What to look for and what to avoid in protein powder

    Posted by LOOK ORGANICS on August 09, 2022
    What to look for and what to avoid in protein powder
    Browsing online or in your nearest vitamin and supplement shop can be overwhelming and challenging when it comes to searching for what is the best protein powder option to buy.

    Protein powder can be an easy addition to increasing your daily protein macronutrient intake, however, it should not replace a nutrient-dense diet. 

    At LOOK Organics, we are all about looking at the ingredients inside the products you consume and use and the sourcing. 

    As a consumer, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to taking supplements. You should be informed and on the lookout for certain requirements when it comes to consuming.

    Here are a few questions to ask yourself the next time you are choosing a protein powder:

    Do you notice added flavors?

    "Natural flavors" and "artificial flavors" are popular ingredients often added to protein powders.  A natural flavor is created by isolating specific chemical ingredients from natural or synthetic sources, and then a chemical ingredient or multiple ingredients will be added to create a specific flavor. An artificial flavor is any non-natural substance that is added to create flavors in foods. What chemicals are used in these flavours? Just like "fragrance", we usually don't know because they are considered trade secrets. Both are ingredients that we want to avoid.

    Any gums added? 

    Gums are added to food sources as a natural thickening agent and used as a binder that helps hold ingredients. While gums are usually not an issue when applied topically, when ingested internally, gums can cause digestive complaints. Be wary of added gums in labels examples include carrageenan, xanthum gum, cellulose gum, acacia gum, guar gum, and locust bean gum. 
     
    Are the ingredients organic?
    We always recommend opting for organic ingredients, as these will contain fewer chemicals like pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers that can potentially be harmful to our health and the environment. 


    Do you see added sugar alcohols on the label? 
    Sugar alcohols are added to food sources to add sweetness however they can cause gas and bloating. The names of sugar alcohols normally end with “tol”. This list includes erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, polyglycitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. 
     
    Is the protein powder quality control tested? 

    Has the product been evaluated and passed a quality control acceptance test? This is normally completed by a third party, to meet the manufactures certificate of analysis. 

    This ensures the product meets recognized standards and the level of quality claimed on the label. Third party testing verifies that the product is testing for heavy metals, making sure the amount of protein per serving is correct, and the product is free from any contaminants. 
     
    What added sweeteners are inside?

    Does the protein powder have addeda artificial sweeteners? Added sweeteners can cause digestive distress, headaches and other negative effects. They are added to most food sources without the consumer's knowledge. Artificial sweeteners can also be environmental pollutants. 

    Be on the lookout for added sweeteners with the names: 
    aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium-k, high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, dextrin, corn syrup, ethyl maltol, malt extract, saccharine, neotame, sorbitol, tapioca dextrin, rice dextrin, rice bran extract, rice syrup, stevia, evaporated cane juice sugar.
     
      
    The good news is LOOK Organics has taken out the guesswork by creating a plant-based protein powder that has minimal ingredients, is USDA organic, and third party tested.  
     
    Try it for yourself and let us know how you like it!
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