The Shocking Truth About Protein Powder and Why You Should Stop Buying It ASAP

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or looking to add more protein to your diet, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered protein powder on your health and fitness journey. But, believe it or not, protein powder isn’t nearly as healthy as one might think. In fact, it’s not healthy at all.

Up ahead, we share the shocking truth about protein powder and why you should reconsider incorporating it into your diet plan.

The body doesn’t actually recognize protein powder as real protein 

According to Julie Peláez, health coach and founder of the Conscious Cleanse, “protein powders are highly processed and are often heated to the point that the protein is denatured, which makes it nearly impossible for the body to recognize and use.” As a result, the body can experience higher levels of acidity and toxicity.

Most protein powders are highly processed 

If you’re someone who wards off processed food like the plague, you may want to reconsider your protein powder intake. While protein powder extracts protein from a whole food, it is not exactly considered a whole food itself. That’s because in order to get the protein component of a food, manufacturers have to use a variety of processing methods.

If you want to add protein to a shake or smoothie — but, don’t want to consume processed food — you’re better off adding chia or hemp seeds to your blender for added protein.

Some contain toxic ingredients 

In addition to being highly processed, some protein powder formulas may contain synthetic toxins. According to Peláez, this includes aspartame, saccharin, and artificial flavors.

Some of the ingredients could conflict with your medication 

The FDA may regulate protein powder, but instead of categorizing dietary supplements as a drug, they view them as food. That said, the FDA encourages consumers to take a further look at the ingredients in their dietary supplements, as “many dietary supplements contain ingredients that have strong biological effects, which may conflict with a medicine you are taking or a medical condition you may have.”

Some may contain allergens  

In addition to conflicting with your medication, some may contain allergens, such as whey protein isolate (aka, dairy).

Protein powder can put a strain on the kidneys 

Another way protein powder can be bad for you? It can put a strain on the kidneys, among other ailments. In an interview with Fox News, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, shares the downside of eating too much protein. “Too much protein puts a strain on the kidneys, can lead to dehydration, bloating, nausea, osteoporosis, and more,” she states.

You should not consume protein powder as a meal replacement  

A healthy meal doesn’t consist of just protein, and neither should your protein shake. If you do decide to use protein powder in your diet, be sure to add fruits and veggies to your shake to add more nutrients to your shake.