When you think of protein powders, you may think of athletes or bodybuilders.
However, protein is an essential nutrient for all new mothers. Protein powders for breastfeeding are out there, and if you’re trying to maintain or increase your milk supply, a lactation protein powder may be needed.
The issue is knowing which protein powders are safe to consume while breastfeeding. Not all breastfeeding protein powder is made the same, and not all of it is safe.
You are essentially looking for a way to boost your protein stores to maintain optimal health for yourself, have a healthy milk supply, and keep your baby healthy.
This article will talk all about protein powder. If you liked having a protein shake before you were pregnant, there’s no reason that you can’t have one now that you’ve delivered and are a breastfeeding mom.
You have to be careful in selecting a good protein powder that is safe.
Can I use protein powder if I also take vitamins?
If you are pregnant and want to start using protein powder but are also taking prenatal vitamins, it should pose no risk to you or your baby.
The same can be said of women who have delivered babies and nurse them who take postnatal vitamin supplements.
There is no natural protein in the vitamins that most women take throughout the pregnancy. You should be perfectly safe using protein powder and vitamins simultaneously.
Always be sure to speak to your doctor first. Every situation is different, and what might be safe for one woman isn’t always safe for another.
Breastfeeding protein powder
When it comes to considering protein powders for breastfeeding, it’s important to know what you are consuming because you may pass them on to your baby through your breast milk.
Often, when you look at a container of protein powder, you’ll see a lot of artificial sweeteners, sugars, synthetic ingredients, and very long words you find difficult to pronounce.
While these powders may not be outright dangerous to consume, you want to look for protein powders that contain natural ingredients and essential amino acids. Organic ingredients, non-GMO ingredients, and components, you can actually say.
It can be daunting and make you want to give up on the entire process and just stick with eating a balanced diet.
However, if you think protein powder can help boost and maintain your health, help you lose the baby weight, or make you feel more energetic, this article is for you.
Safe breastfeeding protein powder
You must be careful when choosing a protein powder and a nursing mom. Much like when you were pregnant, what you eat, the baby eats.
However, missing out on the benefits of protein powder is also something that you may want to avoid.
The following are some breastfeeding protein powders that aren’t dangerous for lactation or baby.
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1. Ora Organics
This plant-based protein powder contains organic peas and is made with all-natural ingredients.
With 22 grams of protein, it also contains essential amino acids and superfoods for micronutrients.
It also has rice protein that contains digestive enzymes to make it gentle on the stomach and keep you from bloating and feeling uncomfortable.
Available in three flavors: Vanilla, vanilla chai, and chocolate.
2. Milk dust
Made with brown rice protein, pea protein, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds, this natural-based protein powder has 16 grams of protein. It is also gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and free of artificial sweeteners.
Plant proteins are generally considered safe and can help aid breast milk production.
Many protein powders contain plant-based proteins but sometimes lack essential nutrients. Be sure to read the complete labels.
With added nutrients that will help stave off sugar cravings, Milk Dust can help with postpartum weight loss as well.
It also comes in several blend options to choose which is right for you: protein powder, lactation protein powder, energy blend, and blood sugar blend.
It also comes in a protein bar if you would instead not consume protein powder in a protein shake or drink.
3. Majka Nourishing lactation protein powder
Majka nourishing lactation protein powder is a great option. This is another organic pea protein powder that has rice protein, chia seeds, and no artificial sweeteners. Dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free, it has 15 grams of protein per serving.
Several different protein powders are offered by this company. Still, the most popular one includes fennel seed, flax seed, clove, turmeric root extract, sesame seed, and caraway seed.
This company also makes a special lactation blend that contains galactagogues. These help to increase milk supply and help to prevent diseases such as cancer and other disorders.
This is one of the top protein powders for breastfeeding, and the protein shakes are said to be delicious.
The flavors are green vanilla and chocolate. It is also offered as protein bites if you prefer to avoid protein powders.
4. Garden of Life Grass-Fed Collagen lactation protein powder
Great as a breastfeeding protein powder, this can help increase or jump-start milk production and has plenty of collagen and Vitamin B proteins that aid in milk supply.
It’s a fruit and vegetable blend safe for mothers and contains digestive enzymes that make it gentle on the stomach.
Digestive enzymes are essential for absorbing nutrients, and you should always try to find supplements and protein powders that contain them.
While it only comes as a vanilla protein powder, it is said to be delicious and great for women who are looking for a lactation protein powder.
5. Go Good Protein Blends
These blends are great for breastfeeding women and are available in vegan pea protein and whey protein powder. With a whopping 23 grams of protein per serving, these safe protein powders are blended with fruit, soy-free, and without gluten.
