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I often see people painstakingly searching whether a protein powder is paleo or not, and ending up getting disappointed as information is quite ambiguous and obscure online.
Not going to lie, even I had to fine-comb loads of blogs, journals, research papers, etc., to finally understand what it means for a protein powder to be 'Paleo'.
Many of those who follow a paleo diet are in search of protein powders that do not hinder the effects of their diet plan in the first place. I followed the same set of rules when I took it up to myself to check for the paleo friendly protein powders for myself.
Finally, I came up with a list of some of the best paleo protein powders on the market, which will help you build muscle without letting you lose out on the benefits of a diligent paleo diet routine.
Editor's Choice
Hydrolyzed collagen peptide protein powder that gives all-round nourishment to connective tissues of the body.
Key Features
• Pure hydrolyzed collagen
• Excellent effects on skin, hair, and nail health
• Joint and muscle protection
#2nd Best Choice
High-quality protein powder made with beef flesh and does not contain any throwaway parts of a cow, thus, is a pure protein isolate.
Key Features
• Provides tons of amino acids
• Enhances lean body mass
• No carbs or fat content
#3rd Best Choice
Authentic Iso is a delightfully delicious low-fat, low-carb protein powder made with maximum-quality grass-fed whey protein.
Key Features
• High protein content per serving
• cGMP-facility certified
• Quickly absorbed and easy to digest
The Best Paleo Protein Powders
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 10g
Calories - 50 g
Carbs - 2 g
Fat - 0 g
Flavor - Chocolate
Protein Source - Bovine, Eggs, Shellfish, etc.
Type - Hydrolysate
The consumption of hydrolyzed collagen peptides can be linked to a number of benefits besides just muscle building and recovery.
In general, collagen peptide powder is required in almost all connective tissues of the body and thus, hydrolyzed collagen peptides can help in keeping your skin, hair, and nails healthy.
Overall, a nice and natural substitute for any other collagen-based protein powder that might not be paleo-friendly.
Major Benefits:
Limitations:
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 25g
Calories - 110 g
Carbs - 0 g
Fat - 0 g
Flavor - No added flavors
Protein Source - Beef
Type - Isolate
Beef Protein Isolate can be a great way to add variety to your protein intake alongside a paleo diet. Consuming an Isolate is always better because you eventually get a ton of amino acids without the useless by-products such as high fat or lactose.
Combined with regular resistance training, Beef Protein leads to a significant increase in lean body mass and strength.
Major Benefits:
Limitations:
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 25g
Calories - 110
Carbs - 1g
Fat - 0.5g
Flavor - Vanilla, Chocolate
Protein source - Whey protein
Type - Isolate
This whey isolate protein, low in fat and carbohydrates, is ideal for those on a paleo diet. It has a high protein content—25 grams per serving—a fat content of only 0.5 grams, and a carbohydrate content of just 1 gram.
Authentic Iso is manufactured in the USA in a cGMP-certified facility. The CGMP regulations ensure that Authentic Iso is both safe and effective and contains all the right ingredients at the exact doses listed on the label.
The protein is effective for muscle growth and reducing muscle breakdown, and it is also rapidly absorbed.
Major Benefits:
Limitations:
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 26 g
Calories - 120
Carbs - 0 g
Fat - 1 g
Flavor - Dutch Cocoa and Zero Calorie Sweetener Monk Fruit
Protein Source - Pastured Beef and Eggs
Type - Concentrated
PaleoPro Protein Powder is a Grass-fed paleo protein supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and Vitamin E that are usually absent in other whey protein powders. Regular whey products contain ingredients that are a great source of milk-based protein, which is commonly missing in other supplements.
With a balanced nutrient profile, PaleoPro Protein Powder is also cardio-protective and helps in keeping your heart healthy.
Lastly, it is also a safe protein supplement for women suffering from PCOS.
Major Benefits:
Limitations:
5. Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 20 g
Calories - 100
Carbs - 2 g
Fat - 1 g
Flavor - Chocolate
Protein Source - Bone Broth
Bone broth is an excellent source of all-round nourishment. Since every scoop of this protein powder provides 2.5 cups of bone broth, it is highly recommended for those who require the benefits of the same.
The Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder contains high-quality protein and also makes you feel fuller, therefore, you tend to eat less and eventually lose weight faster.
Bone broth contains a blend of collagen, vitamins, and minerals.
Major Benefits:
Limitations:
Specifications:
Protein per serving - 18 g
Calories - 70
Carbs - 0 g
Fat - 0 g
Flavor - Unflavored
Protein Source - Grass-fed Bovine
Since the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder is made without any dairy, whey, or soy ingredients, this protein powder is evidently paleo-friendly.
It contains natural grass-fed collagen which is Pasteur-razed as well.
The addition of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C allows the mixture to give a boost to your immunity and joint health too.
Major Benefits:
Some Downsides:
Who Can Benefit from Paleo Protein Powders
Since protein is one of the most crucial macronutrients helping in growth and repair, almost everyone can benefit from paleo protein powders.
Specifically, it can be a good supplement for the following:
Athletes and Gym-goers
Athletes and gym-goers workout more frequently, and therefore, their body needs more protein for muscle hypertrophy, repair, etc. [1] Today, many professional athletes are following a religious paleo diet for performance-related benefits, thus, they can benefit significantly from a paleo protein powder.
Vegans and Vegetarians
Those who do not consume meat or any animal-related products at all are vulnerable to protein deficiencies. [2]
Therefore, without adequate supplementation, the body protein can fall below normal levels and lead to various systematic problems.
Although protein is found in many plant and plant-based products also, the consumption is usually not adequate enough to provide good nourishment.
So, for those who follow vegan diet routines, a balanced Paleo diet plan supplemented by a protein powder can be a good idea.
