Note: This is a paid review by 180 Nutrition. But all opinions and findings are our own and are not affected by payment. Payment is made only for the publishing of the article on our site, not for the outcome of the product review.
We were recently sent 180 Nutrition’s most popular range of Protein+ Superfoods Powders to try. Now as you have probably already read here on Stay at Home Mum, I LOVE a good protein shake. I find them extremely convenient as I’m working full time in my own business, I help my husband run his business, I’m raising two teenagers, and I try and keep the house from falling down. And I’m terrible for skipping meals or eating something disgustingly calorie-laden (and delicious) when I’m not pre-prepared.
And prior to this product review, I have included 180 Nutrition in just about all of my articles on Protein Shakes because they are super high-quality, made with natural ingredients, full of nutrient-dense superfoods and I have purchased them previously with my own money (so I was pretty excited when they reached out for me to review their range!).
The Range from 180 Nutrition
So 180 Nutrition have a set of Plant Based Protein Superfood Shakes, and Whey Based Protein Superfood Shakes. Both are recommended to be served with 200ml of the milk of your choice, and 40 grams of Protein Shake. I like to blend mine with ice to make it into a smoothie! But it is a personal choice.
They are all high in protein, low in calories, and low in sugar and as natural as can be. Everything you want in a Protein Shake!
Protein Powders Don’t Just Mean Shakes
Even though I love a good Protein Shake, I do get sick of them after a while and need to change things up. So, if you are looking to increase your protein intake – you can incorporate Protein Powders into other things like Bliss Balls and biscuits, or even your morning overnight oats (my personal favourite!). You can even add veggies and fruit to your shake to mix things up a bit and add some extra nutrition goodness. We have included a couple of easy recipes to use for your protein powder below.
So today’s Product Review on 180 Nutrition+ Superfoods Powders will cover the following:
Table of Contents
1. List of the New Products in the 180 Nutrition Range |
2. Taste Test 180 Nutrition Protein Shakes |
3. Ingredient Quality |
4. Recipe Ideas Using 180 Nutrition Shakes |
More Reading:
1. List of 180 Nutrition’s Protein Range
There are two ranges to choose from, the Protein+ Superfoods which is a Whey powered protein, or, the Plant-Based protein.
180 Nutrition Whey Protein+ Superfoods Blends:
Protein+ Vanilla
- Whey Protein
- 22 grams of Protein per serve
- 1.6 grams of sugar per serving
- 161 calories per serve
- Gluten-Free
- Nut-Free
Protein+ Chocolate
- Whey Protein
- 22.3 grams of Protein per serve
- 0.9 grams of sugar per serving
- 161 calories per serve
- Gluten-Free
- Nut-Free
Protein+ Coconut
- Whey Protein
- 21.4 grams of Protein per serve
- 1.7 grams of sugar per serving
- 157 calories per serve
- Gluten-Free
- Nut-Free
180 Nutrition Plant-Powered Superfood Blends:
Vegan Superfood Blend – Vanilla
- Pea Protein & Rice Protein
- 20.4 grams of protein per serve
- 0.6 grams of sugar per serve
- 180 calories per serve
Vegan Superfood Blend – Choc
- Pea Protein & Rice Protein
- 21.6 grams of protein per serve
- 0.2 grams of sugar per serve
- 167 calories per serve
Vegan Superfood Blend Coconut
- Pea Protein & Rice Protein
- 20.5 grams of protein per serve
- 0.5 grams of sugar per serve
- 183 calories per serve
2. Taste Test
Like with any Protein Shake – if it tastes gross, you won’t even drink it and it will go to waste. I know I personally have thrown out hundreds of dollars worth of Protein Shakes over the years because of the taste or the consistency isn’t right.
So I tried each flavour in both the Plant-Based range and the Whey-Based range, and here is what I thought of each one:
Protein+ Superfoods Blend – Chocolate (Whey)
It’s chocolatey – with only a hint of sweetness – and a tad gritty. Kinda tastes like you have added some milled rolled oats to a smoothie type of gritty. But the grits aren’t unpleasant and they kinda ‘melt’ in your mouth. The shakes are also ‘thin’ in consistency – not super thick like some other protein shakes. But in saying that – you need to keep ‘mixing’ it well or you will get a heap of ‘grit’ at the bottom for your last mouth full. Oh, and it needs ice!
- Did I Finish the Whole Shake: Yes
- Would I drink it again? Yes – it was actually quite nice!
Protein + Superfoods Blend – Vanilla (Whey)
Very sweet and very ‘textured’. But still pleasant. Has a very strong vanilla taste. I think this would be excellent in cooking, and in breakfasts – but not as a protein shake on its own.
- Did I finish the whole shake? No
- Would I drink it again? Probably not. But I would happily eat it in a biscuit!
Protein+ Superfoods Blend – Coconut (Whey)
Oh no. No no no no no. I did not like this one at all. It was really hard to blend it together – and it tasted like coconut-flavoured seed porridge. It was all texture and hardly any flavour. And the grits were too gritty. Way too much grit! If you love the texture of coconut you might like it – but it wasn’t for me.
