Craving a sweet treat like a chocolate mint cookie but trying to stick to your macros? Fitness enthusiasts know the feeling and may to indulge in the best protein powders with plenty of flavors. 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder fits that bill nicely. Our expert testers at BarBend have tested over 115 protein powders following a standardized supplement testing methodology. We added the sweet-tasting 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder to bring you the facts (and the flavors).
As a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, I almost always wind up advising my clients to eat more protein. Whey protein isolate is a high-quality option, and 1st Phorm’s idea is promoting “rapid assimilation” for muscle growth. Let’s dive into our 1st Phorm Protein review, with insights from our certified personal trainer expert tester and a registered dietitian, and see how it stacks up against the competition.
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
This whey protein offers 20 grams of protein at just 100 calories per serving. It's made from whey isolate, giving it a high protein concentration per weight. Plus, it's got an excellent flavor.
Main Takeaways
- 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder gives you 20 to 21 grams of high-quality whey protein isolate, available in 16 protein flavors. It’s relatively low in calories and carbohydrates.
- Whey isolate may be easier to digest than other protein supplements. However, Phormula-1 protein contains artificial sweeteners and other additives.
- Our tester and customers like the taste and consistency. Though a bit pricy at $2.03 per serving, it’s third-party tested to ensure quality and safety.
1st Phorm Protein Powder Specs
| Price Per Serving | $2.03 |
| Available Flavors | Cherry Lime, Chocolate Milkshake, Chocolate Mint Cookie, CTC, Fruit Punch, Juicy Watermelon, Key Lime Pie, Loop D Fruit, Magical Charms, Orange Dreamsicle, Root Beer Float, Vanilla Milkshake, Salted Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte (16) |
| Main Ingredients | Whey Protein Isolate (20 to 21 grams), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, Salt, Sucralose |
| Dosage | 1 scoop (27 to 28 grams) |
| Sweeteners Used | Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose |
| Servings Per Container | 32 |
Phormula-1 Protein Powder uses whey protein isolate that is “low-temperature processed” and “cross-flow micro-filtrated.” These phrases mean it has been processed to remove most of the fat, carbs, and lactose, so only the highest-quality whey remains. 1st Phorm boasts “rapid assimilation” of amino acids and that you can feel it working, but this can technically be true of any whey isolate. (1)
Consuming any protein source post-workout will send amino acids to your muscles for absorption to begin muscle protein synthesis. If you can swing the cost, whey isolate protein is one of the best protein powders for muscle gain. Since it is mostly protein after processing, there’s less to digest, and your muscles may soak up the amino acids faster. (1)
One scoop of 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Powder has 20 to 21 grams of whey protein isolate, 1 to 3 grams of carbs, and zero to two grams of fat, for 100 to 110 calories. While it’s on the lower end of grams of protein, you can add another scoop for an additional 10 grams while still staying pretty low in carbs and calories, making it ideal for weight loss or keto diets.
Phormula-1 comes in 16 fun flavors — but that’s also where the additives come in. It uses artificial sweeteners, and the fruity flavors also use artificial colors. There is also a Phormula-1 Natural option, which comes in three flavors, without artificial ingredients, though it still has “natural flavors” and some preservatives.
The price is reasonable at $2.03 per serving, and 1st Phorm does third-party testing on all their products.
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use 1st Phorm Protein
1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein offers 20 to 21 grams of whey isolate which helps with post-workout recovery, muscle growth, and weight loss.
The best whey protein powders (of any type) are typically considered the highest-quality protein powder because they are high in essential amino acids, particularly leucine, the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that triggers muscle protein synthesis. (2)
Here’s who may benefit from 1st Phorm Protein the most and who might not.
Recommended for:
- People with dairy sensitivities: Of the various types of whey, isolate is the easiest to digest.
- Bodybuilders: Whey isolate absorbs rapidly for post-workout recovery and muscle growth.
- People with weight loss goals: Whey protein isolate can increase satiety and help retain muscle as you lose body fat. (3)
Not Recommended for:
- Vegans or lactose-intolerant folks: Although whey isolate has been processed to remove almost all of the lactose, whey still comes from milk and is not vegan or lactose-free.
