Bulk Protein review: we tested out the brand’s protein powders and bars
GOOD protein brands are hard to come by, but protein shakes and protein bars are often a very useful addition to a gym-goer’s diet (or anyone’s diet, for that matter).
We need protein generally for good health; it’s one of the three main macronutrients that food is made up of, along with carbohydrates and fat, yet those who exercise fairly intensely will often need more protein.
It’s essential for supporting muscle repair and growth. It’s also the most satiating macro, so upping your protein intake could come in handy if you’re trying to lose some pounds.
Bulk is a brand I have been familiar with for a while, so I was excited to try out some of its best-selling products and check out the taste and quality of the range.
Here’s how I got on…
- Get 40% off Bulk favourites using code BULK – here
Pros
- Great flavour range
- The vegan protein powder contains just as much, if not more protein than their non-vegan range
- Bars taste delicious
Cons
- Not all ingredients ‘agree’ with everyone
- ‘Protein’ doesn’t always mean ‘healthy’
Rating: 4/5
Bulk protein review: quick summary
I’m someone who has a scoop of protein (either with water, in a smoothie or mixed with oats) every day, and usually some kind of protein bar as a snack. They support my active lifestyle, they’re super convenient ways to get more protein in my diet, and most importantly, I love the taste!
But, I am fussy with my protein snacks and shakes. Some can be filled with a whole host of ingredients, colours, flavourings and sugar, and I don’t really want to be filling my body with nasty things.
Bulk states that it has “the best ingredients, the best formulations, the best taste, the best choice, the best service and the best brand experience”.
As I was tucking into some of Bulk’s best sellers, I was inclined to agree with the taste.
The Macro Munch Protein Bars (I tried Chocolate Hazelnut and Millionaire’s Shortbread) were hands down some of the best protein bars I’ve tried, and I’ve tried my fair share. Thick chocolate, great toppings and a protein middle that didn’t just get stuck in my teeth (as they often do), made for a delicious afternoon snack.
The protein powders I tried — both the Pure Whey and the Gourmet Vegan — blended really well and the flavours were delicious. I often find that vegan protein powders can be grainy, but this was not the case with Bulk’s version.
For me, whey can cause some stomach discomfort. After all, whey protein comes from cow’s milk, and cow’s milk can be irritating for some people. This was no different, and my tummy was feeling a little distended an hour after my whey shake; however, this is an issue for me and certainly won’t be a problem for everyone.
Generally, though, I was really impressed at the Bulk products I tried, for taste, ingredients and cost.
- Get 40% off Bulk favourites using code BULK – here
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Bulk Protein review: full review
Originally known as Bulk Powders, Bulk was set up in 2006 by founders Elliot Dawes and Adam Rossiter.
Now the brand is global, and according to the Bulk site, In 2022, nearly 10 million products were delivered to customers. That’s a lot of protein.
Bulk also sells vitamin and mineral supplements, gym accessories and other weight loss foods such as low/no calorie sauces and syrups.
A protein shake is a classic pre- or post-gym must for many people. Others use shakes as a snack during the day to stave off hunger pangs and ensure protein levels are adequate.
Bulk Protein Pure Whey Powder review
I dove straight into my Bulk testing by trying out the brand’s Pure Whey powder.
My chosen flavours were Chocolate, Blonde Chocolate and White Chocolate. As you can tell, I am quite the chocolate fan and often find that a chocolate protein shake stops me from craving actually bars of sugary, fatty chocolate.
A 500g bag of Bulk’s Pure Whey powder is just £21.99, which is pretty affordable, I reckon.
Each scoop has at least 22g of muscle-boosting protein, plus 5g of BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids) that are said to help with muscle growth and reduce fatigue and soreness post-workout.
The Bulk Whey Protein also has minimal sugar (less than 1.5g per serving) as it’s sweetened with sweeteners, and each scoop is low in fat, containing less than 2.2g per serving. Oh and calorie-wise, a scoop of this whey will provide no more than 117 calories.
Bulk also does other protein powders, which will vary in calorie counts (some being much higher) but this original Whey Protein certainly won’t be causing too much of a stir in the weight gain department.
I added a scoop to my fruit smoothie; it blended well and the chocolate flavours are all delicious. Mixed with water, the powder also blends well and the flavour is strong, without being too sweet or overbearing. A shake made using the Bulk Whey Protein is very smooth and there’s no grainy texture whatsoever.
