Investigating Protein Powders + Sun Warrior Giveaway ($900 value)

...by Food Babe

The food industry is making an absolute killing (literally) selling protein powders that are filled with highly processed denatured proteins, chemicals, preservatives and other additives. It’s easy to fall prey for a protein powder that makes claims no one is checking on or regulating. That is why it is absolutely critical to investigate your protein powders before taking that scoop.

I fell victim to a HORRENDOUS protein powder back in the day. (You can read that story here)…

Luckily, I did a investigation of several popular protein powders and made a list of ingredients to watch out for…I found it funny that the entire comments section of this post became an advertisement for one of the most popular meal replacement shakes out there that refuses to get organically certified and is using non-organic ingredients from the dirty dozen list throughout their product.

If you are paying big money to supplement with a protein powder, (let’s be honest, they are not cheap!) it better have the highest quality ingredients. Why pay more for less quality?

Protein

While doing my investigation, I did not consider one protein powder that I found out was an absolute favorite of my readers. So I decided to go back and look into this brand a little deeper and ask them to host a giveaway. I loved what I found out – especially after I tasted some.

Sun Warrior is a completely raw protein powder that uses the highest quality plant-based protein available. They are currently seeking USDA organic certification and are non-GMO. I love how they don’t make excuses for getting organic certified – saying it’s too expensive, etc. They are just doing it because it is the right thing to do and their product lives up to organic certified standards.

The Warrior Blend combines organic hemp, pea and cranberry protein (a fantastic combination!) and adds the metabolism boosting qualities of coconut’s medium chain fatty acids. This blend is my favorite of their product line and this is what Sun Warrior has generously offered to giveaway to 10 readers!

Each winner will receive 1 Bag of Classic Chocolate and 1 Bag of Vanilla Warrior Blend … Each bag retails for $44.95 – so that means each winner will receive $90 worth of Sun Warrior!

Warrior blend

To Enter The Giveaway, Follow These Simple Steps:

  1. Sign up for Food Babe updates - you get a personal letter from me each time I post with insights about my life only subscribers see and hear…
  2. AND leave a comment below by Noon on Monday, February 24, 2013 
  3. Get a second entry if you “Like” Food Babe’s Facebook page - I share daily pictures and important news on a regular basis you don’t want to miss!

Oh and if you can’t wait to win and need to stock up on protein powder asap - Sun Warrior is giving 10% off all their products for a limited time.

Use this link - and enter code FOODBABE10 at check out.

If you know someone who needs to refill their protein supply or perhaps swap out one they’ve been using for a better one – share this giveaway and discount with them. I’m sure they would be very appreciative. Maybe if they win, they’ll split the prize with you :)

Good Luck! And have a fabulous weekend.

Food Babe

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my investigation - Is Your Protein Shake Safe?

Contest is Now Closed – Congratulations to the following winners!

  1. Rachel P. on February 22, 2013 at 1:10 pm said: Also “liked” on Facebook
  2. Tanya Corbin on February 22, 2013 at 1:14 pm said: i <3 food babe…so nice to have someone looking into what’s in our food suppl
  3. Sarah on February 22, 2013 at 1:39 pm said: sounds good, love to try it!
  4. Liz T on February 22, 2013 at 1:46 pm said: I also like you on facebook.
  5. Susan McLaughlin on February 22, 2013 at 7:21 pm said: Thanks so much for this information. I’d rather my protein be dogged and have a “Real” protein in my diet any day!! Plus… a Giveaway!! Wonderful!
  6. Amy on February 22, 2013 at 5:56 pm said: So excited about this giveaway! I was just looking into buying some Vega but now hoping to try Sun Warrior! Thanks Food Babe!
  7. Sarah Whitmire on February 23, 2013 at 4:00 am said: I would love to give this a try. My son cannot have any of that crap (especially Refined Sugar, Soy, and Carrageenan as they are seizure triggers). I’ve been looking for a protein shake for months and I may have just found one. Thanks readers for letting us know about this stuff.
  8. Alie on February 23, 2013 at 3:30 pm said: I like FoodBabe on FB
  9. Tamara on February 23, 2013 at 9:39 pm said: I already get the updates and liked your fb page…would LOVE some of this protein powder!
  10. Lindsay LaPaugh on February 24, 2013 at 12:48 pm said: Thanks for another great article? Did you check out any of USANA’s powders? I know they don’t contains GMOs, just curious!

If you didn’t win – remember Sun Warrior is giving a 10 percent discount for a limited time.

Use this link - and enter code FOODBABE10 at check out. Enjoy!

 

 

2,580 comments on “Investigating Protein Powders + Sun Warrior Giveaway ($900 value)”

  3. It’s getting harder and harder to find “real” food these days. Thank you so much for your help, insight, and wisdom along the journey.

