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XWERKS Grow vs 1st Phorm Level-1

Honest Comparison

XWERKS Grow
vs 1st Phorm Level-1

A pure grass-fed whey isolate vs. a whey blend with corn syrup solids and palm oil. Both popular. Very different under the hood.

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The Full Story
XWERKS Grow vs 1st Phorm Level-1: Which Protein Is Better?

1st Phorm Level-1 is one of the most popular protein powders on social media. XWERKS Grow is a favorite among CrossFit athletes and clean-eating enthusiasts. But when you compare labels, these two couldn’t be more different.

Grow is 100% whey protein isolate from New Zealand grass-fed cows with four ingredients. Level-1 is a whey protein blend (concentrate + milk protein concentrate + isolate) with a creamer powder containing corn syrup solids and palm oil. One is built for purity. The other is built for taste. This page breaks it all down.

Head to Head
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Every category that matters — side by side.
XWERKS Grow
1st Phorm
100% Whey Isolate
Protein Type
Whey Blend (Concentrate + Milk Protein + Isolate)
25g
Protein / Serving
24g
110
Calories
140
0–2g
Carbs
~5g
0–2g
Fat
2–3g
Stevia (Natural)
Sweetener
Sucralose + Acesulfame-K (Artificial)
No
Contains Corn Syrup Solids
Yes (in creamer powder)
No
Contains Palm Oil
Yes (in creamer powder)
NZ Grass-Fed
Sourcing
Not Specified
4
Ingredient Count
14+
Fast (isolate)
Digestion Speed
Sustained release (2–3 hrs)
4
Flavors
20+
~$2.30
Price / Serving
~$2.14
The Breakdown
Why It Matters
Level-1 has a massive following. But popularity and ingredient quality aren’t the same thing.
⚙

Protein Purity

Grow is 100% whey protein isolate — the purest, most bioavailable form. Level-1 blends isolate with cheaper whey concentrate and milk protein concentrate, then adds a creamer powder for texture. You don’t know how much of the 24g comes from isolate vs. concentrate.

⚖

Ingredient Quality

This is where it gets ugly for Level-1. The ingredient list includes corn syrup solids, palm oil, modified food starch, soy lecithin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and BHT (a synthetic preservative). Grow has four ingredients: whey isolate, natural flavors, xanthan gum, and stevia.

🍩

Taste vs. Clean

Level-1 is widely praised as one of the best-tasting protein powders on the market. That taste comes from corn syrup solids, palm oil creamer, and multiple artificial sweeteners. Grow achieves great taste through natural flavoring and stevia without any of the junk. It’s a tradeoff.

🌱

Sourcing

Grow uses exclusively grass-fed whey from New Zealand — no hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides by national law. 1st Phorm does not specify whether their whey is grass-fed or where it’s sourced.

💰

Value

Level-1 is slightly cheaper per serving (~$2.14 vs $2.30). But for that small savings, you’re getting a protein blend instead of pure isolate, 30 more calories, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup solids, and palm oil. The extra $0.16/serving for Grow buys a significantly cleaner product.

🏆

Bottom Line

1st Phorm Level-1 is a tasty, convenient protein with strong branding and a loyal community. But if you read labels, the ingredient list is hard to justify when Grow exists. For athletes who care about what goes into their body, Grow is the obvious choice.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is XWERKS Grow better than 1st Phorm Level-1?
For ingredient quality, yes. Grow is 100% whey protein isolate with four ingredients and no artificial sweeteners. Level-1 is a whey protein blend containing corn syrup solids, palm oil, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and 14+ ingredients. Level-1 has the edge on flavor variety (20+ options) and third-party testing (Informed Choice). But for clean nutrition, Grow is the stronger choice.
Is 1st Phorm Level-1 a whey isolate?
No. Level-1 is a whey protein blend containing whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate. It is marketed as a sustained-release protein, meaning it digests over 2-3 hours. XWERKS Grow is 100% whey protein isolate, which is faster-digesting and higher in protein purity.
Does 1st Phorm Level-1 contain corn syrup solids?
Yes. Level-1 contains a creamer powder made with palm oil and corn syrup solids. It also contains modified food starch, soy lecithin, and BHT (a synthetic preservative). XWERKS Grow contains none of these ingredients.
Does 1st Phorm Level-1 contain artificial sweeteners?
Yes. Level-1 uses both sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). XWERKS Grow uses only stevia, a natural zero-calorie sweetener.
Is 1st Phorm Level-1 grass-fed?
No. 1st Phorm does not market Level-1 as grass-fed and does not specify the origin of their whey protein. XWERKS Grow is sourced exclusively from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows in New Zealand.
Why is 1st Phorm Level-1 so popular?
Level-1 has strong brand marketing, a dedicated community through the 1st Phorm app, excellent taste (partly due to its creamer powder and artificial sweeteners), and 20+ flavor options. Popularity does not always correlate with ingredient quality.
Ready to Switch?

Your Protein
Should Be As Clean
As Your Training

100% grass-fed whey isolate. Four ingredients. No compromises. Free shipping on orders over $75.

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This comparison is based on publicly available nutrition labels, ingredient lists, and pricing as of 2026. 1st Phorm and Level-1 are trademarks of 1st Phorm International, LLC. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.