What is the best digestive support protein powder?

Which protein powder is best for digestive health?

Unfortunately, most protein powders are not good for your digestive health. You only need to look at the ingredient list to understand why. The average protein powder is made with a cocktail of emulsifiers, thickeners, flavors, and sugar substitutes, all of which can cause painful gastrointestinal (GI) side effects and long-term gut health problems.

In case you were wondering, the type of dietary protein in your protein powder does not make much of a difference in terms of digestive health. Unless you have a specific allergy or sensitivity – people with dairy allergies and lactose intolerance should avoid whey and casein, people with soy allergies should avoid soy, etc. – any type of protein can help you safely boost your protein intake.

It is worth adding that you should prioritize whole food protein sources whenever possible. Most protein powders are made with protein concentrates and isolates, which have been chemically and/or mechanically stripped of everything but the protein, including the fiber and enzymes that help you break them down. Whole food protein sources, on the other hand, retain these natural digestive aids. 

In short, picking a protein powder made with a short list of simple ingredients is the best way to boost your protein intake while supporting your digestive health.

Should I use protein powders with added probiotics and digestive enzymes?

There is little evidence that protein powders with added probiotics improve your gut health. In fact, people with gut conditions Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) often find that added probiotic make their symptoms worse. The need for probiotics is so individualized that a one-size fits all approach is not effective. Figuring out the strain or dose of probiotics that is right for you requires testing under the guidance of a trained healthcare provider, and even that can be hard. 

Protein powders with added digestive enzymes may be easier to digest for people with digestive disorders such as lactose intolerance, but their benefits are limited for healthy people. Unless you have pre-existing gut issues, you are best off avoiding products like these. A protein powder company should not have to add digestive enzymes or probiotics to its products to make it gut-friendly.

Tips for easy digestion

In addition to choosing the right protein powder, you should do the following to support your digestive health:

1. Start with small servings: If you are new to protein powder or trying a new brand or type, start with a smaller serving size to see how your body reacts.

2. Spread out your intake: Spreading your protein powder intake over the course of the day can make it easier to digest and absorb. Consuming a large amount of protein powder all at once, especially if you are new to protein powder or trying a new brand or type, can cause digestive issues.

3. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is crucial for proper digestion. Instead of adding your protein powder to solid foods like oatmeal, consider mixing it with milk or water to stay hydrated.

4. Incorporate fiber: Consider adding your protein powder to a smoothie with high fiber fruits, veggies, and seeds. Fiber can promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.

5. Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body responds to protein powder. If you experience any digestive discomfort or side effects, consider switching to a different type or brand of protein powder.

6. Consult a healthcare professional: If you have pre-existing digestive issues, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating protein powder into your diet. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual health needs.

By following these tips and listening to your body, you can support your digestion while incorporating protein powder into your diet.

drink wholesome is the best digestive support protein powder

drink wholesome is additive-free

One of the reasons why we make the best digestive support protein powder is that we do not use food additives like gums, lecithin, flavors, and artificial sweeteners. Ingredients like these can cause painful gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, even in small amounts. 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

Side effects occur because food additives resist digestion. In some cases, partially-digested food additives cause your colon to absorb extra water, leading to diarrhea. In other cases, partially-digested food additives feed your gut bacteria, which release gas as they eat. Gas can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach pain. It can also slow colonic transit, leading to constipation.

In the long term, regularly eating certain food additives can disrupt regulatory pathways in your intestines, which may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other systemic inflammatory disorders. Some additives, especially artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, can also alter the composition of your gut microbiome. An altered gut microbiome is a leading driver of inflammation and linked to the development of several chronic diseases.

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

drink wholesome is dairy-free

Another reason why we make the best protein powder for digestive support is that we do not use dairy-based proteins. Whey and casein, which are byproducts of cheese and yogurt production, cause digestive issues because they contain lactose – a sugar most adults cannot digest.

drink wholesome is made with real foods

A final reason why we make the best digestive support protein powder is that we do not use protein concentrates or isolates. As you now know, nearly all other protein powders are made from one or both of these protein sources.

Instead of protein concentrates or isolates, we use egg whites and almonds. These minimally-processed protein sources are a gut-friendly alternative to protein concentrates and isolates.

Unlike protein isolates and concentrates, egg whites and almonds contain enzymes that help you break them down. Almonds are also rich in prebiotic fiber, meaning they improve composition of your gut microbiome and promote regular and healthy bowel movements.

Egg whites, on the other hand, are low FODMAP (easy to break down), alkaline (balance the pH levels in your gut) and probiotic (promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria). Our customers experience fewer digestive issues when using our egg white protein powder than when using any other type of protein supplement. 

In summary, our protein powders, because they are additive and dairy-free and made with whole food protein sources, are the best way to boost your protein intake and support your digestive health. Order samples to see for yourself.

★★★★★

easy to digest

“As someone with literally every digestive issue (SIBO, IBS, lactose intolerance), I am amazed by this product. Easy to digest and so good! Minimal ingredients and only good ones. 5 stars :)” – Kristin

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