Premier Protein – Not Premier for Bariatric Patients!
Legal Trouble for Premier Protein
Premier Protein sells all kinds of protein shakes. The ones whose labels state that they have 30 grams of protein per serving are the ones in the settlement. Analysis has found that they have 26 to 29 grams. The flavors that are in the settlement are Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberries & Cream, Banana & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Cookies & Cream, Mixed Berry, Organic Chocolate, Organic Vanilla, and Caramel.
While the company is not admitting wrongdoing or ceasing the sale of these products, there is a class action settlement. You may be eligible for a cash payout if you purchased any of the misleading shakes in the past 7 years, since 2011. Pre-op or post-op, you need to know how much protein is in your shakes.
Not Best for Bariatric Patients
Every gram of protein counts, but the deception in amount of protein per serving is not the only problem. Even if you are willing to overlook the shortfall in the amount of protein, Premier Protein has a problem with type of protein.
Read the ingredients carefully, and you will see that less than 1% of the product is “whey protein concentrate.” Whey protein is the type of protein that you should be looking for because it absorbs more quickly than casein. Whey protein has been shown to increase weight loss and body fat loss in bariatric surgery patients.
Another glance at the list of ingredients of Premier Protein shows that “milk protein concentrate” and “casein” are the major sources of protein. Casein is slow-acting. If you had a bariatric surgery type, such as gastric bypass, that interferes with absorption, you may not get all the benefits from casein.
What’s Better?
We know that you need a protein supplement, so what can you find that has the amount and type of protein you need and the great taste that will encourage you to take care of your needs? BariatricPal Protein One gets our vote.
- 27 grams of whey protein.
- 28 vitamins and minerals.
- Great-tasting French Vanilla, Cinnamon Swirl, and Double Chocolate Fudge.
It has a few more advantages over Premier Protein.
- Over twice as much dietary fiber for fullness and digestive health.
- Choose from convenient single-serving packets or multi-serving tubs.
- Comes in powder so you can add water or your favorite beverage.
- Has an “unflavored” option so you can add it to anything, from soup to smoothies.
When it comes to bariatric products, quality counts. Any purchase you make should be from a trusted source because there are a lot of poor-quality or misleading products out there. The few grams of difference between Premier Protein’s claims and reality may not be a lot, but along with the poor choice of casein instead of whey as the main protein source, you might want to seek another source for your protein. Look for a trusted vendor and name brand as you make your choice. What you put in your body really does matter.
Alex Brecher
I am a native New Yorker who loves spending time with my children and working out at the gym.
I had struggled with my weight my whole life. Diets worked for me until I went off them and gained back more weight each time. Finally, a friend who used to be obese told me that he had gotten weight loss surgery. I could see how great he looked, and I got weight loss surgery in 2003. Thankfully, I can say that I have never looked back. It helped me lose more than 100 lbs. and keep the weight off since 2003.
I am the founder of BariatricPal and proud of everything that it means to the entire weight loss surgery community. Together, we can fight obesity and work toward living healthier lifestyles!
You can view The BIG Books on Weight Loss Surgery book series at the BariatricPal Store.
Cash Payout...I have been drinking Premier Protein twice a day since I had my surgery 4 years ago..
$40 with proof of purchase $20 without.
Alex ....
Honest question here. If you have such concerns about Premier Protein, why do you still sell GENEPRO. The Genepro issues are much more serious, and the company that makes Genepro has behaved seriously unethically, IMO.
I also don't think the Premier Protein issues are so terrible. 26-29 g of protein vs. 30 g. That is a 3-13% discrepancy. Although not ideal, not the worst either (i.e. Genepro).
And casein & milk protein concentrate vs. whey protein isolate. Are there any studies saying whey protein is superior? Not all of us have bypasses. Even with bypasses, just because casein is absorbed more slowly, does it mean it is absorbed less completely?
Okay Alex the next time I order from Bariatric Pal Store I will order the Cinnamon Swirl, I promise. As a 6 week old bypass I do want something that works for me and I truly could use the extra Fiber. So far everything I have ordered I have❤except for one thing. I cannot abide the cheesecake flavor pudding/shake, maybe I can disguise it with Peanut Butter powder? Oh well--- 99.99% Happy Camper!
7 hours ago, sillykitty said:Alex ....
Honest question here. If you have such concerns about Premier Protein, why do you still sell GENEPRO. The GENEPRO issues are much more serious, and the company that makes Genepro has behaved seriously unethically, IMO.
I also don't think the Premier Protein issues are so terrible. 26-29 g of Protein vs. 30 g. That is a 3-13% discrepancy. Although not ideal, not the worst either (i.e. Genepro).
And casein & milk protein concentrate vs. whey protein isolate. Are there any studies saying whey protein is superior? Not all of us have bypasses. Even with bypasses, just because casein is absorbed more slowly, does it mean it is absorbed less completely?
We stopped selling GENEPRO for a short while and many customers got very upset. They tell us that they know that they aren't getting in any more protein than regular protein but they like the way it mixes. That's what we tell anyone that asks us.
3 minutes ago, Alex Brecher said:
Thanks for replying Alex.
It's good that this info is getting out there. My dietician heavily emphasized that I'm not allowed to use any Protein that's main source of protein is concentrate, like Premier.
@Alex Brecher I'm a lawyer. I'm having my surgery today. Newton Wellesley, MA recommends Premier Protein. Can you sent me the lawsuit so I have something to read?
Thanks!
Did you write this article? If not, please know you are breaking copyright law by posting so much of it, esp. without citing where it’s from, etc. Better to post a link and short summary. In fact, I’d like to know the link, so I can read more about it.
Hey Peeps, have you ever read the side panel on Premier Protein and I quote"Notice:Use This Product as a Good Supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction." At $1.75 a container, $6.99 a 4 pack at Wally World when they have it in, shelves bare because of the legal hassle, who beside a desperate weight reducer would pay THAT cost? A bad for you Mickey D milkshake is cheaper than THAT!
54 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:Hey Peeps, have you ever read the side panel on Premier Protein and I quote"Notice:Use This Product as a Good Supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction." At $1.75 a container, $6.99 a 4 pack at Wally World when they have it in, shelves bare because of the legal hassle, who beside a desperate weight reducer would pay THAT cost? A bad for you Mickey D milkshake is cheaper than THAT!
I bought it because my hospital and dietitian recommended it. I like it and I don't really care about the minor reduction in Protein because I have a lot of other sources of protein and these taste pretty good. I bought them online before I heard about the class action suit. I must be feeling better from my Monday surgery because I just found my receipts and submitted them, which I recommend anyone else in the class do. I'm not sure if buying them on Amazon will count but it is proof I bought them and just made the cut off when I was stacking up.
Time to check out the locally pitched brand I guess! 
Don't buy Wal-Mart's Equate Protein Shakes, they are NASTY!
Yvonne 1225 5
Posted
Cash payout??? I have purchased so much Premier Protein for years
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