Whether you’re lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a way of minimizing the amount of lactose in your diet as much as possible, then it’s important to evaluate what aspects of your diet might contain lactose.
One of the more unsuspecting forms of lactose that you might intake regularly is protein powder, so if you’re going to remove the lactose from your diet, you’ll need to find an alternative to your current protein powder.
However, there’s no need to worry, as we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular and best lactose-free protein powders available, so you can still ensure you’re getting the protein you need to supplement your gains, all whilst remaining entirely lactose-free!
So, for a list of the best lactose-free protein powders available, as well as some information on lactose intolerance, then read on, and our guide will provide you with everything you need to know.
Best Lactose-Free Protein Powders
Isopure Creamy Vanilla Whey Isolate Protein Powder
If you’re looking for a great lactose-free whey protein powder, then this offering from Isopure is probably going to be one of the first ones you come across during your search.
Although we wouldn’t usually recommend just using the first protein powder you see, this powder is popular for good reason, so it’s definitely worth looking into further to see if it’s going to be right for you.
This protein powder comes in at 100 calories per serving and contains a huge 25 grams of protein per serving too, and when you consider that a gram of protein contains roughly 4 calories, you can tell that this protein powder is essentially just pure protein.
As well as the high protein content, this Isopure protein powder also contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals to help support your body’s immune system, including Vitamins C and E, as well as Zinc.
This protein powder is also keto friendly too, which is great for those looking to maintain a strict diet, so it’s a versatile choice of protein powder for a wide range of different people!
So, if you’re looking for a great lactose-free whey protein powder, then you should definitely try out this protein powder from Isopure.
Optimum Nutrition Hydrolyzed Whey
Another one of the great protein powder creators on the market is Optimum Nutrition, and if you’ve ever asked a regular gym goer for a recommendation on what protein powder to use, ON is probably one of the ones they would tell you to try out, so learning that this brand also creates a lactose-free protein powder is great for those who suffer from lactose intolerance but still want to benefit from the goodness of whey protein.
A serving of this amazing protein powder delivers you with 140 calories and 30 grams of protein, which means that the protein percentage is particularly high, which is great for post-workout muscle recovery and growth, so if your routines tend to be particularly intense, this might just be the protein powder for you.
You might not have heard of hydrolyzed whey protein before, it’s a slightly complicated process, but it essentially breaks the protein down into smaller-chained amino acids, which in turn increases the rate of absorption of the protein in your small intestine!
So, for a hydrolyzed protein powder loaded with plenty of protein, then this might just be the best option for you.
MuscleMeds Carnivor
While many people are usually satisfied with some of the lactose-free offerings of whey protein on the market, others tend to try and find other alternatives, especially if they find that the lactose-free whey protein isn’t tasting the same as their usual protein powder does. This is where MuscleMeds Carnivor comes into play.
Carnivor is a Beef Protein Isolate, which is much more concentrated than whey protein powders are, and contains 23 grams of beef protein for every 120 calorie serving, as well as 2.5 grams of Creatine, and other nutrients too, such as iron. All whilst containing 0 grams of fat too, which is a common downside to other beef proteins on the market.
Depending on stock levels, there are usually a wide variety of different flavors available too, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not it will taste nice!
This protein powder is completely lactose-free and gluten-free too, so if you’re looking for a truly great protein powder to help maximize your gains, then why not give it a try?
Left Coast Performance Beef Bone Broth
Despite the name, this product isn’t technically beef, as Left Coast Performance has managed to isolate the protein contained within beef bone broth, which leaves you with an incredibly lean protein powder that has an amazingly high protein percentage, which comes in at 93%.
Each serving of this protein powder contains 21 grams of protein and just 90 calories, so it’s easy to see why so many people tend to favor this protein powder over the traditional whey protein powders on the market.
This protein powder also contains Collagen too, which is excellent for supporting your hair, nails, skin, and joints too, all whilst remaining free of any lactose, dairy, soy, or gluten, which means that this protein powder is excellent for your gut health too.
So, for a delicious protein powder that is going to help you achieve your gains, then this beef bone broth powder from Left Coast Performance is definitely a great option to choose.
Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth
For those who are particularly health conscious, and care about what they are putting into their bodies, bone broth powders are becoming an increasingly popular choice, especially with the lack of chemicals included in the production process, which is something that often deters people from traditional protein powder choices.
Although this is a bone broth powder much like the one from Left Coast Performance, this one is instead made from chickens, and is incredibly lean, with 22.3 grams of protein found at just 90 calories, it means that 89.2 of the 90 calories within each serving is protein, meaning its one of the best protein powders to opt for if you’re looking to work out any of the unneeded calories from your protein powder.
This protein powder also contains Collagen too, in order to help support the health of your nails, hair, gut, and joints, so it’s certainly a popular choice for those who are looking to ensure that everything they intake is suitable for them and their body.
Overall it’s clear to see that bone broth powders are going to be more popular in the coming years, so why not try one out today to see if it’s right for you?
Gaspari Nutrition Proven Egg
Another one of the best alternatives to the lactose-based protein powders that seem to dominate the market comes in the form of Egg White Protein, which is made using several different egg whites, helping to deliver 25 grams of protein with just 110 calories, which makes it an extremely lean form of protein, with a protein percentage of roughly 90%.
Unlike some of the other protein powders, this contains absolutely no hormones, antibiotics, artificial colorings or sweeteners, dairy, and of course, no lactose. If you’re looking for a source of protein that is going to help with your muscle recovery and growth then it’s definitely worth trying it out.
