When I first started searching for a clean, whey free protein powder, I quickly realized how overwhelming the options were. Between questionable ingredient lists, strange aftertastes, and bloating from even the “healthiest” brands, I was starting to think a truly clean protein supplement didn’t exist. That changed when I discovered Equip Prime Protein.
In this post, I’m sharing my personal experience using Equip’s grass-fed beef protein powder—why I chose it, how it’s different from typical whey-based products, and the benefits I’ve noticed since making the switch. Whether you’re sensitive to dairy, focused on gut health, or just want a protein powder with real ingredients you can trust, this review might help you find exactly what you’ve been looking for.
* This post may include affiliate links. This means that products purchased from certain links will generate a small commission (At no extra cost to you). As always, I will only recommend brands that have passed my seal of approval and that I truly love. Thank you for supporting this little holistic space on the internet. All opinions are my own. *
* Information in this post is not professional medical advice and should not be relied on or used in place of consultation with healthcare professionals. Should you have any medical questions, please consult your primary healthcare provider. **
Why I Wanted a Clean, Whey-Free Protein Powder
I love to use protein powders in my daily food intake to ensure I’m getting enough protein in my diet. Adequate daily protein is so beneficial, yet it can be difficult to reach. Protein powders help boost your daily intake easily. I typically start my day with a smoothie or shake made with protein powder. That being said, I am very particular with the quality of protein powders I consumer. Many protein powders in the grocery stores are poor quality, loaded with fillers and synthetic ingredients that aren’t great for your health. I found some great high quality protein powders that fit all of my requirements. However, over time, I started to some odd experience symptoms.
Common Issues with Whey Protein (Bloating, Allergies, Gut Health)
Most people can tolerate whey protein powders, but there are a lucky group of us who unfortunately cannot. Whey protein is great if you aren’t allergic to it. I never experienced this issue before, but things shift over time and sometimes new allergies pop up out of no where. I know my gut health was partly to blame from years of antibiotics and infections as a child. I’ve been working on my gut health over the years and hope to eliminate some of these new food sensitivities that have crept in. However, the symptoms I experience when consuming whey protein powder are not worth it.
Some common symptoms you may experience when consuming whey protein are:
- bloating
- digestive upset
- stomach cramping
- skin issues (rashes, or new acne)
- changes in stool or bowel movements
My Personal Goals: Clean Ingredients, Easy Digestion, No Dairy
I personally experienced stomach cramping that left me on the floor in the fetal position. I didn’t understand what was the cause at first. But once I began jotting down a food diary that coincided with my symptoms, the culprit was clear as day. These were whey protein side effects. Whey protein was causing major symptom flares and based on the severity of my symptoms, it was clear I have an allergy to this food. This was what led me to searching for the best clean protein powder options on the market that did not include whey.
There are many options that one could turn to when searching for a protein powder that comes with whey-free benefits. But I landed on one of the best clean whey free protein powders available on the market: Equip Prime Protein.
What Is Equip Prime Protein?
Equip Prime Protein was founded by Dr. Anthony Gustin, who was frustrated over the lack and quality of whole food supplement options. He felt that customers were being duped by toxic, synthetic “food-like” options for things like protein powder, bars, and more. There is a massive multi-billion dollar industry using flashy marketing terms like “high protein” to sell their products. But, there products are not compatible with true health. In fact, most protein powders and bars are made with cheap, synthetic, frankenstein worthy ingredients. These types of food products will eventually land you into some health issues if consumed on a regular basis. So Dr. Gustin began Equip Foods.
Equip Foods focuses on high quality, REAL, whole food ingredients to create their line of protein powders, bars and more. You will not find any fillers or garbage ingredients. Just simple yet powerful whole food ingredients that will improve your health over time. Equip also focuses on animal based products. Animal products are incredibly nutrient dense, easily digestible and loaded with health benefits. Their protein powder is strictly a grass-fed protein powder and is actually a beef protein powder isolate. Many have not heard of beef isolate protein and it’s benefits, so let’s dig into some basics.
