How to Find the Cleanest Protein Powder
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the cleanest protein powder.
Discover which types of ingredients to avoid when buying clean protein powder.
Cleanest Protein Powder
What Is “Clean” Protein Powder?
In the context of nutrition, “clean” refers to ingredients that can be found in nature (gathered, hunted, or grown) or made in your home kitchen.
A few examples of clean ingredients include dairy, eggs, fish, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.
Note that none of these ingredients require added ingredients or extensive processing before they are ready for human consumption.
So if you want to “eat clean,” cook your own meals from scratch using fresh ingredients.
This obviously rules out protein powder, so if you do choose to meet your protein needs this way, just look for ingredients that are as close to nature as possible.
Again, if you can find it in nature, or make it in your home kitchen, is it almost certainly clean.
Unflavored Egg White Protein Powder, for example, contains one ingredient: pasteurized, dried egg whites.
Although it would be hard, you could make this at home, making this a clean protein powder.
Protein concentrates and isolates, on the other hand, cannot be made at home.
Whey protein isolate and pea protein concentrates are actually ultra-processed foods, which means they are NOT clean.
Basically, if you want a truly clean protein powder, then it must be made from a whole food protein source.
The only protein powders that pass this test are collagen, egg white, hemp, nut, and seed protein powders.
Clean protein powder must also be additive-free.
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What Is the Cleanest Protein Powder?
First of all, be wary of brands that claim to make “clean” protein powder.
If a company labels its products as clean, chances are high that it has something to hide.
Take, for example, Clean Simple Eats – a popular brand of protein powder.
The word “clean” is literally its name, but its products contain ultra-processed additives like xylitol (a sugar alcohol), natural flavors, and xanthan gum.
None of these ingredients are even remotely clean.
In fact, they are among the top ingredients to avoid if you are looking for a clean protein powder.
The cleanest protein powder is made with a short list of simple ingredients.
And it cannot contain emulsifiers, thickeners, flavorings, or any other ultra-processed food additives.
⚠️ Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein shakes and powders:
- 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
As a rule of thumb, if you cannot find it in nature or make it at home, it is probably a food additive.
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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