How to Find the Best Protein Powder Without Additives
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Dietitian’s guide on how to find the best protein powder without additives.
Discover how to supplement your protein intake without added junk.
Protein Powder Without Additives
Why Are There Food Additives in Protein Powder?
Food additives are added to supplements to improve characteristics like taste, texture, and shelf life. They can be either natural or artificial, and are regulated by food safety authorities in most countries.Most protein powders are made from protein concentrates and isolates, which have a chalky aftertaste. Food additives help mask the chalkiness, creating a mouthfeel like that of a milkshake, without the calories, fat, and sugar.The main reason why food additives are added to protein powder is to improve the mouthfeel.
Without a little help, most protein powders would not dissolve easily in liquid, and nobody wants a lumpy protein shake. Finally, food additives are often used to improve the flavor and sweetness of protein powder without breaking the bank or affecting the Nutrition Facts.Food additives are also added to protein powder to improve solubility.
Remember, profit-seeking companies are always looking to cut costs, and using food additives can lead to considerable savings.That is, flavorings and sugar substitutes are low in calories, fat, and sugar and cheaper than real food in most cases.
Are Food Additives Bad for You?
In the United States, food additives are approved for human consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which suggests they are safe. But many of these same food additives are banned or restricted in other parts of the world, such as the European Union, due to links to health concerns.This should make you think twice before consuming a protein powder without first reading the ingredient list. Food additives are technically ultra-processed foods, meaning they look little to nothing like foods found in nature.More and more research suggests regularly consuming food additives can cause side effects and even long-term health problems (Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024).
In the short-term, this can cause painful side effects like bloating and diarrhea.For this reason, they are hard to digest (break down and absorb).
Gut dysbiosis, in turn, can contribute to chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers (J Immunol Res, 2019). Although more research is clearly needed, the preliminary evidence is more than concerning.In the long term, regularly eating many food additives can alter the composition of your gut microbiome (the collection of microorganisms living in your gut), which can lead to gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria (North Clin Istanb, 2019; Microorganisms, 2022).
⚠️ 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
But, natural flavors have little to no nutritional value, meaning you are not getting any nutrients, vitamins, or minerals when you consume them.A good example of this are natural flavors, which are considered by many to be a healthy ingredient.
Just look at how the FDA defines a natural flavor:Natural flavors are also ultra-processed derivatives of real food, meaning they are not natural, or at least not in the conventional sense of the word.
…the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.
They can add solvents, preservatives, and carriers to a flavor that qualifies as “natural” under current regulations.Furthermore, did you know that whereas food manufacturers are required to disclose their ingredients, natural flavor manufacturers are not?
In other words, the term “natural flavor” could be a catch-all term for everything that a manufacturer would rather not spell out on the ingredient list!
Product Quiz
But, several studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can increase cravings toward sugary and sweet foods, which can lead to binging and feelings of withdrawal (Yale J Biol Med, 2010). Research has also associated artificial sweeteners with a higher risk of glucose intolerance, which is a precursor for pre-diabetes and diabetes (Nature, 2014).Sweeteners like sucralose allow food manufacturers to reduce both the caloric and sugar content of their products, which to some might seem like a good thing.
In short, if you are trying to lose weight, you are probably just better off just eating sugar.
Sources
- Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol). Ultra-processed foods and human health: from epidemiological evidence to mechanistic insights. 2024.
- Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2019.
- Microorganisms (Microorganisms). Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options. 2022.
- Journal of Immunology Research (J Immunol Res). Gut Microbiome and Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes. 2019.
- The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (Yale J Biol Med). Gain weight by “going diet?” Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings: Neuroscience 2010. 2010.
- Nature (Nature). Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. 2014.
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.
PREP TIME 5 min COOK TIME 5 min SERVES 2 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.High Protein Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients
Instructions
Author(s)
Protein Powder Samples
Starting at: $9.99
BUY NOWProtein Calculator
Product Quiz