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expired Posted by The Beast • Apr 16, 2025
expired Posted by The Beast • Apr 16, 2025

Select Costco Stores: 4.25-lbs Ascent 100% Whey Native Protein Blend (Chocolate)

(In-Warehouse only)

$40

$50

20% off
Costco Wholesale
43 Comments 26,253 Views
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Deal Details
Select Costco Wholesale Stores (product link not available) have 4.25-lbs Ascent 100% Whey Native Protein Blend (Chocolate) on sale for $39.99 valid for in-warehouse purchase only.

Thanks to community member The Beast for sharing this deal.

Note, availability and price may vary by location.

Features:
  • 25g of Fast Digesting Whey Protein Blend
  • Zero Artificial Ingredients
  • Native Whey Protein - Least Processed Whey Protein
  • Certified Gluten Free, rBST Free
  • 5.7g BCAAs, 12.1g EAAs, 2.7g Leucine

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • This offer is $4 less than the previous FP deal.
  • Product may not be available in all locations
  • Sale ends 4/27/25 or while supplies last
  • Look for Costco product number 1666598
  • Please see original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
  • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here

Original Post

Written by The Beast
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Select Costco Wholesale Stores (product link not available) have 4.25-lbs Ascent 100% Whey Native Protein Blend (Chocolate) on sale for $39.99 valid for in-warehouse purchase only.

Thanks to community member The Beast for sharing this deal.

Note, availability and price may vary by location.

Features:
  • 25g of Fast Digesting Whey Protein Blend
  • Zero Artificial Ingredients
  • Native Whey Protein - Least Processed Whey Protein
  • Certified Gluten Free, rBST Free
  • 5.7g BCAAs, 12.1g EAAs, 2.7g Leucine

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • This offer is $4 less than the previous FP deal.
  • Product may not be available in all locations
  • Sale ends 4/27/25 or while supplies last
  • Look for Costco product number 1666598
  • Please see original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
  • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here

Original Post

Written by The Beast

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+38
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Top Comments

ThriftySoda3172
17 Posts
14 Reputation
Unless you are vegan, stay away from pea-based protein powders.
"Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) measures protein quality based on human essential amino acid requirements and our ability to digest it. The test protein is compared to a standard amino acid profile and is given a score from 0–1, with a score of 1.0 indicating maximum amino acid digestibility. Common protein supplements (whey, casein, and soy) all receive 1.0 scores. Meat and soybeans (0.9), vegetables and other legumes (0.7), and whole wheat and peanuts (0.25–0.55) all provide diminished protein digestibility. PDCAAS is currently considered the most reliable score of protein quality for human nutrition."
TheJoeFletch
352 Posts
176 Reputation
I have had some nasty tasting supplements in the past that I could stomach without an issue. I tried this protein powder (Orgain Organic Protein and Superfoods Plant Based Protein Powder) and it was without a doubt, the worst protein powder I have ever had. Terrible taste, it kept repeating on me and it gave me the diarrhea. I shutter every time I see it in Costco and I feel like it's my duty to tell people when I see it in their cart (I don't say anything, but I should). Proceed with caution.
RespectSlickyD
724 Posts
98 Reputation
https://www.costco.com/levels-gra...18956.html

Would rather have this, no natural flavors, grass fed, and all concentrate (more bioactive immunoglobulins than isolate)

42 Comments

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Apr 19, 2025
5,018 Posts
Joined Jan 2011
Apr 19, 2025
sumthin_gud
Apr 19, 2025
5,018 Posts
Quote from austofferson :
A lot of people (myself included) can't handle sucralose without digestive issues and the Kirkland protein has sucralose. Generally speaking all the "best" tasting protein powders are loaded with artificial sweeteners and that's why people like the taste. If you can handle it and don't put any merit into the emerging data that artificial sweeteners are not as safe as we've been lead to believe then go for it. But for the people that are supplementing with protein and can't/don't want to ingest artificial sweeteners, then options are limited and usually less palatable.
My body HATES artificial sweeteners. It goes right through me. It's a complete and total rejection of it. It wasn't always like this, but eventually I discovered that regular sugar is the only thing my body likes.
Apr 19, 2025
5,018 Posts
Joined Jan 2011
Apr 19, 2025
sumthin_gud
Apr 19, 2025
5,018 Posts
Quote from kurema8 :
Quality protein that mixes well with Almond Milk. Add a banana and peanut butter for a tasty post workout meal. I got tired of paying $100+ for top-rated Muscle Feast.
Muscle feast is my go to. Expensive as all hell, but it's the only thing I trust. Every other brand leaves me with headaches or digestive issues.

