Should You Get Rid of Your Whey Protein Supplement?

How's it going everyone? Today I want to talk about a topic that has helped improve my health immensely within the past two years. 

A lot of people (including me) supplement with protein shakes, and while I believe that they are a great tool, there are some things that I would like to address first. 

Now this might surprise you, but there are many people who do not do well at all with whey protein. There are many who suffer from allergies, intolerance, or side effects from the extra ingredients added to traditional protein supplements. You could be one of those people and not even realize!

When the body is sensitive or has a low-grade allergy to certain foods, there are some common symptoms to be aware of, which usually present themselves pretty quickly. Your stomach may feel uncomfortable and you might become physically swollen or bloated. Your stomach also may become gassy causing excessive flatulence. It could even present itself through a stuffy nose or a sore/tight throat because of increased mucous production. If you have one or more of these symptoms on a daily basis, then you may want to start paying attention to your protein product.

Speaking from experience, for YEARS I used whey protein during the day and after my workouts. After consuming the protein, I found (especially in the morning on an empty stomach) that my stomach would start to bother me a little and I would have a general feeling of malaise.

Here are a list of the most common symptoms that may occur from whey intolerance/sensitivity/allergy, but it is also important to remember that all types of symptoms could manifest themselves from this issue:  

Digestion Issues

Gas and bloating

Diarrhea

GERD

Stomach pain

Nausea

Malaise or feeling like you have the flu

Stuffy nose

Excess mucous production

Tight/sore throat

If you find that you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe that you may have some kind of sensitivity to whey, you may also be worrying that you can no longer make smoothies or consume pre- or post- workout shakes. No need to worry, because you can use a plant protein-based substitute that will work just fine! I found that as soon as I switched to a plant protein-based powder all of my symptoms went away and I felt much better. I actually didn’t realize until after I made the switch how crappy I was feeling!

Now this does not been you should be using a soy-based protein. I am not a big fan of soy protein powders for a few reasons. Vegan Protein Powders are a great option for vegetarians, vegans, whey sensitive, lactose intolerant, and those wanting to cut back on dairy or animal sourced proteins. However, not all vegan protein powders are created equal. Different vegan protein sources provide a different quality of protein which contain different essential amino acids.

What are Essential Amino Acids?

Before we go any further let me back up a second and explain what essential amino acids are. I am not going to get too technical here, but I just want to explain their importance. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which is an essential macro-nutrient that makes up the structure of your bones, muscles and skin. Protein is also used to build tissues and synthesize hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters. This is why getting enough essential amino acids in your diet is critical to maintaining optimal health.

What Kind of Vegan Protein Source Should I Use? 

Your best bet when looking for a sufficient vegan protein supplement is to find vegan protein powders made with a blend of organic proteins. Animal products (whey protein) are your only option if you are looking for ONE protein source that will provide a full amino acid profile. However, studies have shown that pea, hemp, and brown rice protein provides the highest quality protein which includes all essential amino acids. Each of these protein sources on their own are lacking a full essential amino acid profile, but combined they are a much better option than other vegan protein sources like soy.

What Product Do You Recommend? 

So now I bet you are wondering what the best product is to buy. When switching to a vegan protein source, I tried a few products. The problem with Vegan protein powders is that most of them will not taste very good to you when comparing to your previous whey protein product. I went through a few products and finally found one that tasted great with an awesome ingredient list. This product is from  Sun Warrior and is their Protein Warrior Blend. I use their chocolate flavor and have not used any other product since I finally found this protein supplement. I use it in my smoothies, pre- and post- workout shakes, and even mix it into oatmeal. I have been very happy with this product and have not had any of the negative side effects like I did with my prior whey protein products.

I have been so happy with Sun Warrior’s products that I have partnered with them in order to provide my loyal readers with a 15% discount on all of their products! You can use the link below or use the coupon code – UNLEASH. I am sure you will be happy with all of their products!

Click Here For Your Discount!

So coming back full circle, please take a little time to see how you feel after taking your whey protein products.

If you feel fine, then that is awesome! Keep using whey protein if you like it. But if you are noticing any of the symptoms listed above, you may want to make the switch. Unfortunately for many of you, (including myself for many years) it is likely that you have either failed to recognized the symptoms, ignored them, or just simply learned to live with them. But, as I tell all of my clients, these symptoms are not normal and should not be brushed aside. Rather, they should be dealt with and eliminated as soon as possible.