Grass-Fed Beef Protein Explained
A Beef protein isolate is essentially what it’s name says it is: made from beef. This may deter some, but in reality, this type of protein is one of the healthiest options available for human consumption. If a scoop of beef protein isolate can equate to the health benefits of eating a steak, count me in!
Beef protein isolates deliver a staggering 96%-98% protein content. They are the perfect source of protein for everyone, but especially those who are intolerant or wish to avoid dairy or lactose. Beef protein isolate is 100% dairy and lactose free! It is high in collagen, which comes with an array of health benefits. The process of creating the beef isolate also removes fats and carbohydrates which leaves you with a pure and highly nutritious source of protein.
Key Ingredients and Nutritional Info
One scoop of grass fed beef isolate falls around 100 calories.
- Approximately 96-98% protein
- 0.5g. of fat
- 0% Carbohydrates
My Honest Review of Equip Prime Protein
I have been using Equip Prime Protein exclusively for almost two years now. It’s become one of my favorite parts of the day and I even use it in my kids smoothies. I love that they’re getting the highest quality protein powder on the market filled with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. I will get into the benefits we’ve seen since we switched to prime protein below but first, I wanted to share more about how delicious it is.
Taste & Texture
So, I’m not gonna lie. When I first learned about beef protein isolate, my first concern was how it would taste. If I don’t like the taste of something, I won’t keep eating it. I sure know my kids would follow suit! There’s nothing worse than spending money on something that is good for you but finding out, it tastes horrendous. Thankfully, Equip Prime Protein is DELICOUS!
I’m also happy to report, it does NOT taste like beef. You would have no idea this differs from whey protein in taste. It’s just as creamy and palatable. I have since tried a few other brands where a beef taste was detectable, but Equip has mastered the taste and texture of their protein powder.
Mixability & Convenience
Equip Prime Protein is just as easy to blend as any other protein powder on the market. I personally like to use my blender. My husband is fine with adding it to a shaker bottle with those whisk balls that mix it up. Seems to do the trick!
How I Use It in My Routine
Not to mention, the flavors! There are so many delicious ones available. My personal favorites are the peanut butter and iced coffee (such a unique flavor, and as tasty as you would imagine). I always keep a bag of their vanilla on hand because it’s super easy to add into mine and my kids fruit smoothies. The chocolate, strawberry and salted caramel flavors are also VERY yummy when you blend them with milk and ice.
We add this protein powder to so many things, here’s a quick list of how to use Equip Prime Protein:
- Blended into milk as a delicious shake
- Blended into a fruit smoothie (a kid-friendly favorite)
- Added into chia pudding
- Stirred into yogurt
- Added into my famous protein waffles (if you want the recipe, let me know in the comments below)
- Added into pancakes
- Protein Smoothie Popsicles
- and so much more..
Health Benefits I’ve Noticed Since Switching
1.Improved Digestion
When it comes to my own personal experience, the biggest dairy-free protein benefits I’ve seen are in my digestive system. As I mentioned above, I had experienced some major gut upset when consuming whey protein powder. Now that I am exclusively using a clean protein for gut health like Equip, my digestion has gone back to normal.
I no longer end up in the fetal position with cramping. I also returned to a normal bowel movement schedule. It’s been great!
I also notice this benefit in my kids. Particularly my eldest who is a bit sensitive to dairy. Having a dairy-free protein option that still contains all the same benefits (and more) that is beneficial for my kids, is the best!
2. More Sustained Energy
This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering protein is highly linked to energy. But, I have a feeling the inflammation I was experiencing from consuming whey protein was weighing me down a little extra. I now have ample energy. I was able to maintain a better workout schedule. I notice that I wake up easier after having more restful sleeps.
If you want to experience a boost in your energy, looking towards your protein intake is a great way to do it. But using a whey-free protein option provides even more. It is a complete protein with all 9 amino acids intact, which cant be said for other protein powder options. It also doesn’t cause inflammation which can slow you down.
