Can you buy protein powder with EBT? You can buy some, but not all protein powders with food stamps. Learn why some protein powders are EBT eligible, and others are not.
Can I buy protein powder with EBT?
How can I tell if a protein powder is sold as food?
What protein powder can I buy with food stamps?
Why do some companies use a Nutrition Facts label?
Can I use EBT for online purchases?
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to pay for food using SNAP benefits. When a participant shops at a SNAP authorized store, their SNAP EBT account is debited to reimburse the store for the food that was purchased.
You CAN buy protein powder with EBT. That said, not all protein powders are EBT eligible. Only protein powders sold as food can be purchased with food stamps. Protein powders sold as supplements are not EBT eligible.
Protein powders sold as food are labeled with “Nutrition Facts.” Protein powders sold as supplements are labeled with “Supplement Facts.” Both of these labels can be found on the back panel of the packaging.
If you want to buy protein powder with food stamps, it must have a “Nutrition Facts” label. Most vitamins and supplements are not eligible for SNAP purchase. More information can be found by visiting the USDA website.
We use a “Nutrition Facts” label because our protein powders look more like food than dietary supplements. Our chocolate protein powder, for example, is made with egg whites, coconut, cocoa, and monk fruit. Most protein powders, on the other hand, look nothing like real food because they are made with ingredients like these:
acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, aspartame, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, xylitol
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.
*This is the actual ingredient list of one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States.
EBT cardholders can make online purchases on certain sites like Amazon. Note that these sites accept EBT SNAP purchases on SNAP approved items only, and that any additional fees (such as delivery fees) must be paid for using another form of payment.
Again, you can buy some, but not all protein powders with food stamps. In order to buy a protein powder with food stamps, it must have a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Protein Powder Sample Packs
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
