Protein Powders that Don't Cause Bloat
Protein powder is a staple in my diet, but I’ve really struggled to find the right ones. When I got sick a few years ago, it completely altered my ability to digest protein and a lot of my go-to protein powders left me nauseous, bloated, and sluggish no matter how I prepared them. I didn’t want to give up on protein powder completely since it’s so convenient and helps me hit my daily protein goals, so I essentially went on a hunt to try as many as I could until I found the best protein powders that don’t cause bloat, are easy to digest yet not harsh, and most importantly, have clean ingredients. As far as my list goes, I focus on whey isolate, not vegan protein powders. As much as I (an animal lover) would deeply love to go vegan, my body just does not react well to it.
I also prioritize out whey isolate versus just whey. If you struggle with bloating, you also want to make sure you are choosing whey isolate protein powder, too. Whey isolate specifically undergoes further processing to remove more lactose and fat; “processing” sounds bad but it’s beneficial in this instance, as it results in a higher protein content and tends to be easier on your digestive system.
the best protein powders that don’t cause bloat
chocolate protein powders that don’t cause bloat
Body by Bree Chocolate Protein - While I am not one to trust “random” fitness influencers, this protein powder is the real deal and my #1 favorite. It’s filling but doesn’t cause boat or make you feel weighed down; I can have a shake and carry on throughout my day feeling great. The only downside is I don’t love that it has xanthan gum in it, but it’s truly one of the cleanest and protein powders on the market. The chocolate flavor is noticeable but not overpowering and comes from organic cocoa; you can taste the difference. I’m obsessed.
Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder Chocolate - This protein powder is specifically formulated to be fast-digesting, so if you feel like protein powder sits in your stomach and makes you feel weighed down (alongside the bloat), you’ll want to try this one. There’s no aftertaste, and it’s sweetened with just stevia, so I consider this to be a better dupe for the Clean Simple Eats brand (which is sweetened with xylitol, stevia, and monk fruit - that’s a lot).
Active Stacks Peptides Protein Powder Chocolate - If you also want a protein powder that incorporates collagen peptides but are sensitive to bloating, this is my #1 recommendation. It’s a pricier protein powder, but truly clean and high-quality; it’s also so much easier for me to digest than the Vital Proteins blend. This is also probably the richest chocolate flavor out of any protein powder I’ve ever tried; it’s almost reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar, but not as bitter. It’s perfect if you want to make a protein hot chocolate, but I would not recommend this if you’re wanting to double-scoop your protein as the flavor is almost a little too rich (and causes a little of bloat) when I do that. PS - chocolate only; I don’t like their vanilla flavor.
vanilla protein powders that don’t cause bloat
Body by Bree Vanilla Protein - Vanilla protein powder is hard to get right; so many are either too sweet, artificial tasting, or disgustingly chalky. I used to only buy vanilla protein powders for fruit smoothies, but this one is great if you only mix it with water, too. It’s creamy but not too rich or heavy, so the vanilla tastes more realistic than the thinner, sugary sweet alternatives.
Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder Vanilla Bean - Just like the chocolate version I mentioned above, this is formulated to be fast digesting and sweetened with just stevia versus Clean Simple Eats’ combo of xylitol, stevia, and monk fruit, so I recommend Ascent to anyone who finds CSE makes them bloated. This is a tad sweeter than the Body by Bree protein, but it’s not bad, especially since it doesn’t cause bloating. This one is also a great base for protein shakes and Ninja CREAMi protein ice cream blends, and slightly cheaper than the Body by Bree powder.
Intek Protein Evolution Vanilla - If you’re on a budget, this is probably the most cost-effective protein, clean protein powder you can get (the 5lb tub comes down to $15.60 per lb). While it contains regular whey in addition to the whey isolate, they’ve also formulated it with digestive enzymes so it may be easier on your stomach than other protein powders. I recommend starting slow and easing this into your diet over time to avoid bloating, just in case. I like that it contains amino acids for a complete protein profile and added muscle recovery, and the vanilla is light with zero aftertaste.