Protein shakes come in handy when you need a convenient way to get an extra boost of protein in your day. Protein takes a bit longer to digest so people tend to feel fuller for longer which can help with weight loss and feeling satisfied. There are a ton of different protein shakes available in various flavors and it can be hard to figure out which ones to buy. Hopefully this review for the Costco Alani Protein Shake can be helpful in determining if it’s one you want to try!
I’ve reviewed quite a few protein shakes and bars from Costco like the Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars, Simply Protein Bars, RX Protein Bars, Smart for Life Protein Bars, Quest Protein Bars, Fairlife Protein Shakes, Optimum Gold Nutrition Whey Protein Powder and the Robert Irvine’s Protein Bars.
Location in Store
I found these protein shakes at the front of Costco, right as you walk in the store and the item number is 1786575. If they’re not at the front of the store, I bet you could easily find them at the side of the store with all the other beverages.
Taste
These protein shakes look very similar to chocolate milk. The taste is also similar to chocolate milk, the mix of sweeteners used gives the shakes a bit of a funny flavor. It’s not bad and I found it grew on me as I drank my shake, but it’s a bit more artificial tasting than the straight sugar used in chocolate milk (though I imagine much lower in calories as well!).
Looking at the ingredients list, I see regular sugar is the first sweetener listed, but sucralose also appears as the third last ingredient.
The shakes are pretty creamy considering the main ingredient is water. The texture is very close to chocolate milk.
If you judge these shakes as a chocolate milk replacement, they’re a bit off, but still pretty good! Judging them as protein shake, I’d say they’re very good. I usually use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey protein. The chocolate flavor has 24 grams of protein per 120 calorie scoop, and those scoops don’t taste nearly this good if you just mix them into water. Four fewer grams of protein, 20 more calories and a much nicer taste seems like a good trade to me.
Cost
There are 12 – 355 milliliter bottles in the case and the case cost $19.99 Canadian. That’s less than two dollars per shake, which isn’t exactly cheap but also isn’t outrageously expensive for a ready-to-drink shake.
Convenience
The shakes are ready to drink and I recommend serving them chilled from the refrigerator. The bottles recommend not freezing them, shaking them well before you drink them and storing them in the refrigerator if you open one but don’t finish it.
Protein shakes work as a breakfast, lunch or snack. They’re great for a post-workout protein boost as well.
Nutrition
Calories
One 355 milliliter bottle contains 140 calories, three and a half grams of fat, 10 grams of carbohydrates, three grams of fibre, six grams of sugar, 20 grams of protein and 240 milligrams of sodium. That’s not that many calories and fat for 20 grams of protein. I was a little surprised by the sodium content due to how sweet these taste.
Ingredients
The thing about protein shakes is that they’re amazing for those who are looking for a quick boost of protein but they’re not really as nutritious and nutrient dense as real food. These shakes have some artificial sweeteners and additives that you would avoid by having whole foods.
The shakes are gluten-free as well as soy-free but do contain dairy.
Scoring
Taste: 8.5/10
Cost: 7/10
Convenience: 10/10
Nutrition: 7/10
Overall
Give it a try!
These shakes are pretty tasty, they’re very creamy and chocolaty. If you’re looking to try a protein shake when you can’t get your hands on the Fairlife Protein Shakes at Costco, I’d give this one a try.
Have you tried the Costco Alani Protein Shakes? What did you think of them?
Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. In the event that Costcuisine receives compensation for a post from the manufacturer of a product or some other third party, the arrangement will be clearly disclosed (including where the manufacturer of a product provides Costcuisine with a free sample of the product).