    Reply ↓

  7. Would love to try this. Not sure if I’m too late. It’s not noon here in New Mexico yet! I’ve had trouble digesting many typical protein powders. Thanks for this story.

    Reply ↓

  12. I forwarded this investigation on to all of my fitness friends. We try so hard to feed our bodies the “right” choice, it’s always good to hear of a better alternative that actually has only the “right” stuff in it :)

    Reply ↓

  14. I’d love to know your thoughts on Advocare’s Meal Replacement Shakes. I looked into it compared to your chart and I’m unsure about a few things, but so far I see they have: Soy Protein, Maltodextrin, Refined Sugar, and Heavy Metals. They do Whey Concentrate, but I’m unsure if that would be similar to Whey Protein Isolate?

    Here’s the ingredients: Whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, L-glutamine, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, crystalline fructose, dicalcium phosphate, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid, choline bitartrate, ferrous fumarate, inositol, vitamin E acetate, zinc oxide, niacinamide, vitamin A palmitate, copper gluconate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, chromium citrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, selenomethionine, thiamine hydrochloride, biotin, folic acid, phytonadione, cholecalciferol, sodium molybdate, potassium iodide, cyanocobalamin, maltodextrin, gum arabic, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, beet root extract (for color), xanthan gum, medium-chain triglycerides, citric acid, malic acid, oat fiber, cellulose powder, citrus pectin, soy lecithin, sucralose, bromelain, papain

    Berry flavor:
    beet root extract (for color), citric acid, malic acid

    Chocolate flavor:
    dutch cocoa (processed with alkali)

    Chocolate Mocha flavor:
    cocoa powder (processed with alkali), instant coffee (decaffeinated), natural flavors

    Vanilla flavor:
    magnesium phosphate

    Reply ↓

    • soy lecithin, soy protein, xantham gum, maltodextrin, citric acid are all possible GMO ingredients. I also wouldn’t consume artificial flavors ever either – those flavors can be made out of anything – including carcinogens like petroleum.

      Good Luck!

      Vani

      Reply ↓

  16. Sun Warrior is a favorite of mine for the past couple years :) and thanks for the heads-up on Shake-ology, as I had been contemplating trying that brand–good to know as I currently have heavy metal issues. This warrior-babe thanks you, food-babe!!

    Reply ↓

  17. I’ve subscribed to your updates and I like your facebook page. Sunwarrior is my absolute fave and I haven’t been able to find a better vegan protein powder on the market. I had no idea Vega uses GMO ingredients! They are (were) my second favorite. Very disappointing. I will be getting in touch with the company to share my unhappiness and how I will no longer be buying their products until they get the GMO’s out!

    Reply ↓

  18. What GMO is in Visalus? And could you please provide a link to a study, or some sort of proof to backup your claims about Whey Isolate? Thank you!

    Reply ↓

      • You wrote:

        “Whey protein isolate is highly processed, unlike whole protein food concentrate. MOST whey protein isolates start from ultra-pasteurized conventional milk that has antibiotics and growth hormones and are then exposed to acid processing, stripping alkalinizing minerals, naturally occurring vitamins and lipids. This processing makes whey protein isolate over acidifying in the body. Chronically consuming whey protein isolate without appropriate balance of alkalizing foods, can acidify your body and over time increase your vulnerability to degenerative disease.”

        1) Most whey protein isolate and whey concentrate are produced from whey separated from milk during cheesemaking. This would tend to mean that the milk used is not ultra-pasteurized. This is a moot point for properly-prepared whey protein isolate, however, because the final product is filtered in such a way as to remove denatured proteins. Nitrogen solubility testing provides clear evidence of the level of undenatured proteins in whey isolate. Antibiotic residue is absolutely not present the milk accepted by quality manufacturers, and growth hormones (though legal) are actually very rarely used on the cows which produce USA-sourced material. It’s a moot point for whey protein also because the IGF-1 which BST stimulates is complexed to the casein portion of milk protein – not the whey. In other words, there’s no bovine growth hormone in properly-prepared whey isolate.

        2) Alkalinizing minerals are absolutely, undeniably, present in whey protein isolate as any nutritional analysis will attest to. Can you provide any evidence whatsoever that whey protein isolate “lacks minerals” or has an acidifying effect? Or any evidence that the long-term use of whey isolate is in any way harmful?

        3) The “processing” that quality whey protein isolate undergoes serves to rid the product of lactose, fat, cholesterol, and denatured proteins. These things (lipids especially) shouldn’t be present in whey protein (or any powdered, shelf-stable foods). The case against oxidized cholesterol, for example, continues to build in the scientific literature, but this fact never receives a mention.

        3) When tested, quality whey isolate like Integrated Supplements brand I use, has been found to contain, in essence, no heavy metal contamination – this is documented by analytical testing.