Not a chocolate fan? There are so many flavours to choose from, I’m actually slightly overwhelmed just looking at the list. There are the classics like Vanilla and Strawberry flavours as well as Salted Caramel, Chocolate Peanut and Iced Latte. You can also opt for unflavoured, should you wish.
- Pure Whey Protein, £21.99 from Bulk – buy here
Bulk Protein Vegan Protein Powder review
Whey doesn’t always agree with my stomach, so I was also keen to try the Bulk Gourmet Vegan Protein Powder in Caramel flavour. A 700g bag costs £26.99.
With the vegan protein, you technically get more for your money as a larger pack is cheaper than the whey protein. However, there is debate as to whether whey is a better protein source than plant-based sources.
But each scoop of the vegan protein does still contain a very impressive 24g of protein, so it’s definitely going to support your nutritional goals.
Made with a mix of plant proteins including pea, sunflower, soya, hemp and pumpkin seed, this vegan powder is sweetened with Stevia and also contains a digestive enzyme and vegan D3.
It’s often the case that vegan proteins don’t blend as well as whey or other dairy-based proteins. They can be grainier too. In this instance, although there is still a difference between the whey and vegan proteins (the whey being that little bit smoother in texture when mixed with water), it’s a minimal difference and I’m actually pleasantly surprised at how well this vegan protein mixes.
- Gourmet Vegan Protein Powder, £26.99 from Bulk – buy here
Bulk Clear Whey Isolate review
I also tried Bulk Clear Whey Isolate in the Peach Iced Tea flavour. For something a little lighter, and more summery, then this is ideal as it’s basically like drinking protein-packed flavoured water. It packs in 20g of protein per scoop and a tiny 86 calories, plus it contains just 0.1g of sugar, so you know a Clear Whey shake won’t have a drastic impact on your waistline.
A 500g bag will set you back £34.99, which is a pretty average protein powder price. A 1kg bag costs £59.99. Go figure.
I mixed a scoop with water, however, I read on Bulk’s site that you can freeze this into ice lollies, which actually sounds really exciting. The powder mixes really well and doesn’t stay foamy for too long.
Personally, for me, Clear Whey isn’t my favourite. I love a creamy shake, so thick protein powder is much more my vibe. The Clear Whey is also super sweet (it contains sucralose), but again, this might be to your liking.
Bulk sells a tonne of Clear Whey flavours, from Passionfruit, Pink Lemonade and Summer Fruits to Tropical and Apple & Blackcurrant.
- Clear Whey Isolate, £34.99 from Bulk – buy here
Bulk Protein bars review
For the snackers, Bulk Macro Munch Chocolate Hazelnut protein bars and Bulk Macro Munch Millionaire’s Shortbread protein bars are triple-layered delights.
They’re not cheap at all, setting you back £2.99 per bar. But, they taste great. As in, really great.
The chocolate on top of the Chocolate Hazelnut bar is thick; Bulk hasn’t skimped here, which is great. I’ve tried bars in the past where you’re pretty much given a thin slither of chocolate before hitting the hard protein centre.
As for the protein centre itself, it’s not too hard and is easy to chew thanks to being soft-baked. Oh, and let’s not forget that this bar does pack in an impressive 20g of protein, which is great if you need that extra protein boost.
Large amounts of sugar can be a problem with protein bars but these Bulk bars contain just 3.5g of the sweet stuff, along with 4.5g of gut-lovin’ fibre.
Oh, and there are so many great flavours to choose from. The two I tried were like bites of heaven, but there are also flavours such as Cherry Bakewell, Cookies & Cream and Tiramisu.
- Macro Munch Protein Bar, £2.99 from Bulk – buy here
Bulk Protein review: the verdict
As protein brands go, Bulk is up there in my list of favourites.
The powders and bars that I tried were really tasty and contained decent levels of protein. Both the whey and vegan powders mixed well, and the bars were so moreish, I did find myself eating two on some days. The Bulk flavour choices are really quite impressive and there is something for everyone.
But, do remember that protein shakes and snacks work well as a supplement to your diet; they shouldn’t always be relied on. Although the Bulk products that I tried are great, they do still contain an array of ingredients which might not always sit well with people. So, look to natural protein sources as your main go-to.