MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate Review

Review: MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate


Reviewed by:
Rating:
4
On 2017-10-08
Last modified:2019-10-20

Summary:

While we’re not sure of the muscle building benefits of MuscleMeds Carnivor compared to whey, it’s certainly a good option for those with intolerances to dairy, plus it's really high in protein.

This is a product we’ve been wanting to try at Gymtalk for quite some time.

Not just because it’s weird, but because of its crazy awesome nutritional profile, and the fact that it’s a protein powder made from beef.

Yes – beef.

Isolated beef.

Could it be disgusting?

Let’s find out…

Product overview

MuscleMeds were one of the first guys on the market to start selling beef protein isolate, and definitely the first to properly market it.

Although it was mainly sold in the US at first, Carnivor is now pretty widely available in the UK.

So what is beef isolate?

Well, it’s literally beef protein in its most pure isolated form, a protein powder that contains only beef, resulting in a ridiculously lean nutritional profile and a highly concentrated amino acid profile.

The powder has zero fat and zero lactose (making it another option for those who are lactose intolerant) and also contains no sugar.

Ingredients

MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein IsolateSo here’s where it might get weird.

Simply Googling “beef protein isolate” presents a huge number of articles on “the real truth about beef isolate” a.k.a “beef isolate is made from hooves” a.k.a “how beef isolate will literally turn you into a grass fed cow and you’ll be eaten by a crossfitter”.

It’s highly questionable how much of this is credible, but in a nutshell the process of making beef protein isolate seems to involve a lot of meat offcuts – i.e. the bits steak manufacturers just didn’t want to use.

And I have to say, looking at the price of this product compared to the protein content, these claims are probably true.

It’s highly unlikely that this product is made from pure isolated lean steak.

And it’s almost definitely not from grass-fed beef either, if that’s your thing.

But it’s a bit of a stupid argument against beef protein really, as many foods we consume in western diets are made from so-called “disgusting” or “weird” ingredients that might freak people out.

Like did you know BCAA powders are made from duck feather?

Ethically it’s up to you if you want to take products like these.

Regardless of manufacturing process, MuscleMeds Beef Isolate has a pretty damn good nutrient profile.

Per serving (one 36.4g scoop) this is:

Calories 120kcal
Protein 23g
Carbs (of which sugar) 8g (0g)
Fat (of which saturates) 0g (0g)

There’s also Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium.

Carnivor also contains added BCAAs, which, combined with the high protein content, will be sure to kick you into muscle growth (provided you’re training, eating and resting properly, obviously ).

Taste and texture

Judging from some of the reviews online, the taste and texture of Carnivor has come in for a lot of criticism, but I had no problems at all.

Sure it’s a lot more of a fine powder than most whey protein, but it mixes well and tastes pretty good (I tried mint chocolate flavour).

I had no problem drinking a double serving with 450ml of water mixed in a shaker cup.

Pretty impressive considering this is powdered beef.

Effectiveness

Over the past month or so of using the product in place of post-workout whey, I’ve not really seen or felt much of a difference in recovery times compared to just using whey.

That being said, I do feel like beef isolate is much easier on the stomach.

Each time I use it I just don’t feel full from it and don’t get any bloating whatsoever (usually I’m slightly sensitive to dairy).

And due to its high protein content you don’t need to take as much at a time as with some whey products.

So if you’re very sensitive to dairy (if you fart a lot from whey protein you just might be) then this is a great option.

Value for money

MuscleMeds Carnivor comes in at the medium-ish price of around £25 per kilo.

I’d say this is a good price to pay if you’re the sort of person who needs something lactose-free that will help you build muscle.

But if you aren’t, you’ll probably be best, cost-wise, sticking to whey protein isolate, as it’s technically just as pure, but perhaps without the added BCAAs.

Summary

While we’re not sure of the muscle building benefits of MuscleMeds Carnivor compared to whey, it’s certainly a good option for those with intolerances to dairy, and is really high in protein.

Buy Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate

You can order MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate by shopping here at Amazon where it usually is much cheaper than anywhere else.

Over to you

Have you tried Carnivor?

If so, what did you make of it?

Any other comments or questions?

Please get in touch below – I’d love to hear from you.

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  1. I bought MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate (Chocolate) and the flavor is amazing and acceptable.

    Just mix 1 scope with 7oz of water and drink it with happiness!

    I give the taste: 8/10.

  2. I like Carnivor.

    It doesn’t leave me feeling lethargic like whey protein does.

    The one down side I found is because of all of the food dye in it, it’ll turn your BMs a funny color.