        I guess maybe the key word you used here is “most”. And I hate to see a fine product like Integrated get thrown under the bus with everyone else.

        Most of the information I posted here comes from Integrated. They provide a ton of research on their website. Thank you for the response.

        Reply ↓

        • Great points, Jeff. I scrolled down for the reply??? I can’t find them..Not sure what happened. I generally appreciate & agree with FoodBabe’s opinion but I feel let down by her silence after throwing Visalus under the bus. I feel like your response to her research was valid. Looks like there’s a lot of her protein being sold via this thread though. Guess ya’ gotta’ do what ya’ gotta do :/

          Reply ↓

  19. I am making a protein shake each morning…to learn they are BAD. I really need to win the Sun Warrior protein powder. Already a food babe subscriber!!

    Reply ↓

  20. Vega definitely does not use GMO ingredients. That is completely false. If you look at the GMO certification process, you’ll see that it’s not possible for some ingredients to obtain this certification. For example, Vega uses Sacha Inchi seed which is sourced from farmers in Peru. Peru has no process for non GMO certification. So even if products such as Sachi Inchi seeds are non-GMO, they can’t be stated as such on packaging.

    In many cases, a certification doesn’t necessarily make something more wholesome, or mean that it’s pure. Just look at LEED certification on buildings, buildings have to do very little to get a LEED certification, but some buildings that are almost zero emissions are not LEED certified. The same with foods, is an organically grown fruit better than a non organic fruit that is grown at a local farm, picked when it’s ripe, and grown with biodynamic processes? It’s not. Seeing certifications makes us feel good, but it’s not always the right thing to do, by any means.

    Reply ↓

    • I have to disagree – ingredients like xantham gum, maltodextrin and soy lecithin are likely GMO. Why would you buy products with it when you get perfectly good products without it? I just don’t understand the logic in that.

      Reply ↓

      • Just as an FYI, a friend just told me the packaging for Vega says non-GMO; however, I do agree with not buying products without those ingredients if there are others without them.

        Reply ↓

      • I am not sure FoodBabe what is your agenda? -but go ahead and put SunWorrior also on your GMO’s list, as it has xanthan gum! How could you have missed it?

        Reply ↓

        • How’s the marketing job for Sunwarrior going? They don’t use organic rice, and isn’t rice high in arsenic? You seemed to have left that part out of your ‘findings’

          Reply ↓

  25. I am glad to have this information. I have a long way to go in my learning process with gmos and food additives, but I think it is necessary to stay healthy and keep my family from eating toxin!
    Thanks food babe.
    I hope I win so I can give your shakes a try!

    Reply ↓

  30. I am amazed and truly greatful to you for this information. I would love to try what a truly “clean” raw natural protein tastes like. It’s unreal to see that what we think are ok ingredients are actually overly processed or toxic!

    Reply ↓

  31. I love Sun Warrior – been using it for a year now and it makes me happy. I too use the warrior blend in both chocolate and vanilla.

    I’d love to enter your contest and thanks for all you do.

    Reply ↓

  32. Hi! I have just recently heard of a product called Rockin’ Wellness. They claim to be GMO free, organic and Vegan. Have you heard of this one, and if so.. what’s your opinion? I can’t tell you how much I value your input and opinion. You are a wealth of information and the time you put into your investigations is so appreciated!!

    Reply ↓

  33. I just ordered the Sun Warrior Blend-Chocolate. I noticed one of the ingredients is butter buds…what are butter buds?

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓

  34. So I ordered the vanilla and chocolate Warrior Blends and was so disappointed in the taste. I even mixed the vanilla with some frozen strawberries & pineapple and the chocolate with the peanut butter, but the flavor of the powder overwhelmed my add-ins. I’ve read other comments about how good it is and am wondering if there’s anyone else who didn’t like it that found a mix-in to make it tolerable? Or another high quality powder that tastes better?

    Reply ↓

  35. Thank you so much for an awesome product…iv likes you on face book iv also shared with my friends…and told them that this is such a product…Thank for your dedication to giving us a healthy nutritional product your absolutely amazing!!!!!

    Reply ↓

  36. Thank you so much for this post! I just found your blog and I’m obsessed. I started my own blog in attempts to educate others about the dangers of processed foods. I’ve been wondering myself about protein powder…now I know what to buy. Awesome blog!

    Reply ↓

  37. Just got mine in the mail today and have to say the chocolate shake tastes great! Mixed in with some almond milk.. perfect!

    Reply ↓

  39. Ok, I’m in the market for ordering some new protein. I have been using Vega and have loved the taste and texture. I almost ordered some yesterday and I’m glad I didn’t! I’ve seen the Sun Warrior line on Juice Up Your Life and looked at that yesterday too. NOW, I will definitely be getting that instead! So sad everything has to be scrutinized with a magnifying glass.

    Reply ↓

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