Ascent - 100% Whey Protein (Native Fuel)

I like Ascent brand. They have an unflavored one as well.

Yeah not sure what there is to dislike compared to other vanilla ones out there. Flavor is more muted and not overly sweet. The chocolate one is good but so is the vanilla.

Ascent protein from Costco is 4lbs for $50. It’s the best quality protein that you will find at that price. ON has fillers and artificial sweeteners I think. Go for Ascent.

Ascent from Costco. 4lbs for $50. (I’ve gotten it for $40 on sale.) You won’t find a better quality protein for the price and quantity. No artificial sweeteners or junk like Optimum Nutrition, which they also have at Costco. It’s mostly isolate but does have a little concentrate, so if you are sensitive to lactose it might not be for you but I like it.

And you can get it at Costco, 4 lbs for $50!

I just picked up 4lbs for 39.00 (chocolate) at Costco. I wish they carried vanilla too!

Also found at Costco, Ascent native whey protein. Similar to the Kirkland brand, isolate is the first ingredient but Ascent has no artificial sweeteners and its isolate is from native whey. I think they’re both the same price but Ascent does have 62 vs Kirkland’s 70 servings. Tastes great.

The ascent is great only if they still have the chocolate. The vanilla is awful. My husband said isopure tasted like chalk. I stick to gold standard because it’s consistent.

The chocolate one? It’s really good. Not super sweet at all. The vanilla is awful.

Fairlife is considered the best by many of us, specifically this one: [https://fairlife.com/nutrition-plan/chocolate/](https://fairlife.com/nutrition-plan/chocolate/) they are not all the same. However, it gets expensive. To save money I buy a protein powder (Ascent on Amazon is good and not too expensive for a good whey protein powder) and mix it with fat free Fairlife milk. If I want to spend even less money I will buy regular grocery store fat free milk.

Do you know why you’re having gut issues? Are you lactose intolerant? Do you have a problem with artificial sweetners? Is there too much liquid when you’re mixing the powder? Trying to narrow the reasons for the bloating can help with finding the right protein. Or trial and error. I tend to have issues with artificial sweetners like aspartame, Splenda, Ace-k but am fine with stevia so I mainly used “natural whey” products from optimum and met-rx the last 10 years or so until they stopped making them. Ascent whey uses stevia so I tried that but didn’t like the taste. Realized that I’m actually ok with the Splenda and Ace-k as long as I mix in a tablespoon of psyllium husk and flaxseed. Too much psyllium can also cause cramping and bloating so it was about finding the right balance. Maybe start with a non whey based protein powder with no artificial sweetners first and see how you react, then change one thing up. Do whey with no artificial sugar or do non whey with artificial sugar. Vary the amount of liquids. Kind of like an elimination diet until you hit the right mix/combo.

Iv been liking ascent whey. Already went through like 3-4 bags of it already…everything else is just so damn expensive.

Ascent from Costco, it’s a lot cheaper than it is direct from them or Amazon.. I do add in a smaller bag from Amazon of one of the other flavors so I’m not stuck with just one flavor..