First let’s jump to the point! Without a doubt, my very favorite Whole30 Protein powder is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. They seriously have changed my life!

But, holdup.

Can you have protein powder on Whole30?

Great question, my friend!

Complicated answer.

Let’s take some advice from “the Whole30” book, which is where I always turn as my very favorite Whole30 resource!

The Whole30 book says this about Whole30 protein shakes:

Anything you can get from protein powder… you can get from whole foods during your Whole30 in a much more nutrient-dense, satisfying form.

It goes on to say that protein powders with compliant ingredients (like my list below), ARE Whole30 compliant.

My suggestion is to not lean on Protein Powders as a crutch. Eat real, delicious, satisfying foods first. It’s also complicated because smoothies are a “we’d rather you didn’t.” Not an explicit NO, but also not a “drink smoothies all the time!”

Why aren’t smoothies encouraged?

Mainly, again from the Whole30 book:

Food that you drink sends a different satiety signal to your brain than food that you chew.

Basically, when you drink a food, you won’t feel as full as when you eat a typical Whole30 meal.

Appropriate ways to use Whole30 Protein Powder

The balance I find when using Whole30 Protein Powder is I add Collagen Peptides to my coffee every single morning! I still eat an entire breakfast, AND I get some added protein.

I personally feel the issue starts to arise when you try to use a shake as a meal replacement entirely. That definitely goes against the spirit of the Whole30 program.

Another great way to use Whole30 Protein Powder is to stir it into anything, really! I add collagen and gelatin to soups, stews, casseroles, you name it!

If you’re particularly active, you can add in a bonus workout meal within 30 minutes of your workout. It should consist of protein and carbohydrates. Ideally, this is real food that you sit down and chew, but in a pinch could be a smoothie with Whole30 protein powder. (click the image of the smoothie or here to get this delicious recipe!)

Why aren’t most Protein Powder Brands Whole30 Compliant?

Most Protein Powder brands are NOT Whole30 compliant for a slew of reasons.

A majority of protein powders (read: almost ALL) have SOME sort of sweetener, either natural or artificial, and ALL sweeteners are not allowed on your Whole30.

Out of the gate, this rules a TON of Protein Powders off limits.

Whey Protein Whole30 Rules

Another reason a lot of protein powder brands are off limits are because a TON of them contain whey protein, which is NOT Whole30 compliant. There are also a lot of different forms of proteins that aren’t Whole30 approved: whey (from milk), casein (from milk), soy, rice, and more.

They can also contain toxic chemicals, chemical additives, hydrogenated oils (trans fat), and more.

So, what types of proteins are Whole30 approved?

We also need to make a distinction here: Whole30 Approved is a registered trademark of the Whole30 program, and companies have to go through a rigorous application process in order to gain this trusted mark.

What you want to look for when you’re searching for a Whole30 compliant Protein Powder are minimal ingredients, and these types of protein: egg, collagen, gelatin, hemp, recently pea protein is allowed, or crickets (yes, you just read that right: crickets).

Is there a Whole30 Approved Protein Powder?

Yes, there is! The only officially Whole30 Approved Protein Powder is Vital Proteins.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

I add their Collagen Peptides to my coffee every single morning, and I can definitely tell this Whole30 Protein Powder keeps me fuller longer! I’ve also noticed faster hair growth, stronger hair, clearer skin, and most importantly- no back pain!

I highly suggest you try all of these products in these precious sample packs before you invest in a whole jug! You can get this precious sample pack here!

Vital Proteins has TONS of clean, Whole30 Protein Powder options. See the full list below!

Other Whole30 Compliant Protein Powder Options:

Paleo Protein Pure Egg

Protein per serving: 25 g

This is a great option for a minimal ingredient egg-white protein. It’s naturally low-carb and no-fat. Egg white protein has a complete essential amino acid profile, which promotes optimal recovery from workouts!

I like this specific egg white protein because they are cage-free chickens that are fed non-gmo feed. The eggs cooked and pasteurized.

Click here to snag Paleo Protein Pure Egg on Amazon!

Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder

Protein per serving: 15 g

This Hemp Protein Powder is a sustainable source of amino acids, fatty acids, protein, and edestin. One serving provides 15 grams of raw organic protein and 8 grams of fiber!

I love adding Hemp Protein to my smoothies!

