What is the best breastfeeding protein powder?

drink wholesome is the best breastfeeding protein powder. It is made with a short list of simple ingredients, making it perfect for breastfeeding women looking to boost their protein intake without the extra processing and added junk. Order samples to see if our protein powder for breastfeeding is right for you.

drink wholesome is the best breastfeeding protein powder.

Written by Jack Schrupp & endorsed by Baylee Reller, RDN

Can you have protein powder while breastfeeding?

Research suggests that the maternal diet may impact breast milk macronutrient composition. In other words, the foods that the mother eats while breastfeeding may make a difference in terms of the nutritional content of the breast milk. Maternal diets high in protein, for example, have been associated with higher protein and energy contents in breast milk. This means that the infant is getting more protein and more calories, both of which are essential for growth and development.

Moreover, breastfeeding mothers need to eat more calories and protein than most women. Experts recommended that breastfeeding mothers eat an additional 500-670 calories and 15-20 grams of protein per day. Although most mothers should be able to get all the calories and protein they need from a balanced diet, some mothers may need a little help. This is where protein supplements come in handy.

Adding protein powder to your diet is an easy way to boost your protein intake simply because it is easier to drink your protein than it is to chew it. It is also easier to make a protein shake than it is to cook a meal. Before you start using protein powder, however, you should know that not all protein powders are good for you (or your baby).

What is the best protein powder safe for breastfeeding? 

If you Google “breastfeeding protein powder,” you will come across a number of brands that target breastfeeding and postpartum mothers, but that use ingredients that breastfeeding mothers should not be consuming. Take Milk Dust, for example, one of the most popular brands of protein powder for breastfeeding. It claims, on the homepage of its website, that it uses “non-GMO, clean, organic ingredients.” This is misleading because they use food additives like guar gum and natural flavors.” How can a company claim to use “clean” ingredients if it also uses food additives like these???

Guar gum is a heavily-processed thickener, and “natural flavor” is more or less a catch-all term for everything that a manufacturer would rather not spell out on the ingredient list. While food manufacturers are required to disclose their ingredients, natural flavor manufacturers are not. They can add solvents, preservatives, emulsifiers, carriers and other additives to a flavor that qualifies as “natural” under current regulations. 

Majka, another one of the most popular brands of protein powder for breastfeeding moms, also uses food additives. Its flagship protein powder, for example, contains natural flavors and silica. You just learned what “natural” flavor really means, and silica (silica dioxide) is a heavily-processed food additive used to prevent clumping. Keep reading to learn more about why you should avoid ingredients like these. 

Why drink wholesome? 

drink wholesome is additive-free.

One of the reasons why we make the best breastfeeding protein powder is that we do not use food additives. Most protein powders, even those made specifically for breastfeeding mothers, contain a cocktail of additives. While ingredients like these may improve characteristics like flavor and texture, they can also cause uncomfortable side effects.

Food additives do not look like real food, making them hard to break down. This can cause your colon to absorb extra water, leading to diarrhea. It can also provide a feast for your hungry gut bacteria, which produce gas as they eat. Too much gas can cause bloating, flatulence, stomach pain, and even constipation as it slows down colonic transit.

Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:

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

Consistently consuming food additives can disrupt the regulatory pathways in your intestines, paving the way for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other chronic inflammatory conditions. Some additives, such as artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, can also disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in your gut. An imbalanced gut microbiome is a significant driver of inflammation, and associated with poor outcomes for breastfeeding women. 

our ingredients: 

egg whites, coconut, maple sugar, vanilla

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

drink wholesome is dairy-free.

Another reason why we make the best protein powder for breastfeeding is that we do not use dairy-based proteins. Many other protein powders are made with whey and casein, which are byproducts of cheese and yogurt production. These ingredients are known to trigger digestive issues.

Among those most susceptible to these side effects are women with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance arises when the body lacks the necessary lactase enzyme to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy. Over one-third of the adult population is lactose intolerant, so breastfeeding mothers should exercise caution when using protein powders made with dairy-baed proteins.

drink wholesome is made with real foods.

A final reason why we make the best breastfeeding protein powder is that we do not use protein concentrates or isolates. Nearly all other protein powders are made with one or both of these protein sources, which have been stripped of everything but the protein. 

Your gut is designed to digest unprocessed or minimally-processed whole foods, not protein concentrates and isolates. Processed ingredients can therefore alter the composition of your gut microbiome, which is a huge problem for breastfeeding mothers. The gut microbiome protects against pathogens, educates your immune system, and influences, directly or indirectly, most bodily functions. When it is not working properly, the consequences can be serious. 

Instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we make the best protein powder safe for breastfeeding with whole foods like egg whites and almonds. Opting for minimally processed protein sources like these provides a gut-friendly alternative to protein concentrates and isolates.

For starters, whole foods such as egg whites and almonds contain enzymes and other digestive aids that help you break them down. In contrast, protein isolates and concentrates have had these beneficial components stripped away.

Egg whites offer additional gut health advantages by being low in FODMAPs, balancing of pH levels in your gut, and encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This is precisely why our customers tend to experience fewer digestive issues with our egg white protein powder than with other types of protein supplements.

For those who cannot consume eggs, our vegan almond protein powder steps in as an excellent plant-based alternative. Almonds contribute to a diverse gut microbiome and are a rich source of fiber, which supports regular, healthy bowel movements. In a nutshell, if you are seeking a breastfeeding-safe, gut-friendly means of increasing your protein intake, you have come to the right place.

★★★★★

easy to digest

“This is my second breastfeeding journey using drink wholesome. It’s so easy for me to make a quick smoothie and it tastes delicious! I also love know exactly what I’m putting into my body.” – Katelyn

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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.