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Whole30 Approved Protein Powder + Bonus Shake Recipe
So you’re starting Whole30, but you really rely on your protein powder. When you head to the gym you want to be sure you can have a Whole30 approved shake after. Luckily, your favorite, hemp protein, is on the list of Whole30 approved protein powder.
Whole30 has an official vital protein collagen peptides mix. But if you’re in need of a post-workout protein you have other viable options. Egg protein, pea protein, and hemp protein are all approved on a whole30 diet. Hemp protein is a healthy option that also offers more nutrition for your overall whole30 diet.
With hemp protein powder you can fulfill your protein requirements while adding in natural fats. Hemp is one of the only proteins on the market that retains its healthy fat.
While you’re on Whole30 you won’t drink a lot of shakes, but keep reading to find out which proteins to use when you do. In the end, you’ll get a bonus shake recipe made with Humming Hemp Pure Protein Powder.
What is Whole30?
Whole30 is a 30-day strict diet program. The Whole30 program focuses on eating whole food for 30 days and never stepping on a scale. You can have meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and natural fats. For 30 days you’ll also avoid all alcohol, added sugar, grains, legumes, peanuts, soy, dairy, baked food, pancakes, junk food, MSG, and sulfites.
Is There Whole30 Approved Protein Powder?
Since whole30 is so strict there are only a few protein powders that are approved. The official list of approved protein includes their official collagen, egg protein, pea protein, and hemp protein powder.
Whole30 doesn’t recommend drinking smoothies or shakes, but there are exceptions. If you’re at a job that doesn’t allow you time to eat, you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or working out regularly you can have shakes.
So first and foremost if you depend mostly on shakes Whole30 recommends eating whole food instead.
The goal is that you eat whole foods that are nutrient-dense. Hemp protein is excellent for Whole30 because it isn’t like other protein powders. Hemp is a raw whole food ground into a powder. The only ingredient in hemp protein powder is hemp seed, it contains no artificial sweeteners or additives.
Remember even when you have a shake or smoothie, it shouldn’t be overfilled with fruits and nut milk. While on Whole30 a smoothie is best when it’s added to a meal and contains protein.
Here’s a list of all the protein powders you can use while on Whole30.
Official Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
The Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides blend was made by Whole30 and is the official protein powder for the diet. The official Whole30 protein powder is made to be used mostly after the initial 30-day diet. Collagen Peptides weren’t made for use after a workout. Vital proteins were made in part to give Whole30 customers the important nutrients for healthy teeth, skin, nails, and hair and help heal leaky gut.
Humming Hemp Pure Protein Powder
Hemp protein powder is Whole30 approved and is the best protein on this list for your body after a workout. Humming Hemp pure protein powder is great for Whole30 because it’s certified clean, raw, vegan, and gluten-free. Hemp is a complete protein that contains essential minerals and nutrients.
By adding hemp protein to your Whole30 diet you are adding in iron, calcium, healthy fats, zinc, and fiber. So, unlike other protein powders, It doesn’t contain the artificial ingredients you’re trying to avoid.
The best part is you don’t have to only drink protein shakes. You can add hemp protein powder to your meals as well. Add hemp protein powder to yogurt, soup, coffee, and sweet potato mash to avoid shakes. Hemp hearts are also allowed on Whole30, so you can always sprinkle those on top of your meals as well.
100% Egg Protein
100% egg protein is allowed on Whole30. Be careful not to mistake this with the many egg proteins on the market. You want to choose a protein that is all egg. There are blends that include other proteins like whey and other artificial additives.
Whey is not approved for the Whole30 diet, because there is no dairy allowed. Whey protein is made from milk protein. Egg protein is an animal-based protein and made from dried egg whites.
Plant-based protein contains enough protein versus whey and egg protein. So if you’re looking for a plant-based alternative try hemp or pea protein.
Pea Protein
Pea protein is another plant-based option approved by Whole30. In fact, peas are one of the few legumes allowed on Whole30. Peas have a lot of nutritional benefits, but they are especially rich in iron. Similar to hemp, pea protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
Pea protein is made by grounding yellow peas. While you may not cook up yellow peas, they are a whole food making them all-natural for Whole30. If you hate peas this may be a good way to get the nutrition from them without the taste.
What Can You Add to a Whole30 Protein Powder for Homemade Shakes?
For homemade Whole30 protein powder shakes add organic nut butter, fruits, vegetables, healthy fat, and spices. The great thing about shakes is you can add plenty of whole food to them.
For more ideas for your protein shake, choose from the official list of whole foods you can have on the Whole30 diet. From the list, you’ll be able to build a great shake.
To start building your shake add in healthy fats like avocados, you can also use hemp seed or hemp oil. Both hemp products are whole foods that add healthy omega fatty acids to your shake.