- People who aren’t sensitive to dairy: If you can tolerate dairy, whey concentrate is generally cheaper and may be equally beneficial. (4)
- People boosting protein intake for general health: You don’t need a pricier protein supplement for general health and fitness (unless you want it).
Our Experience Using 1st Phorm Protein
Our expert tester, a certified personal trainer, knows the importance of having the most convenient, best-tasting protein powder to throw in a shaker bottle with water between your own workout and the rest of your busy life. We’ve got insights from our CPT and my ratings as a nutrition coach on what matters most — ingredients, formulation, taste, texture, cost, and safety. Let’s take a closer look.
Ingredients and Formulation
1st Phorm calls their Phormula-1 Protein “premium-sourced whey protein.” During processing, they remove most of the carbs, fat, and lactose, leaving a high-quality whey isolate that can be digested and absorbed quickly.
While the protein in whey isolates is “pure,” the grams of protein tend to be lower because of what gets cut out during manufacturing. That’s likely why you only get 20 to 21 grams of protein per serving (depending on the flavor), while other protein supplements can go up to 30 grams per serving. Though you can add a second scoop, you’ll run through your tub quicker, making it even more expensive to have regularly.
Ingredients vary slightly among the 16 flavors, but they all contain artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium), natural and artificial flavors, and gums and thickeners to create the texture. The fruit flavors also use artificial colors and dyes. Some people opt to avoid these additives.
Though the formulation and process seem solid, due to the artificial ingredients and amount of protein per serving, I’m going with a 3.5/5.
Taste
Your goal can be hypertrophy and you can have in your shaker cup the best protein powder for muscle gain in all the land — but it won’t make a difference if it’s too gross to drink. We value the formula here at BarBend, but our expert testers also pay a lot of attention to how it all tastes.
For our tester, 1st Phorm comes through in a big way. “I tried the Chocolate Mint flavor and it was delicious — tastes just like a thin mint cookie,” they report. “I really liked it, especially when mixed with milk. It’s a little dessert-y so maybe not the best after a workout but great for a healthy sweet treat.”
All told, they rate the taste a 4.5 out of 5.
Solubility
Solubility makes a big difference, too. No one likes chugging down a clumpy cup of watery powder. Our tester has no complaints in this department. “This mixed great in water and milk; I didn’t find it clumpy at all,” they report, rating its mixability a solid 5 out of 5.
Price Per Serving
A tub of Phormula-1 protein costs $64.99 and contains 32 servings, which breaks down to $2.03 per serving. A few flavors have a subscription option, where you save $5.00 per order. At $59.99, it comes to $1.87 per serving, making it a bit more affordable if you know you want to get it regularly.
Whey protein isolates are usually more expensive than whey protein concentrates, so $2.03 isn’t too out of the ordinary. But you can still get a comparable whey isolate for less. So, I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 for cost.
Third-Party Testing
Since The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements, we like products that do third-party testing. Supplements, including protein powders, don’t need to be considered safe or effective to be sold. They may contain ingredients not listed on the label, including additives or banned substances. (5) Hence, the importance of third-party testing.
1st Phorm makes products in an FDA SQF Level-3 facility (the gold standard for manufacturing food). All products then get tested by FDA-approved third-party testers. They’re also NSF “Certified for Sport,” guaranteeing they do not contain banned substances. The NSF mark also ensures that the ingredients match what’s on the label, that there are no unsafe additives, and that the facility is biannually inspected and certified to be safe and high-quality. (6)
The NSF mark is also helpful if you want to try some of their other products, such as pre-workout, BCAAs, creatine, collagen, ignition (glycogen replenishment), greens powders, protein bars, vegan protein, or level-1 protein (a meal replacement powder). With this guarantee, I’m rating it a 5 out of 5 here.
What to Consider Before Buying 1st Phorm Protein
Do you know how many grams of protein you need daily? Head over to BarBend’s protein intake calculator to find out. If you’re reading this, it means you’re interested in getting more protein — so you’ll likely find a high number. Hitting that number helps you meet multiple fitness goals, like muscle growth, weight loss, and muscle repair. Having a protein shake post-workout kickstarts your post-workout recovery.
