Five Ingredients That Should Never Be In Your Protein Powder

The fitness, health, and beauty industries are all supersaturated with information. For the modern consumer just starting out, this can be a bit overwhelming. Even something as simple as picking a protein powder brand can become hyper-complicated due to how much information (and misinformation) is available to consumers on the internet.

When shopping for any health supplement whatsoever, the quality of ingredients should be a consumer’s top consideration. However, even looking at the ingredient list can be confusing if you aren’t a licensed nutritionist. 

A lot of the ingredients typically found in health supplements are difficult to pronounce, and are rarely terms that come up in any sort of regular conversation. To make it a little bit easier on you, though, here’s a list of five ingredients that you never want to see included in your protein powder or protein supplement.  

Casein and Whey Protein Concentrate

Casein and whey protein concentrates go by several other names. Commonly they can also be referred to as WPCs and sodium caseinate. Regardless of what they’re called on the ingredients label, these are not quality-protein ingredients that you want to see in your protein powder or other protein supplement.

One of the main reasons that these ingredients aren’t great for protein powders is because they’re high in lactose and more difficult to absorb. This can cause an upset stomach, lead to gastrointestinal distress, and can cause gas. 

All of this together makes a protein powder with casein or WPCs inefficient, and heavy in your body. In fact, these supplements were historically used as weight-gaining supplements. 

Gluten

Gluten is a very popular topic of discussion amongst the health and medical industry. Gluten allergies have become significantly more commonplace in the last decade or so, and the severity of the reaction to gluten can range significantly. 

A mild to moderate reaction to gluten can be a headache or mood swings, whereas more serious reactions can lead to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and severe gut-pain. Gluten has even been associated with elevated internal inflammation in people who don’t exhibit a more regular gluten allergy. 

All of this to say that you truly do not want to see gluten as an ingredient in your protein powder. At the very worst it will make you feel heavy and slow you down, while in more severe cases it could lead to an actual allergic reaction that requires medical attention. Most high-quality protein powders will be gluten free, but it never hurts to double check the label. 

Artificial Sweeteners 

In today’s day and age there are a wide variety of artificial sweeteners that food and drink manufacturers make use of on the regular. While these might be good at adding a little sweetness and extra flavor to your protein powder, they will do you more harm than they will good in the long run. Some of the most common artificial sweeteners used in protein powder manufacturing are sucralose (Splenda, E955), Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, E951), and Saccharin (E954).

Artificial sweeteners can lead to headaches and migraines, gastric distress, and can even contribute to depression. Look for protein powders and supplements that derive their flavor from natural sources and organic ingredients. This way, you can avoid the negative side effects while still reaping all the benefits of a protein powder supplement that is made with high-quality ingredients from start to finish. 

Vegetable Oils and Fats

Vegetable oils and fats are another pair of ingredients regularly added to protein powders and protein supplements in order to enrich their flavor and contribute to the smooth texture of the resulting shake. However, these fats are typically going to be trans fats which aren’t really good for you. Trans fats are shown to increase our bad cholesterol while decreasing our good cholesterol.

Instead, find a protein powder void of added fats and oils, and seek out healthy sources of saturated fats to incorporate into your diet elsewhere. 

Fillers and Added Fibers

There are a variety of fillers that protein powder manufacturers use in their formulas, and sometimes these are fibrous additions. Added fibers are typically used as either a filler, or a weight-management tool. Most often, though, a protein with added fibers can lead to constipation, bloating, and an uncomfortable gut in general. 

The healthiest fiber sources are leafy-greens which you can implement into your diet on a regular basis. 

Final Thoughts 

There is a ton of information out there when it comes to creating a healthy and sustainable routine of wellbeing. Knowing what ingredients to look out for in your protein powder supplement will help you avoid purchasing ineffective protein supplements that lead to gas and an uncomfortable gut. 

Do your due diligence, shop around, and pay attention to the ingredients that your protein brand uses. If they’re using any of the ingredients on this list, you should consider making a switch.

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