It's unfortunate that it's popularity has directly contributed to it's doubling in price. 5lbs used to be $60. it's taste has remained the same though, very cardboard like lol
Apr 20, 2025
33 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Apr 20, 2025
brian_peter
Apr 20, 2025
33 Posts
I think people might be overlooking that the main ingredient in the Ascent protein from Costco is whey protein isolate. Isolate undergoes additional processing to remove more fats, carbs, and lactose, making it the highest quality and easiest-to-digest whey protein available. Aside from the Isopure in the warehouse, this is Costco's best protein option. In comparison, the Kirkland and Optimum Nutrition (ON) proteins primarily use whey protein concentrate, which isn't as pure or high-quality as isolate.
Apr 20, 2025
29 Posts
Joined Dec 2019
Apr 20, 2025
CleverRailway243
Apr 20, 2025
29 Posts
Quote from TheJoeFletch :
I have had some nasty tasting supplements in the past that I could stomach without an issue. I tried this protein powder (Orgain Organic Protein and Superfoods Plant Based Protein Powder) and it was without a doubt, the worst protein powder I have ever had. Terrible taste, it kept repeating on me and it gave me the diarrhea. I shutter every time I see it in Costco and I feel like it's my duty to tell people when I see it in their cart (I don't say anything, but I should). Proceed with caution.
Your rite this is the worst tasting stuff ever
Apr 20, 2025
431 Posts
Joined May 2016
Apr 20, 2025
HeyMikeyLikesIt
Apr 20, 2025
431 Posts
Quote from austofferson :
A lot of people (myself included) can't handle sucralose without digestive issues and the Kirkland protein has sucralose. Generally speaking all the "best" tasting protein powders are loaded with artificial sweeteners and that's why people like the taste. If you can handle it and don't put any merit into the emerging data that artificial sweeteners are not as safe as we've been lead to believe then go for it. But for the people that are supplementing with protein and can't/don't want to ingest artificial sweeteners, then options are limited and usually less palatable.
Agreed. Any suggestions for specific options that taste the best being all natural without added sweeteners?
Apr 20, 2025
310 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Apr 20, 2025
stillen_i30
Apr 20, 2025
310 Posts
Quote from TheJoeFletch :
I have had some nasty tasting supplements in the past that I could stomach without an issue. I tried this protein powder (Orgain Organic Protein and Superfoods Plant Based Protein Powder) and it was without a doubt, the worst protein powder I have ever had. Terrible taste, it kept repeating on me and it gave me the diarrhea. I shutter every time I see it in Costco and I feel like it's my duty to tell people when I see it in their cart (I don't say anything, but I should). Proceed with caution.
You "shutter" eh?
1
Apr 20, 2025
352 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
Apr 20, 2025
TheJoeFletch
Apr 20, 2025
352 Posts
Quote from stillen_i30 :
You "shutter" eh?
I guess I do! (Good catch.)

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Apr 21, 2025
724 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Apr 21, 2025
RespectSlickyD
Apr 21, 2025
724 Posts
Quote from hellojellojw :
Lol ok, way to make a over generalized claim. They are both whey protein concentrate even if one uses isolate as a base, and either way concentrate is not "better" than isolate, it all depends. Isolate is more purified, so it has less fat, calories and lactose, which is why I switched to Ascent from Levels. Theyre otherwise the same (no artificial flavors, non-hormone, least processed etc). Grass-fed whey protein is a marketing gimmick, it means nothing for whey - its milk byproduct not a steak.
I didn't make a claim that one was better than the other, it was my opinion. If I would have said concentrate is better than isolate that would be me making a statement or a claim.

I agree the grass fed part is gimmicky because there isn't a defined requirement for the term. All cows are grass fed to some degree. If it were to say grass fed X percentage and grass finished Y percentage than it would mean something. For concentrate even more as it has more fat and grass fed/finished affects that macronutrient the most. You can tell by the yellowing of the whey as that indicates the vitamin content in the fat portion of the whey, just as milk from Guernsey or Jersey cows is more yellow than Holstein.

