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You’ll find plenty of protein powders specifically marketed as the best protein powder for women, but as far as we’re concerned, protein is mostly protein. The pretty pastel branding of Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein may catch your eye, but it’s what’s inside that counts.
Our Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein review considers ingredients, price, and how this protein performed IRL to help you decide whether to purchase or pass.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Shining Light on the Best Protein Powders
Our testers are fitness and nutrition pros, including certified personal trainers, competitive athletes, and registered dietitians, who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. They combine their professional knowledge with personal experience to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to use a protein.
We’re going to tell you when a protein powder’s ingredient list has room for improvement, is priced too high compared to the competition, or tastes plain lousy. To date, we’ve reviewed over 100 protein powders and compiled roundups to help you find the best protein powders.
Our testers used the GGR supplement testing methodology to rate Cira Bright Whey on a scale of 1 to 5 in a variety of categories, including:
- Price per serving
- Formulation
- Taste
- Solubility
- Customer reviews
- Third-party testing
Cira Bright Whey
Cira Bright Whey Protein
Product Highlights
- 25 grams of whey protein isolate and concentrate
- Contains Himalayan rock salt
- Available in vanilla, cookies & cream, and cinnamon swirl
- No added sugar
- Subscribe and Save option
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tastes good
- Mixes well
- Contains Himalayan rock salt
- Several flavors available
Cons
- No information on amino acid profile
- Contains sucralose and stevia
Bottom Line
Cira Bright Whey Protein provides 25 grams of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate per serving, as well as Himalayan salt providing added electrolytes.
A Quick Look at Cira Bright Whey Protein
Cira Nutrition makes dietary supplements designed and marketed to women. The product lineup includes supplements for fitness and beauty, including whey protein, pre-workout, creatine, hydration and electrolyte powders, reds and greens superfood powders, collagen, hormone support, and more.
Cira has grown in popularity thanks to their partnership with social media influencer Alicia McCarvell, a body positivity advocate. Cira, which means sun, uses inclusive marketing featuring women of all sizes and fitness levels. Their mission is to “help energize, inspire, and support your growth.”
Before You Buy
- Cira Bright Whey Protein contains two forms of whey: isolate and concentrate.
- This may be the right protein for you if you have a sweet tooth—customers rave about the flavors and say they taste like dessert.
- Check for sales and promos, set up a subscription, and join Cira’s rewards program to save money.
Is Cira Bright Whey Protein Worth It?
Whey protein isolate1 is considered purer than whey protein concentrate because it goes through more processing to filter out fat and carbs. The end result is protein powder with a higher protein concentration, fewer calories, and less lactose, fat, and carbohydrates than whey concentrate.
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein contains both the isolate and concentrate forms of whey protein, but they don’t disclose the percentage of each. While isolate can be easier on digestion since it’s had more lactose removed, concentrate lends a creamier texture to protein shakes thanks to its fat and carb content.
Most people tolerate whey protein just fine, but whey concentrate can be tough to digest for some people. If that’s been your experience, Cira’s protein powder may be easier on digestion. This is also a good choice of protein powder for weight loss since it’s low in fat, carbs, and sugar.
Great for:
- Anyone looking for protein powder with a higher protein content—it delivers 25 grams per scoop
- People who have trouble digesting 100% whey protein concentrate powders
- Individuals following a low-fat or low-carb meal plan
Not recommended for:
- Individuals who avoid artificial ingredients, including artificial flavors and sweeteners
- Plant-based people who need a vegan protein powder
- Anyone with an allergy or sensitivity to dairy
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein Specs
| Price per serving | $1.33 USD (or $1.13 with subscription) |
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (31.8 g) |
| Type of protein | Whey protein isolate & whey protein concentrate |
| Protein content | 25 g |
| Carb content | 2 g |
| Fat content | 1.5 g |
| Notable ingredients | Sucralose, Stevia |
| Flavors | Vanilla, Cinnamon Swirl, Cookies n Cream |
| Third-party tested? | Yes, claims to be |
Experience Using Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein
Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, tested the cookies n cream version of Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein. While it wasn’t the best-tasting protein powder she’s ever had, her experience was still positive. She found this protein dissolves easily in a shaker cup and tastes best mixed with milk, not water.
