Protein powder is a staple in the fitness world, with countless options available. This abundance can make choosing the right one for your specific goals overwhelming, especially when faced with a variety of ingredients, additives, and marketing claims. This article will explore GNC protein powders, specifically focusing on their potential role in weight loss.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
GNC: A Supplement Industry Giant
If you live in the United States, you almost certainly know the brand GNC. There’s a good chance you already buy your supplements at GNC. GNC is one of the most popular supplement retail stores, and in addition to carrying many of the top supplement brands, it also sells its own line of dietary supplements.
GNC AMP Wheybolic: A Closer Look
GNC AMP Wheybolic contains whey isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein, and several other additives, like extra leucine and digestive enzymes. GNC also sells GMP AMP Wheybolic Ripped, which is the same protein marketed toward weight loss goals, with added caffeine and capsicum to provide a thermogenic effect and raise the body’s temperature.
Ingredients and Nutritional Information
The first ingredient in GNC Pro Performance Whey is whey concentrate, which is cheaper and has more fat and carbs than whey isolate. There are no real shocks in this ingredients list, though it is a little unusual to have more acesulfame potassium (or Ace-K) than sucralose. Truthfully, the carbohydrate count is the only thing really worth noting here. Almost every whey protein has artificial sweeteners and soy lecithin, but it’s rare to see one with 6 grams of carbs for 24 grams of protein. On top of that, it doesn’t contain any digestive enzymes.
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Cost and Availability
You can pick up a 1.96-pound tub of GNC Pro Performance Whey of 25 servings for $20. That’s very, very cheap. At $2.80 per serving, GNC AMP Wheybolic is one of the most expensive protein powders we’ve tested, but you’re paying extra for the added digestive enzymes, leucine, and Velositol®. Any GNC product, including Wheybolic, receives free shipping on orders over $59, so unless this protein goes on sale, shipping will be free.
Taste and Texture
Overall, GNC AMP Wheybolic has a great texture and flavor. It dissolves quickly and easily, but it dissolved better in water than in milk. What’s unusual about this product is that it has no artificial flavors but it does have artificial sweeteners. This is a fine product that tastes great, mixes well, and is very, very cheap.
Third-Party Testing and Quality Assurance
We always recommend that you look for third-party testing when choosing a supplement, which ensures the product is safe from contaminants and contains what it claims on the label. For third-party testing, GNC AMP Wheybolic earns 4.5 out of 5. To further test this protein, GGR hired an independent, accredited lab, Ellipse Analytics, to conduct our own unbiased third-party testing. We had over 150 protein powders tested for purity and label accuracy. GGR collaborated with Ellipse Analytics, an accredited third-party lab, to test more than 150 protein powders. We screened for dozens of factors and rated each product against its peers.
GGR Testing Experience
For this review, GNC AMP Wheybolic was tested by GGR’s Head of Content, Nicole Davis, a certified nutrition coach and protein powder expert. Overall, she enjoyed the flavor and texture, which was surprisingly good, and she was impressed by the high protein content. Nicole didn’t experience any side effects, giving this category a score of 5 out of 5 stars, and I didn’t see any user reviews that mention side effects.
Potential Benefits of GNC AMP Wheybolic
Wheybolic uses a blend of both whey isolate and hydrolyzed whey protein, which are two of the fastest-absorbing protein sources. It also contains added l-leucine (though whey is naturally rich in this amino acid), as well as Velositol®, a patented blend of amylopectin and chromium that may improve muscle protein synthesis1 when paired with whey protein.
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Customer Reviews and Satisfaction
At the time of writing, AMP Wheybolic has over 1,200 reviews with an average rating of 3.8. For customer experience, which looks at the return policy and customer support, GNC earns a rating of 4 out of 5. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, but the cost of return shipping will be removed from the refund.
GNC Pro Performance Whey: An Alternative
I decided to put my assumptions to the test. Could GNC Pro Performance Whey actually be a great protein powder? When compared to other cheap protein powders, the main difference is that it contains more whey carbs.
Comparing GNC Protein Powders to Competitors
Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Grass-Fed Whey Protein
The Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Grass-Fed Whey Protein comes very close to being pure protein, making it a great choice for those who are trying to meet their macronutrient goals. Plus, the price per serving is where this ISO shines. Keep in mind our testers found this whey isolate to be a little too sweet but it was not a dealbreaker.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
Otherwise, it’s worth noting that GNC and Optimum Nutrition and Isopure all get their whey from Glanbia, one of the largest-scale producers of American style cheeses - whey can be a byproduct of cheesemaking, and Glanbia uses it to make protein supplements.
The Role of Protein Powder in Weight Loss
Protein powder can be a helpful tool for weight loss due to its ability to promote satiety, preserve lean muscle mass during calorie restriction, and boost metabolism. However, it's crucial to remember that protein powder is a supplement, not a magic bullet. A balanced diet and regular exercise remain the cornerstones of successful weight loss.
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Potential Side Effects
Nicole didn’t experience any side effects, giving this category a score of 5 out of 5 stars, and I didn’t see any user reviews that mention side effects.