How to Find the Best Protein Powder Without Sugar Alcohols
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best protein powder without sugar alcohols.
Discover how to meet your protein needs without xylitol, erythritol, etc.
Protein Powder Without Sugar Alcohols
Are Sugar Alcohols Bad for You?
Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are a carbohydrate used to sweeten processed foods.
Despite their name, sugar alcohols are neither sugar nor alcohol in the traditional sense.
They are naturally occurring compounds chemically derived from sugars.
Common sugar alcohols include: xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol.
Because they have a sweet taste, but are not fully absorbed, sugar alcohols have become a popular ingredient in sugar-free or reduced-sugar products.
Unlike added sugars, they do not cause blood sugar spikes and contribute only a few calories to your diet.
Keep in mind that although some sugar alcohols occur naturally, those added to foods, beverages, and supplements were commercially produced.
It is also important to note that sugar alcohols are not required to be listed individually on the Nutrition Facts label.
This means you could be consuming sugar alcohols, and not know it!
Although there are health benefits associated with replacing added sugars with sugar alcohols, sugar alcohols are not necessarily better for you.
For one thing, sugar alcohols are known to cause a number of digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea, especially for individuals with sensitive stomachs (Adv Nutr, 2017).
Regularly consuming sugar alcohols has also been shown to disrupt the function and composition of the gut microbiome (Adv Nutr, 2019).
Over time, this can lead to gut dysbiosis, which contributes to a wide range of chronic diseases, including obesity and type 1 diabetes (J Exp Med, 2019).
It is worth adding that erythritol has also been linked to an increased risk for heart attacks and stroke (Nat Med, 2023).
This alone is one of the main reasons why more and more people try to avoid sugar alcohols.
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What Is the Best Sugar Alcohol-Free Protein Powder?
Instead of using sugar alcohols, we sweeten our Protein Powders with pure monk fruit.
Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a melon-like fruit that grows in Southeast Asia.
Its intense sweetness, which is approximately 200 times that of sugar, comes from non-caloric compounds called mogrosides.
There are several reasons why we opt for monk fruit.
Firstly, it is the most natural sugar substitute on the market.
Monk fruit sweetener is made by removing the seeds and skin, crushing the fruit, and collecting the juice, which is then dried into a powder.
We also like monk fruit because it tastes like sugar.
Other sugar substitutes, like stevia, activate bitter taste receptors in addition to sweet taste receptors (Genes Nutr, 2014).
And for the record, the monk fruit we use contains a single ingredient, meaning it is not blended with sugar alcohols or any other sweeteners.
Sources
- Advances in Nutrition (Adv Nutr). A Systematic Review of the Effects of Polyols on Gastrointestinal Health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 2017.
- Advances in Nutrition (Adv Nutr). Gut Microbiome Response to Sucralose and Its Potential Role in Inducing Liver Inflammation in Mice. 2019.
- The Journal of Experimental Medicine (J Exp Med). The gut microbiome: Relationships with disease and opportunities for therapy. 2019.
- Nature Medicine (Nat Med). The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk. 2023.
- Genes & Nutrition (Genes Nutr). Genetic signature of differential sensitivity to stevioside in the Italian population. 2014.
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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