement, transparent Labs formulated this product as a meal replacement. That means you can have a shake whenever you feel hungry or whether you need some fast and convenient nutrition due to a busy schedule.
Here are some great ways that you can take Transparent Labs meal replacement.
- Early mornings when you cannot stomach a normal breakfast. Many times liquid nutrition is much easier to get down.
- Lunchtime – maybe you have a very busy schedule and don’t have time to prepare or sit and eat a meal. Oftentimes a busy life will cause us to forget to eat and this is not good when you’re working toward body goals.
- Pre-workout – TL meal replacement has slow-digesting carbs and healthy fats that supply a sustained source of energy. When you’re training, you want to have plenty of energy to last you through the entire session which means better results and faster progress.
- Post-workout – 24 grams of protein per serving is plenty to help with the repair and rebuilding of muscle tissue. Whey isolate and concentrate are both fast-digesting proteins which create a greater initial effect on protein synthesis (building of protein cells). Then you have slower-absorbing forms of protein to feed your muscles for hours following training.
- Nighttime – If you need a pre-bedtime snack, then a quality meal replacement is a great option. It supplies protein to feed muscles overnight plus slow-release carbs supply the body with energy so that the other nutrients can do their job in repairing muscle cells and supporting recovery.
Related: 10 Best Meal Replacement Shakes Reviewed for 2023
What is My Personal Opinion of Transparent Labs Meal Replacement Powder?
Based on my own personal experiences with Transparent Labs products, I’ve been nothing short of impressed. While you’d have to try for yourself, their meal replacement formula is top-notch and one I would definitely use to meet my nutritional needs when cooking or chewing food isn’t an option.
High quality protein blend
What I really like about it is the fact they included several high-quality protein sources both fast and slow digesting which makes it a great option for before and immediately after workouts. But you don’t necessarily need to be an athlete or gym-goer to use it.
It’s still, after all, a meal replacement that was made to supplement those instances when eating food isn’t an option.
Easy on the stomach
Not to mention, I think people who usually experience stomach issues from taking protein and food-based powders will have a much better experience with this product. This is because they use a quality protein blend that has whey isolate, egg, and pea. Then you have MCTs that do not require breaking down in the liver that makes it faster absorbing and easier on the stomach.
And Carb10 is supposedly a faster digesting carb source that doesn’t spike insulin or cause bloating like a lot of lower-quality carb sources.
There are also no artificial sweeteners that, for some, cause a lot of stomach discomfort. Stevia is a natural-based food sweetener.
No proprietary blends
We also cannot leave out the fact that the Transparent Labs brand does not use proprietary blends for any of their products. This means they provide the exact amounts of every ingredient included in the formula, rather than lumping everything together, which many companies do.
While some products that use proprietary blends can still be a good options and effective, you may not be getting the most optimal amount of certain ingredients. Sometimes brands may even add too much of an ingredient that you don’t want.
A top-notch real food meal replacement
We would not hesitate to recommend Transparent Labs meal replacement. We like everything that the brand does and they are completely honest and upfront about what goes into their products. Not to mention, compared to a lot of brands, they use quality ingredients and blends that not only support optimal performance but also good health.
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate Review (Updated 2022)
Will This Product Make Me Gain Weight?
When it comes to taking protein and food-based powders, many are concerned about them causing weight gain. Well, it’s not quite that simple and the short answer is no. Weight gain is caused by an accumulation of eating more calories than what your body needs. This results in stored energy/calories in the form of body fat.
You need to have an idea of an optimal calorie range that will allow you to maintain or lose weight. This depends on different factors such as your gender, age, weight, height, and activity habits.
Try out our weight loss calculator to help you reach your physique goals.
After you learn how many calories you need to maintain or lose weight, you’ll simply factor in calories per serving of meal replacement and add it to your total daily/weekly calorie intake which includes all of the other calorie-containing food items in your diet.
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The Bottom Line
Transparent Labs Meal Replacement Powder Can Help You Reach Your Nutritional Goals.
Transparent Labs meal replacement powder can definitely give you the nutritional assistance that you need when cooking isn’t an option or when you want the convenience of a healthy real food meal shake that also tastes good.
With 24 grams of protein and healthy, slow-digesting carbohydrates and fats, whether you need pre-workout nutrition, a post-workout meal replacement option or need a quick and easy meal anytime, we highly recommend this quality product.
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