Long-standing Cases of Illness
Instances of chronic illnesses are often associated with improper dietary intake. [3]
Balanced diet routines through a paleo diet can be a good way to start the dietary modification protocol for the management of chronic conditions.
Most of these patients progressively become weak and fragile as well, the reason they are usually advised to take a protein supplement.
Starting a controlled paleo diet and enriching it with protein powder will improve the nutrient profile very convincingly, and aid in treating the illness as well.
Geriatric Age Group
Since muscle mass declines progressively in the elderly population and can become a source of several illnesses, it is advised to start a paleo protein supplement at the earliest for better nourishment.
Things to Look For in a Paleo Protein Powder
The features have to be checked thoroughly to ensure that it won't hamper the outcome of your Paleo diet routines.
Keep the following things in mind while choosing the best Paleo protein powder:
Limited and Evidence-based Ingredients Only
A Paleo diet is all about eating minimally, just like our ancestors did. [4] Thus, you won't want your Paleo protein powder to derail this balance with too many ingredients.
Additionally, ensure that no artificially prepared ingredients are present in the mix.
Besides, there should be a plant-based good amount of evidence to suggest that all ingredients are good sources of protein, but also suitable for a paleo diet.
Good Bioavailability
Not all sources of protein are equally well-absorbed in the body. Generally, plant-based proteins are less bioavailable than animal-based sources. [5]
So, it's better to use a plant-based protein powder with highest bioavailability and digestibility. Good bioavailability is important for a paleo protein to ensure that even with limited ingredients, you digest a significant portion of the total protein available.
Pure Isolates
This point is again related to the fact that a paleo protein powders should have limited ingredients only.
For that, the manufacturing process should be efficient enough to allow every ingredient to only contain amino acids, and no other added supplement.
This way, the efficiency of a protein supplement gets enhanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Is whey protein paleo-friendly?
Yes, high-quality isolates of whey protein are paleo-friendly.
However, since any regular whey protein complex may contain dairy products, they are ideally not considered paleo.
2
What's the ideal protein intake for a Paleo diet?
As per ideal standards, women should take anywhere between 90 to 120 grams of protein per day, while men should take 100 to 130 grams of protein per day in a paleo diet routine.
Moreover, if you are planning to gain muscle bulk in the gym, you would require more proteins than that.
3
How do you use Paleo protein powders?
There's no particular way to consume a protein powder.
However, if you want to preserve the sanctity of your paleo diet routine, it is advised that you take it with water alone, and not with any flavored fluids.
4
Is whey protein paleo-friendly?
Yes, high-quality isolates of whey protein are paleo-friendly.
However, since any regular whey protein complex may contain dairy products, they are ideally not considered paleo.
Addressing Controversies
The concept behind the Paleo diet is a center of controversy on its own.
Many critics argue that how can a modern individual be expected to follow a diet routine of a person from the paleolithic era, and even expect to get optimal results?
Moreover, talking about the use of paleo protein powders, many believe that paleo diets are essentially minimalistic in nature, therefore any supplement taken on top of a paleo diet routine is definitely a derailment from the original idea.
To clear the air around such controversies, many experts have given their opinions from time to time.
While there has been evidence of weight loss and healthy lifestyle management changes with paleo diet routines, there are also those who advocate the use of certain paleo protein powders and supplements with this diet. [6]
In general, any protein supplement which is a quality isolate and does not contain any other ingredient besides amino acids in different forms is suitable for the paleo diet.
Moreover, it was observed that the specific diet-related changes did not get altered when a paleo protein supplement was taken.
Instead, muscle gain alongside other weight loss benefits was noticed.
Related articles:
- Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners
- Best Gluten Free Protein Powders
- Best Protein Powder for Smoothies
- Best Rice Protein Powders
Conclusion
So, if you had been wondering if there is anything like a paleo-friendly protein powder, the answer is - Yes.
However, the key here is to select the right protein powders with only the ingredients which supply protein and nothing else.
If you ask me my personal favorite, it's going to be the Beef Protein Isolate by Bulk Supplements. It's a quality isolate, gives you tons of amino acids, and keeps the body fit and strong without interfering with the paleo routines.
Of course, the Proteinseries Collagen Hydrolysate and the PaleoPro Protein Powder are not far behind, being the first and the second runners up in this race. They're good all-round supplements, are efficacious enough, and are slowly becoming popular as well.
The main reasons why the Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth and the Vital Protein Collagen Peptides powders are at the bottom of my list is because the amino acid profile is not balanced, they are a little difficult to digest, and may have adverse effects on the kidneys.
William Toro ‧ CPT & Nutritionist
William is a certified personal trainer from NASM, he has also been a rehab physiologist for sports persons. He has more than 15 years of experience training people. And has featured in multiple publications like FoxNews, CNBC, Bustle, and other.
References:
1. Stefan M. Pasiakos, Tom M. McLellan, Harris R. Lieberman, The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25169440/
2. Mayo Clinic, Vegans may lack essential nutrient intake, study reports, retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160316194551.htm
3. Ahmad Jayedi, Sepideh Soltani, Anna Abdolshahi, Sakineh Shab-Bidar, Healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns and the risk of chronic disease: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies, retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32600500
4. Mayo Clinic, Paleo diet: What is it and why is it so popular?, retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/paleo-diet/art-20111182
5. Insaf Berrazaga, Valérie Micard, Marine Gueugneau, Stéphane Walrand, The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723444/
6. Barbara Frączek, Aleksandra Pięta, Adrian Burda, Paulina Mazur-Kurach, Florentyna Tyrała, Paleolithic Diet—Effect on the Health Status and Performance of Athletes?, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8004139