Although many people might turn their nose up at the thought of egg-based protein, this still comes in a range of flavors, so it still tastes delicious too, so for those who want a clean and pure protein source with no lactose, this might be the one for you!
Naked Egg
If you’re willing to spend a little bit extra on your protein powder, then this insanely pure offering from Naked Egg is going to be the perfect choice for a lactose-free powder that allows you to benefit from the high amounts of protein inside, without having to worry about any unknown or nasty chemicals that some powders contain.
The ingredients list for this powder is incredibly simple, egg whites, and sunflower lecithin, with no added artificial ingredients such as sweeteners, colors, or flavors being added to the powder, so for those who are concerned about maintaining a clean and natural diet, this is definitely an appealing option.
A single serving of this powder contains 25 grams of protein, and 110 calories, which makes it a particularly lean choice, and certainly one that will help you to maximize your muscle recovery and growth.
So, for an ultra-clean protein powder that is entirely lactose-free, the Naked Egg has what you’re looking for!
Bulk Supplements Egg White
If you’re looking for a cost-effective protein powder that is still high quality, and is guaranteed to provide you with all of the protein you need to ensure proper muscle recovery and growth, then you should definitely consider this offering from Bulk Supplements, which is comprised of egg whites, and is a great way to get in your protein without having to use a protein powder that is full of unknown chemicals.
This protein powder contains 24 grams of protein and 120 calories per serving, which means it can definitely be regarded as a protein powder worth your money.
It also contains a load of essential nutrients and vitamins too, so it’s a great way of ensuring that your body is getting everything it needs to function properly and healthily.
Whilst many people will tend to opt for more expensive protein powders, if you’re looking for a great protein powder on a budget, then this powder from Bulk Supplements is one that we’d recommend!
Optimum Nutrition Plant Protein
There are many reasons why people seek out lactose-free protein powders, and although we didn’t mention it earlier, one of the biggest reasons why people want to find a great alternative to protein powders that contain lactose is because they’ve turned vegan.
However, with most of these protein powders being animal-based, it can be hard to find a protein powder that is suitable for those who are looking to avoid lactose and animals products too.
Thankfully, as you can imagine from one of the leading brands on the market, Optimum Nutrition provides an excellent plant-based protein powder, with 24 grams of protein and 150 calories per serving.
One of the added bonuses of plant-based protein powders is that they also tend to carry a high number of nutrients and vitamins too thanks to their natural ingredients.
This protein powder from ON contains a high amount of your daily recommended vitamin C intake, as well as large amounts of vitamin B and Iron too!
So, if you’ve been looking for an excellent vegan protein supplement, then look no further than this offering from Optimum Nutrition.
PlantFusion Complete Vegan Protein
One of the biggest concerns that some people have when trying to find a lactose-free protein powder is whether or not the amino acid profile found in many of the whey protein powders that contain lactose is able to be replicated perfectly without it.
This is a somewhat difficult task, but with this PlantFusion Complete Vegan Protein Powder, it is able to achieve this perfectly, which is done by combining a variety of different plant-based protein sources.
Each serving of this plant-based protein provides you with 25 grams of protein and 120 calories, so it’s definitely on the leaner side of the vegan protein supplements available, as many of them tend to contain a higher number of calories than usual protein powders do.
So, if you’re looking for a plant-based protein that manages to match up with the amino acid profile of traditional whey protein powders without any of the lactose involved, then this is definitely a supplement worth checking out.
Lactose – Everything You Need To Know
So, now that you’re aware of some of the best lactose-free protein products available, allow us to explain a little more about what lactose is, and how you can tell if you’re lactose intolerant!
What Is Lactose?
Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and dairy products. It is a disaccharide, which means that it is made up of two simple sugars: glucose and galactose.
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate found in milk and is responsible for providing energy to young mammals, including babies. It is also an important source of nutrients such as calcium, protein, and other vitamins and minerals.
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder that occurs when a person’s body is unable to fully digest lactose, a sugar that is found in milk and dairy products.
People with lactose intolerance are unable to produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose in the small intestine.
As a result, undigested lactose passes into the colon, where it is fermented by bacteria, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that affects people of all ages and can range in severity. Some people with lactose intolerance can still consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing symptoms, while others may need to avoid it completely.
Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy, which is a reaction to the proteins in milk rather than the sugar.
Treatment for lactose intolerance typically involves limiting the intake of lactose-containing foods and dairy products and taking lactase supplements to help digest lactose. There are also many lactose-free products available that can be used as substitutes for regular milk and dairy products.
How Can You Tell If You’re Lactose Intolerant?
There are a number of ways to determine whether you may be lactose intolerant, including:
- Paying attention to your symptoms after consuming lactose-containing foods and dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance may include bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
- Try a lactose intolerance test. There are several types of tests that can be used to diagnose lactose intolerance, including the lactose tolerance test, the hydrogen breath test, and the stool acidity test. These tests measure your body’s response to lactose to determine whether you are able to digest it properly.
- See a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Lactose intolerance can be misdiagnosed or confused with other digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, so it is important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
If you are experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance, you may want to try limiting your intake of lactose-containing foods and dairy products and trying lactose-free alternatives to see if your symptoms improve.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many excellent options out there if you’re looking for lactose-free protein powders, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re lactose intolerant or just looking to cut back on your lactose intake, there are plenty of options available to choose from!