Level-1: The Best Tasting Protein Ever!
My newest addiction is Ice Cream Sandwich… and I’m not talking about the stuff the Schwann’s man used to deliver to my house when I was 5. I’m talking about a flavor of whey protein that I recently discovered and I’m in LOVE with it. The funny thing about this is that I swore I would never drink a protein shake again (not kidding)! I was sick of feeling bloated and gross after attempting to guzzle down a shake after a workout, not to mention that finding a great tasting protein seemed harder to find than this Birthday Cake Halo Top everyone raves about. To me, it just seemed easier to scarf down chicken and rice, although what I was really wanting was something refreshing, easy to make, and quick to eat or drink.
A well known diet coach and friend of mine kept raving about this stuff and wouldn’t shut up about it, so I finally took a chance and ordered the Ice Cream Sandwich Level-1 protein from 1st Phorm. 1st Phorm is actually based out of Saint Louis Missouri, which isn’t too incredibly far from my neck of the woods here in Illinois. The company makes two types of protein; Level-1 and Phormula-1. Level-1 is great as a meal replacement, and Phormula-1 is designed for post-workout nutrition. The two serve slightly different purposes, but they both go through a process that involves extremely low temperatures, which is ideal for making the highest quality protein! Real quick: whey protein is a high-quality protein source that is essentially “dehydrated” into a powder. In order to do this, you must process the whey with heat. Many companies use extremely high temperatures because it is cheaper and faster, but 1st Phorm does not and this was one key factor that helped me decide to try this out versus going with another brand. This low temperature process is also the key to keeping bloat, gas, and poor taste from ever being an issue.
So, the first time I tried this, I simply mixed a scoop in my shaker with water and some ice cubes. I was out and about and brought my shaker with me because I knew I was going to be a while (I was at Target… you know how that goes) and my inner wannabe bodybuilder self still tends to eat every 3ish hours. I remember tasting my shake and thinking, “Did I add Almond Milk to this and forget?” Almond Milk makes drinks tastes way creamier and better – in my opinion – and I was simply shocked by how much flavor this protein had with just water! The Level-1 Ice Cream Sandwich taste was spot on and I noticed REAL cookie pieces in it. It looked like someone took the real deal and broke it off into chunks in my shaker!
The next day, I wanted to have it again. It’s August, and here in IL that means it is HUMID as ever. I was craving something cold and refreshing, so I decided to make a smoothie with the Level-1 Ice Cream Sandwich this time around. I took about 8 ice cubes, 1 scoop of the Level-1 protein, 50g of blueberries, and 1 cup of Almond Milk, and blended it all together in a blender (And no, it wasn’t some fancy Vitamix or Ninja. It was a $20 garage sale blender). The final product was so thick and creamy… it literally looked like soft serve! Excited to dive in, I sat on my back porch, drank it straight from the blender with a straw stabbed into it, and my dad rolled up right then and started laughing at me. What he didn’t realize was that this was the best thing I had tasted in forever, and my mindset was, “I ain’t got time to transfer it into no silly cup!” Ha!
Okay, so bottom line, I am really impressed with the Level-1 from 1st Phorm. The Ice Cream Sandwich flavor tastes as good as it sounds, and 1st Phorm really nailed it. I finally found a protein that doesn’t make me bloat, the amazing taste helps curb cravings for me, and it’s great quality. If you’re curious, the macros for Level-1 are: 23 P/5C/2.5F and only 134 calories. I highly recommend it… especially to any of you unfortunate people who haven’t found a protein that you’re in love with yet!
