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expiredMilk4Ever posted Jan 10, 2023 02:27 AM
expiredMilk4Ever posted Jan 10, 2023 02:27 AM

Costco Members: 68-Ounce Ascent Whey Protein (Chocolate or Vanilla)

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$46

$56

17% off
Costco Wholesale
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Costco Wholesale has for Costco Members: 68-Ounce Ascent Whey Protein (Chocolate or Vanilla) on sale for $45.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member Milk4Ever for sharing this deal.

Note, make your flavor selection on product page. Non-Members may purchase but are subject to 5% surcharge

Available Flavors:
  • Chocolate
  • Vanilla
About this Item:
  • 25g of Clean, Fast Digesting Whey Protein
  • Zero Artificial Ingredients
  • Native Whey Protein – The Least Processed, Most Pure Form of Whey Protein Available
  • Certified Gluten Free
  • rBST Free & Soy FreeIngredients:
    • Vanilla: Whey Protein Isolate Blend (Native Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Stevia Leaf Extract, Sea Salt
    • Chocolate: Whey Protein Isolate Blend (Native Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Stevia Leaf Extract

Editor's Notes

Written by slickdewmaster | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 330 reviews
    • $10 manufacturer's savings is valid 1/1/23 through 1/15/23. While supplies last. Limit 5 per member.

Original Post

Written by Milk4Ever
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Costco Wholesale has for Costco Members: 68-Ounce Ascent Whey Protein (Chocolate or Vanilla) on sale for $45.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member Milk4Ever for sharing this deal.

Note, make your flavor selection on product page. Non-Members may purchase but are subject to 5% surcharge

Available Flavors:
  • Chocolate
  • Vanilla
About this Item:
  • 25g of Clean, Fast Digesting Whey Protein
  • Zero Artificial Ingredients
  • Native Whey Protein – The Least Processed, Most Pure Form of Whey Protein Available
  • Certified Gluten Free
  • rBST Free & Soy FreeIngredients:
    • Vanilla: Whey Protein Isolate Blend (Native Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Stevia Leaf Extract, Sea Salt
    • Chocolate: Whey Protein Isolate Blend (Native Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Stevia Leaf Extract

Editor's Notes

Written by slickdewmaster | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 330 reviews
    • $10 manufacturer's savings is valid 1/1/23 through 1/15/23. While supplies last. Limit 5 per member.

Original Post

Written by Milk4Ever

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Top Comments

Milk4Ever
1795 Posts
467 Reputation
I believe these are marketing strategies. They may have a certain target price, which they'll miss if they make it 5.5 lb.
Alternatively, sometimes companies make the weight different to prevent easy and direct mental comparison with the compettiton in their consumers' minds. This is a NeuroMarketing technique commonly practiced by Costco. Next time you go to Costco, find a kirkland product and its close alternative and look at their price signs; one will give price per lb and the other in oz! They do this so you can't simply compare prices and have to do some math , which is paychologically painful and aversive for most people, so they give up and pick whatever product they're cued to pick. Fascinating stuff!

61 Comments

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Jan 13, 2023 03:00 AM
395 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 13, 2023 03:00 AM
RavenIIJan 13, 2023 03:00 AM
395 Posts
Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents...barring any allergies/sensitivities...this is by far the best tasting protein that I've tried....and I've tried Dymatize, ON, My protein, Syntha6...this is the only one that just tastes SO natural. The sweetener isn't over powering, doesn't leave a nasty after taste, it's just good. For anyone that wants....my breakfast smoothy is as follows...

1 Cup of Milk (Whole)
1/3 Cup Blue Berries (Costco Frozen)
1/3 Cup Strawberries (Costco Frozen)
1/3 Cup Oatmeal (Bob's Thick Cut)
1 Small Banana
1 Tsp. Trader Joe's Natural Peanut Butter
2 Scoops of Ascent Vanilla Protein

Roughly 700-800 calories (yes, it's a lot, but I don't even THINK of food until after the gym , around 5:30PM). Ends up being around 20 or so ounces.

You're welcome.
1
Jan 13, 2023 04:51 AM
14 Posts
Joined Mar 2017
Jan 13, 2023 04:51 AM
bpwhelan95Jan 13, 2023 04:51 AM
14 Posts
Price per weight might be good, but g of protein per dollar is not the best at 31... Great deals are above 50 imo.
Jan 13, 2023 04:58 AM
481 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
Jan 13, 2023 04:58 AM
Slammed01Jan 13, 2023 04:58 AM
481 Posts
May have to try, usually do VS body tech chocolate and running low. Plus if I don't like or bad flavor back to Costco it goes..
Last edited by Slammed01 January 12, 2023 at 09:04 PM.
1
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 06:24 AM
1,795 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jan 13, 2023 06:24 AM
Milk4Ever
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 06:24 AM
1,795 Posts
Quote from Slammed01 :
May have to try, usually do VS body tech chocolate and running low. Plus if I don't like or bad flavor back to Costco it goes..
It's your right ofcourse to return; just a reminder that they throw all food returns in the trash.
Jan 13, 2023 06:31 AM
481 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
Jan 13, 2023 06:31 AM
Slammed01Jan 13, 2023 06:31 AM
481 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
It's your right ofcourse to return; just a reminder that they throw all food returns in the trash.
Don't expect any issues, everyone seems to like the flavor
1
Jan 13, 2023 03:45 PM
1,414 Posts
Joined May 2007
Jan 13, 2023 03:45 PM
ShadarJan 13, 2023 03:45 PM
1,414 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
The price is $10.82 per lb. ($0.68 per oz.) which is almost the right price point for being a good deal, especially considering the product quality.

