How to Find the Best Protein Powder Without Xanthan Gum
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best protein powder without xanthan gum.
Discover how to meet your protein intake without added gums.
Protein Powder Without Xanthan Gum
What Is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is found in a variety of packaged foods, from ice cream to baked goods.
To make it, sugar is fermented by bacteria in vats, precipitated (made into a solid) using isopropyl alcohol, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
When mixed with water, xanthan gum powder forms a thick, viscous mixture that can help to thicken and stabilize.
Why Is Xanthan Gum in Protein Powder?
Xanthan gum is added to protein powders for a number of reasons.
First of all, it is used to improve texture and consistency.
Most protein powders contain protein concentrates and/or isolates, which have a chalky aftertaste.
Xanthan gum helps to mask this chalkiness by creating a creamy mouthfeel.
Xanthan gum also acts as a stabilizer, helping to prevent separation after mixing.
Basically, it makes it so that your protein shake looks and tastes the same from the first to the last sip.
Is Xanthan Bum Gad for You?
Xanthan gum is an ultra-processed food additive.
And although it is not necessarily bad for you in small quantities, it is associated with several side effects.
For some, xanthan gum can cause painful digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea.
This occurs because xanthan gum is hard to break down and absorb.
Regular xanthan gum consumption can also alter the composition of your gut microbiota (Carbohydr Polym, 2024).
Although more research is needed into the long-term implications of these changes, such changes are often linked to inflammatory disorders, obesity, and gastrointestinal diseases.
Finally, it is worth noting that, although uncommon, some individuals have an allergic reaction to xanthan gum.
This is especially true for those allergic or sensitive to corn, soy, or wheat, as xanthan gum is often derived from these foods.
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What is the Best Protein Powder Without Xanthan Gum?
If you are looking to avoid xanthan gum, then you probably want to avoid all gums and gum-like thickeners, including:
- acacia fiber
- acacia gum
- carrageenan
- cellulose gum
- gellan gum
- guar gum
- gum arabic
- inulin
- konjac gum
- locust bean gum
As you just learned, ultra-processed ingredients like these are hard to digest.
In some cases, they can cause painful digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
They might also contribute to gut dysbiosis (Nutrients, 2019), which is linked to a wide range of health issues.
And if you are concerned about gut health, then you might also want to avoid 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.
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.
Sources
- Carbohydrate Polymers (Carbohydr Polym). Effects of four food hydrocolloids on colitis and their regulatory effect on gut microbiota. 2024.
- Nutrients (Nutrients). Impact of Food Additives on Gut Homeostasis. 2019.
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 Our Dietitian
If you’re wondering which Drink Wholesome product is best for you, ask our Registered Dietitian. 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.
Author(s)
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