What is the best pb protein powder?

Written by Jack Schrupp and reviewed by Ella McGonagle, M.S. Nutrition

We make the best pb protein powder. It is additive-free, dairy-free, and made with real foods, not protein isolates – 99% of supplements fail to meet at least one of these criteria. This makes it perfect for people with gut issues and sensitive stomachs, as well as for people just looking to boost their protein intake without the processing and added junk. Order samples to see if our protein powder is right for you. 

★★★★★

“This flavor is out of this world good!!! Definitely gut-friendly. Definitely delicious. Definitely going to be back for more!” 

-Willy

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drink wholesome is the best pb protein powder.

What is pb protein powder? 

What is the best pb protein powder? 

Why drink wholesome?

What is pb protein powder? 


Pb protein powder can refer to several things: peanut butter powder, a protein powder whose main source of protein is peanuts, or a peanut butter-flavored protein powder. Allow me to explain the differences between the three.

The peanuts used to make peanut butter powder are roasted, pressed to remove most of the oil (fat), and ground into a fine powder. Because most of the oil has been squeezed out, peanut butter powder has fewer calories and fats, and more protein than peanut butter or whole peanuts. This technically makes it a concentrated form of protein, and therefore a protein powder. I would not classy powdered peanut butter as a protein powder, but many companies do.

As you may have deduced, the difference between peanut butter powder and protein powder made with peanuts is semantic. In other words, these are two ways of saying the same thing. A company that makes a peanut-based protein powder is simply rebranding peanut butter powder. There is nothing wrong with this, but you should not expect powdered peanut butter to contain more than 10 grams of protein powder serving. 

Peanuts, although a good source of plant-based protein, do not contain nearly as much protein as other protein-rich foods. Peanut butter-flavored protein powders there rely on other sources of protein, like eggs or whey, to achieve the standard 20 grams of protein per serving. Most of the 20 grams of protein in our pb protein powder, for example, comes from egg whites. If you were using a pb protein powder made with only peanuts, you would have to consume several servings to get that much protein.

Pb protein powder is a great, easy smoothie add-in. It can also be incorporated into baked goods, oatmeal, and yogurt. Basically, if you like the taste of peanut butter, and are looking to boost your protein intake, you will love pb protein powder. Keep mind that not all pb protein powders are created equal, however.

What is the best pb protein powder? 


First of all, many pb protein powders contain added sugars and sodium. Depending on who you are, and what your goals are, these products might not be a good fit for you. This is why I always read the Nutrition Facts before trying a new protein powder.

Second, many pb protein powders are full of emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, and flavors. Ingredients like these may improve characteristics like taste, texture, and shelf stability, but they can also cause uncomfortable side effects and long-term gut damage. Disruptions to the composition and function of the gut microbiome, in turn, can play a role in the development of a number of chronic diseases. For this reason, I recommend that you go with a simple pb protein powder like drink wholesome. Keep reading to learn more. 

Why drink wholesome


drink wholesome is additive-free.

One of the reasons why we make the best pb protein powder is our steadfast commitment to avoiding food additives. While small quantities of additives may not necessarily be harmful, the cumulative effect of consuming additives in a daily protein shake can be significant. For instance, additives can cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and stomach discomfort.

Essentially, food additives are not easily broken down, and linger in the gut for longer than food should. This offers ample time for gut bacteria to eat. As they munch, bacteria produce gas that can lead to bloating and stomach pain. The presence of gas can also slow the speed at which food travels through the colon, resulting in constipation. In the long run, the inclusion of food additives can disrupt regulatory pathways within the intestines, possibly triggering the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic inflammatory disorders.

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

acacia gum, artificial flavors, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum

One additive to avoid at all costs is artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners, in the long term, can bring about changes in the composition of your gut microbiota. This can lead to severe and persistent gastrointestinal issues, widespread inflammation, and lasting damage to the delicate balance of the gut microbiome (the collection of microorganisms that help you digest food) .

Certain sweeteners, particularly sugar alcohols like xylitol, are poorly absorbed by the gut, effectively serving as a feast for your hungry gut bacteria. Additionally, these sweeteners are known to cause diarrhea by drawing water into your intestines. Now you may finally have something to blame for those post-protein shake trips to the bathroom!

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.

*This is the actual ingredient list of one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States.

drink wholesome is dairy-free.

Another reason why we make the best pb protein powder is that we steer clear of dairy-based proteins. Many protein powders, on the other hand, rely on whey and casein, which are byproducts of the production of cheese and yogurt. Unfortunately, these ingredients have a reputation for triggering digestive problems. This is particularly true for individuals with lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

People with lactose intolerance and IBS are unable to fully digest lactose, the sugar in dairy. As you now understand, when food is only partially digested, it feeds the bacteria in your gut. These bacteria consequently produce gas and cause various undesirable side effects.

drink wholesome is made with real foods.

A final reason why we make the best pb protein powder is that we eschew protein isolates. In contrast, the majority of protein powders rely on protein concentrates and/or isolates to reach their grams of protein per serving objective. Concentrates and isolates are essentially foods stripped of everything but the protein content. These stripped-down versions appear as “pea protein” or “whey protein” on the ingredients list, instead of as “peas” or “whey.”

Without delving into the specifics, it is important to note that protein concentrates and isolates undergo intensive mechanical and chemical processing. In some cases, manufacturers resort to using carcinogenic solvents such as hexane to isolate the protein from the food. As a consequence, what ultimately enters your body bears no resemblance to real food.

Consider for a moment that your gut has evolved to digest naturally occurring foods, not lab-manufactured imitations. Deviating from real food may therefore trigger unfavorable side effects. While the long-term implications of consuming processed foods like protein isolates are still not entirely clear, emerging research indicates that they can indeed disrupt the composition of your gut microbiota and potentially lead to lasting damage to your gut microbiome.

Your gut serves a multitude of essential functions beyond mere digestion. It acts as a protective barrier against pathogens, plays a role in educating your immune system, and influences a wide range of physiological processes either directly or indirectly. Consequently, disturbances in the gut microbiome have been linked to the development of numerous chronic diseases. It is therefore undeniably in your best interest to steer clear of protein powders that rely on protein concentrates and isolates.

In lieu of relying on protein isolates, we make the best pb protein powder with whole egg whites. Whole foods inherently possess an array of enzymes and other digestive aids that facilitate the breakdown of nutrients, thereby enhancing the body’s ability to absorb them. On the contrary, protein isolates and concentrates have undergone a process that removes these digestive aids, rendering them more challenging for the body to digest and absorb.

Unless one has specific sensitivities or allergies to eggs, egg white protein stands as the optimal choice for promoting a healthy gut. Egg whites possess a favorable combination of attributes: they are low in fiber, low-FODMAP, naturally alkaline, and exhibit the highest protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) among all whole foods. Our customers have reported experiencing fewer digestive issues when consuming egg white protein compared than when consuming any other type of protein.

★★★★★

easy to digest

“This is the best flavor. If you blend it with oat milk and a frozen banana, it tastes just like ice cream!!! I love the ingredients, the concept, the packaging, and most of all how it makes me feel. Lifetime customer here.” -Emma

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drink wholesome is the best pb protein powder.

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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.

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