By Previnex®
Whether you are looking to increase your protein intake or switch from other protein powders to one that's better for you, if you have a sensitive stomach, finding the right protein powder can be a challenge. When looking for a vegan protein powder to not just support your health goals, but also your dietary needs, it’s important to find one that’s high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade, third-party tested, gluten, dairy, and soy free, and contains no additives, gums, sugar alcohols, or emulsifiers. Let's take a look at some protein powder for sensitive stomachs.
What’s the Best Vegan Protein for a Sensitive Stomach?
While there is no certified "best" protein powder, there are some vegan protein powders that have gut-friendly formulas. One gut-friendly protein powder is Nourify® PLUS. Available in both vanilla and chocolate, Nourify® PLUS has high-quality ingredients, no additives, gums, or sugar alcohols, and contains a blend of probiotics and digestive enzymes to support your overall gut health. Each serving of Nourify® PLUS boasts one billion probiotics, and the digestive enzymes help promote optimal digestion and immunity, making it a great option for those with sensitive stomachs.
Which Protein Powder Is Best for a Sensitive Stomach?
Many protein powders—both animal-based and plant-based—contain a multitude of ingredients, good and bad. It can be challenging to find a protein powder that doesn’t cause gas and bloating, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Here are some common protein powder ingredients you may want to avoid:
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Artificial sweeteners and added sugars. Even sugar alcohols like erythritol or xylitol can cause digestive upset—cramps, gas, bloating, and even diarrhea—for those with sensitive stomachs.
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Gums. Used most commonly to thicken and bind certain foods, xanthan gum in particular is made from soy or corn and can impact your gut microbiome.
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Whey and other dairy ingredients. While you may not avoid dairy in your daily diet, animal-based protein powders can be more challenging to digest, especially in the case of a sensitive stomach. It’s best to find a high-quality plant-based protein powder instead.
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Vegetable oils. Oftentimes, vegetable oils are added to protein powder to make them creamier. However, these oils are often made from hydrogenated sources that contain trans fats, which can raise cholesterol levels. Additionally, vegetable oil in particular is typically made from soybeans, which can be inflammatory and lead to stomach upset.
As you work to avoid these and other ingredients, Nourify® PLUS is a great option! It contains no artificial or added sweeteners—not even sugar alcohols. It has no gums, additives, or emulsifiers. It is completely dairy-free. And it is soy-free, meaning it has no vegetable or hydrogenated oils. It also contains digestive enzymes designed to help your overall digestion.
Don’t take our word for it! Here’s what our customers say:
“I love this protein. I have had a lot of different ones that only cause more GI complications. I enjoy Previnex protein because I feel great after!” - John Z.
“I have tried numerous brands and supplements, and have found this to be the best that works for me. I have gluten allergies/celiac and most proteins don’t work, but I am a huge fan of the effectiveness and taste, too.” - Brenton F.
“I love the Previnex protein shake. It is so easy on my stomach (does not give me gas or bloating). I appreciate the clean ingredients and delicious taste!” - Lizzy.
What Is the Easiest Vegan Protein to Digest?
Some vegan protein sources that are easy to digest are beans, legumes, pea protein, and hemp—which is actually considered one of the most easily digested plant proteins!
Some ingredients in protein powder are easier to digest because of their fiber content, fat levels, and the way they’re processed in the body. Ingredients lower in fiber are easier to digest, and high-fiber ingredients—while important for overall health—may take longer for your digestive system to break down.
Having a high-quality, clean protein powder formula is key for good digestion. When you consume a protein powder with ingredients that are difficult to digest, it could impact your digestion and overall gut health.
Which Plant-Based Protein Powder is Easiest to Digest?
When looking for an easy-to-digest vegan protein powder, you may find that those made with pea, rice, or hemp proteins are easiest on the gut.
Pea Protein
Made by extracting protein from yellow peas, this type of protein is a great source of iron, naturally vegan, and hypoallergenic. Organic pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids, which your body cannot create on its own and therefore must be derived from food. Pea protein is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and does not contain any of the top eight allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, cow’s milk, wheat, or soy. Not only is it a great source of protein, but it’s compliant with most special diets! Pea protein helps build muscle mass when paired with resistance training and can help you feel full longer.
Rice Protein
Naturally dairy and gluten-free, white or brown rice protein is a great choice for those opting for a vegan or celiac-friendly diet. Studies show that rice protein is just as effective as whey protein for muscle protein synthesis, but rice protein is easier to digest than whey protein, making it a better alternative for those with a sensitive stomach. Rice protein is high in antioxidants, B vitamins, and fiber.
Hemp Protein
Like pea protein, hemp protein contains all nine essential amino acids. It’s easy to digest—research tells us that 91-98% of the protein in ground hemp seed is digestible. Hemp contains the proteins edestin and albumin, which are easy for your body to break down, making hemp protein more easily digestible. It’s also a good source of fiber, unsaturated fats, minerals, and antioxidants.
In addition to the type of protein being important for digestion, equally as important is ensuring the protein powder you choose is pharmaceutical grade and third-party tested. Products that are pharmaceutical-grade have undergone rigorous testing to ensure ingredient purity and that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the product. Third-party testing ensures quality and decreases bias in ingredient testing.
Conclusion
When you have a sensitive stomach, it’s imperative to find a protein powder that contains easily digestible ingredients with other “junk” that unfortunately makes its way into protein powders. These ingredients need to be high-quality, and the protein powder should be pharmaceutical-grade and third-party tested. Nourify® PLUS is all of this and more. It contains all branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which help stimulate protein synthesis, reduce breakdown in your muscles from exercise, and help your muscles recover after physical activity. Nourify® PLUS also contains a digestive enzyme blend, which aids in overall digestion. It’s gluten, dairy, and soy-free, and is made of a pea and rice protein blend! Nourify® PLUS is a great addition to your health and fitness regimen. Grab yourself a bottle of Nourify® PLUS vanilla or chocolate protein powder today!
