Core Power High Protein Milk Shake

fairlife Core Power is a shelf-stable protein shake made from ultra-filtered milk and one of Amazon's top sellers: when we checked, the 26 g Chocolate 12-pack ranked #4 in Protein Drinks and the 42 g Core Power Elite ranked #3. A 14 fl oz bottle of the 26 g Chocolate provides 170 calories, 26 g of protein, 4.5 g of fat, 8 g of carbohydrate, 2 g of fiber and 5 g of sugar, none of it added. fairlife says all of the protein comes from the milk itself, concentrated by filtration at its natural ratio of about 80% casein to 20% whey, with no added protein powders. A lactase enzyme makes it lactose-free, and each bottle supplies 670 mg of calcium and 860 mg of potassium.

fairlife markets Core Power for post-workout recovery rather than as a meal replacement, and the numbers reflect that: 170 calories is a snack. The Elite version raises protein to 42 g and calories to 230 in chocolate, which comes closer to a light meal when paired with fruit or toast.

Sweetness comes from a blend of sucralose, acesulfame potassium, stevia and monk fruit, and the shakes contain carrageenan. fairlife says all Core Power products are gluten-free and kosher. We found no third-party certification such as NSF Certified for Sport, but also no FDA recall records for Core Power.

Buyers rate the Chocolate 12-pack 4.7 out of 5 across more than 25,000 buyer ratings, with frequent praise for the taste and smooth texture, while opinions on value for money are mixed. A 12-pack costs $46.99 direct from fairlife, about $3.92 a bottle, and was $41.88 when we checked.