For regular gym-goers looking to make consistent gains, getting that elusive 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight every day can be an uphill battle. That’s why so many of us rely on protein-packed shortcuts to help ease along that muscle-protein synthesis, and the most popular, by far, is the humble protein shake. For many, it’s a great accessible source of protein that gets the job done, but for lots of us – myself included – have begun to question the effect that protein shakes are having on our gut health.

How Do Protein Shakes Affect Your Gut Health?

It may come as a surprise, but the protein itself usually isn’t the main offender when it comes to the negative impact of these shakes on your gut health. Digestive discomfort is typically linked with other ingredients, like thickeners (like carrageenan), high sugar and sweetener levels, and low fibre content. 

If you’re knocking back shakes to hit your daily macros, the high amount of sugar and sweeteners will reduce microbial diversity in your microbiome, increasing the presence of harmful toxins and pathogens, while the distinct lack of fibre will imbalance your diet, causing bloating, gas, and constipation. Whey protein itself may cause problems for people who are lactose intolerant, but otherwise poses no risks.

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Healthy Alternatives to Protein Shakes

Kefir Drinks and Yoghurts

A dark horse in recent years, kefir has emerged seemingly out of nowhere and has become increasingly popular among athletes, with drinks and yoghurts typically containing around 20 grams of protein per serving. 

It’s a fermented food packed with beneficial microbes that help you to break down your food while also acting as an anti-inflammatory supplement, which can notably support anyone suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, the helpful microbes in kefir add more diversity to your microbiome, which will help your body ward off pathogens and neutralise toxins. 

Natural Yoghurt

Natural yoghurts are highly nutritious foods that can offer all of the benefits of a protein shake, plus a whole lot more. They’re packed with protein – again, around 20 grams per serving, as well as being a great source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B2 and B12, which are essential for higher brain function and stabilising your metabolism. 

Beyond those health benefits, natural yoghurts, like kefir, are a fantastic source of live cultures that support digestion, converting natural sugars like lactose into other substances essential to the body, like lactic acid. Natural yoghurts are also extremely versatile: they can be served plain with honey or fruit, or added to oats either in a bowl or enjoyed as a smoothie. 

Eggs

You’ve probably enjoyed an egg or two over the course of your life already, so you likely don’t need a full explanation on why you should give them a go. But chances are, you’re leaving potential muscular gains on the table by not implementing them into your diet more.

We all know that eggs are a strong source of protein, usually around 6-7 grams per egg. Still, they also contain all nine essential amino acids, which trigger muscle-protein synthesis, help release energy during exercise, and support muscular repair. On top of that, they’re also incredibly nutrient-dense, containing vitamins D and B12, as well as iron and choline. 

But the benefits of eating more eggs don’t end there, because – just like everything else on this list – they are good for your gut because they are easy to break down and contain highly digestible protein. 

The best thing about eggs – health benefits aside – is that they’re so versatile! There are countless ways to include more of them in your diet, whether you like them poached, fried, boiled, or scrambled for breakfast, or fancy a quiche or a bowl of spaghetti carbonara for dinner.

Oats

Known for their high protein and fibre content, oats are already a staple of most bodybuilders’ diets – usually in the form of overnight oats. When paired with whole milk, nuts, and/or seeds, you can increase the protein count of your overnight oats from circa 16 grams to above 20 grams. 

You should also consider making your own smoothies with natural yoghurt, oats, and fruits, which will provide a well-balanced alternative to a protein shake, full of protein, fibre, and slow-releasing carbohydrates. 

Closing Thoughts

In recent years, it’s felt like we’re all paying more attention to our gut health, perhaps as the subject has become less taboo and more of us pursue healthy lifestyles. Pair that with the fact that more of us are hitting the gym than ever before and having, shall we say, adverse reactions to protein powder. Protein shakes are good. They’re highly convenient and are often pretty tasty. But hopefully the alternatives on this list, like kefir yoghurts, eggs, and oats, can add some more variety to your diet, with real food sources that are easier on your gut and will keep you fuller for longer.