What is the best SIBO-friendly protein powder?


drink wholesome is the best SIBO-friendly protein powder. It is made with a short list of simple ingredients, making it perfect for people with SIBO and other gut issues. If you are looking to boost your protein intake without the extra processing and added junk, you have to come to the right place. Order samples to see if our SIBO protein powder is right for you. 

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drink wholesome is the best SIBO-friendly protein powder.

Written by Jack Schrupp & endorsed by Baylee Reller, RDN

What is SIBO?


Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, particularly of types of bacteria that normally grow in other parts of the gut. This overgrowth can cause stomach pain and diarrhea, and can lead to malnutrition and weight loss in severe cases.

Although SIBO remains a poorly understood disease, it is associated with several chronic conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can also be a complication of abdominal surgery.

The goals of SIBO treatment are threefold: 1) correct the underlying cause; 2) provide nutritional support, if necessary; and 3) treat the overgrowth. The most common treatment for SIBO is antibiotics, which can help decrease the number of bacteria in the small intestine. Antibiotics will not address the underlying issue that caused SIBO in the first place, however, which is why antibiotics are often paired with changes to diet. 

What is the SIBO diet?


The SIBO diet is a temporary elimination diet used to help people determine which foods are problematic and cause symptoms. It involves eliminating certain carbohydrates, specifically high-FODMAP foods, to starve gut bacteria (bacteria eat carbohydrates).

FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are indigestible or poorly absorbed by certain people. The SIBO diet has three steps. First, you stop eating high FODMAP foods. Next, you slowly reintroduce these foods to determine which ones are problematic. Finally, once you have identified the foods that cause symptoms, you avoid or limit them.

Although the SIBO diet is characterized by elimination, there are a few key ingredients, and one of them is protein. Eating lots of protein is important because SIBO can impair your ability to absorb nutrients from food. Basically, the excess bacteria in your small intestine break down your bile salts, which are used to digest fats and protein. The result is an impaired ability to digest and absorb these nutrients, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and impact your overall health. 

I suggest getting as much protein as you can from protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, and meat. I acknowledge, however, that eating enough protein this way is challenging for certain individuals. People with dietary restrictions and sensitive stomachs, for instance, may have limitations in terms of the types of dietary protein they can consume. This is where protein powder can come in handy.

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What is the best SIBO-friendly protein powder?


Although protein powder can be used in many ways, it is primarily used to make protein shakes. Shakes are easy to make and drink, making them a convenient source of protein for individuals dealing with SIBO. It is important to note, however, that not all protein powders are created equal.

Most protein powders are not safe for someone with SIBO. Do not be fooled by clever marketing. Instead, do your own research and carefully examine the ingredient list.

The majority of protein powders contain heavily-processed food additives including emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, and flavors. These ingredients have been associated with unpleasant side effects and long-term harm to the gut, which is bad news for individuals already grappling with compromised gut health. So, avoid food additives and look for a protein powder made with a short list of simple ingredients. Keep reading to learn more.

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Why drink wholesome


drink wholesome is additive-free.

One of the reasons why we make SIBO-friendly protein powder is that we do not use food additives. Even in small quantities, additives can cause a range of undesirable effects, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain.

These symptoms stem from the fact that additives bear no resemblance to real, natural food. Consequently, your gut cannot fully digest them. This can lead to two scenarios: either water is drawn into your gut, resulting in diarrhea, or the partially digested additives sit around and feed your gut bacteria, which in turn produce gas. Excessive gas can lead to bloating, flatulence, stomach pain, and even impede the passage of food through the colon, ultimately causing constipation.

Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:

acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, aspartame, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, xylitol

The long-term implications of regularly consuming food additives are even more concerning. Over time, additives can progressively disrupt vital regulatory pathways within the intestines, thereby contributing to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other systemic inflammatory disorders.

Ongoing research suggests that food additives, especially artificial sweeteners, also possess the potential to disturb the balance of your gut microbiomethe collection of microorganisms that help you digest food. As you might imagine, this can profoundly impact long-term gut health.

the alternative:

Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate,  Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids,  Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain

drink wholesome is dairy-free.

Another reason why we make SIBO protein powder is that we do not use dairy-based proteins. Whey and casein, both of which are byproducts of the production of cheese and yogurt, are notorious for triggering digestive discomfort. This is especially prevalent among individuals with lactose intolerance, who lack the necessary enzymes to fully digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy. As you just learned, partially digested food can result in a range of uncomfortable side effects.

vegan vanilla protein powder serving suggestion
vanilla protein powder lifestyle image 1

drink wholesome is made with real foods.

A final reason why we make protein powder for SIBO is that we do not use protein concentrates or isolates. In contrast, the majority of other protein powders out there are made from one or both of these protein sources. Concentrates and isolates, in essence, are foods stripped down to only the protein. They undergo extensive mechanical and chemical processing, sometimes involving solvents like hexane. The end result is a protein supplement that looks very little like real food.

Your digestive system is designed to break down unprocessed or minimally-processed real foods, rather than protein concentrates or isolates. This is why an increasing body of research is discovering that the regular consumption of processed ingredients like these can disrupt your gut microbiome, which serves a role far beyond mere food digestion.

Your gut microbiome helps with shielding your body against harmful pathogens, educating your immune system, and directly or indirectly influences a wide range of bodily functions. Aan imbalanced gut microbiome, referred to as a dysbiotic gut, is absolutely not a matter that should not be taken lightly.

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chocolate protein powder 14 servings serving suggestion

Instead of protein concentrates or isolates, we make the best SIBO-friendly protein powder with egg whites and almonds. Egg whites undergo a simple process of pasteurization and drying, while almonds are roasted, pressed to their oil content, and finely ground. These minimally-processed ingredients result in protein powders that are exceptionally gentle on the digestive system. This is partly because real foods, unlike protein isolates and concentrates, come equipped with natural enzymes and digestive aids that contribute to efficient digestion.

For individuals without egg allergies or sensitivities, egg white protein stands out as the top choice for promoting gut health. Egg whites are low in fiber, low in FODMAP, and have been demonstrated to increase the population of good bacteria in the gut. Many of our satisfied customers are quick to emphasize that they experience fewer digestive issues when incorporating our egg white protein powder into their daily routines compared to other protein supplements.

Now, for those following a vegan diet or facing dietary restrictions that prevent them from consuming eggs, our vegan almond protein powder emerges as an exceptional alternative. Almonds have prebiotic effects, improving the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome while also supporting healthy and regular bowel movements. In conclusion, we take great pride in creating protein powders with minimal processing, ensuring that you can enjoy the benefits of protein supplementation without compromising your gut health.

★★★★★

easy to digest

“I just want to tell you that the products have literally saved my life and I thank you for that! I have Lupus and recurrent SIBO and when my gut is healing from SIBO I cannot tolerate much food besides rice, fish and potatoes. You made a great product for people with severe gut issues that tastes great.” – Niki

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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