While you can generally reach your protein intake goal through food protein sources alone, protein powder offers a convenient boost. When deciding if 1st Phorm Phormula-1 is right for you, consider nutrition facts (macros and micronutrients), other ingredients (sweeteners), price, and safety (third-party testing). We’ve tested over 110 protein powders as a team — here’s the breakdown on 1st Phorm.
- Protein Content: Most flavors have 20 grams of protein, and the following flavors have 21 grams: Fruit Punch, Juicy Watermelon, Key Lime Pie, and Orange Dreamsicle.
- Fat and Carbs:
- The fat content ranges from 0 grams of fat (Cherry Lime and Fruit Punch) to 2 grams of fat (Strawberry, Cafe Mocha, and Cafe Latte).
- The range for carbohydrates is from 1 gram (Cherry Lime, Fruit Punch, and Orange Dreamsicle) to 3 grams (Chocolate and Vanilla Milkshake, Chocolate Mint Cookie, CTC, Magical Charms, Root Beer Float, and Cafe Mocha).
- Price: One tub costs $64.99 for 32 servings, or $2.03 per serving.
- Sweeteners: All flavors contain artificial sweeteners acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
- Micronutrient content: Calcium content ranges from zero to 120 milligrams (mg), most flavors have about 100. Potassium ranges from 60 to 170 mg, with most having at least 100. The Cafe Mocha and Cafe Latte flavors also contain 20 to 60 mg of phosphorus, 20 to 25 mg of magnesium, and 60 mg of chloride. All flavors contain some sodium, with Salted Peanut Butter having the highest amount at 360 mg.
- Third-party testing: Products are made in an FDA SQF Level-3 facility (the gold standard for manufacturing food) and tested by FDA-approved third-party testers.
1st Phorm Protein Vs. Competitors
In determining whether 1st Phorm protein is right for you, it’s helpful to see how its specs line up with its competitors. We chose three popular brands that also offer whey protein at similar prices to compare their macros, ingredients, and flavors.
Transparent Labs and Xwerks Grow are the closest to 1st Phorm because they are also whey isolates but are both grass-fed. Grass-fed protein sources may have more nutrients, but there is no research on whether grass-fed whey protein powder significantly differs from non-grass-fed. Both use natural sweeteners (Stevia) instead of artificial, and Xwerks Grow has additives similar to those of 1st Phorm. Both have more protein (Transparent Labs has the most) and are slightly cheaper. (5)
Gainful Protein is significantly different because it is customizable. You can choose a base (whey or vegan) and a fitness goal that will change the calories and macros. It’s significantly more expensive, too. Gainful’s whey option uses concentrate and isolate — so it’s not pure isolate like the other three. They have optional flavor sticks that use natural sweeteners (Stevia and monk fruit). If you leave out the flavor sticks, Gainful has the least additives, a major pro for some folks.
| 1st Phorm Protein | Transparent Labs Whey Isolate | Xwerks Grow | Gainful Protein | |
| Price Per Serving | $2.03 | $1.99 | $1.97 | $3.21 |
| Available Flavors | 16 | 14 | 4 | 8 flavor sticks |
| Nutrition Per Serving | 20 – 21 grams of protein, 0 – 2 grams of fat, and 1 – 3 grams of carbs | 28 grams of protein, 0 – 2.5 grams of fat, and 0 -3 gram of carbs | 23 to 25 grams or protein, 0 – 2 grams of fat, and 1 – 2 grams of carbs | 19 to 26 grams of protein, 1 – 6 grams of fat, and 1 – 9 grams of carbs |
| Dosage | 1 scoop (27 to 28 grams) | 1 scoop (34.9 grams) | 1 scoop (30 grams) | 1 scoop (30 grams) |
| Sweeteners Used | Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose | Stevia Extract | Stevia | No sweeteners if you leave out flavor sticks. All flavor sticks contain stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract. |
| Servings Per Container | 32 | 30 | 30 | 14 |
Check out our full Xwerks Grow Whey Protein Review.
