How to Find a Gluten Free Protein Powder

Protein powders are popular dietary supplements that many different people use for several different applications. In fact, you probably know several people that use protein powder regularly after a workout or as a breakfast substitute. Like with so many other consumables, many protein powders are composed of wheat protein or have gluten added as a filler. For those with a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, this can drive them away from the products altogether.

To make it worse, many of those with celiac disease have a hard time finding foods that provide the right nutrients for living a healthy and active lifestyle. A diet informed by celiac disease unfortunately has many fewer protein options because of the presence of gluten in most foods. Combined with the right diet and level of exercise, someone with celiac disease can bolster a healthy lifestyle with the help of protein powder.

Luckily, there are plenty of protein powder manufacturers that stay away from gluten entirely. Many of these will even provide plant based protein powders or vegan protein powders. All of this proves that you can lead a gluten free and vegan lifestyle and enjoy the same workout benefits as others with the help of gluten free protein powders. The right combination of a gluten free and/or vegan protein powder, a balanced diet, and regular exercise can make some amazing results.

What Is Protein Powder?

Protein powder is one of the many dietary supplements that is intended to provide one or more specific nutrients typically not found in someone’s diet. People everywhere add protein powders to their regimen to help provide sustainable energy, whether it’s to build muscle mass or gain weight for a variety of reasons. Protein powders can be added to foods or drinks like smoothies and shakes. Due to their effects of helping the body build muscle mass or add fat mass, they shouldn’t be taken outside of a prescribed regimen.

Who Should Use Protein Powder?

The average healthy adult does not need the supplemental benefits of protein powder. In fact, it may cause those adults or children to gain too much weight. Under normal conditions, the only adults that should use protein powders are those that are trying to build muscle mass or are subscribing to a vegan diet that may be low in protein. For those with health conditions, protein powders may be beneficial in helping the body maintain a healthy weight. 

Protein powders can assist in both weight gain (both muscle and fat) and weight loss, but in different applications. For weight gain that focuses on building muscle mass, users should apply a protein powder to their weight lifting routine and strict diet. For weight gain that focuses on building fat reserves, users should add protein powder to a healthy diet. For weight loss, users should replace one or more of their meals with protein powder and continue a regular exercise regimen. Keep in mind that the questions or motivations for using a protein powder should always be first brought to a medical doctor for consultation.

What Are The Main Ingredients In Protein Powder?

Everyone with a food allergy or any type of restricted diet should pay careful attention to the ingredients of a protein powder they may purchase or consume. Some of the most common protein powder ingredients include whey, casein, other milk solids, soy, hemp, wheat, chia, oats, brown rice, quinoa, peas, sweeteners, amino acids, fatty acids, and creatine. Let’s go over the source and purpose of these ingredients.

Whey, Casein, Milk Solids, Other Dairy Sources: These ingredients are the animal-derived sources of protein in protein powders. All of these ingredients most typically come from cow milk, but other milks may be used as well. Whey is a byproduct of cheese and yogurt production and is a yellowish liquid that harbors much of the water and proteins found in milk. Casein is another byproduct of cheese production that is a solid source of protein. These products as well as other dairy products that may be used in protein powders all contain lactose, a sugar found in milk that is the source of the dairy allergy. Those with a dairy allergy or a vegan diet should not use protein powders with these ingredients.

Soy, Hemp, Wheat, Chia, Oats, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Other Plant-Based Sources: These ingredients are the plant-derived sources of protein in protein powders. Each of these ingredients comes from a different type of plant, so those with allergies should make special note of what they are purchasing or consuming. Soy is one of the most common sources of plant-based protein around the world. Hemp protein is a product derived from the cannabis plant, although it is isolated from the medicinal and psychoactive properties of the plant. Wheat, chia, oats, brown rice, and quinoa are all grain sources of protein, though only wheat sources have the gluten protein. There are many more plant-derived sources of protein, so it’s important to take note of the exact ingredients to avoid an allergic reaction. Those with a gluten allergy should always take note of the ingredients. Those with celiac disease should be extra careful to ensure that the product has been processed and packaged in a gluten-free facility.

