How to Find the Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best tasting protein powder with water.
Discover why some protein powders taste better with just water.
Why Would I Mix Protein Powder With Water?
I have yet to find a protein powder that tastes better when mixed with water than with milk.
In fact, many protein powders are only palatable when mixed with milk.
Nonetheless, some people still prefer to mix their protein powder with water.
Mixing with just water guarantees you are not adding any calories or nutrients.
Water may also be the only liquid available to you.
People who make protein shakes at the gym or on-the-go, for example, may have no choice but to use water.
If this is the case for you, finding a protein powder that tastes good with only water is key.
Remember, a diet is not a six-week affair, it is what you eat every day for the rest of your life.
So, if drinking a protein shake is a chore, it will not be sustainable in the long term, which defeats the point of using it in the first place.
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Why Do Most Protein Powders Taste Bad?
Before you try to find a protein powder that tastes good, you first have to understand why most protein powders taste bad.
Protein powders tend to taste bad because they:
- Are made from protein concentrates and/or isolates
- Contain sugar substitutes
- Contain flavorings
- Are high in insoluble fiber
The top reason why protein powders taste bad is that they are made from protein concentrates and/or isolates.
Unlike whole foods, concentrates and isolates have been stripped of everything but the protein, which gives them a chalky aftertaste.
Many protein powders also have a bitter aftertaste because they are sweetened with sugar substitutes like sucralose and stevia.
Unlike sugar, most sugar substitutes activate bitter taste receptors in addition to sweet taste receptors (Genes Nutr, 2014).
Another reason why protein powders taste bad is they are flavored with artificial or natural flavorings.
Laboratory-formulated flavors like these tend to have an unpleasant, chemical aftertaste.
Finally, some protein powders, especially plant-based protein powders, are gritty because of their high insoluble fiber content.
Generally speaking, the more insoluble fiber a protein powder contains, the grittier it is.
The grittiest protein powders tend to be those made with seeds (chia, pumpkin, etc.) and hemp.
What Is the Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water?
A protein powders will only taste good when mixed with just water if it is:
- Made from whole food protein sources
- Sweetened with real sugar or pure monk fruit
- Flavored with real foods (not flavorings)
- Low in insoluble fiber
Order Samples to see for yourself.
Sources
- 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 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.
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