3. Muscle Recovery & Workout Support
I also noticed a shift in muscle growth and recovery. As a thirty something year old Mother of two, I know muscle growth is incredibly important in my health journey. But without adequate protein, this can be difficult to achieve regardless of how hard you train. Beef protein isolate protein powders offer even more muscle boosting and recovery benefits as they are a complete protein with all 9 amino acids.
Equip Prime Protein vs Other Whey-Free Options
You may be wondering what other options I had when I was searching for the best why-free protein powders. Turns out, it shakes out to two different options: beef vs plant protein. Now, I love my plants and vegetables, but there is a stark difference between a beef protein isolate and a plant based protein powder.
How It Compares to Plant-Based Proteins
The hard truth is, humans were made to consume animals. I know not everyone likes this reality, and I am not here to tell anyone how to eat. But when it comes to optimal nutrient dense nutrition, animal foods just reign supreme. There are many nutrients that are important to humans that are found ONLY in animal foods. This includes nutrients: Creatine, Taurine, Carnosine, Carnitine, Choline, DHA, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin K2.
There is also a major difference between the structure of the protein when comparing beef isolate protein vs plant based protein. Beef isolate proteins are the only complete protein options. They contain all 9 amino acids. Your body uses beef isolate much better than other protein sources. It is highly digestible, highly nutritious, and abundant in vitamins and minerals.
Pros and Cons of Equip Prime
The pros for consuming a beef isolate protein powder like Equip Prime is abundant. Here is a quick breakdown of the pros of consuming Equip Prime Protein:
- A complete protein source
- Highly digestible
- Full Amino Acids Profile (contains all 9)
- Nutrient Density is much higher than other protein sources
- Non-inflammatory
- Allergen friendly (unless you have a very rare meat allergy like alpha-gal – a tick borne disease)
- Low in fat
- Low in carbs
- 96-98% protein content, much higher than other sources
- Contains Gut, hair, nail, skin friendly collagen naturally
- tastes delicious
When it comes to listing the cons of consuming Equip Prime Protein, I can’t personally think of any. The only downside would be if you are vegan or vegetarian and don’t consume animal products. This is not a vegan and vegetarian friendly option.
Is Equip Prime Protein Worth It? My Final Thoughts
My final thoughts of my Equip Supplement Review come down to this: Equip Foods is setting a new industry standard. There remains to be seen a brand that can compete with the standards set by Equip. They are whole food, clean, filler free, grass fed quality supplements that will allow you to hit your macros while also maintaining optimal health.
Who should use beef protein? I recommend it to anyone looking for a protein powder! Whether you tolerate whey protein or not, beef protein isolate is on another level. I think many people could benefit from adding Equip to their regimen including: clean eaters, those who follow paleo diet, those who avoid dairy, athletes and more.
My entire family uses this protein powder, including my children. Nothing makes me happier than knowing they are getting the best source of protein available. This is even helpful for picky eaters who stray away from meat. If you have a picky eater (like I do), making them a smoothie with equip prime protein powder is the equivalent in nutrients as them consuming steak.
Where to Buy Equip Prime Protein
Equip Foods has graciously offered an exclusive discount code for all THV readers. If you want to grab yourself a bag of prime protein powder or some of their delicious prime protein bars (I personally love their new peanut butter flavor), then you can use my exclusive Equip discount code: HOLISTICVANITY to save at checkout.
Wondering where to buy Equip Prime Protein Powder? You can shop their entire website HERE. You can also click through some of my favorite equip products below:
Equip Prime Protein Bar – Chocolate
Equip Prime Protein Bar – Mixed Berry
Chocolate Prime Protein
Vanilla Prime Protein
Strawberry Prime Protein
Iced Coffee Prime Protein
Peanut Butter Prime Protein
Cinnamon Roll Prime Protein
Salted Caramel Prime Protein
Unflavored Prime Protein
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