Click here to snag Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder on Amazon!

PaleoPro Protein Powder

Protein per serving: 26 g

I like this protein powder because it’s a mix of egg protein and grass-fed beef protein (from the beef itself, different than gelatin!)

The “Plain Naked” flavor is Whole30 approved, but the other flavors are NOT because they are sweetened with stevia.

Click here to snag PaleoPro Protein Powder on Amazon!

Thailand Unique Cricket Protein Powder

Yes, I’m serious. Cricket protein powder is Whole30 compliant. I’ve seen the Whole30 founder Melissa Hartwig eating it before…

But I’m definitely not so bold.

Cricket contains twice as much protein as beef, as much calcium as milk, as much Vitamin B12 as salmon, and 17 amino acids, including Lysine.

Click here to snag Thailand Unique Cricket Protein Powder on Amazon, if you’re into that!

Whole30 Pea Protein Powder Brands

The world of Whole30 Protein Powders has really opened up since Whole30 changed the rules of the program to allow peas now. This means that pea protein is a new, compliant form of Whole30 protein powder. You will now see this updated in our list below to include Whole30 compliant pea powder options.

Whole30 Organic Pea Protein Powder Brands

NorCal Organic – Premium Pea Protein Isolate

Protein per serving: 22g

Click here to snag NorCal Organic Premium Pea Protein on Amazon!

 

 

Organic Sunwarrior Warrior Blend

Protein per serving: 19g per scoop

I really like this option because it has a mixture of organic fermented pea protein, organic hemp protein, and organic goji berry.

Click here to snag Sunwarrior Warrior Blend on Amazon!

Sprout Living Epic Protein

Protein per serving: 26g per two scoops

I really like this option because it has a mixture of yellow pea, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, sacha incha, cranberry seed, and jerusalem artichoke.

Click here to snag Epic Protein on Amazon!

 

365 by Whole Foods Market Pea Protein Powder

A lot of the brands above are protein powders at Whole Foods, but this 365 Pea Protein Powder will definitely be available!

Protein per serving: 15g per 2 scoops

Click here to snag 365 by Whole Foods Market Pea Protein Powder on Amazon!

Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Pea Protein

I absolutely LOVE the brand Terrasoul, and I specifically appreciate that their pea protein is Organic.

Protein per serving: 8g per tablespoon

Click here to snag Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Pea Protein on Amazon!

Conventional Whole30 Pea Protein Powder Brands

NOW Sports Nutrition Pea Protein

Protein per serving: 24g per scoop

You know by now that I really love NOW. They’re a family-owned company and their products are really high quality.

Click here to snag NOW Sports Nutrition Pea Protein on Amazon!

 

Naked Pea Yellow Pea Protein

Protein per serving: 27g per serving

Click here to snag Naked Pea Unflavored on Amazon!

 

 

 

Anthony’s Premium Pea Protein

Protein per serving: 8g per one tablespoon

Click here to snag Anthony’s Premium Pea Protein on Amazon!

 

 

 

Growing Naturals Pea Protein

Protein per serving: 15g per serving

Click here to snag Growing Naturals Pea Protein on Amazon!

 

 

BulkSupplements.com Pea Protein Isolate

Protein per serving: 21g per serving

Click here to snag BulkSupplements.com Pea Proteins on Amazon!

 

 

Nutrasumma 100% Plant Based Fermented Pea Protein Powder

I really appreciate this brand because its pea protein is fermented, making it much easier for your body to digest.

Protein per serving: 20g per serving

Click here to snag Nutrasumma Fermented Pea Protein Powder on Amazon!

Hydropea Hydrolized Pea Protein Powder

Protein per serving: 27.2g per 2 scoops

Click here to snag Hydropea Hydrolized Pea Protein Powder on Amazon!

 

 

Thrive Market

As you know, I also LOVE Thrive Market, and they have some Whole30 compliant Protein Powders, too!

Click the link below to get 25% off and free shipping on your first Thrive Market order!

They carry Organic Bone Broth Protein and Grass Fed Collagen Peptides!

List of Whole30 Compliant Protein Powders:

Do you have a favorite Whole30 Compliant Protein Powder that I didn’t list here? Or a creative way to use them? Share below in the comments section!

Want to save this Whole30 Protein Powder resource for later? Pin it here!

Whole30 Protein Powder Brands Pinterest