Active Stacks Beef Protein Powder Review (2024)

If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative to whey protein, you may be interested in trying beef protein powder. While it does have some disadvantages to whey, beef protein can be an effective alternative. Today we’ll be looking at Active Stacks Beef Boost protein powder so you can see if it’s a good fit for you. 

Active Stacks Beef Protein Powder

• Best For: Protein intake, Fat Loss, Building Muscle, Recovery
• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Protein Source: Beef Protein Isolate
• Serving Size: 33g
• Calories: 110-120
• Protein per Serving: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fat: 0-2g
• Added Sugar: 0-4g
• Price per Serving: ~$2.85
• Recommended by Athletes: Hannah Pointer, Kelli Bettridge, Haley Nicole

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Overall, while Active Stacks delivers a solid beef protein supplement, it has all of the drawbacks of beef protein compared to whey, which includes a relatively unpleasant taste and texture, although some people may still prefer beef. It is also a relatively expensive supplement at ~$2.85 per serving. That said, if you’re set on using beef protein, Active Stacks is still a solid choice.

Active Stacks Beef Protein Powder Macronutrients Breakdown

So, what can you expect out of each scoop of Active Stacks?

Depending on the flavor, each scoop contains 110-120 calories, broken down between 22g of protein, 4g of carbs, and 0-2g of fat. 

Active Stacks contains a solid amount of complete protein, being especially rich in glycine which is a very important amino acid for collagen synthesis. However, the total amount of protein here is lower than many whey protein supplements. There is  an interesting research showing that the use of whey and beef protein has a similar effect on body composition. 

Overall for muscle growth, daily protein intake is really what matters. We recommend getting 0.7-1g of protein per pound of body weight. So, the 22g of protein from Active Stacks should help you be well on your way to hitting your daily protein targets. 

Pros and Cons of Active Stacks Beef Protein Powder

Now that we’ve covered Active Stacks’ macros, let’s go over its pros and cons so you can make a clearer decision about whether this supplement is right for you. 

2 Pros of Active Stacks Beef Protein

✅ Alternative to Dairy-Based Protein

First, beef protein is certainly a good alternative to whey protein for those with milk allergies or lactose intolerance, or those who just don’t feel well when consuming dairy protein like whey and casein. Beef protein is also very rich in amino acid Glycine which plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis.

With this being said, plant-based protein powders are also a good alternative that often also contain all nine essential amino acids. So, while beef protein can be a good choice, keep in mind it’s far from the only option for those who want a dairy-free alternative. 

Also, if you’re lactose intolerant, you may not necessarily need a dairy-free protein powder. Some whey isolates are actually (almost) lactose-free, making them suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals!

✅ Simple Formula

Another advantage to Active Stacks is that it is made of a simple formula with all-natural ingredients. This makes it a great option for those who prefer to buy supplements that don’t contain any artificial sweeteners, dyes, or other additives. 

2 Cons of Active Stacks Beef Protein

❌ Taste and Texture

Another downside to Active Stacks’ beef protein is its taste and texture. In our opinion, like most beef-based proteins, Active Stacks leaves a lot to be desired in terms of taste and texture – especially when compared to whey. However, this can be masked somewhat if you’re mixing beef protein with multiple other ingredients, аnd you’re not using water to mix. 

As per Active Stacks direction, they recommend mixing their product with 8-10oz of milk (or a plant-based alternative), to get the best possible taste and texture. There are many reviewerss on their website who enjoy the taste of Active Stacks’ protein, so this may just be a matter of personal preference.

While whey is our go-to for flavor, we understand it’s not suitable for everybody. Still, if you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative to whey, some plant-based proteins probably will deliver a better flavor than beef protein shakes. 

❌ High Price Point

Finally, at ~$2.85 per serving, Active Stacks does come at a high price point when compared to most other beef-based protein powders on the market. It is also significantly more expensive than most whey and plant-based proteins as well. So, while this is a high-quality beef protein powder, just be aware there are many other cheaper options available. 

Active Stacks Beef Protein vs. Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate

Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate

• Serving Size: 32.96 grams
• Price Per Serving: ~$1.8
• Protein Percent Of Weight (%): 85%
• Proteins: 28 grams
• Carbohydrates: 1 gram (depends on flavor)
• Fat: 0.5 gram (French Vanilla only)
• Added Sugar: 0 gram
• Calories Per Serving: 120
• Recommended By Athletes: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Terron Beckham, Paul Sklar

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While beef protein can be a good choice for those who need to avoid dairy products, for most people, whey will be an all-around better pick. If you’re looking for a high-quality whey protein, we recommend Transparent Labs. 

At 28g of protein per serving, Transparent Labs offers significantly more protein than Active Stacks’ 22g per serving. This is also a cheaper option at only ~$2.00 per serving which means you are getting significantly more protein for less money. It has a similarly high-quality formula with no unnecessary artificial ingredients as well. 

Overall, if you can tolerate dairy, Transparent Labs whey protein is a much better all-around pick. 

Conclusion

While Active Stacks is a solid beef protein powder, it does have some major drawbacks. These include the fact that beef protein has a relatively unpleasant taste and texture, and comes at a high price point. However, it is still a decent alternative to whey with a high-quality simple formula. 

So, if you’re looking for a solid all-around beef protein powder, consider giving Active Stacks a try today. We hope this Active Stacks protein powder review was able to help you make a more informed choice!

Are you a fan of beef protein powder? Have you tried any other beef protein supplements? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

1. Stefania Manetti, “Amino Acids”, UFHealth.org, https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/amino-acids (Accessed Aug. 23, 2024)
2. Pedro L. Valenzuela, et. al, “Does Beef Protein Supplementation Improve Body Composition and Exercise Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” Nutrients. Jun; 11(6): 1429. (2019).
3. Everson A. Nunes, et. al, “Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults,” Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 13, 795–810, (2022)
4. Health Library, “Milk Allergy,” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11315-milk-allergy (Accessed Aug. 23, 2024)
5. Howard E. LeWine MD, “Lactose Intolerance,” Harvard Health Publishing https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/lactose-intolerance-a-to-z, (Accessed Aug. 23, 2024)
6. Photos by Torokhtiy Media Team.