The Healthspan Elite All Blacks Ultimate Whey Protein Blend is a good, low calorie option for those who don’t like sweet shakes. The powder mixes well and the nutrition profile is well-rounded, but a slightly bitter aftertaste means it won’t be replacing my trusted post workout shake.

Some protein shakes are, to me, so sweet they give me a headache. This particular flavour of Healthspan’s Elite Ultimate Whey mix, designed for the All Black’s rugby team, is not one of these. It uses stevia sweetener in moderation to give you a nutty chocolate flavour which is quite dark in taste.

It is a fraction too bitter for me, but if you prefer your coffee black then this is perhaps for you. Strawberry and vanilla flavours are also available.

Flavour aside, the nutrition profile here is good, if not revolutionary. A 34.9g serving gives you 24g of protein, 131kcal, 1.4g of fat and 5.4g of carbs. You’ll also find 5.7g of naturally occurring branched chain amino acids and digestive enzymes.

My recovery shake of choice, Protein Works’ Whey Protein 360 Extreme, does deliver 2g more protein from its 35g serving size with otherwise similar figures across the board.

I am slightly disappointed to see only this 750g size option available. Buying two packs at the same time will net you a saving, but I’d like the option of buying in greater bulk.

The combo discount doesn’t change the fact that, per serving, Healthspan’s mix is rather expensive at £1.78 per serving at its currently discounted price of £35.54 for one pack, or £1.46 per serving if you pay £58.49 for two.

The Protein Works’ 360 mix costs just 91p per serving for the 600g bag and there are 1.2kg, 2.4kg, and 4.8kg sizes available which can bring the serving price down to 60p.

However, one key area where Healthspan gains ground is with competing athletes. The brand’s mixes have Informed Sport certification. This means that every batch from their production is tested for banned substances.

It is also excellent to see that the packaging is fully recyclable.

Flavour, for most of us however, will be a key aspect of a daily sports nutrition supplement and Healthspan’s Elite All Blacks Ultimate Whey Protein just doesn’t do it for me. I prefer the slightly less punchy flavour of the Protein Works shakes, so it is with these that I will stick.

Verdict

A rich protein shake with Informed Sport certification, but the price is high

Make and model: Healthspan Elite All Blacks Ultimate Whey Protein Blend Chocolate

Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Healthspan says:

The ultimate foundation for any fitness programme, regardless of your level, to help build and maintain muscle.

Ultimate Whey Protein contains a quality blend of whey concentrate and isolate proteins with a naturally occurring amino acid complex. Each serving provides a high level of protein (24g) and 5.7g BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids). Actazin has also been included, a protease enzyme sourced from New Zealand kiwi fruit which breaks down protein into smaller peptides for better absorption in the body.

Even better, this great tasting protein blend has a luxurious natural chocolate flavour and is easy to mix. It’s also low in sugar, and contains no unnecessary ingredients or artificial sweeteners (we use a natural sweetener in Stevia).

Developed with the All Blacks

With 25 years’ experience in nutrition, many leading athletes trust Healthspan Elite for their supplement needs – and what works for them, can work for you too. We’ve partnered up with the All Blacks, taking advice from their nutritionist and the players themselves to deliver a winning range of proteins and supplements, made with the finest ingredients to help you stay healthy and perform to your best.

Clean, lean, green

It was important for us and the All Blacks to launch a range that shared our mutual values. This led to the ‘clean, lean, green’ ethos: Ultimate Whey Protein is fully lab-tested, contains natural flavours and no unnecessary ingredients (Clean), with a science-backed formulation low in sugar to help you achieve your goals (Lean), and uses New Zealand based ingredients within recyclable packaging (Green).

A range you can trust

This product has undergone rigorous testing by LGC’s world-class sports anti-doping laboratory, Sport and Specialised Analytical Services, for a wide range of substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to provide the highest levels of assurance possible for athletes.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

24g protein per serving

With 5.7g naturally occurring BCAAs per serving

Actazin Digestive Enzymes from New Zealand kiwi fruit

Fully recyclable pouch to reduce plastic waste

Informed Sport accredited

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

Rate the product for value:

3/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It mixes well, tastes okay and didn’t cause me any stomach issues

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The lack of sweetness is very refreshing

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price is too high for me

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It is a rather pricey option

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, though a little bitter for me

Would you consider buying the product? I don’t think I could justify the price

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The rich flavour is just a little bitter for me, but many will like this. It also gains points for the Informed Sport certification. That price and the single size option, however, mean I have to mark it down.

Age: 27  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7  My best bike is:

I’ve been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!