Price Per Serving
Each tub of Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein retails for $39.99 and contains 30 servings, which is $1.33 per serving. You can also enroll in a subscribe and save program to save 15%, bringing the price down to $1.13 per serving. There are often sales on the Cira website that bring the price per serving even lower.
Whey protein isolate is pricier than whey protein concentrate. Since this protein contains both forms of whey, it’s priced a bit higher than protein powders made with straight concentrate.
RELATED: Whey Protein Isolate vs Concentrate
The price is less than protein powders made with grass-fed whey and earns a score of 4.25 out of 5 for price.
Formulation
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein contains whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, natural and artificial flavors, Himalayan rock salt, sucralose, and stevia.
Per serving, this protein delivers 25 grams of protein. Most protein powders fall somewhere in the range of 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving, so this amount is on the high end and earns a 5 out of 5 rating. This protein can also support weight loss since it’s low in fat and carbohydrates, contains 0 grams of added sugar, and has 120 calories per serving.
If you’re searching for a clean protein powder—aka one that doesn’t contain artificial ingredients—Cira is not for you since it contains artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Taste and Solubility
Our tester, Amanda, tried the cookies n cream flavor, rating it a 4 out of 5 points for both taste and solubility. The protein powder dissolved easily when mixed in a blender bottle, with no chunks or floaties to deal with.
“It doesn’t taste like cookies n cream ice cream, but it’s not bad,” says Amanda. “With oat milk, it’s pretty good.” Like other customers, she found the protein doesn’t taste so good if mixed with water. For the best taste and creamy texture, we recommend that you mix it with your favorite type of milk.
Side Effects
Protein powders made with whey protein isolate are often recommended for individuals sensitive to dairy because it’s had most of its lactose removed. If whey protein concentrate upsets your stomach or leaves you bloated, you may feel better using whey protein isolate.
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein contains both forms of whey so it could still trigger digestive issues in extremely dairy-sensitive people. Amanda didn’t experience any issues with Cira’s protein, so she gave it 5 out of 5 points for side effects.
RELATED: Whey Protein Side Effects
Third-Party Testing
Cira states all of their products are third-party tested. However, third-party testing isn’t on the product description and the packaging doesn’t feature a third-party testing seal, which is why we gave them a 2 out of 5 for third-party testing.
Protein powders can contain contaminants, so if ingredient safety or drug testing is on your radar, look for a protein that shares certificates of analysis or is verified on the NSF website.
C Protein vs Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Product Highlights
- High-quality whey protein isolate
- 28 grams of protein per serving
- 15 flavors to choose from
- $1.99 per serving
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-quality protein
- No artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or preservatives
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Good customer reviews
- Whey isolate may be easier to digest for some people
Cons
- Price per serving on the high end
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a clean, high-quality protein powder that contains 28 grams of protein per serving.
Transparent Labs Whey Protein is a great option if you’re looking for whey protein isolate. It’s a GGR favorite for high-quality ingredients, high protein content, and commitment to third-party testing.
Their protein comes from grass-fed cows, doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or sweeteners, and has third-party tested verification. It’s higher in protein than Cira, with 28 grams per scoop, making it a good choice for bodybuilding and high-protein diets. It’s also pricier at nearly $2 per serving.
