What is the best protein powder for dairy allergy?

Looking for the best protein powder for dairy allergy? Discover which protein supplements are 100% dairy-free.

Protein powder and dairy allergies

What is a dairy allergy?

A dairy allergy, also known as a milk allergy, is an adverse immune response to proteins in milk and dairy products. It is one of the most common food allergies, especially in infants and young children.

Dairy contains several proteins that which trigger an allergic reaction, the two most common being casein and whey.

When someone with a dairy allergy consumes casein and whey, their immune system mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful and mounts an immune response. This response can cause rashes, swelling, digestive symptoms, respiratory issues, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Dairy allergies are different from lactose intolerance, which is the inability to completely digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

Lactose intolerance typically causes gastrointestinal side effects like gas, bloating, and diarrhea, whereas a dairy allergy involves an immune response that can lead to a wider range of symptoms.

What is the best protein powder for dairy allergy?

If you have a dairy allergy, you cannot consume protein powders made with casein or whey protein.

You must also avoid common dairy-based food additives like sodium caseinate.

Depending on the severity of your allergy, even small amounts of ingredients like these can trigger an allergic reaction.

Keep in mind that “non dairy” does not mean “dairy-free.”

Companies can legally label their products as “non dairy” when they contain whey or another dairy derivative.

Likewise, lactose-free does not mean dairy-free. Some whey protein powders have had virtually all of the lactose removed, but they are certainly not dairy-free.

If you have a dairy allergy, or any food allergy, is it essential that you read the ingredient label.

Food and supplement manufacturers are required to declare major food allergens like dairy, either in parentheses following the name of the ingredient, or immediately after the list of ingredients in a “contains” statement. Example: “Contains Milk.”

As long as a protein powder does not contain whey, casein, or a dairy-based food additives, it will be safe for people with dairy allergies.

That said, not all dairy-free protein powders are created equal.

Unfortunately, many protein powders are made with so much processing and so many added ingredients that they look nothing like real food, which is not a good thing. Keep reading to learn more.

Many protein supplements contain added ingredients that although dairy-free, can cause painful side effects and long term health problems. Among these ingredients are food additives and protein concentrates and isolates. 

Avoid food additives

Emulsifiers, thickeners, sugar substitutes, and other additives are heavily-processed derivatives of real food that have no place in your diet.

Moreover, these additives can upset your stomach and alter the composition of your gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms living in your gut.

This can lead to gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, which contributes to wide range of chronic diseases, including obesity, type 1 diabetes, and colorectal cancer.

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

Avoid protein concentrates and isolates

Most protein supplements are made from protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and or chemically stripped of everything but the protein, including the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help you break them down.

As a result, they can cause digestive issues and possibly even disruptions to your gut microbiome. 

Finding a protein supplement free from food additives and protein concentrates and isolates is hard.

In fact, 99% of protein supplements contain one or both of these problematic ingredients, which is why we created drink wholesome. Keep reading to learn more about why we make the best protein powder for people with dairy allergies.

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drink wholesome is the best protein powder for dairy allergy

We make the best protein powder for dairy allergy because we use a short list of simple ingredients free from food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates.

Our Ingredients

egg whites

coconut

vanilla

monk fruit

NOT Our Ingredients

• acacia gum

• acesulfame potassium

• artificial flavors

• carrageenan

• erythritol

• guar gum

• inulin

• maltodextrin

• 'natural' flavors

• silica

• soy lecithin

• sucralose

• xanthan gum

• xylitol

Note that instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we use whole food protein sources like collagen, egg whites, and almonds, which are easier to digest and absorb.

Whole food protein sources also have unique digestive benefits: collagen can reduce bloating and improve digestive symptoms, egg whites can help restore your mucosal intestinal barrier, and almonds can improve the composition of your gut microbiome.

It follows that our customers experience fewer digestive issues with our protein powder than with any other type of protein supplement. Order samples to see for yourself.