I have never seen this product in-store, but it has gone on sale on Costco website for the same price last year.

These have natural vanilla/cocoa flavors (no artificial flavoring), use sunflower lecithin instead of soy, and are sweetened with stevia. They also use branded protein (Native whey) so it might be indicative of higher accountability and quality control. I have tried the vanilla; it tastes pretty good with moderate sweetness and not overpowering vanilla flavor.

If you'd like to maximize protein per $, the vanilla has +4 servings compared to the chocolate flavor

Product link on Amazon, for reference: (note that the package is 4 oz. smaller on amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Nat...D6VN0?th=1 [amazon.com]
This sounds like a good buy for people who want "natural" flavoring, but it's a total deal-killer for me.

I've tried hundreds of proteins over the years, both as a sample tester for brands and buying my own.

There is simply no "natural" flavored protein that is even remotely tasty in comparison to the artificially flavored stuff. And while some may think that the tradeoff is worth it, the "natural" flavorings are really barely more "natural" than the artificial flavors. They are both heavily processed and very far away from truly "natural" as most people would use the term.

I prefer sucralose to stevia any day. Stevia tastes worse and is slightly more dubious on health side effects compared to splenda which is basically the safest sweetener known to man, safer than sugar/honey/etc which of course are bad due to the caloric intake and impacts on the body in other ways.

If you don't care about "natural" flavoring, I'd suggest not getting them, they'll taste a lot worse and offer no true benefit.
1
Jan 13, 2023 03:56 PM
5,358 Posts
Joined Sep 2016
Jan 13, 2023 03:56 PM
anonymous2929239Jan 13, 2023 03:56 PM
5,358 Posts
Quote from suntzu187 :
Optimum is usually artificial flavor these days, unfortunately. Glad I passed on that deal!
There's nothing wrong with ON protein. They are both good
1

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Jan 13, 2023 04:20 PM
51 Posts
Joined Oct 2006
Jan 13, 2023 04:20 PM
k0anJan 13, 2023 04:20 PM
51 Posts
I love this protein powder and this is a great price.

I have tried both vanilla and chocolate plenty of times and while I really like both I slightly prefer chocolate.

For those who care, this is the smoothie I have for breakfast every day:
- 1 scoop of chocolate ascent powder
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup frozen cherries

I have a Blendtec blender and I press the "Milkshake" button and the consistency is perfect for me.
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 04:45 PM
1,795 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jan 13, 2023 04:45 PM
Milk4Ever
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 04:45 PM
1,795 Posts
Quote from FreedomPenguin :
There's nothing wrong with ON protein. They are both good
I wouldn't say "nothing". You can compare ingredient lists and see for yourself, but I agree that it's a decent product compared to average offerings in the market, particularly becausebof the name brand and the good track record of ON and Costco.
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 05:08 PM
1,795 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jan 13, 2023 05:08 PM
Milk4Ever
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 05:08 PM
1,795 Posts
Quote from Shadar :
This sounds like a good buy for people who want "natural" flavoring, but it's a total deal-killer for me.

I've tried hundreds of proteins over the years, both as a sample tester for brands and buying my own.

There is simply no "natural" flavored protein that is even remotely tasty in comparison to the artificially flavored stuff. And while some may think that the tradeoff is worth it, the "natural" flavorings are really barely more "natural" than the artificial flavors. They are both heavily processed and very far away from truly "natural" as most people would use the term.

I prefer sucralose to stevia any day. Stevia tastes worse and is slightly more dubious on health side effects compared to splenda which is basically the safest sweetener known to man, safer than sugar/honey/etc which of course are bad due to the caloric intake and impacts on the body in other ways.

