Applied Nutrition has added a new protein powder to its range, but Essential Protein takes a slightly different approach to the traditional whey tubs most of us are used to.
Applied Nutrition Essential Protein is a multi-source protein blend providing 22g of protein and 115 calories per 32g serving. It combines whey, milk, egg and casein proteins, comes in 11 flavours and has been introduced in 800g and 1.6kg formats.
If you're new to this type of formula, our guide to protein blends explains what a multi-source blend is, how it differs from whey and why we're seeing more brands launch them.
Applied Nutrition Essential Protein at a glance
- Protein: 22g per 32g serving
- Calories: 115 per serving
- Sizes: 800g (25 servings) and 1.6kg (50 servings)
- Protein sources: whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, egg white protein, calcium caseinate, micellar casein and whey protein isolate
- Flavours: 11
- Allergens: contains milk and egg
What is Applied Nutrition Essential Protein?
Essential Protein is an everyday protein powder built around a blend of different protein sources rather than relying on whey alone. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, so the practical purpose is straightforward: it gives you a convenient way to add more protein to your daily diet.
The blend contains whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, egg white protein, calcium caseinate, micellar casein and whey protein isolate. That makes it a noticeably different proposition from buying a conventional whey protein or a whey isolate.
Is Applied Nutrition Essential Protein whey protein?
Not exactly. Essential Protein contains whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate, but it is a multi-source protein blend rather than a whey-only product. It also contains milk protein, egg white protein and casein proteins.
If you specifically want a traditional whey, a whey product still makes sense. Essential Protein is aimed at someone who likes the idea of getting their protein from a broader mixture of sources.
Essential Protein vs whey: what's the difference?
The main difference is the source of the protein. A traditional whey powder gets its protein predominantly from whey. Essential Protein combines whey with milk, egg and casein-derived proteins in the same shake.
That doesn't make one universally better than the other. It simply gives you another option. If your priority is specifically whey, choose whey. If you want an everyday multi-source blend, Essential Protein fills that role.
How much protein is in Applied Nutrition Essential Protein?
One 32g serving provides 22g of protein and 115 calories.
The 800g Essential Protein tub provides around 25 servings, while the 1.6kg Essential Protein tub provides around 50 servings.
The value is one of the interesting parts
For us, one of the things that makes Essential Protein stand out is the value, particularly with the larger tub.
At the time of writing, the 800g tub is £24.95 and the 1.6kg tub is £37.95. That puts the larger 50-serving tub at roughly 76p per serving, compared with around £1 per serving for the smaller tub.
Price isn't the only reason to choose a protein powder, but if you're using a shake regularly, cost per serving quickly becomes relevant. The 800g tub gives you a smaller starting point, while the 1.6kg option makes considerably more sense on a cost-per-serving basis.
What flavours does Applied Nutrition Essential Protein come in?
There are 11 flavours: Banana Milkshake, Caramel Biscuit, Chocolate Hazelnut, Cookies 'N' Cream, Double Chocolate, Ibiza Sunset, Peaches & Cream, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Milkshake, Vanilla Ice Cream and White Chocolate Coconut.
There are familiar options if you normally stick with chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, alongside more unusual choices such as Ibiza Sunset, Peaches & Cream and White Chocolate Coconut. It'll be interesting to see which flavours customers gravitate towards as the range establishes itself.
When should you use Essential Protein?
You don't need a special window to use it. Essential Protein can be used after training, between meals or whenever a protein shake is a convenient way of helping you reach your daily protein intake.
The suggested serving is one heaped 32g scoop mixed with 300–500ml of cold water or milk. Because the formula contains milk and egg-derived ingredients, it isn't suitable for anyone who needs to avoid those allergens.
Who is Applied Nutrition Essential Protein for?
Essential Protein makes the most sense for someone looking for an everyday protein powder who isn't specifically set on a whey-only or isolate-only formula.
You're getting 22g of protein per serving, a broad choice of flavours, two tub sizes and a multi-source blend. If you already know you specifically want whey isolate, there are more targeted products for that. If you mainly want a convenient, good-value way to increase your protein intake, Essential Protein is an interesting addition to the Applied Nutrition range.
Is Applied Nutrition Essential Protein worth trying?
Essential Protein doesn't make traditional whey obsolete, and it isn't trying to. Its appeal is that it offers something slightly different: a multi-source blend at an accessible cost per serving.
The combination of 22g of protein, 11 flavours and the value of the larger 1.6kg tub gives it a clear place in the range. For anyone who has previously only used whey, it's also a straightforward way to try a blended protein without changing how you'd normally use your shake.
Essential Protein sizes at Muscle Supply
The 800g 25-serving tub and 1.6kg 50-serving tub listings contain the current flavour, price and availability details. You can also see more from Applied Nutrition.
