One of the best things about being a trade editor is having the opportunity to test different products and equipment. I’ve chopped dozens of cloves of garlic to test garlic presses, put non-stick pans in the dishwasher (I screwed up every time), and cooked dozens of meals from various delivery services. My work also allows me to compare popular products with those I have used for years. The most important question I’m always trying to answer, whether for myself or a reader, is this: Is it worth it? Recently, I was asked to compare my favorite chocolate whey protein powder, Aldi’s Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder, with a Eat well Test Kitchen’s favorite SPORT Garden of Life Grass Whey Protein Powder.
As I’ve written before, protein is a nutrient that I probably think about more than the average person. I’ve been powerlifting for a few years now and an essential ingredient for muscle growth is, I guess, protein. The average person only needs about 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. However, since building muscle is one of my goals, I try to reach 100 grams per day. Like most nutrients, it’s best to get protein from whole food sources like chicken, eggs, and lentils. But a scoop of protein powder is often a quick and easy way to get closer to my goal (plus, there’s only so much chicken breast a person can eat).
To see how my affordable choice of whey protein (you can usually get a tub of Elevation for less than $25 at Aldi) fared against a more expensive favorite, I compared the two based on taste, texture and the food. Here’s what I thought in the end.
Feeding with numbers
Naturally, nutrition will be at the top of the list when comparing whey protein powders. I decided to put together a quick nutritional summary of the two to compare them:
As you can see, Elevation whey protein powder has more protein per gram than the Garden of Life version. The catch is that it also contains more fat and sugar. However, Elevation protein powder has the added benefit of containing 2g of creatine monohydrate per serving (which is on the lower end of the recommended dosage range). Creatine has numerous health benefits, the best known of which is its ability to help you build more muscle during strength training. Adding that extra boost along with my protein powder is a huge plus for me (although if you want to take a creatine supplement, we recommend some).
However, one of the biggest differentiators is that while Garden of Life is third-party tested, Elevation is not. Why is this important? Third-party testing is one way to ensure that the ingredients and amounts listed on supplement facts labels are accurate. While Aldi Inc., the owner of Millville, says it has rigorous quality and safety standards, it does not list any third-party certifications on its corporate website or on its supplemental facts label.
textures
As you can see from my photos, the Garden of Life protein powder (above) has a fine texture, similar to baby powder, while the Elevation protein powder (below) is more grainy in texture. I mixed both with almond milk in my shaker bottle, shaking each for 30 seconds. Garden of Life protein powder mixes better with liquid, leaving fewer lumps after shaking than Elevation protein powder. When it comes to easy mixing, Garden of Life was the clear winner.
Eating Well / Katie Tuttle
Taste
While both have a strong, chocolate flavor courtesy of the cocoa powder, no one would mistake it for a milkshake either. However, the sweeteners in each are what set the two apart. Elevation whey protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, while Garden of Life uses organic stevia extract. I personally find that I am very sensitive to the smell of stevia; it gives an artificial note that I find unexpected. However, if you prefer a natural sweetener, Elevation’s use of sucralose may be a turn-off.
Eating Well / Katie Tuttle
After all
Choosing between these two protein powders was not easy. The Garden of Life version has a lot going for it in terms of source and structure, and I appreciate the role of third-party testing when it comes to any type of dietary supplement. However, if I take something almost every day, taste and value are important considerations. Therefore, Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder (view on Amazon) remains my favorite. It contains more protein per gram than Garden of Life, provides a slight creatine boost and, most importantly, tastes better. That’s why it will continue to be my favorite – it just fits better into my routine and makes my shakes something I can look forward to drinking.
Our trusted expertise
Katie Tuttle is a business editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. She has been powerlifting for six years and has been testing food and kitchen products for two.
This article was edited and reviewed by senior trade editor Brierley Horton, MS, RD, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.
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Image Source : www.eatingwell.com
