How to Find the Cleanest Protein Powder
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Dietitian’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 supplement your protein intake, 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 supplements:
- 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 Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. 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 minimally-processed protein powder for sensitive stomachs. Because it’s made from a short list of simple ingredients, it’s also a great option for anyone who wants to avoid artificial and ultra-processed ingredients – including kids, seniors, and moms.
Why is Drink Wholesome easy to digest?
No Dairy
Drink Wholesome is made without whey and casein, which contain lactose, a sugar most people can’t fully digest. Dairy-based proteins, especially casein, also form a gel-like substance in your stomach, which can upset sensitive stomachs.
No Additives
Drink Wholesome is made without ultra-processed food additives. Regularly eating artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, thickeners, and other additives can cause digestive issues and even long-term gut health problems.
Whole Food Protein
Drink Wholesome is made from whole food protein sources like almonds and egg whites. Unlike ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which have been stripped of fiber, enzymes, and other natural digestive aids, whole foods are easy to break down and absorb.
Collagen vs egg white vs almond protein powder?
We make three types of minimally-processed Protein Powder for sensitive stomachs: Collagen Protein Powder, Egg White Protein Powder, and Vegan Almond Protein Powder. As long as you eat a balanced diet (get protein from a variety of sources), any type of protein powder can help you meet your protein needs. So just pick the type that best suits your personal preferences.
Ask our dietitian.
If you’re wondering which of our products is best for you, ask our Registered Dietitian. She’ll reply via email within 24 hours.
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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