If you don't care about "natural" flavoring, I'd suggest not getting them, they'll taste a lot worse and offer no true benefit.
Some dubious claims there! You are right that "natural flavor" doesn't necessarily mean that it's healthy or tastes good, but taste is quite subjective; both natural and artificial flavors can taste good if they're done right. Some people are more sensitive to the "artificial" taste and hate it, while others don't have a problem with it.
About Stevia, again some people are more sensitive to the bitter after-taste, and not all Stevia preparations and compounds are the same. I personally am more sensitive to the Sucralose/aceK taste and find it appaling easily. Sucralose may be much more researched than Stevia, but that doesn't mean we know all about its effects; it doesn't make it safe, and most definitely not safer than honey! It's not all about calories and insulin. We evolved to process natural food over millions of years, but have not a clear idea how we process this artifical stuff that we just learned to make in the past few decades. Natural simple sugar is addictive and metabolically problematic, but atleast our body knows how to handle it (though to be fair, it's not that "natural" as we just recently got easy access to it). I'm a scientist funded by the NIH; I have researched the effects of Sucralose on hunger in the brain. If you think it's safer than natural sugars, think again.
Last edited by Milk4Ever January 13, 2023 at 09:43 AM.
Jan 13, 2023 07:00 PM
5,358 Posts
Joined Sep 2016
Jan 13, 2023 07:00 PM
anonymous2929239Jan 13, 2023 07:00 PM
5,358 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
I wouldn't say "nothing". You can compare ingredient lists and see for yourself, but I agree that it's a decent product compared to average offerings in the market, particularly becausebof the name brand and the good track record of ON and Costco.
Neither will make you unhealthy or kill you. Been using on for like 14 years. I'm not dead and I'm fit and healthy. Live a healthy lifestyle and don't stress too much
1
Jan 13, 2023 07:30 PM
1,414 Posts
Joined May 2007
Jan 13, 2023 07:30 PM
ShadarJan 13, 2023 07:30 PM
1,414 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
Some dubious claims there! You are right that "natural flavor" doesn't necessarily mean that it's healthy or tastes good, but taste is quite subjective; both natural and artificial flavors can taste good if they're done right. Some people are more sensitive to the "artificial" taste and hate it, while others don't have a problem with it.
About Stevia, again some people are more sensitive to the bitter after-taste, and not all Stevia preparations and compounds are the same. I personally am more sensitive to the Sucralose/aceK taste and find it appaling easily. Sucralose may be much more researched than Stevia, but that doesn't mean we know all about its effects; it doesn't make it safe, and most definitely not safer than honey! It's not all about calories and insulin. We evolved to process natural food over millions of years, but have not a clear idea how we process this artifical stuff that we just learned to make in the past few decades. Natural simple sugar is addictive and metabolically problematic, but atleast our body knows how to handle it (though to be fair, it's not that "natural" as we just recently got easy access to it). I'm a scientist funded by the NIH; I have researched the effects of Sucralose on hunger in the brain. If you think it's safer than natural sugars, think again.
And I'm a nobel prize winning nutritional biologist. We can both make things up.

As I said, if someone believes they want "natural" protein for some reason, logical or not, they should get this as it's a good deal for it.

But for anyone uncertain, they have a far higher chance of a naturally flavored protein tasting worse than an artificially flavored one.

The end.
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 09:55 PM
1,795 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jan 13, 2023 09:55 PM
Milk4Ever
Original Poster
Jan 13, 2023 09:55 PM
1,795 Posts
Quote from Shadar :
And I'm a nobel prize winning nutritional biologist. We can both make things up.

As I said, if someone believes they want "natural" protein for some reason, logical or not, they should get this as it's a good deal for it.

But for anyone uncertain, they have a far higher chance of a naturally flavored protein tasting worse than an artificially flavored one.

The end.
All is fine. I just mentioned my profession just like you mentioned your brand testing experience, to give a background on my statements.
In my line of work, we perform experiments and collect surveys before using words such as "far higher chance" (which itself is barely a qualitative statments unless you define "far higher").
Anyways, as we both agree, taste is subjective and people should try the product and find out for themselves, taking all anecdotal evidence provided by their fellow slickdealers as mere data points.
Peace.
Last edited by Milk4Ever January 13, 2023 at 01:58 PM.
Jan 14, 2023 10:11 PM
293 Posts
Joined Feb 2008
Jan 14, 2023 10:11 PM
laughter95Jan 14, 2023 10:11 PM
293 Posts
Quote from Shadar :
There is simply no "natural" flavored protein that is even remotely tasty in comparison to the artificially flavored stuff.
Idk what naturally flavored protein would even be... basically unflavored protein? Soy lecithin and whey? That shit tastes like depression-- "incomplete milk" is how I'd characterize it.

All whey protein tastes terrible. I remember in 2016 some youtuber was doing a panel of taste tests on MyProtein, and then he paused on one being like omg, it is so delicious. I bought that flavor, Chocolate Smooth.

I've realized time and time again these flavor names from all the brands are basically lies. Chocolate tastes like asshole chocolate, no matter what brand.

Whoever's a proponent of naturally flavored protein over artificially flavored protein... laughs. How long have they been training, what are their numbers.

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Original Poster
Jan 15, 2023 07:39 AM
1,795 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jan 15, 2023 07:39 AM
Milk4Ever
Original Poster
Jan 15, 2023 07:39 AM
1,795 Posts
Quote from laughter95 :
Idk what naturally flavored protein would even be... basically unflavored protein? Soy lecithin and whey? That shit tastes like depression-- "incomplete milk" is how I'd characterize it.
...
Unflavored whey tastes like mother's milk to me. Who doesn't like mother's milk?!
1

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