If you have ever searched “casein protein,” “night time protein” or “slow protein,” you are looking for the same thing: a protein that digests slowly so it can feed your muscles over hours instead of minutes. This guide explains how slow-release casein differs from fast whey, when to use each, and where the newer “clear” proteins fit — using the exact products we stock and ship across Canada from our Montreal store.
Casein vs whey: slow vs fast
Whey and casein both come from milk, but they behave very differently once you drink them. Whey is fast-digesting: it raises blood amino acids quickly and briefly, which suits the window right after a workout. Casein is slow-digesting: micellar casein clots into a soft gel in the stomach and releases amino acids steadily for several hours, so it is favoured before bed, first thing in the morning, or any time a long stretch without food is coming. ALLMAX CaseinFX is a pure micellar casein for exactly this job, while PEScience Select Protein blends both proteins so you get an immediate hit plus a longer tail from one scoop — PEScience designs it for amino delivery that lasts up to 4–5 hours. The larger 5 lb Select Protein tub is the same blend at the lowest cost per serving if it becomes your daily protein.
Best for overnight recovery and satiety
Slow-release proteins are popular at night for two reasons. First, a steady overnight supply of amino acids helps support muscle recovery while you sleep. Second, casein is thick and filling — owner-tested, CaseinFX mixes into a creamy, milkshake-like texture and even sets into a pudding, which makes it a satisfying way to close out the day without reaching for dessert. For most people a single scoop 30–60 minutes before bed is plenty; follow the directions on the label.
Clear whey and clear isolate: a lighter alternative
Not everyone wants a thick, milky shake in the evening. Clear protein is an isolate purified so it mixes into a light, juice-like drink instead of a creamy shake — refreshing, easy on the stomach and nice served cold. It digests quickly like regular whey (so it is not a slow-release protein), but it is a great lighter option when a heavy shake feels like too much. Believe Supplements Protein Refresher is a Quebec-made clear juice isolate with 21 g protein and just 90 calories per serving; PVL ISO CLEAAR is the most affordable and is fully dairy-free at 20 g protein and 80 calories; and ALT Clear Protein is a grass-fed whey isolate sweetened with stevia and monk fruit. All three come in fruit flavours with 0 g sugar.
Our in-stock slow and clear proteins
- ALLMAX CaseinFX — Slow-Release Micellar Casein Protein Powder (2lbs) — Allmax Nutrition. $59.99. The one true night-time protein here — 100% micellar casein that clots in the stomach and feeds amino acids over several hours. The classic sip-before-bed shake and the highest-quality slow-release option we carry.
- PEScience Select Protein (27 servings) — PEScience. $75.99. PEScience's award-winning whey + casein blend: fast and slow protein in one scoop, 24 g protein for only ~110–120 calories, and it genuinely tastes like dessert. The best all-rounder if you want one tub for daytime and evening.
- PEScience Select Protein (55 servings) — PEScience. $138.99. The same whey + casein blend in a 5 lb value tub — the lowest cost per serving if Select is your daily driver.
- Believe Supplements Protein Refresher — Clear Juice Whey Isolate (25 servings) — Believe Supplements. $74.99. A Quebec-made clear juice-style isolate: 21 g protein, just 90 calories, 0 g added sugar. Light and refreshing instead of thick and milky — a great lighter alternative when a creamy shake feels like too much.
- PVL ISO CLEAAR Clear Protein — Beef & Pea Protein, Dairy-Free (25 Servings) — PVL. $52.99. The most affordable clear option and fully dairy-free — 20 g protein, 80 calories, 0 g sugar in a crisp juice-style drink built on beef, pea and fava protein.
- ALT Clear Protein Grass Fed Whey Isolate (20 servings) — ALT. $79.99. A clear grass-fed whey isolate that drinks like a fruit juice: ~20 g protein, 0 g sugar, sweetened with stevia and monk fruit. For anyone who wants clean sourcing in a light format.
