Which form of protein is better for your gains?
We’ve all heard of whey protein, but you may have not heard of lactose free protein powder. Essentially, this is just another term for those non-dairy, vegan, and plant-based sources of protein derived from alternative sources like rice or pea protein, among others. While whey seems to reign as king in the protein supplementation world, knowing there are suitable alternatives in lactose free protein powders can be a game changer for many insensitive to dairy, or for those just looking for a change.
Let’s take a look at lactose free protein powder and see just what this can do for your gains. With many options and great benefits, your need to rely on whey are no more, thus giving you a great option to fully see huge gains. With the right non-dairy protein, you’ll never suffer discomfort again.
What Is Lactose Free Protein Powder?
Lactose free protein powder is essentially plant-based or vegan proteins, thus avoiding dairy and serving as an alternative to whey. Lactose is a sugar in milk that some people have a hard time breaking down. This is a result of limited lactase, the enzyme that works to perform said breakdown of lactose (1). This can cause discomfort for many, thus making whey a poor option for them to get adequate protein intake.
With many sources of protein being used for lactose free protein powder like rice, pea, or hemp protein, among others, the choices are endless for you to get a great workout and supplement with something worthwhile to capitalize on all your gains. Fear not, because your whey alternative in lactose free protein powder has arrived.
Benefits Of Lactose Free Protein Powder
When it comes to lactose free protein powders, the benefits are hard to ignore. Like all protein supplements, the ability to pump you with vital protein for muscle growth and other benefits is invaluable, but let’s take a look at some of the other key benefits associated with lactose free and plant-based proteins. Benefits include:
- Increased growth to see more definition and aid in strength and size (2).
- Better recovery to support repair and quicker bounce back.
- Less digestive stress to eliminate bloating and stomach discomfort (3).
- Potential weight loss as a great way to stay full and not waste caloric space.
- Nice change in your diet to offer vitamins and minerals for proper intake.
While whey protein allows for some of these benefits, it is important to note that lactose free protein powders are better for those following certain diets, have dairy sensitivities, or for those just avoiding dairy.
What Is Whey & How Does It Differ?
Whey protein comes from the watery portion of milk that is separated during the process of creating cheese. Packed with protein, this has become a popular source of protein supplementation for those looking to increase muscle growth, enhance recovery, and promote better weight loss. As you may know, whey protein is separated out in whey isolate and whey concentrate. Whey isolate is a more filtered form of whey great for isolating protein with minimal carbs and fats to promote lean muscle growth and weight loss (4). Whey concentrate, on the other hand, is great for those needing to bulk for this has increased carbs and fat as it is not filtered like a whey isolate.
The main difference when it comes to whey protein is that this comes from dairy. Lactose free protein supplements are those derived from many other sources other than dairy. What this does for those sensitive to dairy is gives them an option so they no longer have to shove chicken in their mouth, or rely on a whey protein that will only upset their stomachs.
Which Is Better: Whey Protein Or Lactose Free Protein?
When it comes down to it, both options will give you great advantages to your workouts and overall health. For protein powders, it really is a preference. You will get adequate amounts of protein with both, still receive great benefits with both, and find the results are very similar with both. The only real difference is source and how it will react with your body. You know your body best, so don’t settle for anything less.
The Best Lactose Free Protein Powder
Finding the best lactose free protein powder can be a game changer for those looking to fully optimize their health and performance without the need for whey or dairy. But like all supplements, so many options exist and it can be challenging to really nail down exactly which ones are the best for us.
Thankfully, supplements companies have stood out over others and Enhanced Labs has created a great protein powder free of lactose to really boost your gains effectively.
Enhanced Labs Protein-Tech
Enhanced Labs Protein-Tech uses grass-fed bovine bone broth and is free of any artificial ingredients. With 20g protein, this supplement will give you a great spike for muscle growth with digestive assistance and bone and joint support.
Enhanced Labs Protein-Tech is a whey-free protein supplement made from grass-fed bovine bone broth protein that is free of GMOs, soy, dairy, and artificial ingredients. Each scoop delivers 20g protein and zero carbs and fat. The grass-fed bovine bone broth is the most full spectrum collagen source in the form of a convenient nutritional powder to deliver the highest quality protein source. Also containing prebiotics, this protein allows for better digestion to not upset your stomach and let all of these nutrients hit you hard for better support.
Check out our individual review for Enhanced Labs Protein-Tech here!
Check out our list of the Best Non-Dairy Protein Powders for more awesome lactose free products!
Wrap Up
Lactose free protein powders are perfect options for boosting your overall health and performance while avoiding whey and dairy-based proteins. Non-dairy and plant-based protein sources have great benefits and can serve you well when looking to boost your gains. Finding the right supplement may seem challenging but it is absolutely possible if you put your mind to it. For those who want an alternative option to dairy, look into a great lactose free option to see all you gains take off.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Mattar, R.; et al. (2012). “Lactose intolerance: diagnosis, genetic, and clinical factors”. (source)
- Pasiakos, S.; et al. (2015). “The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review”. (source)
- Szilagyi, A.; et al. (2018). “Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Avoidance, and Treatment Options”. (source)
- Cooke, M.; et al. (2010). “Whey protein isolate attenuates strength decline after eccentrically-induced muscle damage I healthy individuals”. (source)
