How to Find the Best Protein Powder for Pancreatitis
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best protein powder for pancreatitis.
Discover how to safely meet your protein needs 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 shakes and powders:
- 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 shakes and powders 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 shakes and powders 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 Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. 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 protein powder for sensitive stomachs, GERD, IBS, and other gut issues. It’s suitable for most food sensitivities, including lactose intolerance, and won’t cause side effects like bloating, constipation, and reflux.
Why Is Drink Wholesome Good for Sensitive Stomachs?
Drink Wholesome is the best protein powder for sensitive stomachs because it’s additive, dairy, and gluten-free. It’s also made from minimally-processed protein sources like egg whites and almonds. Other protein powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which look nothing like real food.
What’s the Difference Between Protein Powder and Meal Replacement Powder?
Drink Wholesome makes gut-friendly Protein Powders and Meal Replacement Powders. Protein powder is high in protein and low in everything else, whereas meal replacement powder contains fats, carbs, fiber, and protein because it’s intended to replace the nutritional value of a balanced meal.
What’s the Difference Between Almond, Collagen, and Egg White Protein?
We make three types of stomach-friendly Protein Powder: Collagen Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder, and Vegan Almond Protein Powder. As long as you get protein from a variety of sources, any type of protein can help you meet your total daily protein needs. In other words, for someone with a balanced diet, there is no advantage to consuming one type of protein over another. Order Samples to see which type you like the most.
Ask Nutrition Coach
If you’re wondering which Drink Wholesome product is best for you, ask our Certified Nutrition Coach. For personalized medical advice, consult your healthcare provider.
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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