Premier Protein Vanilla Shake (11.5 fl oz): 30g Protein, Labelgrade B
B 79 / 100 — Premier Protein is the protein-per-calorie king of the RTD shake aisle — 30 g of protein for 159 calories is genuinely excellent (a 5.3:1 protein-to-calorie efficiency rivaling whey isolate powder). The Labelgrade is held back by the 30+ ingredient formulation: dual artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame potassium), three phosphate compounds for emulsion stability, carrageenan, and an extensive vitamin-mineral premix. This is a heavily engineered convenience product. If your goal is hitting protein totals at low calorie cost, the formulation does its job; if minimally-processed is your priority, plain Greek yogurt scores higher.
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Premier Protein Vanilla High Protein Shake delivers 30 g of protein in 159 calories per 11.5 fl oz (345 mL) bottle (USDA FDC 2622652) — the best protein-per-calorie ratio of any commonly-stocked ready-to-drink shake on the US market. Total sugar is 1 g (0 g added) thanks to dual artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame potassium). The Labelgrade is B (79 / 100): the protein efficiency is genuinely excellent, but the ~30-ingredient formulation drags down the ingredient-quality and protein-density scores.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | C | 63 / 100 | 8.7 g of protein per 100 mL — the formula scores liquids lower per unit volume than solids. The per-bottle protein (30 g) is excellent; the per-100 mL density is just average |
| Ingredient quality | B- | 71 / 100 | Dual artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame potassium), three phosphate compounds for protein-emulsion stability, carrageenan, an extensive vitamin-mineral premix, and the long list itself drag this down. Milk protein concentrate + calcium caseinate as the protein sources are solid, but the rest of the formulation is engineered |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 1 g total sugar, 0 g added — about as low as packaged food gets. The trade-off is artificial sweeteners |
| Sodium load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 231 mg per shake; per 100 mL that’s only 67 mg — low for any savory or dairy product |
| Fiber | F | 32 / 100 | 1 g per shake — token amount from inulin |
| Saturated fat load | A+ | 99 / 100 | 0.1 g per 100 g — well below the 20 g FDA daily limit — clean on saturated fat |
| Overall | B | 79 / 100 | The best protein-per-calorie ratio in the RTD aisle, in a long-ingredient-list formulation. Buy for hitting protein targets at low calorie cost; don’t buy for “clean ingredients” |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per bottle | Calories per bottle | Sugar | Ingredients | Sweetener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Protein Vanilla (this product) | 30 g | 159 | 1 g | ~30 | Sucralose + acesulfame K |
| Quest Vanilla Protein Shake (11 fl oz) | 30 g | 159 | 1 g | 10 | Sucralose only |
| Fage Total 0% (180 g serving) | 32 g | 162 | 9 g (lactose) | 2 | None |
| Plain cooked chicken breast | ~31 g per 100 g | ~150 | 0 g | 1 | None |
Premier and Quest hit the same per-bottle macros. Quest’s shorter ingredient list and single-sweetener formulation make it the cleaner choice; Premier’s more comprehensive vitamin-mineral premix makes it slightly closer to a meal replacement. Greek yogurt and chicken hit similar protein counts with no engineered ingredients but lose on convenience.
Whole-food equivalent
One Premier Protein shake (30 g protein) equals roughly:
- 97 g of cooked chicken breast (about 3.4 oz)
- 170 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (just under a single-serve cup)
- 5 large eggs
- 130 g of plain canned tuna (about a small can)
The shake’s advantage is shelf-stability and zero prep. The whole-food alternatives win on ingredient simplicity and (usually) cost.
Scope
This page covers Premier Protein Vanilla High Protein Shake as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2622652 (UPC 0643843717041), at the 11.5 fl oz / 345 mL single-bottle size. Premier Protein sells dozens of flavors and several formats (11.5 fl oz singles, larger multi-pack bottles, 30 g and 35 g protein versions). Per-bottle protein varies by SKU; the per-mL density and the Labelgrade methodology apply consistently across the line. Always check the actual bottle label.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Water, milk protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, contains less than 1% of high oleic sunflower oil, natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose gel and cellulose gum, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carrageenan, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, vitamin and mineral blend, magnesium phosphate, sodium ascorbate.
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Labelgrade score is independent of affiliate relationships. More.
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 1 shake (11.5 fl oz / 345 mL)
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 shake (11.5 fl oz / 345 mL)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 159 |
| Protein | 30g |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 231mg |
| Cholesterol | 21mg |
| Calcium | 649mg |
| Iron | 1.8mg |
| Potassium | 179mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Premier Protein Vanilla High Protein Shake (11.5 fl oz (345 mL)) · UPC 0643843717041. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains animal-derived ingredients
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a Premier Protein Vanilla shake?
30 grams of protein per 11.5 fl oz (345 mL) bottle (USDA FDC 2622652). That's the same protein as roughly 100 g of cooked chicken breast, delivered in a shelf-stable, no-prep bottle.
How many calories per bottle?
159 calories per 11.5 fl oz shake — exceptional for the protein delivered. The protein-to-calorie ratio (5.3 calories per gram of protein) rivals whey isolate powder mixed with water.
Does Premier Protein contain artificial sweeteners?
Yes — both sucralose and acesulfame potassium are listed in the ingredients. These are non-nutritive sweeteners that contribute to the 1 g total sugar / 0 g added sugar profile. Premier Protein does not currently offer an unsweetened or naturally-sweetened version of this shake.
Is Premier Protein keto-friendly?
Yes — 4 g total carbs (including 1 g fiber), 1 g sugar, 3 g fat, 30 g protein per shake fits most ketogenic and low-carb protocols. The artificial sweeteners do not raise blood sugar.
How does Premier Protein compare to Quest Vanilla Protein Shake?
Both deliver 30 g protein and 159 calories per bottle (11.5 fl oz Premier vs 11 fl oz Quest). Quest has a cleaner ingredient list (10 ingredients vs ~30, no acesulfame K, no carrageenan) but Premier has a more comprehensive vitamin-mineral premix. We score Quest slightly higher on Labelgrade because of the shorter ingredient list.
What's the protein source?
Milk protein concentrate plus calcium caseinate. Both are dairy-derived. The shake is not vegan and is not lactose-free (though the lactose content is very low because it's primarily protein, not whey).
Is the 30 g claim verified?
Yes — USDA Branded Foods database reports 30 g of protein per the 345 mL serving (FDC 2622652), matching the on-package label. The lab method (Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis × 6.25) is the FDA standard.
Does it count as 'high in protein' under FDA rules?
Far above the threshold. 30 g per serving is 60% of the FDA 50 g Daily Value — three times the 20% required for the 'high in protein' claim.