Thanks to its no-compromise approach to nutrition, Natreve has shaken up the supplement industry with the recent launch of Mooless. The first-of-its-kind animal-free whey protein powder takes the cow out of the equation, while still delivering the same performance benefits of the bovine-sourced original.
Made with Perfect Day's animal-free whey protein, which harnesses the power of microflora given an exact copy of the DNA sequence corresponding to cow's milk protein, Mooless can be a great, sustainable alternative to traditional supplements.
Since the launch of the cow-less protein source — and with the recent expansion into over 690 Vitamin Shoppe stores nationwide — we've been curious as to how effective this powder could be. How would our bodies react to the microflora-bred whey? Would the supplement mix well in a shaker? How would it taste?
So, wth blender bottle in-hand, we set out to tackle the tough, albeit tasty, questions. Here's what we found.
Mixing Mooless is as simple as rip, pour, shake
One of the most welcomed perks with Natreve's animal-free whey protein powder is not the flavor or the nutritional benefits, but rather, the individual single-serve packets. Instead of digging in a tub to find a buried scoop then eyeballing a "rounded" serving, you simply need to rip open the packet and go. No measuring, no powder-covered hands. The single packets also made traveling with ready-to-go protein much easier, allowing us to catch that anabolic window perfectly after long training sessions in the gym.
The packaging calls for the powder to be mixed with 12 ounces of liquid, which is a good amount for a shake that's not too thick but not too diluted. We tested Mooless with water and found no mixing issues, but if you really want to give your protein shake a boost of flavor, we recommend mixing Mooless with your favorite non-dairy milk. (Whole milk sort of defeats the purpose, right?)
Mooless is animal-free, but not flavor-free
Some protein powders carry with them a bit of chalkiness, a lingering taste that confirms you're drinking a protein shake. Mooless, on the other hand, delivers plenty of enjoyable flavor. The four varietals — Vanilla Bean Cupcake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookies and Cream and Strawberry Shortcake — taste exactly as their names suggest, which can leave you questioning if these are nutritional supplements or sweet-tooth guilty pleasures.
After testing the full lineup, we found ourselves reaching more often for Chocolate Fudge Brownie as our flavor of choice. Chocoholic biases aside, there's not a bad taste in the bunch. Just choose the flavor that calls to you and you won't be disappointed.
Digestible performance in just 100 calories
When taking Mooless, we found the shakes were easy on the stomach and didn't give us that typical rumbling or bloating associated with other whey powders. This is a testament to the lactose-free, gluten-free and hormone-free composition of the product. Additionally, each serving delivered 20 grams of protein, regardless of flavor.
The 100 calories per serving was also enough to keep us fueled in the morning without straining our dietary system, and proved to be a worthwhile mid-afternoon snack for that extra boost to finish out the day. While there were some variations by flavor in some of the micronutrients — our favored Chocolate Fudge Brownie contained slightly more potassium and iron, for example — we didn't feel there were any missing ingredients across the board.
Performance-wise, well, any whey protein powder is subjective. We're constantly striving for muscle gain, so we can't speak, for now, as to how Mooless has affected our training. From a digestion standpoint, though, we have noticed a positive difference from traditional whey.
Natreve Mooless: the Verdict
Despite all the positives surrounding Mooless, the cost is still high when compared to other supplements. At roughly $3 per serving, this is one of the most expensive protein powders on the market. Mooless is in a class all its own, however, as the lone animal-free whey protein source out there, so take comparisons with a grain of salt.
If you have a restrictive diet, or want the benefits of whey protein without the carbon footprint, Mooless can be a great option. But if you're just looking to add a powder to your nutritional routine, you can save some cash with other options. Natreve makes a damn good protein...but for now, we're still thinking with our wallets.
