How to Find the Best Alkaline Protein Powder
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best alkaline protein powder.
Discover how to safely meet your protein needs on an alkaline diet.
Alkaline Protein Powder
Is Protein Powder Good for the Alkaline Diet?
The alkaline diet involves replacing acid-forming foods with alkaline-forming ones.
Some believe that by eating certain foods, you can change your body’s pH level.
Potential of hydrogen, or pH, is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline something is.
The pH scale ranges from 0-14, with 7 being neutral.
Foods with a pH of less than 7 are acidic.
Foods with a pH of greater than 7 are alkaline (basic).
Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that changing the body’s pH level can improve overall health and help with weight loss.
Although there is little evidence to support these claims (J Environ Public Health, 2012), the alkaline diet does have a good reputation because it encourages healthy eating.
People on the diet tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, and less sugar, alcohol, etc.
It is worth noting that most animal-based foods are considered to be acid-forming, whereas most plant-based foods are considered to be alkaline-forming (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021).
It follows that protein powders made with animal-based protein sources like whey might increase the production of acid, but the results are small and well-regulated by the body.
Protein powders made with plant-based protein sources, on the other hand, might increase the production of alkalis (J Nutr Sci, 2022).
There are certainly exceptions, which I will touch on shortly, but this rule holds true for most dietary protein sources.
It is also important to note that most protein powders contain added ingredients such phosphate-based emulsifiers and thickeners.
Ingredients like these can be acid-forming, so I recommend choosing a protein powder with a short list of simple ingredients (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021).
As a rule of thumb, if you cannot find it in nature, or make it at home, it should not be in your protein powder.
⚠️ 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
- maltitol
- maltodextrin
- mono- and diglycerides
- ‘natural’ flavors
- rice bran extract
- rice dextrin
- rice hulls
- rosemary extract
- silica
- silicon dioxide
- sodium alginate
- soluble corn fiber
- sorbitol
- soy lecithin
- sucralose
- sunflower lecithin
- tocopherols
- tricalcium phosphate
- xanthan gum
- xylitol
- zinc oxide
To be fair, a diet consisting of 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming foods is still considered an alkaline diet.
Protein powders that contain small amounts of acid-forming ingredients might therefore be compatible with an alkaline diet.
But pH aside, food additives are not something you want to put in your body on a regular basis, so it is always advised to avoid them whenever possible.
What Is the Best Alkaline Protein Powder?
If you need an alkaline protein powder, it is generally recommended that you choose a plant-based protein powder.
Most plant-based protein sources are alkaline-forming when digested.
If you prefer to use an animal-based protein powder, Egg White Protein Powder is the best option.
Unlike whole eggs, egg whites are naturally alkaline.
In fact, egg whites are the only animal product that are naturally alkaline, with a pH as high as 9.2 (Nutrients, 2018).
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Sources
- Journal of Environmental and Public Health (J Environ Public Health). The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health?. 2012.
- Journal of Nutritional Science | Cambridge (J Nutr Sci). Observational and clinical evidence that plant-based nutrition reduces dietary acid load. 2022.
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Int J Environ Res Public Health). A Vegan Diet Is Associated with a Significant Reduction in Dietary Acid Load: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Individuals. 2021.
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Int J Environ Res Public Health). A Vegan Diet Is Associated with a Significant Reduction in Dietary Acid Load: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Individuals. 2021.
- Nutrients (Nutrients). Egg Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease. 2018.
Editorial Guidelines
This article was written by a Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Drink Wholesome for?
Drink Wholesome makes minimally-processed protein powder for sensitive stomachs. Because our protein powder is additive, dairy, and gluten-free and made from a short list of simple ingredients, it’s a great option for people with lactose intolerance, IBS, GERD, and SIBO.
Why is Drink Wholesome easy to digest?
No Dairy
Drink Wholesome is made without whey and casein, which often contain lactose, a sugar most people can’t fully digest. Some caseins also release a bioactive peptide during digestion that has been linked to digestive issues in some individuals.
No Additives
Drink Wholesome is made without food additives. Regularly eating certain emulsifiers, thickeners, and other ultra-processed additives can contribute to gut dysbiosis, which has been linked to chronic digestive issues.
Whole Food Protein
Other protein powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and/or chemically stripped of non-protein components that promote digestion. Drink Wholesome, on the other hand, is made from whole food protein sources, which might be more gut-friendly.
Collagen vs egg white vs almond protein powder?
We make three types of minimally-processed Protein Powder for sensitive stomachs: Collagen Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder, and Vegan Almond Protein Powder. As long as you eat a balanced diet, any type of protein powder can help you meet your protein needs. So just pick the type that best suits your personal preferences.
Ask our dietitian.
If you’re wondering which of our products is best for you, ask our Registered Dietitian. They’ll reply via email within 24 hours.
High Protein Blueberry Pancakes
PREP TIME
5 min
COOK TIME
5 min
SERVES
2
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Drink Wholesome
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 egg whites
- ¼ cup plant milk
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
In a blender, combine the egg whites, milk, ¼ cup blueberries, and almond butter. Pour the mixture into a small mixing bowl and add the protein powder and flour. Whisk until smooth. Pour ⅓ cup batter onto a heated and greased (or non-stick) pan to form pancakes. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes. This recipe makes 4-5 pancakes. Then, in a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup blueberries and the maple syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Plate the pancakes and spoon blueberry jam on top.
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