Costco Fairlife Protein Shakes (Nutrition vs. Core Power)
Fairlife Nutrition Plan and Core Power at Costco
Why Are Fairlife Protein Drinks So Popular?
Fairlife protein drinks aren’t your typical protein shake. They have a couple of key attributes that differentiate them from the rest and have made them one of the more popular protein shake options at Costco.
Very High Protein Count
Each shake has a very high amount of protein, coming in at 30 grams for the Fairlife Nutrition shake and 26 grams for the Core Power. The Fairlife Core Power Elite (Not Sold at Costco) even has a whopping 42 grams of protein.
These are fantastic protein numbers for a shake of this size and caliber.
Ultra Filtration = Low Sugars and Lactose-Free
Secondly, Fairlife uses an ultra filtration system to concentrate the protein and filter out the milk’s sugars. This leaves behind an extraordinarily healthy but flavorful and protein-packed milk. Many people consider the Fairlife Nutrition Plan to be chocolate milk on steroids.
Lactose-Free
During the Ultra-Filtration process, much of the lactose is removed from the milk. The remaining lactose is converted by adding lactase enzymes to make the Fairlife protein shake lactose-free. This is an excellent protein option for the lactose intolerant.
As many as 30 million American Adults are lactose intolerant, and these Fairlife shakes are a great protein shake option for them.
Costco Fairlife Nutrition Plan (Chocolate)
The Fairlife Nutrition Plan is the everyday protein shake and is meant more as an on-the-go high-protein meal replacement hunger satisfier. It’s a great protein shake option to keep in your work bag or desk that you can pop open for a quick guilt-free snack.
Costco Fairlife Core Power (Strawberry Banana)
The Fairlife Core Power shake is designed as an after workout protein shake. The Core Power shake contains 26 grams of a combination of fast-digesting whey protein and slow-acting casein proteins. Each shake will also have natural electrolytes and all nine essential amino acids.
Fairlife Protein Shake Flavor Options
Costco only offers two flavors of Fairlife: Chocolate for the Nutrition Plan Shake and Strawberry Banana for the Core Power Shake. Fairlife does have additional flavors that Costco doesn’t sell:
Nutrition Plan Flavors:
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Salted Caramel
Core Power Flavors:
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Strawberry Banana
- Banana
Core Power Elite Flavors:
- Elite Chocolate
- Elite Vanilla
- Elite Strawberry
Costco Cost Comparison
How Much Do Fairlife Protein Shakes Cost at Costco?
An 18-count of Fairlife Nutrition Plan at Costco sells for $28.49, which breaks down to $1.58 per 11.5-ounce bottle.
Costco sells the 10-count of Fairlife Core Power for $23.79 or $2.38 per 14-ounce bottle.
Costco Vs. The Competition?
Sam’s Club sells a 12-pack of Fairlife Nutrition Plan Chocolate for $16.98 or $1.42 per bottle. This comes in slightly cheaper compared to Costco’s price of $1.58 per bottle.
Sam’s Club also carries the Strawberry Flavor Fairlife Nutrition Plan Protein Shakes but sells those for $18.98 or $1.58 per bottle. This is on par with Costco’s price.
A 12-pack of Fairlife Core Power Shakes can be purchased from Amazon for $28.49 or $2.38 per bottle. (Same Price as Costco)
Unfortunately, it does seem that Sam’s Club and Amazon are comparable or even better options compared to Costco when it comes to the Fairlife Protein Shakes. They are similar in price and offer more flavor varieties.
Are Costco Fairlife Protein Shakes Worth It?
Costco may not have the absolute very best price around, but the Costco Fairlife protein shakes are still very much worth it. I could not find an individual bottle of the Nutrition Plan Protein Shake, but my local grocery store sells the Fairlife Core Power Shakes for $2.99 each.
This is about 60 cents more expensive than Costco’s price, so yes, Costco does provide some great value here.
Fairlife Protein Shake Taste Test
Both Fairlife Protein Shake options are delicious. I’m not sure if I’m just buying into the Ultra-Filtration marketing, but the milk is very very smooth.
The milk shakes are very easy to drink and don’t taste anything like a “healthy” drink.
Chocolate Nutrition Plan
I really enjoyed the chocolate Fairlife protein shake. The chocolate milk was tasty and had a full and enjoyable flavor. The drink finds the right balance of deliciousness without being overly sweet.
I could easily see myself “forgetting” these are protein shakes and taking down multiple drinks a day.
Strawberry Banana Core Power
I’m not the biggest fan of fruit flavors in protein shakes or milk, so this one wasn’t my favorite. Both strawberry and banana flavors were light, with the strawberry being slightly more present. I could hardly notice the banana in the shake.
Do Fairlife Protein Shakes Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, both Core Power and Nutrition Plan Fairlife Protein Shakes do not need to be refrigerated. They are shelf stable but do contain real dairy and need to be refrigerated after opening.
I like to keep the protein shakes in the fridge as I prefer them cold.
Nutrition Plan vs. Core Power (Nutrition and Calories)
The protein shakes taste great, but the main appeal will be the excellent nutritional label. These are high protein, low calorie and low carbs drinks that are great for almost all diets.
Fairlife Nutrition Plan Calories
The Fairlife Chocolate Nutrition Plan Shake will have the following nutritional information:
Serving Size: 1 Bottle
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 2.5g (3% DV)
Saturated Fat: 1.5g (8% DV)
Cholesterol: 25mg (8% DV)
Sodium: 230mg (10% DV)
Total Carbohydrate: 4g (1% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
Total Sugars: 2g
Protein: 30g (60%)
This is an absolutely amazing nutritional label, as there is a very high amount of protein and very minimal carbs and fat.
There isn’t going to be a more complete combination of taste and nutrition for a quick snack than the Fairlife Nutrition Plan Protein Shake.
Fairlife Core Power Calories And Nutrition
The Fairlife Core Power Strawberry Banana Protein Shake from Costco will have the following nutritional information:
Serving Size: 1 Bottle
Calories: 170
Total Fat: 4.5g (6% DV)
Saturated Fat: 3g (15% DV)
Cholesterol: 20mg (7% DV)
Sodium: 280mg (12% DV)
Total Carbohydrate: 7g (3% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
Total Sugars: 6g
Protein: 26g (52%)
The Fairlife Core Power Protein Shake appears to be less desirable nutritionally, with more fat, more carbs, and less protein, but it does include electrolytes as well as both fast and slow digesting proteins.
This drink is the better of the two for a post-workout recovery.
Costco Fairlife Protein Shake Review
Product Name: Fairlife Protein Shakes Nutrition Plan - Chocolate
Product Description:
Price: $28.49
Quantity: 18 Protein Shakes
Location Within Costco: Health and Fitness
Price Per Shake: $1.58
Summary
Fairlife protein shakes are amazing. The taste is excellent, and they are packed with protein. One of the tastiest health products that I have ever had, and I highly recommend them.
The 18-pack of Fairlife Nutrition Plan Protein Shakes costs $28.49 at Costco.
Overall
-
Value - 8/10
8/10
-
Convenience - 10/10
10/10
-
Taste - 9/10
9/10
-
Nutrition - 10/10
10/10
-
CFDB Score - 9/10
9/10
Pros
- Delicious
- High in Protein
- Lactose-Free
Cons
- Not Amazing Costco Value
- Review Methodology
