Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Casein is a slow-digesting micellar casein protein sourced from grass-fed, hormone-free American cattle, sweetened exclusively with stevia. It's the direct answer to a specific gap our original lineup had: a naturally-sweetened casein option in chocolate. Transparent Labs built its reputation on a fully-disclosed, no-proprietary-blend labeling philosophy across its whole product range, and this casein line follows that same standard.
| Protein Type | 100% Micellar Casein |
| Protein Per Serving | 25g |
| Serving Size | 35g |
| Calories | 120 |
| Sugar | <1g |
| Sweetener | Stevia extract only (no artificial sweeteners) |
| Digestive Enzymes | Not listed on label |
| Estimated Price | Approximately $2.00 per serving ($59.99 for a 30-serving 2lb container) — a premium price point, not a mid-range one |
| Manufacturer Claims | Third-party tested with published Certificate of Analysis; grass-fed, hormone-free (rBGH/rBST-free) sourcing |
Casein and whey are both dairy-derived, but digest on opposite ends of the spectrum: whey isolate is absorbed within 1-2 hours, while micellar casein gels in the stomach and releases amino acids over 6-8 hours. That makes this a poor substitute for a post-workout whey shake, but a genuinely well-suited choice before bed or across a long gap between meals — a different use case entirely, not a lesser one.
A strong fit if you specifically want a naturally-sweetened, chocolate-flavored casein for nighttime use and don't mind paying a premium for grass-fed sourcing and a fully disclosed label. Not the right fit if lactose is a concern (casein retains substantial lactose), if you want the lowest-cost casein option (this is priced at the premium end, around $2.00/serving), or if you need a fast-absorbing protein for immediately after training.
The label lists micellar casein, cocoa powder, natural flavor, Himalayan rock salt, and stevia extract — a notably short list for a flavored casein product, with no gums, artificial colors, or sucralose. That simplicity is the core of Transparent Labs' pitch across their whole catalog, not unique to this product.
No — based on the ingredient list and manufacturer description, it's sweetened with stevia extract only, with no sucralose, acesulfame potassium, or sugar alcohols.
The core difference is the sweetener and price: ON's Casein uses sucralose and is priced lower (around $1.20/serving); Transparent Labs uses only stevia and costs meaningfully more (around $2.00/serving). If avoiding artificial sweeteners matters more to you than price, Transparent Labs is the more consistent choice; if price matters more, ON's version is the better value.
Not ideally — casein's slow 6-8 hour digestion is better suited to bedtime or long gaps between meals. A fast-absorbing whey isolate is generally the better choice immediately after training.
This is a Research Profile, not one of our independently tested picks. If you want our own lab results and editorial ranking, our #1 independently lab-tested pick is R1 Protein, scoring 9.8/10 in our own testing.
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