How to Find the Best Protein Powder for Pancreatitis
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Dietitian’s guide on how to find the best protein powder for pancreatitis.
Discover how to safely supplement your protein intake with pancreatitis.
Protein Powder for Pancreatitis
Is Protein Powder Good for Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach.
The pancreas plays an important role in digestion by producing digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin.
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.
- Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammation of the pancreas, and is usually accompanied by severe abdominal pain.
- Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to permanent organ damage.
Pancreatitis has a number of causes including alcohol abuse, gallstones, and certain medications.
Treatment options include nutritional support, antibiotics, and pain medications.
Extreme weight loss is common during acute pancreatitis due to loss of appetite.
People with chronic pancreatitis often lose weight too, even when their appetite and eating habits are normal.
Weight loss occurs because the pancreas does not secrete enough enzymes to fully digest food, so fewer nutrients are absorbed.
It follows that the estimated protein requirements for pancreatitis patients are higher than those for healthy individuals.
Whereas healthy adults need to consume at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day, the needs of pancreatitis patients typically start at 1.2 g/kg/day.
Some evidence suggests that as much as 2 g/kg/day may be optimal for patients with severe pancreatitis, which is a lot of protein (Am J Gastroenterol, 2016)!
Although individuals with pancreatitis should try to get as much protein as they can from foods like eggs, fish, and meat, some individuals, especially those with dietary restrictions, might have a hard time doing so.
This is where protein powder can help!
Adding protein powder to your diet is an easy way to boost your protein intake and ensure that you are meeting your protein needs.
It can be easily incorporated into smoothies, oatmeal, and other recipes, or mixed with water to make a simple protein shake.
That said, not all protein powders are created equal.
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What Is the Best Protein Powder for Pancreatitis?
The type of protein powder you use does not matter when it comes to pancreatitis, but ingredients do matter.
In fact, many protein powders contain ingredients that might indirectly contribute to the development and progression of pancreatitis.
Among these potentially problematic ingredients are food additives and protein concentrates and isolates.
🚫 Avoid Food Additives
Regularly eating emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners can alter the composition and function of your gut microbiome (North Clin Istanb, 2019).
Over time, this can lead to gut dysbiosis, which has been linked to pancreatic disorders (World J Gastroenterol, 2021).
Although more research is needed, it is thought increased gut permeability, caused by gut dysbiosis, might lead to the translocation of intestinal bacteria, necrosis (death) of pancreatic tissue, and infection.
⚠️ 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
As a rule of thumb, if you cannot find it in nature or make it at home, it is probably a food additive.
🚫 Avoid Protein Concentrates and Isolates
You might also want to avoid ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates.
Most protein supplements are made from one or both of these ultra-processed protein sources, which have been mechanically and/or chemically stripped of everything but the protein.
This includes the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help your gut break them down.
You therefore do not digest them in the same way that you do whole foods, which could affect your gut health.
Studies show that regularly eating protein concentrates and isolates might disrupt your gut microbiome and cause the formation of toxic byproducts in your gut (Nutrients, 2018; Mol Nutr Food Res, 2024).
You should thus look for protein supplements made from whole food protein sources like egg whites and almonds, which are easier to digest and absorb.
Order Samples to see for yourself.
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Sources
- The American Journal of Gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol). ACG Clinical Guideline: Nutrition Therapy in the Treatment of Adult Hospitalized Patients With Obesity and Diabetes. 2016.
- Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2019.
- World Journal of Gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol). Gut microbiome in acute pancreatitis: A review based on current literature. 2021.
- Nutrients (Nutrients). Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. 2018.
- Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (Mol Nutr Food Res). In Vitro Fermentation of Animal and Plant Protein Isolates by the Human Gut Microbiota Under High and Low Carbohydrate Conditions.. 2024.
Editorial Guidelines
This article was written by a Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Drink Wholesome for?
Drink Wholesome makes minimally-processed protein powder for sensitive stomachs. Because our protein powder is additive, dairy, and gluten-free and made from a short list of simple ingredients, it’s a great option for people with lactose intolerance, IBS, GERD, and SIBO.
Why is Drink Wholesome easy to digest?
No Dairy
Drink Wholesome is made without whey and casein, which often contain lactose, a sugar most people can’t fully digest. Some caseins also release a bioactive peptide during digestion that has been linked to digestive issues in some individuals.
No Additives
Drink Wholesome is made without food additives. Regularly eating certain emulsifiers, thickeners, and other ultra-processed additives can contribute to gut dysbiosis, which has been linked to chronic digestive issues.
Whole Food Protein
Other protein powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and/or chemically stripped of non-protein components that promote digestion. Drink Wholesome, on the other hand, is made from whole food protein sources, which might be more gut-friendly.
Collagen vs egg white vs almond protein powder?
We make three types of minimally-processed Protein Powder for sensitive stomachs: Collagen Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder, and Vegan Almond Protein Powder. As long as you eat a balanced diet, any type of protein powder can help you meet your protein needs. So just pick the type that best suits your personal preferences.
Ask our dietitian.
If you’re wondering which of our products is best for you, ask our Registered Dietitian. They’ll reply via email within 24 hours.
High Protein Blueberry Pancakes
PREP TIME
5 min
COOK TIME
5 min
SERVES
2
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Drink Wholesome
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 egg whites
- ¼ cup plant milk
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
In a blender, combine the egg whites, milk, ¼ cup blueberries, and almond butter. Pour the mixture into a small mixing bowl and add the protein powder and flour. Whisk until smooth. Pour ⅓ cup batter onto a heated and greased (or non-stick) pan to form pancakes. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes. This recipe makes 4-5 pancakes. Then, in a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup blueberries and the maple syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Plate the pancakes and spoon blueberry jam on top.
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