Welcome to my Equate Whey Protein review. If you’re here, that means you’re a lot like I was…
The first time I heard about Equate, I was VERY skeptical. Price is very cheap for a 2-pound tub? . What’s the catch? I thought it must’ve been super high-carb or polluted with artificial ingredients.
…until I noticed a lot of people at my gym were using it, and a few friends of mine were swearing by it.
I thought “It’scheap. Why the hell not?”.
It was totally the opposite of what I expected. After a month on it, I 100% recommend Equate for budget gym-goers. It’s packed with protein, not too high-carb, and not too high-calorie.
Overall, it’s a solid protein powder. Factor in the price, it’s a steal. But it might not be for everyone. Read my full experience with this supplement if you want to learn about the effects, taste, and different types of proteins out there.
If you want a very good budget protein supplement, then just get it now while supplies are still in.
Review Summary Box:
Protein Types
There has been a relatively recent and utterly complete inundation of protein powders in the fitness market. With that sheer quantity comes a ton of varieties, in order to cater to all types of athletes.
There is your classic whey protein, which is the most popular type. There is the lesser-known casein protein. And then there are your vegan options, like hemp and bean proteins.
Each type of protein has different benefits:
- Whey protein, for example, is known as a fast-digesting protein and contains Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) which are beneficial for muscle growth. It is derived from milk, and has been used by athletes and bodybuilders for decades.
- Casein protein is also derived from milk, but casein is a slow digestive – it is better over time, but it releases fewer amino acids and has a lower concentration of BCAAs.
- As to the vegetarian/vegan options, these often don’t absorb as easily as the milk-proteins, but, a decent amount of fiber taken with the protein will help combat that.
Besides the different types of protein, there are also a variety of powders to choose from. There are straightforward powders, there are mass-gainer powders, there are diet powders, and there are health powders.
Clearly, you have quite the selection. A big part of knowing which one is the ‘best’ is knowing what you hope to accomplish. If you’re a bodybuilder on a budget, that goal will narrow your focus and help you find the right powder.
If you’re just going to the gym occasionally and want a muscle boost, your search will likewise become narrower. The first step in finding a good protein supplement is knowing what you seek to achieve.
Equate Whey Protein Powder
If you’ve ever wandered the aisles of Walmart, chances are you have seen an advertisement for Equate, a two-pound container of straightforward whey powder. At a good price point, Equate seems extremely attractive, but nonetheless, it is good to do some research first. What’s it made of?
This Walmart-branded protein powder contains whey proteins (isolate and concentrate), maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavoring, soy lecithin, gum blend, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.
The difference between whey isolate and concentrate is simply in the level of processing. Whey isolate undergoes more processing, so it contains a higher percentage of protein than whey concentrate.
But because whey concentrate is less processed, it has other health benefits. So, as for the protein blend, this product works well for those looking to boost their gains.
Maltodextrin, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium are all high in the glycemic index – they are all some form of artificial sweetener. In small amounts, these products have been approved as safe by the FDA, but if you’re diabetic or struggle with blood-glucose levels, you might want to exercise caution with Equate.
Soy lecithin is just an additive that is used to help make the texture smoother. The ingredients are decent – not horrible, not amazing. They are certainly not organic. And there are no extra health benefits to this powder.
In terms of nutritional content, Equate whey protein powder contains 180 calories, 3 grams of fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugar, and 30 grams of protein per 2–scoop serving (There are 18 2-scoop servings in each container).
These numbers are not fantastic, nor are they terrible. Again, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you are seeking a powder that will aid in your quest to lose weight, it’s low in calories making it a great substitute while bumping your protein intake.
If you’re looking for a true mass-gainer, this powder is much too low in calories and carbs. Keep in mind your own goals when buying protein powders. Results
Equate is a good budget-friendly whey protein powder, best suited for people looking to lose weight and gain muscle. It is low in calories and thus not meant for people looking to bulk up.
It comes in two flavors – chocolate and vanilla taste surprisingly good.
Equate whey isn’t my overall favorite protein powder, but then again, the powder that I enjoy the most has a lot of people saying that it’s no good. If you have a local Costco (or even on Amazon) and have discerning tastes, you might want to check out Premier Protein as well.
So my best piece of advice is to try it out and see for yourself. If you like it, keep buying, if not, keep looking until you find your favorite brand.
If you’re looking to get Equate – this site currently has the best deal on it.
PS! Also read this article covering the best tasting protein powders on the market. 
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com