Read our full Transparent Labs Protein review for more information.
| Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein | Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein | |
| Price per serving | $1.33/$1.13 (with subscription) | $1.99/$1.79 (with subscription) |
| Serving Size | 31.8 g | 34-36 g (varies by flavor) |
| Type of protein | Whey protein isolate & whey protein concentrate | Whey protein isolate |
| Protein content | 25 g | 28 g |
| Carb content | 2 g | 0-2 g (varies by flavor) |
| Fat content | 1.5 g | 0-3 g (varies by flavor) |
| Notable ingredients | Whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, natural and artificial flavors, Himalayan rock salt, sucralose, stevia extract | Whey protein isolate, natural flavors, sodium chloride, stevia |
| Flavors | Vanilla, Cinnamon Swirl, Cookies n Cream | Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon French Toast, Strawberry, Mocha, Vanilla Peanut Butter, French Vanilla, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie |
| Third-party tested? | Yes | Yes |
Customer Experience
We scored Cira’s customer service and return policy 5 out of 5 points. Cira offers a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee on their products. The only catch is that the guarantee only applies the first time you buy a Cira product and the product has to be returned unopened for a full refund. If you open a product and don’t like it, you can still return it for a partial refund or store credit.
Ordering Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein
You can order Cira whey protein on the Cira website or from Amazon. Orders on the Cira website default to a one-time purchase, but you can also subscribe to save 15%. For subscriptions, you can choose to receive your protein every 30, 45, or 60 days.
At checkout, you can choose between standard and two-day express shipping. Standard costs $7.99 and express is $14.99. If using Amazon, you may be able to get free shipping with a Prime account.
Customer Reviews
This protein powder has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Cira’s website, based on 52 customer reviews, and 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 76 Amazon reviews.
Most customers praise the flavors and some compare the taste to ice cream. Some people find the sweetness level too strong for their liking, but there’s an easy fix. As one reviewer on the Cira website wrote, “It’s a bit on the sweet side, so I use more liquid per scoop.” Another note on flavor and sweetness: some detect an aftertaste from the artificial sweetener.
Several reviewers also mention Cira’s protein powder is the only protein they’ve found that doesn’t upset their stomach. One Cira website customer notes how versatile this protein is, saying, “I’ve added the vanilla powder to my waffle mix, overnight oats, etc. and it adds flavor without leaving a chalky taste or residue.”
Final Verdict of Our Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein Review
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein gives you the best of both whey protein isolate and concentrate. It’s low in calories, fat, and carbs thanks to the isolate, but still delivers a creamy texture from the concentrate. With 25 grams of protein per scoop, it’s an easy way to boost protein intake, support muscle, and promote workout recovery.
- High in protein and low in fat and carbs
- Customers find it easy to digest
- Sweetened with stevia and sucralose
- Contains artificial flavors
Full Rating
Cira Bright Whey Protein
A good-tasting protein powder that';s low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats.
Product Brand: Cira Nutrition
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 23.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.24
Cira Nutrition Bright Whey Protein: FAQs
What is the cleanest form of whey protein?
There are two forms of whey protein: isolate and concentrate. Whey protein isolate is considered the purest form of whey protein because it’s filtered more than concentrate to remove fat and carbohydrates. Whey isolate contains more protein and less calories, fat, carbs, and lactose than whey concentrate.
How do I know if my whey protein is legit?
Your whey protein is likely legit if the packaging is clear and intact, the protein dissolves well, and there are no weird odors or tastes. For extra peace of mind, look for third-party tested protein to verify the purity and safety of ingredients.
Which whey protein has the best results?
Both whey protein isolate and concentrate are complete proteins with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that can support muscle protein synthesis, aka muscle growth. Either type of whey protein supplement can help boost protein intake and enhance workout recovery.
What is a natural alternative to whey protein?
Casein protein, egg white powder, collagen peptides, or a plant-based protein, such as pea or hemp protein powder, are natural alternatives to whey. Increasing your intake of naturally lean sources of protein, such as chicken breast, eggs, and tuna, is also an option.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- A Castro LH, S de Araújo FH, M Olimpio MY, et al. Comparative Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Concentrated, Hydrolyzed, and Isolated Whey Protein Supplementation on Body Composition of Physical Activity Practitioners. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2047. Published 2019 Sep 2. doi:10.3390/nu11092047
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