This one required two scoops of shake mixture – and I think next time I’d try it with just one and even add some veggies or fruit to make a thicker shake.
- Did I finish the whole shake? No – one mouthful and I was done.
- Would I drink it again? I’d maybe try it with one scoop or adding veggies or fruit. It would also be good in cooking – the texture would work for bliss balls.
Protein+ Superfoods Blend Coconut (Plant)
As much as I didn’t like the Coconut Whey based – I really loved this one! It almost tastes like a Caramel Milkshake. With a bit of oaty grit. It’s sweet – but not too sweet. Nice coconut flavour – not too overpowering or artificial tasting.
It isn’t particularly thick either – and I think the ‘thinner’ consistency shakes are much easier to drink – the only problem being the ‘grit’ sinks to the bottom. So keep mixing as you drink it or you will end up with a gritty bottom!
- Did I finish the whole shake? No – but I’d drunk 5 shakes by this time!
- Would I drink it again? Yes – it was yummy!
Protein+ Superfoods Blend Vanilla (Plant)
So if you melted a Rainbow Paddle pop ice cream, then added some oats – that is EXACTLY what this shake tastes likes. It has a really strong vanilla taste – with an ‘oaty’ texture to it.
This one is pretty sweet, and the consistency is thicker than the Whey based protein shakes.
Has quite a nice ‘after-taste’ too. Almost that ‘peanut-butter like’ feeling that your tongue goes searching for the remnants.
- Did I drink the whole shake? Yes
- Would I drink it again? Definitely! This was my favourite!
Protein+ Superfoods Blend Chocolate (Plant)
Imagine making hot cocoa – and drinking it cold. That’s what this one tastes like. The chocolate flavour (like cocoa) tends to float up to the top (a bit hard to mix) – but it isn’t unpleasant. It needs ice (but I think all protein shakes needs ice!).
Slightly sweet. I liked it.
- Did I drink the whole thing? Yes
- Would I drink it again? Yes
3. Ingredient Quality
So when comparing say the 180 Nutrition range to what you would buy at the supermarket – well there is no comparison. The supermarket protein shakes are very basic and can contain fillers, as good quality shakes add additional ingredients that are filling, full of fibre and good for you.
So comparing a Supermarket Protein Shake to the 180 Nutrition range, well, it’s like comparing a Kia to a Ferrari.
Some of the ‘Ferrari’ like ingredients the 180 Nutrition range has includes:
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed Meal is a superfood high in fibre and contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids (ALA). It also has a delicious nutty flavour!
Sunflower Seed Meal
Sunflower Seeds contain vitamin e, vitamin b1, vitamin b6, zinc, and potassium and are rich in antioxidants.
Chia Flour
Chia Seeds are high in fibre and they help you feel fuller for longer. They also contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids and are rich in antioxidants.
Psyllium Husk Powder
Psyllium husks are an excellent source of fibre – it soaks up the water in your gut making your stools more regular and can ease constipation.
Organic Coconut Flour
Organic Coconut Flour is a great alternative to traditional wheat flour. It is gluten-free and is low in carbs.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sugar substitute and helps reduce caloric intake. Stevia is 200 times ‘sweeter’ than sugar, and is classified as ‘zero-calorie’ as the calories per serving is so low. All the 180 Nutrition range is sweetened with Stevia.
4. Recipe Ideas Using 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Blends
You can use the 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Blends in loads of different recipes as a way to get that extra boost of protein in your diet, particularly if you aren’t a big meat eater.
1. Banana and Maple Syrup Overnight Oats |
2. Vegan Chia Seed Pudding |
3. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bliss Balls |
Banana and Maple Syrup Overnight Oats
Here is my overnight oats recipe using the 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Whey Vanilla Blend.
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 scoop 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Whey Vanilla Blend
- 1 teaspoon Chia Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
- 1/4 cup milk of your choice
- 1/2 mashed banana
In a small container with a lid, mash the banana. Add your 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Whey Vanilla Blend, and the rest of the ingredients and stir well until combined. Pop your lid on and place in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, either eat straight from the fridge or add a bit of Protein Yogurt and fresh fruit on top! Delicious!
Vegan Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
- 1/4 cup 180 Nutrition Protein+ Superfoods Plant Chocolate Blend
- 3 – 5 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 drops Vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 1/2 cup Chia Seeds
Mix the Protein Powder, sea salt, maple syrup and vanilla and whisk to combine (mainly to get any lumps out). Add a little of the milk to make a paste, then stir in the remaining milk. Add the chia seeds, mix well and place in a small glass jar.
Refrigerate overnight and serve with fresh fruit.
Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bliss Balls
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons 180 Nutrition+ Superfoods Plant Chocolate Blend
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1.5 cups raw almonds
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or rice malt syrup
Place the dates, protein powder and peanut butter into a blender and blend until it forms a paste. Add the almonds and the maple syrup and blend until combined.
Roll into teaspoon size balls and roll them in the coconut, then pop them in the freezer to harden. Pop them in a ziplock bag and eat them whenever you like!