Natural and Artificial Sweeteners: The simple fact is that isolated proteins rarely taste great. To make proteins more palatable, most manufacturers have added either natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners to their protein powders. Some protein powder manufacturers don’t add any sweeteners at all, but their numbers remain few. Natural sweeteners include the typical crystallized or powdered forms of sugars, which are most commonly derived from sugar cane or beets and will greatly increase the caloric content of the protein powder. Artificial sweeteners such as stevia, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium are in most protein powders and are designed to make the product taste better while not increasing caloric content. The presence of these sugars is not known to provoke an allergic reaction, but there is an active debate in the medical community about the potentially serious negative effects of artificial sweeteners.

Amino Acids and Fatty Acids: Both amino acids and fatty acids are essential building blocks for life and they are present in many types of foods. Humans are biologically designed to crave these ingredients and they are in high amounts in foods like tomatoes, fish, cheese, mushrooms, and more. Many protein powder manufacturers isolate these two compounds and fortify their products with them. The increased access to these essential ingredients will help the body achieve its daily needs.

Creatine: One of the many organic compounds that have a direct role in improving health, creatine is used by many athletes seeking to increase performance and others that are looking to improve their appearance. Creatine increases cell growth capabilities, which speeds up metabolism. Many protein powder manufacturers include higher levels of creatine in their products to achieve these goals.

Other Added Ingredients: Many protein powders are fortified with filler ingredients that have no nutritional value and are merely intended to bulk up the product. If the protein powder contains ingredients that don’t add to an increased nutrition, then the product should be avoided. It may even contain ingredients that are derived from gluten, so those with an allergy or celiac disease should be extra careful.

Are Protein Powders Gluten Free?

In order to be considered gluten free, a protein powder must not contain gluten higher than 20 parts per million (ppm) according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some protein powders derive some of their ingredients from wheat, which would include gluten in the ingredient list. Of course, anyone with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease should completely avoid these protein powders. However, there is another factor which could potentially cause a product to contain gluten.

Wheat is a food substance which, when dried, has particles that can become airborne. This is especially true with wheat flours. The mere presence of wheat particles in the air can significantly contaminate a product like protein powder. Any facility that processes or packages products containing gluten cannot completely guarantee that their products are gluten free. Although a gluten free product from a facility that contains gluten may satisfy the requirements of less than 20 ppm of gluten, the product may still provoke a reaction in those with celiac disease.

Does Whey Protein Include Gluten?

Whey protein may include gluten, but only if it’s added. Whey is a liquid that separates from milk solids during cheese and yogurt production. The liquid is completely safe to drink in its normal state and actually has some important health benefits. The yellowish liquid can also be dried and powdered to be added as an ingredient in protein powders. Whey, along with other dairy products including casein and other milk solids, is the primary source of the protein in protein powders around the world.

Whey is the primary product in animal-derived protein powders, so it shouldn’t be consumed by those with a vegan diet. The same goes for other milk products such as casein and other milk solids. At no point in the processing of milk and whey is gluten used. This should make all whey protein powders safe to use for those with a gluten sensitivity. However, those with celiac disease should avoid whey protein powders that are not certified gluten free as they may be processed or packaged in the same facility as gluten products.

Can Celiacs Take Protein Powder?

Yes, celiacs can take protein powder. Of course, celiacs should avoid any products which contain gluten from wheat, barley, and rye. As always, they also need to be careful to consider the source and the production process to avoid potential gluten contamination. So, should celiacs take protein powder?

Many celiacs have increased risk of nutritional deficiency due to the sheer number of foods that need to be avoided. So many of the most common and most essential foods around the world either directly contain gluten or are contaminated with gluten. For celiacs, this can make getting adequate nutrition sometimes frustrating or even exhausting. As a result, many celiacs have instead turned to the trusted source of protein and other nutrients found in certified gluten free protein powders as a daily supplement. This can even improve muscle mass or fat mass in celiacs just like anyone else. All it takes is a trusted gluten free protein powder.

