The Biggest Protein Ripoffs at the Grocery Store
In a Nutshell
The video ranks eight ready-to-eat grocery proteins on cost per gram and grams of protein per 100 calories, finding Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna wins both metrics at 8.2 ¢/g and 21.3 g protein/100 kcal, while Jack Lynx jerky loses both at 20 ¢/g and 12.5 g/100 kcal. MET-Rx bars and Pure Protein chips are calorie-dense meal replacements rather than pure protein sources, and convenience always trades off against either price or protein density. The takeaway: for maximum protein with minimum calories and cost, skip most packaged options and use protein powder instead.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Chicken and protein powder represent the cheapest sources of protein, but the focus here is on ease of availability. Products that can be purchased in store, eaten immediately after payment, and disposed of without cooking or cleaning fall into this category. Products will be evaluated based on protein amount versus calories and the cost per gram of protein.
MET-Rx Big 100 protein bars are widely available everywhere. The "Super Cookie Crunch" flavor stands out as particularly good. These bars represent the protein bar category in convenience food assessment.
Pure Protein protein chips represent another convenience option, with the sweet pepper flavor being notably delicious.
Mush overnight oats represent the protein-packed oats category. The peanut butter flavor was tested during the evaluation.
Jack Lynx dried beef (beef jerky) is extremely accessible, found in every gas station and store, and has exceptional shelf life. The nutritional components are excellent, making it a real winner in terms of convenience and durability.
A tip for using dried meat as a conversation starter: eat dried meat with your hands, get close to someone, and let them smell your fingers.
Core Power protein drinks represent the protein drink category. These drinks are widely available and very convenient. Fair Life Core Power is a classic product available almost everywhere.
Danone Light & Fit Greek yogurt in toasted marshmallow flavor was selected. This product line is described as absolutely the best in any size, shape, or flavor, with unbelievable nutritional and health value.
Free-range boiled and peeled eggs were included in the assessment, representing the ready-to-eat egg category.
Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna was selected, along with Starkist's Chicken Creations in buffalo flavor for comparison.
Products ranked from most to least expensive per gram of protein:
- Jack Lynx dried meat: 20 cents per gram of protein (most expensive)
- Pure Protein chips: 17.4 cents per gram of protein
- Mush overnight oats: 16.6 cents per gram of protein
- Free-range boiled eggs: 13.9 cents per gram of protein
- Danone Light & Fit Greek yogurt: 12.4 cents per gram of protein
- Core Power protein drink: 10 cents per gram of protein
- MET-Rx Big 100 protein bar: 8.4 cents per gram of protein
- Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna: 8.2 cents per gram of protein (cheapest)
Jack Lynx dried meat at 20 cents per gram means it's suitable for those who are wealthy and need protein quickly, but not ideal for saving money. Pure Protein chips at 17.4 cents per gram are described as a good option if money isn't a constraint.
Boiled eggs must be refrigerated, making them convenient but unsuitable for road trips. Danone Light & Fit Greek yogurt can be quickly consumed, making it a fast meal option.
The MET-Rx Big 100 protein bar is described as heavy enough to potentially hurt someone and very filling. It has remained unchanged over time, suggesting consistent quality.
The Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna won the price-per-gram ranking at 8.2 cents. The buffalo chicken flavor from Starkist's Chicken Creations was tested on camera. The chicken was described as technically edible but not as good as the tuna option.
The second evaluation metric measures grams of protein per 100 calories, which is important for dieting when calorie intake is limited but maximum protein is needed.
Products ranked from lowest to highest protein grams per 100 calories:
- Mush overnight oats: 5.2 grams protein per 100 calories
- MET-Rx Big 100 protein bar: approximately 7.8 grams protein per 100 calories (32g protein, 410 calories)
- Pure Protein chips: 8 grams protein per 100 calories
- Free-range boiled eggs: 12 grams protein per 100 calories
- Starkist's Chicken Creations: 12.2 grams protein per 100 calories
- Jack Lynx dried meat: 12.5 grams protein per 100 calories
- Danone Light & Fit Greek yogurt: 15 grams protein per 100 calories
- Fairlife Core Power: 18.3 grams protein per 100 calories
- Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna: 21.3 grams protein per 100 calories (highest)
Mush contains 15 grams of protein per serving but also contains 8 grams of fat and 33 grams of net carbohydrates. This makes it primarily carbohydrate and fat-based rather than protein-focused.
The MET-Rx Big 100 contains 14 grams of fat and approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates for every 32 grams of protein. At 410 calories total, it's more of a meal replacement than a protein supplement and not suitable for dieting.
Pure Protein chips contain 12 grams of protein per pack but also 13 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of fat, meaning more calories come from fat and carbohydrates than from protein.
Eggs provide substantial protein but also contain a high percentage of fat, making them unsuitable for those seeking low-fat protein sources.
Jack Lynx dried meat contains 30 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fat, but also carbohydrates from sugar used in the caramelization process, which reduces the protein-to-calorie ratio.
Danone Light & Fit Greek yogurt contains 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of carbohydrates per package with no fat. The casein proteins help with prolonged satiety.
Fairlife Core Power contains 42 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fat, and 8 grams of carbohydrates. It's high in fat for a drink and contains dairy, making it unsuitable as a workout drink but excellent as a meal replacement with high protein and low calories.
Starkist Creations Lemon Pepper Tuna contains 16 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 1 gram of carbohydrates per serving. The bags don't require refrigeration and have long shelf life. Mercury accumulation is a concern with frequent tuna consumption, so it should be limited to a few times per week.
Convenience always comes at additional cost, either in protein-to-calorie ratio or price. There is no super-convenience food that surpasses all others in protein content without trade-offs.
Price-sensitive consumers needing high protein for few calories should read labels and check prices. Price and protein density are separate issues - cheaper proteins on the list don't necessarily contain much protein since protein is relatively expensive compared to fats and carbohydrates.
Protein powder shakes require minimal preparation time (mixing, shaking, drinking, rinsing) and offer incredible protein-to-calorie ratio at excellent price, even if slightly less convenient than ready-to-drink options.
Ready-made shakes cost more, but overall none of these convenience options are very expensive, especially when balanced with advance meal preparation.
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