Why do protein shakes make me feel weird?

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Why do protein shakes make me feel weird? Learn how to supplement your dietary protein intake without upsetting your stomach.

Protein shakes and feeling weird

Why do protein shakes make me feel weird? 

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Protein shakes make many people feel weird, “off,” or even sick. If your protein supplement makes you feel bloated, nauseous, or run to the bathroom, you are not alone. Feeling weird is a common side effect of protein shakes, and is usually linked to digestive issues.

That said, if you feel dizzy or lightheaded after drinking a protein shake, you could have a common condition called postprandial hypotension, which loosely translates to low blood pressure after eating. Digestion reroutes a lot of blood to your stomach and small intestine, and to compensate for this change, the heart beats faster and harder and certain blood vessels contract.

These two actions help maintain blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, extremities, and everywhere in between. In some people, however, the heart and blood vessels do not contract as they should, which causes their blood pressure to decrease everywhere but in their digestive system.

Such a sudden drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. In some cases, postprandial hypotension can also cause nausea. This condition generally only affects one third of older men and women, however, so it is more likely that protein shakes make you feel weird for other reasons.

Many protein supplements are made with ingredients that can upset your stomach and make you feel weird. Among these ingredients are food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates. 

Food additives

Emulsifiers, thickeners, sugar substitutes, and other additives look nothing like real food, which makes them hard to digest. Foods that are hard to break down feed your gut bacteria, which release gas as they eat. Too much intestinal gas can cause bloating and stomach pain, and even constipation. 

Regularly eating certain food additives can also alter the composition of your gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms living in your gut. This can lead to gut dysbiosis, which is linked to a number of chronic digestive issues. Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein supplements:

acacia fiber, acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, ascorbic acid, aspartame, calcium carbonate, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dicalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, maltodextrin, mono- and diglycerides, ‘natural’ flavors, rice bran extract, rice dextrin, rice hulls, rosemary extract, silica, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, soluble corn fiber, soy lecithin, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, tocopherols, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, xylitol, zinc oxide

Dairy

Dairy-based proteins like whey and casein, although not an issue for everyone, can upset your stomach. This is in part because they contain lactose, a sugar most adults cannot fully digest.

Protein concentrates and isolates

Most protein supplements are made from protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and or chemically stripped of everything but the protein, including the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help you break them down. This can cause digestive issues and may even disrupt your gut microbiome. 

Finding a protein shake or powder free from food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates is hard. In fact, 99% of protein supplements contain one or more of these problematic ingredients. This is why we created drink wholesome. Keep reading to learn more about why we make our protein powder will not make you feel weird.

drink wholesome will not make you feel weird

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Our protein powder will not make you feel weird because we use a short list of simple ingredients free from food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates.

our ingredients: 

egg whites, coconut, vanilla, monk fruit

the alternative:

Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate,  Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain

Note that instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we use whole food protein sources like collagen, egg whites, and almonds, which are easier to digest and absorb. Whole food protein sources also have unique digestive benefits: collagen can reduce bloating and improve digestive symptoms, egg whites can help restore your mucosal intestinal barrier, and almonds can improve the composition of your gut microbiome.

It follows that our customers experience fewer digestive issues with our protein powder than with any other type of protein supplement. Order samples to see for yourself. 

What do you if protein shake makes you feel weird

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If your protein shake is making you feel weird, here are a few steps you can take to address the issue:

1. Switch brands: Not all protein supplements are created equal. Different brands use different ingredients, so trying a different brand might solve the problem.
2. Adjust the serving size: It is possible that you are consuming too much protein shake or powder at once, which can overwhelm your digestive system. Try reducing the serving size and see if that helps reduce or eliminate any symptoms.
3. Change the timing: Some people find that drinking a protein shake before or after a meal, rather than on an empty stomach, reduces digestive issues. Experiment with different timing to see what works best for you.
4. Mix it with different liquids: Sometimes, the type of liquid you mix your protein powder with can affect digestion. Try mixing it with different types of liquid (water, milk, etc.) to see if one works best for you.
5. Check the ingredients: Many, if not most, protein supplements contain ingredients that are hard to digest. As a rule of thumb, look for a short list of simple ingredients.

By listening to your body and following the steps above, you can find a protein shake that not only meets your nutritional needs, but also agrees with your body.