Back in the day, when I was training clients at the gym, whey was the go-to protein powder. (If you’re wondering when that was… Well, let’s just say that things like leg warmers, acid-washed jeans, and feathered hair were in vogue.)
Before and after their workouts, I watched guys (and occasionally gals) scoop powder from big tubs, shake their mixer cup vigorously, and chug their liquid concoction.
The problem was, some of my clients had uncomfortable reactions after drinking whey. A few complained about gas or bloating. Others noticed they were more prone to get acne or break out more frequently when they used whey.
Even back then, way before I was doing food intolerance testing, I knew that whey wasn’t ideal. Today, I understand why.
7 Reasons to Say “No Whey”
As a protein powder, whey carries a very impressive amino acid profile. A whey shake also has a creamy, delicious texture, with a foamy top very similar to a latte. But the problems of whey far outweigh those perks.
Whey is dairy, with all of dairy’s problems. Consuming dairy regularly is enemy #1 for your skin. Dairy also contributes to both food sensitivities and food allergies, keeping your immune system fired up and creating an inflammatory response.
When I have clients pull dairy (including whey) and bring in more foods that reduce inflammation, problems like acne and rosacea often disappear. So do mucus problems as well as gas and bloating. Their immune system calms down, and so does the inflammation that keeps fat cells locked. As a result, they feel and look better. They become better fat burners.
Those are among the many reasons I’ve never been a fan of whey. Fortunately, a non-dairy alternative provides all of whey’s texture and flavor without those problems. (Read on to learn more!) So here are 7 reasons why I say “no whey.”
- Many whey powders are cheaply produced. The problems associated with dairy carry over to whey. Conventional whey comes from cows fed corn, grain, and other foods that aren’t a natural part of their diet. These cows are given antibiotics and hormones, milked all year round, and generally treated poorly. Many whey powders are processed with high heat, potentially damaging their fragile amino acids. In other words, manufacturers take an inferior product (milk from poorly treated cows) and make it even worse!
- Read those ingredients! It’s not just poor-quality dairy. Many whey powders have preservatives, artificial sweeteners, nasty fats and oils, and potential food intolerances like soy. Those massive warehouse-store containers are the worst, but even upscale whey powders can carry unwanted ingredients.
- Whey can be addictive. Cow’s milk contains 2 proteins: Whey and casein. Even though they are separated, whey may still contain a little bit of casein. Casein can have a morphine-like effect on the brain. In fact, when you consume casein, your body actually produces casomorphins, which have the same physically soothing properties that morphine and other drugs have. If an athlete or bodybuilder friend can’t give up their whey shake… Now you know why!
- Whey protein increases insulin levels. Dairy can raise insulin levels, paving the path for insulin resistance and locking the doors on your fat cells. One animal study found that whey protein may increase insulin levels more than white bread! Among their problems, elevated insulin levels lock the doors to your fat cells.
- Whey isn’t filling. Elevated insulin levels also make you hungrier, which is one reason people have a whey shake and feel famished an hour later. There’s another reason, too: Whey absorbs very quickly. That may be ideal after a workout. However, when you want a slow-releasing protein to keep you full for hours, whey is far from ideal.
- Whey can create uncomfortable symptoms. “While casein protein has been implicated in more cases of milk protein problems than whey, both milk proteins can cause similar issues,” says John Berardi, Ph.D. “This is because, in some individuals, casein and whey can cause an excessive inflammatory immune response, which leads to mucous production. And high mucous means blocked airways, stuffy noses, and thick throats.”
- Grass-fed whey isn’t necessarily better. While I appreciate manufacturers making better-quality whey powders, in the end, there’s not much difference besides the extra cost. Cows fed their natural diet of grass produce products with a healthier fatty acid profile. But whey is mostly protein, with very little fat. You’re not really benefiting much from those healthier fats when you drink whey protein.
A Creamy, Delicious Alternative to Whey… Without the Dairy
For years, I searched for a protein powder that has the creaminess and texture of whey along with its impressive amino acid profile, but without the dairy. It wasn’t easy! But I finally found a match that beats the pants off of whey: Beef protein.
That became the base for our Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake, which provides 20 grams of non-dairy protein, with just 1 gram of total sugars per serving.
Stellar ingredients, including vitamin E Isomers (as gamma and delta tocotrienols) and organic juice powders, put the “all-in-1” into this shake!
Our Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake has a very high protein nitrogen score (meaning the body can easily utilize this high-quality protein) that rivals whey. This product contains all the creaminess and satisfaction of whey in a delicious chocolate or vanilla flavor.
And talk about quality: Our Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake uses beef from animals raised in Sweden, without hormones or antibiotics, free of any GMO foods such as grains and grasses.
Our Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake contains HydroBEEF™, a highly concentrated, bone broth protein isolate. Through a unique process, we hydrolyze the protein into more peptides. The result is easier absorption and assimilation.
This is the ideal protein for those who want a true Paleo diet-friendly protein. Some of the other highlights of our Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake include:
- Collagen-specific amino acids to support joint health
- Fat-soluble vitamins A and D
- Natural forms of the B vitamins
- Sweetened with stevia
At long last, I’ve found a great-tasting, high-quality protein without the dairy! With Paleo-Inspired All-in-1 Shake, you can confidently say “no whey!” without feeling deprived or missing the whey’s taste and amino acid profile.
This will quickly become your go-to protein powder, whether you need a pre-or post-workout powder or the perfect protein for the perfect protein shake.