Which Protein Powders Are Gluten Free?

In order to be certified gluten free, a protein powder needs to contain less than 20ppm of gluten. While this threshold may not provoke a reaction in those with gluten sensitivity, the presence of any gluten in a protein powder can provoke an allergic reaction in those with celiac disease. To ensure that a protein powder is completely gluten free, it needs to be processed and packaged in an entirely gluten free facility. Let’s cover some of the best gluten free protein powders.

Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean: This fantastic protein powder from Orgain is the most popular product available on Amazon. It is entirely gluten free, soy free, lactose free, and vegan. Two rounded scoops is about 46 grams and constitutes one serving. In this serving, there are 21 grams of protein derived from brown rice, chia seeds, and peas. The vanilla flavoring constitutes 1 gram of sugars per serving, keeping the calorie count low. Orgain produces much more than protein powders. They don’t use gluten in any of their products and their facilities are entirely gluten free. This makes Orgain protein powders and other products completely safe to consume for celiacs. 

Vital Performance Protein Powder: This excellent protein powder available on Amazon is produced by Vital Proteins, an entirely gluten free manufacturer of protein powders and more. Interestingly, this product is lactose free while still containing the protein available in whey. This makes it safe to consume for those with a dairy allergy, but it cannot be considered vegan. One serving contains 25 grams of lactose-free milk proteins and 10 grams of collagen peptides. The collagen is derived from animal-based gelatin sources. Vital Performance Protein Powder and other products from Vital Proteins are completely safe to consume for those with celiac disease.

What Is The Best Plant Based Protein Powder?

Combining a gluten free or celiac lifestyle with a vegan diet is a challenging situation for many even without the prospect of trying to stay healthy and exercise. Most protein powders on the market are composed mostly of whey or casein, both products that are sourced from dairy cows or other dairy livestock. While these sources are vegetarian, they are not vegan. A completely plant based protein powder is a great way to achieve what you’re trying to do and we have a great suggestion for you:

KOS Organic Plant Based Protein Powder, Chocolate Peanut Butter: Another great plant-based protein powder available on Amazon is made by KOS, a trusted source of vegan products. With 20 grams of protein derived from a blend of peas, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, and chia seeds per serving, this product holds its own against whey protein powders. KOS adds some delicious ingredients that make the product taste wonderful without greatly increasing the caloric content, such as Peruvian cacao, Himalayan salt, coconut milk, steva, and monk fruit. KOS has a gluten free facility which enables all of their products to be safe for those with celiac disease.

Is Gluten Free Protein Powder Good For Weight Loss?

One of the most popular ways to lose weight in recent years has been with a strict regimen of meal replacement and exercise involving protein powders. Many of those with a gluten free diet and celiac disease have a desire to lose weight, yet may feel increasingly hungry due to the dietary restrictions. Protein powders, when used as a meal replacement, can effectively provide the nutrients needed for both daily routines and exercise. Keep in mind that using a protein powder as a meal replacement without consistent exercise will promote little weight loss. The best weight loss results for those with a gluten free diet or celiac disease will always be achieved with a strict gluten free diet, protein powder meal replacement, and regular exercise.

What Is The Best Gluten Free Protein Powder for Muscle Gain?

There are many options out there for protein powder, but it can be hard to find a trustworthy gluten free product that’s got enough protein to work well for muscle gain. The Bodylogix Natural Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder is one of the best protein powders out there. Bodylogix is a company that produces only gluten free products. In each serving, this product has 24 grams of whey protein, sourced only from natural grass-fed cow’s milk. With 2 grams of sugar per serving, Bodylogix wants their protein powder to taste great when combined with milk and there are multiple flavors available. Better yet, Bodylogix also makes a vegan protein powder which is composed of chia and sprouted quinoa proteins. Anyone with a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease and is trying to build some muscle mass will show some great results with the help of these protein powders.