But if you choose to use hemp protein powder as your major protein it already contains fiber and omega fatty acids, so you won’t need to blend in more ingredients. If you really want to keep your shake with the least amount of ingredients hemp protein powder is the way to go.
After choosing your fat add in vegetables and fruit. Dark leafy greens add color, vitamin A, vitamin K, and fiber. If you feel you’re missing flavor don’t forget to add spices like ginger and cinnamon.
Whole30 has a lot of smoothie rules that work for choosing shake ingredients. Just be sure to always choose whole30 compliant foods, not all nut butter and plant-based milk will work. When in doubt about milk use water and grind your nut butter at home yourself.
Hemp Hearts
Hemp hearts are a raw plant-based whole food with one ingredient. It’s everything that the whole30 diet requires plus more vitamins and nutrients in one spoonful than most food. If you are going for a shake then you’ll want to add hemp hearts.
They are a nutrient-dense superfood that tastes like a nutty treat. Whole hemp seeds are what hemp protein is made of. So if you want to try a different texture, but still get all your amino acids and fatty acids, then try hemp hearts in your shake.
Seed Butter/Nut Butter
You can’t have peanut butter on the Whole30 diet and it’s important to be careful of the seed butter you choose. Organic Sunbutter is Whole30 approved, but not the original version with added sugar. Since you shouldn’t have processed seed butter and nut butter, it’s best to make your own at home.
Hemp Oil
Hemp oil and most oils made from healthy fat, like avocado are great for Whole30 shakes. The healthy fat in hemp oil can help sustain your hunger. Whole30 wants to change your way of thinking about fat. In most cases, you hear that fat is bad, but that’s not true.
The polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in hemp oil help lower cholesterol, improve heart health, and your immune system. So fat is important to add to your entire diet and your Whole30 shake.
More Healthy Fat
When you think about fat don’t stop at oils and butters. Healthy fat options include whole foods and work best for shakes while on whole30. You can add in coconut flakes, nuts, and fresh avocado. In fact, don’t add coconut flakes to your shake, add the whole coconut.
Plant-Based Milk
Since dairy is avoided on a whole30 you can use plant-based milk. The caveat is as long as it doesn’t contain artificial ingredients especially sweeteners. So when you choose store-bought plant-based milk try unsweetened to be safe. Whole30 didn’t always allow vanilla extract which is why many don’t know some vanilla milk is allowed on the whole 30 diet plan now.
Fruit
You can’t have much fruit on the Whole30 diet, only 1-2 servings a day. So choose your fruit wisely or eat it throughout the day as suggested. If you choose fruit go for lower-sugar options like berries or mix it up with bananas, oranges, watermelon, apples, or superfruits like acai.
Vegetables
While many people know all about using leafy greens in smoothies they don’t try more adventurous veggies often. You can also add high nutrition beets, zucchini, yams, carrots, and cauliflower to your smoothie. Using something like yams adds a creaminess and nutrition profile you can’t get in a restaurant.
Spices
Most people stop at fruits and veggies when making shakes and smoothies. You can literally spice things up. Spices are zero calories and they bring the flavor. While you can’t add salt and sugar to your shake, you can get creative with spices and add cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. And though cocoa isn’t a spice it can also be added to shakes.
Download our printable recipe here
Whole30 Approved Protein Shake Recipe
So if you’re ready to have your whole30 approved shake after a workout or a breastfeeding session, here it is.
Ingredients
- 8-10 ounces of water (can substitute for your favorite Whole30 approved milk)
- 2 scoops of Humming Hemp protein powder
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup of your favorite leafy greens
- Heaping spoon of almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1 Tbsp raw cocoa powder
Directions
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend well
- Enjoy!
Note
For the most Whole30 approved shake simply mix hemp protein powder with water or your favorite approved nut milk.
Summary: Whole30 Approved Protein Powder
A Whole30 approved protein powder does exist. And while shakes aren’t encouraged in Whole30 you’re still prepared with Humming Hemp. Hemp protein powder can be used in more than shakes and smoothies.
If you are having a shake it’s probably because you’d love one after a workout. After a workout, shakes are approved for Whole30. Shakes are also recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding moms to help get the extra calories needed.
Despite your reason for having a shake, your goal is to choose one of the approved proteins because they are 100% real food. So make your shake with collagen, pea, egg, or hemp protein.
Whole30 is all about whole foods and changing your regular eating habits. So while you can’t have processed peanut butter in your smoothie be sure to add organic nut butter. If nut butter isn’t your favorite, add plant-based milk, bananas, coconut flakes, or cocoa powder, and other spices.
You have plenty of healthy fats and protein to build your Whole30 shake, but when in doubt choose hemp protein. Pick up hemp seeds, hemp oil, and hemp pure protein powder today to add the raw whole food to your diet. Try the recipe above and let us know how it worked out for you at #humminghemp.