In case you haven’t heard, the paleo diet is one of the most talked about nutrition plans around. The eating plan designed to teach us to consume foods like our hunter-gatherer ancestors has picked up incredible popularity.
But for those who are fitness fanatical and love their post-workout shake, it can be difficult to get protein powder which falls inline with a strict diet.
So which protein powder can you use while on the paleo diet? And which is the best paleo protein powder? I have all the information you need.
- Includes 1 (2.03lb) Organic Plant Based Creamy Chocolate Fudge Protein Power
- Ideal for healthy, on-the-go nourishment for men, women, and kids. Whether you are a busy professional, mom, dad, athlete or...
- 21 grams of organic plant based protein, contains organic pea, brown rice, and chia, 5 grams of organic fiber, 3 grams of...
- Paleo Protein Powder Is Soy Free (Egg Whites) From USA Farms (30 Servings Total)
- Unflavored - Instantly Mixes In Water (GMO Free) (2 Lbs) IKDiet Phase 1 Compliant
- Two Ingredients: Egg White Powder & Sunflower Lecithin (381mg Sodium Naturally Occurring)
- 25g protein/serving.
- minimal processing.
- paleo ingredients.
- The first raw USA and Canadian grown yellow peas, are synergistically combined with Growing Natural's patented water...
- This delicious, light colored Raw Pea Protein is packed with powerful essential amino acid.
- Vegan
What is the Paleo Diet?
If you haven’t hear about the paleo diet don’t worry, I can fill you in. I know what you’re thinking “honestly Helen, another ‘diet’, really?” but bear with me, this one is a little different.
Although the paleo diet can be used to aid weight loss, especially in those who are obese, it is designed as a no-nonsense, back-to-basics eating plan, to help us lead healthier lives.
The idea is to eat like we did back in the day (way back) in the time of cavemen. At that time we could only eat food we could hunt or grow naturally around us. Basically before we invented foods that are refined, processed and are generally making us fat.
Think about our ancestors tens of thousands of years ago. They were tall, muscular and athletic hunters that lived on a diet of organic, available food. Now what do we have? Obese, unhappy couch potatoes living on a diet of take out food and dying from a mass of preventable diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 66% of Americans are overweight, 33% are obese, and those numbers are continuously rising each year.
It is clear to see from those numbers that how the majority of us eat now is not the way forward. The Paleo Diet is an attempt to go back to how we’re genetically designed to eat and start living healthier immediately.
What Food Can You Eat on the Paleo Diet?
So as mentioned, the idea is to eat like we did back when we were cavemen. This includes a diet of free-range, grass fed meat (beef, fowl, fish, etc) an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and seeds.
The biggest thing to go is any kind of grains. Bread, rice, pasta, corn and so forth. Basically, farming wasn’t invented until around 10,000 years ago. Agriculture was a hit and we stopped hunting and gathering and instead started farming. So before this time, grains weren’t an available food source.
Where we used to bulk up on meat and veggies, nowadays we depend heavily on pasta bowls and freshly baked loaves to get us through the day.
Grains are made up from carbohydrates which in the body are broken down into glucose (sugar) and should be used as energy. However, any excess glucose which isn’t used as energy is instead stored as fat. In the paleo diet, any unnatural form of sugar (that doesn’t occur naturally in fruit or vegetables) such as grains, sugars and processed foods are banned.
Although this may sound drastic, there’s a lot of research supporting this type of diet change. Several studies have been conducted showing that switching to a ketogenic (zero sugar) diet can have positive results on a number of diseases, even in cancer patients.
Paleo Diet and Protein Powder
Something else which is a little controversial on the paleo diet is dairy. Most followers tend to avoid it. Modern day humans are the only mammals which drink milk past infancy. In the days of cavemen they didn’t tow Bessy the cow around with them everywhere. They drank mother’s milk as a newborn and that was it.
However, this can be difficult for hardcore fitness fans as most protein powders are made primarily from milk.
With that being said, a number of manufacturers have seen a gap in the market for followers of the ever popular diet and thus, the paleo protein powder was born.
There are a number of options available, some offering plant-based protein, others egg protein as well as some from grass-fed organic cattle.
What Is The Best Paleo Protein Powder?
I’ve looked at the protein powders available for followers of the paleo diet and have chosen five I think are good choices. Although the selection is still quite limited with only a few manufacturers offering a paleo option, you still have a few to choose from.
I’ve broken down all the pros and cons of each product to help with informed decision making as well as left you with my overall favorite.
Orgain
Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder This is an organic plant-based protein powder which incorporates all essential amino acids. It is excellently priced, offers a large amount of protein per serving and has been created by a physician. It can be used by both adults and children and is free of most major allergens.
Julian Bakery
Paleo Protein Egg White Powder This is another protein powder specifically designed for those following the paleo diet. This a pure egg white protein which is unflavored, non-GMO, gluten free and comes in at a reasonable price for a one month supply.
PaleoPro
PaleoPro - Paleo Protein Powder This is a paleo-specific protein powder which offers protein from grass-fed cows and eggs. It has no hormones, minimal processing and offers added vitamins A and C as well as calcium and iron. This product is reasonably priced as far as protein powders go, but it only offers a 2 week supply in each pouch.
Growing Naturals
Growing Naturals Protein Powder This product is a plant-based protein powder made exclusively from yellow peas. It is excellently priced and is plain flavored meaning it can be added to savory dishes rather than just smoothies. It contains essential amino acids which aid muscle growth and recovery and has added vitamin A and C, calcium and iron.
our #1 rated
Pros
Organic plant based protein powder
Contains essential amino acids
Added calcium and iron
Created by doctors
Kosher
Vegan
Non-GMO
Gluten, soy, dairy & lactose free
USDA organic
Great price
Cons
Only 20 servings per container
our #2 rated
Pros
Pure egg white protein
Paleo diet friendly
Gluten free
Non GMO
Dairy free
30 servings per pouch
Reasonable price
Cons
Some report strong egg flavor
our #3 rated
Pros
Designed specifically for the paleo diet
Grass-fed cow and egg protein
No hormones
Added vitamins and minerals
Less than 2g fat per serving
Reasonable price
Cons
Taste is too sweet for some
Only 15 servings per pouch
Some report it doesn’t mix well
our #5 rated
Pros
Raw USA and Canadian grown yellow peas
Packed with powerful essential amino acid
Vegan
Gluten Free
Added vitamins, calcium and Iron
Excellent Price
Cons
Chalky texture
Some users say it doesn’t mix well
Some report a bitter aftertaste
Our Choice
For me, the Orgain brand is the best choice. Simply because it is organic and free from all allergens and so often it is incredibly difficult that will be suitable for use by someone not only on a strict diet but with allergy restrictions.
If you are a lover of the paleo diet and have tried a paleo specific protein powder we haven’t mentioned, let us know in the comments below, it is always great to get tried and tested reviews from our readers.
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