An Honest Review of Tom Brady’s TB12 Protein Powder

Given his GOAT status and his longevity in such a grueling sport, it’s no surprise that Tom Bray’s diet is as accurate as his performance on the field. According to her personal chef, about 80 percent of what she eats is vegetables, in addition to whole grains, lean meat and fish.

Another mainstay on Brady’s menu? brady shakes previously said Men’s health who starts his morning with two shakes– one containing blueberries, bananas, nuts and seeds, and the other a post-workout protein shake made (presumably) with their own TB12 protein powder.

As part of the growing line of TB12 supplements, two TB12 protein powders are currently offered: one made with whey isolate, and the other with pea protein. But just because they’re endorsed by a world-class athlete doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best for the average guy.

Before trying any supplement, including protein powder, it is important to know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not officially regulate them. To ensure you get what the label says, opt for supplements marked with third-party certifications, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). This ensures that the supplement has been tested, that it does not contain any banned substances, and that its ingredients are verified.

“TB12 protein powders are NSF-certifiedmeaning it has been tested to ensure its quality, purity, and safety,” he says. Taylor Dixon, MSRD, an Atlanta-based dietitian who works with athletes.

To help you make an informed decision about whether or not this product is a good fit for you, I taste-tested the product and asked two registered dietitians to weigh in on the ingredients and nutritional information.

Here is our honest review of the TB12 protein powder.

TB12 Whey Protein Isolate Review

If you prefer no-frills, no-flavor protein powder, TB12 Whey Protein Isolate hits the mark.

Like all whey protein isolates, TB12 whey protein isolate is derived from milk but does not contain lactose, so it is easy to digest. It contains all nine essential amino acids (those your body cannot make on its own) and is therefore considered a “complete” protein.

What is the nutritional information for TB12 whey protein powder?

One 22-gram scoop of TB12 Whey Protein Isolate contains 80 calories, 20 grams of protein, and zero carbohydrates. There are trace amounts of fat from sunflower lecithin (more on specific ingredients later).

Whey protein contains all three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAS), leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which can help increase muscle growth.

Whey protein also gets a perfect score for digestibility, says Sharon Puello, RD, registered dietitian and diabetes care and education specialist based in Yonkers, NY. This is based on amino acid score corrected for protein digestibility (PDCAAS), a measure to assess how much protein in a food your body can actually use.

Dixon says it’s best to limit yourself to 30 grams of whey protein or less in a single sitting, to avoid potential side effects like gas, bloating and stomach cramps. But since the optimal amount of protein for post-workout muscle synthesis is between 25-35 grams, you may want to use a heaping scoop of this product for optimal recovery and strength gains.

What ingredients does TB12 whey protein powder contain?

TB12 Whey Protein Isolate is made with just two ingredients: whey protein isolate and a small amount (less than 1.5 percent of the powder) of sunflower lecithin, a plant-based fat that acts as an emulsifier and helps the powder mixes easily with water.

“Whey protein is one of the highest quality and most bioavailable forms of protein available as a supplement,” says Dixon.

There is very little sunflower lecithin in the product, and you can be sure that the plant-based lipid will not cause any harm. TO 2017 review published in EFSA Journal found that there were no negative side effects associated with consuming lecithin as a food additive.

What does TB12 whey protein isolate taste like?

I tried whey protein isolate mixed with water and in a banana shake. Because it’s flavorless and sugar-free, TB12 Whey Protein Isolate is best when mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit in a smoothie.

TB12 Plant Based Protein Powder Review

TB12 plant-based protein is an alternative to whey protein powders. Unlike other plant-based powders that contain a multi-ingredient protein blend, such as soy and brown rice, this one is derived entirely from peas, one of the only plant-based protein sources that contains all nine essential amino acids.

What is the nutritional information for TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder?

Plant-based protein powder has a very different nutritional profile than its whey-based counterpart.

For starters, it has 20 percent more protein. That said, the amount of protein your body actually digests and uses is probably similar. “While casein and whey get a perfect digestibility score (1.0), pea protein concentrate/isolate gets a score of 0.893, which means our bodies can use less pea protein than whey and casein. Puello says. Still, the fact that pea protein contains all the essential amino acids is definitely a plus.

Plant-Based Protein TB12 (Vanilla)

One 32-gram scoop of TB12 Plant-Based Protein (Vanilla) contains 130 calories, 24 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates (one of which is fiber), and 2 grams of fat.

TB12 Plant-Based Protein (Mixed Berries)

One 32-gram scoop of TB12 Plant-Based Protein (Mixed Berry) contains 130 calories, 24 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrates (1 gram of fiber), and 2 grams of fat.

In addition to protein, the plant-based powders also provide 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of fat, which is pretty negligible but could help with both fullness and texture.

What ingredients does TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder contain?

Plant-Based Protein TB12 (Vanilla) Contains: Pea Protein, Salt, Guar Gum, Reba (Stevia), Natural Flavors, and Monk Fruit Extract.

TB12 Plant-Based Protein (Mixed Berry) Contains: Pea Protein, Natural Berry Flavor, Salt, Stevia Extract, Red Beet Powder, Organic Guar Gum, and Monk Fruit Extract.

As mentioned above, pea protein is the closest thing to high-quality plant sources. It has all nine essential amino acids, including all three BCAAs, and is relatively easy to digest.

stevia Y monk fruit extract are two plant-based sweeteners that have no calories and are up to 200 times sweeter than sugar. Both are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.