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Paleo Protein Powder: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

vegan paleo protein powder athlete

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Paleo protein powder, as the name suggests, aligns with the principles of the paleo diet. This dietary regimen emphasizes the consumption of foods our Paleolithic ancestors would have eaten, mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, meats, and fish. 

The paleo diet excludes foods like grains, legumes, dairy, and other highly processed or artificial ingredients. But because protein powders are inherently processed, there are some gray areas in what’s truly considered paleo or just ‘paleo-friendly.’

We’re here to simplify the world of paleo protein powder, summarizing what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s ugly (or borderline paleo-friendly). To see products, jump to my picks for the best paleo protein powder.

“Good” ingredients to look for in a paleo protein powder

best paleo-friendly protein powder that's vegan

When looking for paleo protein powder, it’s important to ensure the ingredients truly align with the paleo diet. 

Some of the most common ingredients to look for include:

  • Plant protein: pumpkin seed, chia seed, sunflower seed, hemp seed, almond, and leafy greens are frequently found in paleo-friendly protein powders.
  • Egg white protein: Non-GMO cage-free egg white protein is another key component found in paleo protein powders.
  • Beef protein: Derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, beef protein isolate is a common ingredient in paleo protein powders.
  • Natural sweeteners: Unrefined coconut sugar and monk fruit extract are paleo-friendly sweeteners.
  • Sunflower lecithin: Often included as an emulsifier, sunflower lecithin is not a cause for concern on a paleo diet.
  • Hydrolyzed bovine collagen: Certain paleo protein powders may also contain collagen derived from grass-fed beef.

When choosing a paleo protein powder, it’s important to seek out products with these protein sources to ensure they actually meet the dietary requirements of the paleo diet.

There’s a lot of confusion as to what is and what isn’t considered paleo-friendly, but these ingredients are safe for paleo consumers. Many of which are also keto protein powder ingredients. Next up: the bad.

“Bad” protein powder ingredients that are not paleo

non-paleo-friendly protein powder with peanuts

It’s important to take into consideration popular protein powder ingredients that are not paleo-friendly. The most common include: 

  • Dairy (whey, milk, and casein protein)
  • Grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats, gluten, amaranth)
  • Legumes (soybean, garbanzo bean, peanuts, lentils) 
  • Artificial flavors (sucralose, aspartame, saccharin)
  • Highly processed foods (refined sugar, sunflower oil, corn syrup) 

This excludes all whey protein powders as well as most vegan protein powders, as the latter often contain grains and legumes. So, this narrows down the options quite a bit. 

“Ugly” ingredients that may be considered paleo-friendly

pea is questionably paleo-friendly protein powder

There are a couple of foods that are frequently found in protein powder and are often considered paleo-friendly but are not truly paleo. These are pea protein and certain natural sweeteners like stevia.

Pea protein is very common in protein powder. It’s an allergy-free, easy-to-digest protein source that withholds paleo-friendly properties but is classified as a legume. On a strict paleo diet, pea protein powder would not be allowed.  

Stevia is a popular ingredient in protein powder due to being zero calories, diabetic-friendly, and naturally very sweet. Although Stevia is a leaf that grows in nature, it’s in a highly processed state when added to protein powders, so it’s often dismissed as not paleo. 

To some individuals, these ingredients may be considered paleo-friendly and are allowed in their diets. But if strictly following this dietary regimen, proceed mindfully, especially with protein powders.

The best paleo protein powder products

best paleo protein powder products

Based on what we know, we can quickly narrow down the options to a handful of trusted products. Here are some of the best paleo protein powder products that I consider my favorites.

1. Bone Broth Protein by Ancient Nutrition

Bone Broth Paleo Protein Powder by Ancient Nutrition

Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein is a nutritional powerhouse that offers the paleo-forward benefits of an ancient superfood. It provides 20 grams of protein in 90-100 calories per serving, depending on the flavor. 

The chicken and beef bone broth protein concentrates provide collagen types I, II, and III, supporting overall health. The product is designed to be a concentrated and nourishing bone broth alternative that is even more potent than homemade broth, making it easy to incorporate into a daily diet to support gut, joint, and overall health

The abundance of type II collagen supports a healthy gut, skin, and joint health. The added glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid help improve joint mobility and support a healthy response to inflammation.

Find it on Amazon

2. Paleo Protein Powder from PaleoPro

Paleo Protein Powder from PaleoPro

PaleoPro’s Paleo Protein Powder is specifically designed to support a paleo diet with its high protein content and clean, authentically paleo ingredients.

The protein blend is made with grass-fed pasture-raised beef and non-GMO cage-free egg white protein. One serving provides 26 grams of protein at only 120 calories and just one gram of fat, making it a low-calorie and low-fat protein option.

PaleoPro’s Paleo Protein Powder comes in various flavors, including ancient cacao, Aztec Vanilla, and Mayan Mocha, providing a variety of options for different taste preferences.