They also have no added sweetener, which is good if you’re looking for pure protein powder. There are also no added fillers.
It comes in various flavors: coffee, vanilla, and chocolate, giving you plenty of options for protein drinks.
6. Just Ingredients lactation protein powders
This company is run by a woman dedicated entirely to producing clean products and stands by her line of protein powders for breastfeeding moms.
This is an excellent option for women who want to support other women in business.
Only available in two flavors: chocolate and chocolate coconut protein powder; they promise not to cause upset stomachs and claim that they can mark their protein powder safe for all lactating women.
They make these whey protein powders with all organic proteins and also include collagen.
With a hefty 24 grams of protein per serving, this is a good option for breastfeeding moms if you are looking for whey protein.
Some even say it’s the best protein powder on the market to improve your protein intake without upsetting your stomach.
7. Orgain Vegan lactation protein powder
This may be the blend if you’re looking for proper nutrition or to increase your protein intake, but only if it’s a vegan protein powder. Breastfeeding moms have a lot of rave reviews for this powder!
With 21 grams of protein in each serving, these powders for breastfeeding moms are not a meal replacement but offer plant-based protein powders that will help keep a breastfeeding mama full and satisfied while allowing her to keep her supply up to feed her baby.
8. Boobie Body Lactation blend
This high-quality protein powder is packed with chia seed protein, flaxseed, cinnamon, chromium, and more to help curb sugar cravings and improve weight loss.
This lactation powder and a healthy diet can benefit breastfeeding mothers enormously.
Not only does it have the nutrients included, like protein, essential to health and managing weight loss, but it also has folate and B12, essential to breastfeeding mothers for lactation.
Can pregnant women drink protein shakes?
The best protein powders for anyone are third-party tested, use all-natural ingredients, and are safe for breastfeeding women and pregnant women alike.
While you may not know many women who consume protein shakes during pregnancy, you can research and speak to your doctor first. You may find out that protein shakes can be a great way to ensure that you are getting enough protein into your body during a time that is so vital for proper nutrition.
Most pregnancy-safe options are plant protein-based, and all the vital proteins are needed in their nutritious milk blends to help support and boost your body during pregnancy.
They should not contain a lot of added sugar or sweeteners and shouldn’t have ingredients listed that look like someone threw Scrabble tiles across a room and then printed the nonsense word it created on a label.
Pregnancy-safe protein powder
What you put into your body is something that you have to be very cautious about when you’re pregnant.
There are entire lists of foods, substances, drinks, and more that are off-limits when you are pregnant. This means that many women are afraid to try organic protein shakes to supplement their health and food protein sources.
Fortunately, some great protein powder options are totally safe for expecting moms. Here are some of them:
1. Clean Simple Eats
First, there are many flavor options in this line, and they offer all of the vital proteins your body needs and may be lacking during gestation. They also use simple and clean ingredients that you can pronounce.
They also have several other products, such as nut butter, that you can use to create balanced and nutritious meals. They also produce cookbooks that will help you prepare yummy meals full of nutrition.
Not free of all artificial ingredients
Full disclosure should be stated that this company uses artificial dyes and sweeteners in its protein shakes.
2. Ora Organics
Already covered in the protein powder section for breastfeeding, this blend is safe to take during pregnancy. Many women swear by it and start taking it when they are pregnant, and then continue to take them until they finish their breastfeeding journey.
This brand and blend also contain a complete amino acid profile which is vital for your health and the health of your growing and developing baby. Their ingredients come from USDA organic-certified farms.
2. Boobie Body
As mentioned above, this is also a great option to supplement your protein intake when pregnant. You can use this product from when you find out you are pregnant until you are finished breastfeeding.
Always consult your doctor first
Pregnant women should always speak to their doctor before beginning any supplement regimen outside the recommended prenatal vitamins.
Talking to your doctor can help you avoid protein shakes, powders that may contain harmful substances and heavy metals, or artificial ingredients that have not been FDA-approved or third-party tested.
Protein powder for the breastfeeding mama
While you should be getting enough nutrients from whole food protein sources, you should also consider supplementing it or boosting it to healthier levels with added protein.
Safe for most pregnant women and those who are lactating, protein added to your diet in supplement form is typically harmless.
Start by disclosing your interest in supplementing to your doctor to determine if taking protein powder is safe for you.
In the same way, you take prenatal supplements to stave off issues like malnutrition and preterm birth; you can increase your protein intake by consuming powder supplements.