What are the best 100 calorie protein shakes?
Many 100 calorie protein shakes and powders are made with ingredients that are not good for you. To keep the calories down, protein supplement companies use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Similarly, instead of relying on high calorie healthy fats for texture, they use thickeners like gums. Ingredients like these can cause painful side effects and long term health problems.
Here are the top ingredients to avoid when buying protein supplements:
Avoid food additives
Low calorie protein supplements tend to be full of food additives like emulsifiers and thickeners, which can not only upset your stomach (more about this later), but also alter the composition and function of your gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms living in your gut. This can lead to gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in your gut microbiota. Gut dysbiosis is a leading driver of inflammation and contributes to wide range of chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, type 1 diabetes, and colorectal cancer.
Avoid artificial sweeteners
Of all the food additives to avoid, artificial sweeteners are at the top of the list. First of all, several studies have shown that they can increase cravings toward sugary and sweet foods, which can lead to binging and feelings of withdrawal. If you are trying to lose weight, you are probably better off just eating sugar. Research has also associated artificial sweeteners with a higher risk of glucose intolerance, which is a precursor for pre-diabetes and diabetes, and disruptions to your gut microbiome.
drink wholesome makes the best 100 calorie protein shakes
One of the reasons why we make the best 100 calorie protein shakes is that we do not use any food additives (including artificial sweeteners) whatsoever.
our ingredients:
collagen, 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
In addition to being linked to long term health problems, food additives are hard to digest and feed your gut bacteria, which release gas as they eat. As you might imagine, too much intestinal gas can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach pain.
Partially digested food additives also cause your colon to absorb too much water, which can lead to diarrhea. Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:
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
Made with a short list of simple ingredients, our 100 calorie protein powders are easy to digest and easy to use. They will help you eat more protein and fewer calories without upsetting your stomach. Order samples to see if they are right for you.
Note that we make 3 types of protein supplements: collagen protein powder, egg white protein powder, and vegan almond protein powder. Only our collagen protein powders and unflavored egg white protein powder can be used to make 100 calorie protein shakes.
★★★★★
simple and delicious
“It’s nice and easy on the tummy and VERY tasty.” – Tammy