Whether it’s a full-on allergy or a mild sensitivity, many people struggle with gluten. For some, it causes mild discomfort while for others long-term consumption can lead to serious diseases. Wherever you may fall on this scale, it’s often best to just avoid gluten.
The good news is that it’s getting easier and easier these days and awareness is drawn to this issue and new products are being made all the time. The bad news is that these products, particularly bread products, are often dry, flat, and not tasty. Good gluten-free bread is a constant struggle, but something that isn’t a struggle is gluten-free protein powder!
If you’re worried about gluten and other unwanted or irritating additives, a vegan and plant-based protein powder can be a good choice. These are made entirely from whole food and plant-based sources so you can be sure there’s nothing bad. Certifications like non-GMO and organic are good to look out for, as well.
Plant-based aren’t the only gluten-free powders, though! For example, whey and casein are made from milk, meaning they can’t be fully plant-based, but they are useful and effective in many scenarios. Just because they’re not plant-based, doesn’t mean they’re not produced ethically and it doesn’t mean they automatically have gluten. As long as it has a gluten-free label, you’re good to go.
The Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder Brands
1. KOS Organic Plant Protein
KOS Organic Plant Protein is a fantastic all-around protein supplement for delicious, nutritious, meal-replacing shakes and smoothies. It’s great for losing weight and supporting your muscles before, during, and after a workout. The decedent chocolate flavor is a popular one but they also have vanilla, salted caramel, chocolate mint, chocolate peanut butter, and an unflavored option.
Each serving is 160 calories and it offers 20 grams of protein. On top of that, there are three grams of fiber, only two grams of sugar, and six grams of fat. The focus here is protein but there are a ton of other healthy and powerful ingredients to make this an even stronger supplement.
This includes things like flax seeds, carrots, cranberry, shitake mushroom extract, monk fruit extract, chia seeds, pumpkin seed protein, and more. These additional superfoods add plenty of vitamins and minerals to the mix such as iron, riboflavin, selenium, manganese, potassium, and more.
In addition to muscle support and recovery, this protein aims to give you powerful and sustainable energy. The formula is all organic, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan.
2. Muscle Pharm Combat Protein
Muscle Pharm Combat Protein is made especially for those who need energy and endurance in the gym. All protein supports muscles but this one is designed for those who like to train hard and long. It provides maximum fuel to your muscles and enhances your performance to new levels. When used properly, you’ll see more lean muscle growth than ever!
The formula here is a mix of whey, casein, and egg proteins to provide a variety of proteins that all do something different for you. Whey and casein especially work differently and will therefore provide the energy and muscle-building more effectively and for a longer period of time than with just one or the other.
Each serving contains 140 calories and 25 grams of protein, with just two grams of sugar, five grams of carbs, and two grams of fat. It also offers small amounts of protein, iron, and calcium.
3. Quest Nutrition Protein Powder
Quest Nutrition is a popular and well-known brand in the weightlifting, gym-going, workout enthusiast market. This is largely because of its effective supplements, delicious flavors, and clean formulas. Many people love their protein bars in particular, but their protein powder is also top-notch.
They have several flavors available, including cinnamon crunch, cookies and cream, and one of the most popular choices – chocolate milkshake. This protein powder manages to be creamy, decadent, and so sweet without compromising on health and nutrition.
Each serving is 110 calories and offers 22 grams of protein. With only two grams of net carbs, one gram of fat, and less than a gram of sugar, it’s tough to find a cleaner formula. This makes the supplement great for weight loss, dieting, working out, and is even keto-friendly.
Given the superior quality of their protein, it’s worth checking out what else they have to offer. You won’t be disappointed by their protein bars, but they’ve also got other snacks, pre-made protein shakes, even cookies and candy with healthy ingredients.
4. Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder
Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder is an impressive protein supplement that is definitely designed for muscle building, weight-lifting, and active lifestyles. With 32 grams of protein per serving, it’s higher than most on the market. Not only does it help you build the muscle you want, but it’s perfect for helping you maintain it.
The high protein content does mean higher calories, coming in at 280 per serving. This is beneficial to some, though if they’re looking to replace meals or perhaps put on some weight/mass. It’s also got high levels of vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin A, with some iron and potassium in there as well.
For athletes who want to use this on a regular basis, it’ll be good to know that it’s been tested for banned substances and is NSF certified for sport. There are many flavors available too, including chocolate, banana cream, strawberries, and even a super sweet cake batter.
5. Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey is a scientifically-backed whey protein powder made entirely from grass-fed, hormone-free, properly-treated cattle. It’s a gentle, easy digesting protein that offers 28 grams per serving with 120 calories per serving. There are zero grams of fat, only one gram of carbs, and less than one gram of sugar. This makes it one of the cleanest formulas on the market, and it’s perfect for someone on a keto diet who works out a lot and needs lots of protein!
It’s naturally sweetened with stevia and comes in several delicious and mouthwatering flavors including milk chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon, mocha, salted caramel, vanilla, strawberry, and French toast.
In addition to being gluten-free, it has no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or additives and no GMOs. Transparent Labs is an amazing resource for anyone who loves to work out and be active but wants the cleanest supplements possible. They also have creatine, collagen, pre-workouts, and more. If you’re unsure what goes with what, they have a blog with plenty of great information as well as some pre-selected stacks that suggest groups of supplements that are beneficial together.
Homemade Gluten-Free Bread
Living gluten-free can be tough in many aspects, but one of the most commonly missed things is bread! Bread is everywhere you look, from meals to snacks to desserts. If you’re a carb-lover it can be hard to go without. Gluten-free bread from the store is hit or miss in terms of taste and texture and it’s always so expensive!
If you’re up for the challenge, you can try some of these gluten-free bread recipes at home to make something tasty and save some money at the same time.
Oven-Friendly Bread Recipe
Homemade bread is fun but not everyone has a breadmaker on hand! If that’s you, this recipe can be done in a breadmaker or the oven! This one is dairy-free as well as gluten-free and it makes great sandwich bread.
The most important part of gluten-free bread is finding good gluten-free flour. The recipe lists a few good options for you to try.
Other ingredients include basics like tapioca starch, flaxseed meal, salt, oil, and apple cider vinegar. It’s a pretty basic recipe but the article gives you a lot of great insight, tips, and detailed instructions to help you get it just right.
Gluten-Free Artisan Style Loaf
Artisan-style loaves tend to have a harder but often tastier crust and they’re a different shape than regular loaves. They can be harder to make but it’s worth the effort because they have such a unique taste and texture. They’re great for a quick snack or a fancy sandwich! They’re also fantastic with a bit of butter on the side of a warm, hearty meal.
This article makes the differences easy to understand while giving you a loaf of artisan bread that looks, feels, and tastes just like the regular wheat-based ones that so many enjoy. The ingredients here include some interesting things like potato starch, buckwheat flour, active dried yeast, and psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is a good gluten substitute and the article includes some information on the ingredient if you’ve never heard of it before!
The instructions here are so detailed and in-depth that they include pictures for every step. This shows you exactly what to do and lets you see what the dough consistency should be at each step. If you’re not confident with bread-making, this is a good recipe to follow.
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