What is the best low carb protein powder?

drink wholesome is the best low carb protein powder.

Written by Jack Schrupp & endorsed by Baylee Reller, RDN

Why use low carb protein powder?

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There are several reasons why you might be looking for a low or zero carb protein powder. For starters, research shows that a low carb, high protein diet can help with weight loss. This works because protein is much more satiating (filling) than carbohydrates, so it helps prevent overeating and snacking. A low carb, high protein diet can also help you manage your blood sugar levels and improve your digestive health. Eating fewer carbohydrates can reduce blood sugar spikes and crashes, and prevent bacterial overgrowth and painful gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like bloating and gas.

What is the best low carb protein powder?

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Low carb protein powders are not hard to come by these days, but not all low carb protein powders are created equal. The first thing you need to know is that nearly all low carb protein powders are made with protein concentrates or isolates, which are food stripped of everything but the protein.

Most foods do not contain enough protein to be used as a protein supplement in their natural form, and must have their fats and carbs removed. The result is a protein source high and protein and low in everything else. Although this may sound like a home run for someone on a low carb diet, do not jump to conclusions.

Because they no longer contain fats or carbs, protein concentrates and isolates taste like chalk. In order to mask the chalky aftertaste, protein powder manufacturers add a cocktail of food additives. Ingredients like these are terrible for your gut health. Moreover, protein concentrates and isolates look nothing like real food, which is also bad for your gut health (more about this later).

Given the dangers of consuming lots of protein concentrates and isolates, the best low carb protein powder is egg white protein powder. Dried egg whites are low in carbs and naturally 80% protein, which is over twice the amount of protein in most other dietary protein sources. For this reason, they have to undergo only minimal processing to be used as a protein supplement.

The egg whites we use, for example, are just pasteurized and dried. We do not have to deal with the chalky aftertaste characteristic of other low carb protein powders, and your gut does not have to deal with a protein source that looks nothing like real food. Continue reading to learn more about why this is such a big deal.

Why drink wholesome? 

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drink wholesome is additive-free.

One of the reasons why we make the best low carb protein powder is that we do not use any food additives whatsoever. Additives, even in small amounts, can cause painful side effects. 

Additives are not real food, which makes them hard to digest. Consequently, they linger within your digestive tract longer than real food, affording your gut bacteria more time to eat. While they eat, these microbes release gas, causing bloating, flatulence, and stomach pain. Gas can also slow the passage of food through your colon, leading to constipation. In other cases, partially digested food additives can have the opposite effect, causing your colon to absorb excess water and giving you diarrhea.

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 eating food additives can disturb regulatory pathways in your intestines, setting the stage for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other systemic inflammatory disorders. Food additives, particularly artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, can also destabilize your gut’s microbiome. An imbalanced gut microbiome is a leading driver of inflammation, and linked to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases.

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 zero carb protein powder is that we do not use dairy-based proteins. Whey and casein, which are byproducts of the cheese and yogurt manufacturing process, are notorious for triggering digestive discomfort. This is particularly true for individuals with lactose intolerance, a condition afflicting more than one-third of adults. People with lactose intolerance struggle to completely break down lactose, the sugar in dairy, which can result in a number of painful symptoms.

drink wholesome is made with real foods.

A final reason why we make the best no carb protein powder is that we do not use protein concentrates or isolates. In stark contrast, nearly all other low protein powders are made with one or both of these protein sources. Making protein concentrates and isolates requires rigorous mechanical and chemical processing, sometimes involving solvents like hexane. This means that what you ultimately pot into your body bears little resemblance to real food.

Your digestive system is made to process unprocessed or minimally-processed real foods, not artificial or refined ingredients. This is why regularly eating processed foods like protein concentrates and isolates can alter the composition of your gut microbiome. This collection of microorganisms does more than just help with digestion; it also protects you from pathogens, educates your immune system, and plays an important role in most bodily functions. A dysbiotic gut microbiome is thus not a matter to be taken lightly.

Instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we make the best carb-free protein powder with egg whites, which undergo a simple process of pasteurization and dehydration. This makes them a gut-friendly alternative to protein concentrates and isolates.

Unlike their ultra-processed counterparts, real food protein sources like egg whites come complete with enzymes and digestive aids that facilitate smooth digestion. Egg white protein powder is also easy to digest because it is low fiber, low FODMAP, and alkaline. Our customers report fewer digestive issues when using our egg white protein powder compared to other low carb protein powders.

★★★★★

easy to digest

“I have PCOS and have a really hard time losing weight. I’m on a low-carb, high protein diet, but I don’t eat enough protein most days. I started using protein powder, but all the ones I tried upset my stomach, until I found this one. I add it to everything. It’s simple and easy to digest.” – Eva

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