Full comparison (protein, calories, sugar)
| Product | Brand | Type | Protein / serving | Calories | Sugar | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLMAX CaseinFX — Slow-Release Micellar Casein Protein Powder (2lbs) | Allmax Nutrition | 100% micellar casein | 25 g | ~130 | 1 g | $59.99 |
| PEScience Select Protein (27 servings) | PEScience | Whey + casein blend | 24 g | ~110–120 | 1–2 g carb† | $75.99 |
| PEScience Select Protein (55 servings) | PEScience | Whey + casein blend (value size) | 24 g | ~110–120 | 1–2 g carb† | $138.99 |
| Believe Supplements Protein Refresher — Clear Juice Whey Isolate (25 servings) | Believe Supplements | Clear whey isolate + collagen | 21 g | 90 | 0 g | $74.99 |
| PVL ISO CLEAAR Clear Protein — Beef & Pea Protein, Dairy-Free (25 Servings) | PVL | Clear, dairy-free blend | 20 g | 80 | 0 g | $52.99 |
| ALT Clear Protein Grass Fed Whey Isolate (20 servings) | ALT | Clear grass-fed whey isolate | ~20 g | —† | 0 g | $79.99 |
Macros are per scoop/serving as printed on each product’s current Canadian label. †Where a brand does not print sugar or calories separately, we show the figure it does publish (for PEScience Select, total carbohydrate of 1–2 g; ALT does not print a calorie figure on its label). Always check the individual product page for the full nutrition panel.
Frequently asked questions
What is casein protein, and how is it different from whey? Casein and whey are the two proteins naturally found in milk. Whey digests fast and floods your bloodstream with amino acids within an hour, which is why it is popular right after training. Casein digests slowly — micellar casein forms a soft gel in the stomach and releases amino acids gradually over several hours, which is why it is the classic choice for before bed or long gaps between meals. Our dedicated casein pick is ALLMAX CaseinFX.
Is casein good to take before bed? It is the most common way people use it. Because micellar casein releases amino acids slowly overnight, many lifters sip it before sleep so their muscles have a steady amino-acid supply through the night. A whey + casein blend like PEScience Select Protein works well here too, since it pairs a fast and a slow protein in one scoop.
What is clear whey or clear isolate protein? Clear protein is whey (or, in some cases, beef and plant) isolate that has been purified and acidified so it dissolves into a light, translucent, juice-like drink instead of a creamy shake. It is lighter on the stomach and refreshing cold — a good lighter alternative to a heavy evening shake. Our clear options are Believe Supplements Protein Refresher, PVL ISO CLEAAR and ALT Clear Protein.
Is clear whey slow-digesting like casein? No. Clear protein is an isolate and digests quickly, like regular whey — it is chosen for its light, refreshing texture rather than for slow release. If your goal specifically is a slow, overnight amino-acid feed, choose a micellar casein or a whey + casein blend instead.
How much protein per serving do these deliver? It ranges from about 20 g to 25 g per serving depending on the product, as printed on each label: ALLMAX CaseinFX delivers 25 g, PEScience Select Protein 24 g, Believe Protein Refresher 21 g, and both PVL ISO CLEAAR and ALT Clear about 20 g. Check the individual product page for the full panel.
Can I order casein and clear protein anywhere in Canada? Yes — we ship every product on this page Canada-wide from our Montreal store, usually same-day when you order by 4 PM EST.
This guide is for general educational purposes and is not medical or nutritional advice. Protein powders are foods, not medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nutrition needs vary by individual — consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or managing a health condition. Nutrition figures are drawn from each manufacturer’s current Canadian label and may change; confirm details on the product packaging.
Ready to pick one? Browse the full lineup on our Best Casein & Night-Time Protein in Canada guide, or reach out and we will help you match a protein to your routine. We ship Canada-wide from Montreal, same-day when you order by 4 PM EST — free shipping on qualifying orders.
About the author
Diana Famintsyna founded Top Nutrition & Fitness in Montreal in July 2016 and has personally curated and taste-tested the store’s supplement and food catalogue ever since. Product selections and facts on this page are based on our live inventory and hands-on experience, and every product listed is in stock as of September 2026.