Places to Buy 1st Phorm Protein
- 1stphorm.com
- GNC
- The Vitamin Shoppe
- Walmart
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
1st Phorm calls Phormula-1 the best-tasting and best-mixing. Here’s how the customers feel about it and what to expect if you try it out.
- Shipping and Delivery: 1st Phorm offers free standard shipping for orders over $75 in the United States. Shipping costs for orders less than $75 depending on distance and weight. If you place your order on a Monday through Friday before 2:00 PM Central Standard Time, they’ll ship it the same day. After 2:00 PM, they’ll ship the following business day. Delivery time will depend on the carrier. They also offer expedited shipping for an extra fee.
- Trial Period: 1st Phorm offers a “110% money-back guarantee.” If you don’t like your product (for any reason), you can return what’s left within 30 days for your money back plus an extra 10%. You have to pay the shipping cost to return it. The guarantee only works for products purchased on their website, not other retailers.
- Customer Reviews: On the 1st Phorm website, Phormula-1 protein powder has 22,878 reviews and a 4.9 (out of 5) rating, which is pretty excellent. Customers like the macros, taste, solubility (even in water), and that it does not cause bloating or stomach upset. Some say they don’t notice an aftertaste from the sweetener. Almost all of the flavors get called out as favorites.
Our Final Verdict on 1st Phorm Protein
1st Phorm Protein is a high-quality whey protein isolate that third-party tests and ensures that what you see on the label is what you get. That said, it does have artificial sweeteners and ingredients. If it’s not an issue for you, it’s a great option since customers and our tester agree on its excellent taste (16 flavors) and solubility.
Whey isolates are great for dairy-sensitive people who may experience bloating and discomfort with other whey proteins. However, they only have 20 to 21 grams of protein, so you may want to try a brand that gives you more protein per serving. If you don’t mind adding an extra scoop and buying it more frequently — or just adding more food protein sources — it’s a solid choice.
1st Phorm Protein FAQs
Is 1st Phorm worth the price?
Ask yourself a few questions. If you’re sensitive to dairy but want the benefits of whey, then a whey isolate is worth the price. However, Transparent Labs offers a whey protein isolate with significantly more protein for a slightly lower price, almost as many flavors, and no artificial sweeteners (but it does have Stevia). It comes down to personal preference.
Can I mix Phormula-1 with water or milk?
Phormula-1 mixes well with water or milk. On their website, they suggest mixing it only with water if you take it post-workout because adding more ingredients to your shake can slow down its digestion and absorption.
Is Phormula-1 dairy-free?
It is not dairy-free because it contains whey, which comes from milk. However, their website states that the Juicy Watermelon, Fruit Punch, and Cherry Lime flavors are “100 percent lactose-free.” Still, even if most of the lactose is removed during processing, it is still whey — a lactose product.
References
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- Devries, M. C., & Phillips, S. M. (2015). Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health: Advantage Whey. Journal of Food Science, 80(S1), A8-A15. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12802
- Paddon-Jones D, Westman E, Mattes RD, Wolfe RR, Astrup A, Westerterp-Plantenga M. Protein, weight management, and satiety. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 May;87(5):1558S-1561S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1558S. PMID: 18469287.
- A Castro LH, S de Araújo FH, M Olimpio MY, B de B Primo R, T Pereira T, F Lopes LA, B S de M Trindade E, Fernandes R, A Oesterreich S. Comparative Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Concentrated, Hydrolyzed, and Isolated Whey Protein Supplementation on Body Composition of Physical Activity Practitioners. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 2;11(9):2047. doi: 10.3390/nu11092047. PMID: 31480653; PMCID: PMC6769754.
- Ronis MJJ, Pedersen KB, Watt J. Adverse Effects of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018 Jan 6;58:583-601. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010617-052844. Epub 2017 Oct 6. PMID: 28992429; PMCID: PMC6380172.
- Certified for Sport. NSF Sport. https://www.nsfsport.com/our-mark.php
- Daley CA, Abbott A, Doyle PS, Nader GA, Larson S. A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutr J. 2010 Mar 10;9:10. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-10. PMID: 20219103; PMCID: PMC2846864.
