If you’re looking for a great lactose-free protein powder, then there are many options available to you, from products containing pea protein and brown rice protein to hemp protein. We’ll count down five top brands in our search for the best protein powder for lactose intolerance.
It is common for someone in the United States to be lactose intolerant. Approximately 30 to 50 million Americans suffer from this condition. This number rises to around 80% if you are of Native American or African American descent.
People who suffer from lactose intolerance cannot process milk sugar or lactose. This inability is often caused by having too little of an enzyme called lactase produced in your small intestine. While individuals with low lactase can still process milk products, if it gets too low, they can develop lactose intolerance, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
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If you are lactose intolerant, finding a protein powder that won’t cause issues can be challenging because many products, particularly whey and casein protein powders, are derived from dairy. We’ll review and rank some of the top options on the market to find the best protein powder for lactose intolerance.
Best protein powder for lactose intolerance
5: MyProtein Impact Whey Protein
Many animal-derived protein powders may be off-limits to those with lactose intolerance. However, there are some whey proteins available. For example, MyProtein makes a whey protein isolate powder that is not only free of lactose but is also suitable for those following an animal-product-free diet, as it contains only trace amounts of milk.
Best of all, it’s very affordable; you can get a .55 lb bag of Impact Whey Protein for only $8.99, with larger sizes also available.
Best protein powder for lactose intolerance
4: Vital Proteins
If you want animal protein, another option is collagen protein powder. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is the primary building block for skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues. Most importantly, for the lactose intolerant, collagen protein is dairy-free.
Vital Proteins is a company that builds its product line around collagen protein. One of their flagship products is their Vital PerformanceTM Protein Powder. As an “anytime protein,” it is ideal for post-workout recovery but also suitable anytime supplementing with protein is needed.
You can buy Vital PerformanceTM Protein Powder for $29.99 for a one-time purchase or 15% off when you sign up for a subscription.
Best protein powder for lactose intolerance
3: Naked Nutrition Naked Egg
Whey protein often gets all of the accolades regarding top-performing animal-derived protein. Still, egg protein packs a powerful punch with many reported benefits, and most importantly, it is completely lactose-free.
Naked Nutrition makes an egg white protein powder that contains egg protein from non-GMO chicken eggs. They use fresh eggs processed into a powder in under one day to retain a complete amino acid profile. Naked Egg also has no additives or artificial sweeteners.
However, you pay for the quality, as it costs $67.99 for a one-time purchase of a 3lb tub. However, Naked Nutrition offers a 20% discount if you sign up for a subscription.
Best protein powder for lactose intolerance
2: Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
If you’d like to forgo animal products in your protein powder and opt for plant-based options, check out Transparent Labs and their organic vegan protein powder. This protein powder from peas and rice packs a powerful punch at 24 grams of protein per scoop. It also doesn’t have sugar, GMOs, or soy protein.
Unfortunately, it is a little expensive, coming in at $49.99 for a one-time purchase or 10% off if you sign up for a subscription.
Best protein powder for lactose intolerance
1: Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Nuzest is a company focused entirely on creating high-quality plant-based products. Their protein powder, called Clean Lean Protein, includes all nine essential amino acids and 12 different vitamins and minerals; it is also free of allergens and additives. According to their website, they use a sustainable crop with sustainable processing, no fillers, no preservatives, and no GMOs.
“We’re probably one of the very first very clean label brands out there,” CEO and co-founder Trevor Bolland says. “So, we don’t use any manufacturer’s processing aids in our products. We don’t need to use gums or emulsifiers, to give it a good mouthfeel. Very, very good protein has a good mouthfeel already. It is already a very clean protein, it is gluten-free. We didn’t need to add anything to mask a terrible flavor.”
You can buy Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder for $44.95 for a one-time purchase or get it for a discounted $36.96 when you sign up for a subscription.
Although it is more expensive than some of the options on this list, you get your money’s worth in nutritional quality. Clean Lean Protein contains 12 different vitamins and minerals, more than most animal-derived or plant-based protein powders on the market. In addition, it is suitable for people with lactose intolerance or any dietary restrictions because it is hypoallergenic and additive-free. These reasons make Nuzest Clean Lean Protein the number one choice on our list.
Benefits of cutting back on dairy
If you’re lactose intolerant, cutting dairy products isn’t a choice. However, for those who aren’t, there are many reported benefits to having less dairy in your diet. For one, you might lose weight. Lactose is a sugar, whether you can tolerate it or not. Some dairy products contain high amounts of saturated fat as well. Too many of either of these things can add inches to your waistline.
Conversely, dairy products also have many essential nutrients, which you may miss out on if you cut them from your diet. You should ensure you get enough calcium and vitamins D, B2, and B12. Additionally, many dairy products, such as kefir and Greek yogurt, contain good bacteria cultures that help support a healthy gut microbiome. If you decide to eliminate dairy from your diet, consider taking a probiotic supplement so your gut health doesn’t suffer. If you have further questions, it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor or nutritionist.
For further research:
Verywell Health: How to Relieve Lactose Intolerance Pain Quickly
My Modern Met: How Animal-Free Dairy Helps the Planet and Feeds Our Cravings
The Atlantic: Lactose Tolerance Is an Evolutionary Puzzle
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.