Find it on Amazon

3. Organic Paleo Protein Powder by NaturesPlus

Organic Paleo Protein Powder by NaturesPlus

NaturesPlus Organic Paleo Protein is a paleo-friendly vegan protein powder that contains pea, sunflower, pumpkin, almond, flax, and coconut as the protein blend. This a complete, amino acid-rich protein combination that rivals animal-based protein powders.

Labeled as a High Protein Energy Powder, this paleo protein powder provides a clean and natural protein supplement that’s a vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free protein powder. One serving offers 20 grams of protein, with only 4 grams of carbs and <1 gram of sugar, a total of 110 calories.

For a mostly-paleo protein powder that’s vegan, organic, and unflavored, NaturesPlus is one worth trying.

Find it on Amazon

4. Designer Egg by Designer Wellness

Designer Egg Paleo Protein Powder by Designer Wellness

Designer Egg is a true paleo protein powder that contains only 6 ingredients, along with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. It does contain stevia, so it’s one of those fringe options that’s not strictly paleo.

Light with only 110 calories per serving, each scoop provides 24g of egg white and egg yolk protein, packed with BCAAs/essential amino acids, B12, riboflavin, and potassium. It’s a solid choice for a simple, vegetarian-friendly, paleo-friendly protein powder.

Not only is egg white protein known to be highly digestible but it’s also an abundant source of essential amino acids, particularly branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).[1]

Find it on Amazon

5. Prime Protein by Equip Foods

Prime Protein Paleo-friendly Powder by Equip Foods

The Prime Protein is made from just three ingredients: grass-fed beef, all-natural cocoa powder, and stevia. The unflavored version contains only non-GMO grass-fed beef isolate, while the flavored options contain a maximum of 5 whole foods, high-quality ingredients.

Each 110-calorie serving provides 21 grams of highly bioavailable, complete protein from the grass-fed beef isolate. This paleo protein powder contains a robust amino acid profile, providing essential nutrients for muscle building and repair.

Prime Protein is available in various flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, and peanut butter, offering a delicious, nutrient-dense product. 

Find it on Amazon

Why eat paleo? (the benefits)

Paleo diet protein powder benefits

The paleo diet, inspired by the eating habits of our ancient ancestors, focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed foods while avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed sugars. The potential benefits of the paleo diet include:

  • Promotes healthy blood glucose: The paleo diet may promote healthy blood glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity.[2]
  • Lower blood pressure: It has the potential to contribute to lower blood pressure.
  • Manage weight: The diet may aid in weight management, including improved body composition.[3]
  • Improved cholesterol balance: It has been associated with improved cholesterol balance.
  • Improved satiety: The consumption of whole, unprocessed foods in the paleo diet may lead to improved satiety.
  • Lower all-cause mortality: Some studies suggest that the paleo diet may be associated with lower all-cause mortality.[4]
  • High in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants: A paleo eating plan that is high in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants while being low in simple carbohydrates, sodium, and sugar can be a healthy eating plan.
  • Reduction in body fat: The paleo lifestyle has been associated with the ability to reduce body fat.
  • Increased insulin sensitivity: A paleolithic diet may contribute to increased insulin sensitivity and improved blood sugar levels.[5] 

It’s important to note that while the paleo diet has potential health benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone, and long-term studies on its effects are limited. Additionally, individuals considering the paleo diet should be mindful of potential nutritional deficiencies and ensure a balanced intake of essential nutrients.

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About the Author

tyler tafelsky vegan protein powder review editor

This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health and athletic space who has tried hundreds of different plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social platforms like LinkedInTwitterFacebookPinterest, or Instagram. You can also visit his personal site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.

Scientific References

  1. Matsuoka R, Sugano M. Health Functions of Egg Protein. Foods. 2022 Aug 2;11(15):2309. doi: 10.3390/foods11152309. PMID: 35954074; PMCID: PMC9368041.
  2. Klonoff DC. The beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on type 2 diabetes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2009 Nov 1;3(6):1229-32. doi: 10.1177/193229680900300601. PMID: 20144375; PMCID: PMC2787021.
  3. Frączek B, Pięta A, Burda A, Mazur-Kurach P, Tyrała F. Paleolithic Diet-Effect on the Health Status and Performance of Athletes? Nutrients. 2021 Mar 21;13(3):1019. doi: 10.3390/nu13031019. PMID: 33801152; PMCID: PMC8004139.
  4. Whalen KA, Judd S, McCullough ML, Flanders WD, Hartman TJ, Bostick RM. Paleolithic and Mediterranean Diet Pattern Scores Are Inversely Associated with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Adults. J Nutr. 2017 Apr;147(4):612-620. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.241919. Epub 2017 Feb 8. PMID: 28179490; PMCID: PMC5368578.
  5. Challa HJ, Bandlamudi M, Uppaluri KR. Paleolithic Diet. [Updated 2023 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482457/