I used to get Romano Cheese company whey 80% concentrate organic whey (when themilkywhey sold good priced 20 kg bags) and the quality was WAY higher than normal whey. It was immediately noticeable even just visually and by smell.
Last edited by RespectSlickyD April 21, 2025 at 10:49 AM.
Apr 22, 2025
1,932 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Apr 22, 2025
robrob777
Apr 22, 2025
1,932 Posts
Good one... I have bought it 3 times now.. I like to mix 50-50 with the iso100.
Apr 23, 2025
1,224 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
Apr 23, 2025
dru500a
Apr 23, 2025
1,224 Posts
Quote from RespectSlickyD :
https://www.costco.com/levels-gra...18956.html

Would rather have this, no natural flavors, grass fed, and all concentrate (more bioactive immunoglobulins than isolate)
I saw this in store not long ago amd thought about picking it up. Is this a generally favored brand?
May 4, 2025
10 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
May 4, 2025
jeffreyscottweber
May 4, 2025
10 Posts
Quote from ThriftySoda3172 :
Unless you are vegan, stay away from pea-based protein powders.
"Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) measures protein quality based on human essential amino acid requirements and our ability to digest it. The test protein is compared to a standard amino acid profile and is given a score from 0–1, with a score of 1.0 indicating maximum amino acid digestibility. Common protein supplements (whey, casein, and soy) all receive 1.0 scores. Meat and soybeans (0.9), vegetables and other legumes (0.7), and whole wheat and peanuts (0.25–0.55) all provide diminished protein digestibility. PDCAAS is currently considered the most reliable score of protein quality for human nutrition."
The statement "Unless you are vegan, stay away from pea-based protein powders" is overstated and misleading, though it is loosely based on some facts.

1. PDCAAS and Pea Protein
• Pea protein does not have a PDCAAS of 1.0, but it's relatively high—typically around 0.82 to 0.93, depending on processing.
• Whey, casein, and soy protein isolate do score a 1.0, meaning they provide all essential amino acids in the right proportions and are highly digestible.
• Pea protein is slightly deficient in methionine, but it's still a high-quality plant protein, especially when isolated and purified.

2. Digestibility and Amino Acid Profile
• Pea protein has excellent digestibility (true ileal digestibility >90%) and a good amino acid profile aside from the methionine limitation.
• Most people, especially those eating a varied diet (with animal or other complementary proteins), won't suffer any deficiency from using pea protein.

3. Who Should Use Pea Protein?
• It's ideal for vegans, those with dairy allergies, or people seeking a plant-based or low-allergen alternative.
• Non-vegans can still use it effectively, especially when it's blended with other proteins (e.g., rice protein) or combined with a balanced diet.
May 6, 2025
17 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
May 6, 2025
ThriftySoda3172
May 6, 2025
17 Posts
Quote from jeffreyscottweber :
The statement "Unless you are vegan, stay away from pea-based protein powders" is overstated and misleading, though it is loosely based on some facts.1. PDCAAS and Pea Protein • Pea protein does not have a PDCAAS of 1.0, but it's relatively high—typically around 0.82 to 0.93, depending on processing. • Whey, casein, and soy protein isolate do score a 1.0, meaning they provide all essential amino acids in the right proportions and are highly digestible. • Pea protein is slightly deficient in methionine, but it's still a high-quality plant protein, especially when isolated and purified.2. Digestibility and Amino Acid Profile • Pea protein has excellent digestibility (true ileal digestibility >90%) and a good amino acid profile aside from the methionine limitation. • Most people, especially those eating a varied diet (with animal or other complementary proteins), won't suffer any deficiency from using pea protein.3. Who Should Use Pea Protein? • It's ideal for vegans, those with dairy allergies, or people seeking a plant-based or low-allergen alternative. • Non-vegans can still use it effectively, especially when it's blended with other proteins (e.g., rice protein) or combined with a balanced diet.
For someone who is not serious about protein intake and calorie count and just casually looking to increase muscle mass, you have some valid points. However, for people serious about their macros and can tolerate whey, choosing something that is just OK versus something that is clearly better doesn't make much sense.

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