The Best Protein Powders for PCOS

Protein powders are famous for helping you lose weight and build muscle. However, they are also popular among women who want to increase their protein intake, especially if they have POCS.

Since there is a plethora of varieties of protein powders available, choosing the best one can be challenging.

If you're really short on time and just want to get it and go, then here is the whey protein I recommend: Whey Protein for Her

Check Prices

Why Should Women with PCOS Make Sure They Consume Enough Protein?

Many suggest you ‘prioritize protein’ or ‘raise your protein consumption if you have PCOS.

Increasing dietary protein may be beneficial for PCOS women who want to lose weight. In addition, adding enough protein to your food diet will also prevent the onset of diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Here are some of the best protein sources you can add to your diet.

• Animal products (dairy, shellfish, eggs, fish, poultry, meat)
• Pulses, beans, and legumes (chickpeas, lentils, peas, black beans)
• Seeds and Nuts (hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds)
• Soy (edamame beans, tempeh, tofu)

Daily consumption of 60–80g of protein per day is crucial for most women with PCOS.

Treating PCOS indeed requires eating enough protein. However, this does not require you to use protein supplements. 

Protein powder is a nutritional supplement that should be used with your diet rather than as a substitute for food. It would help to concentrate on consuming adequate amounts of whole-food protein sources because they are crucial for your overall health.

However, most women prefer using protein powders for various reasons. It could be due to their busy lifestyle, certain food allergies, or other reason.

Therefore, protein powders remain a popular PCOS diet food. 

If you have PCOS, there are several reasons you might want to think about putting protein powder in your diet, especially when are attempting to lose weight. 

Benefits of Using Protein Powders for PCOS

Getting good quality protein, with the right ratio of amino acids, is crucial to staying active, building muscle, and losing weight.

Protein powder for PCOS can be a beneficial addition to a healthy, balanced diet for women with PCOS because it offers numerous advantages that may help them reach their objectives.

Versatility 

Protein powders have the added benefit of being delicious. That’s why we can use it actively in the kitchen for making ice cream, pastries, and other delicacies.

If your diet is already rich in other protein sources, you can choose from a variety of products, according to your dietary needs.

For example, you can use a protein powder for PCOS for baking creations, such as sweet treats. 

A protein powder for PCOS serves as an excellent ingredient to increase the protein content of some low-protein sweet recipes.

Practical and Easy to Add

Another benefit of protein powders is that they are efficient. All it takes is to add it to your meal to increase your protein content.

If you want to reduce cravings, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss while managing your PCOS symptoms, protein powders are excellent options.

Suppose you have a hectic schedule and need to plan your meals carefully. But you are not aware of the macronutrients in your meals. 

In that case, you may discover that acquiring adequate protein in every meal is difficult, especially when you are trying to lose weight. 

Protein powders can be beneficial in this circumstance because you can practically add them to anything (cereals, yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal). 

Drinking them as shakes is a popular method for increasing your protein consumption.

Muscle Recovery Support

Remember that if you are an active person who exercises regularly, you will need more dietary protein to support your muscle recovery. 

However, protein powders may also be highly beneficial if you’re on a plant-based diet and struggle to meet your daily protein intake requirements.

It doesn’t mean that we all need protein powder supplements to boost our energy levels. However, it is one of the easiest ways to meet their dietary requirements and the reason why it’s so prevalent in the fitness industry.

You can substitute protein powder for PCOS for other high-sugar items that cause your sugar levels to rise.

Increases Metabolism

Numerous studies indicate that increasing the amount of protein in your diet will also increase the number of calories you burn. 

That means protein increases the metabolism rate, which works well for women with PCOS who usually complain of slow metabolism and find it challenging to lose weight. 

Lowers Cravings

Many PCOS women report that their appetites continue to grow, which makes it difficult for them to lose weight. A diet high in protein helps you stay satisfied for longer. You experience reduced hunger throughout the day as a result. 

Additionally, protein helps women with PCOS manage their cravings by promoting the synthesis of satiety-related hormones.

Aids in Blood Sugar Control

In addition to regulating blood sugar, protein has other significant advantages for PCOS women. As soon as you eat, your body produces more insulin and blood sugar because of the glycemic reaction. 

In addition, protein has a more negligible impact on blood sugar than other foods since it takes longer to digest, which ultimately aids in blood sugar regulation.

Decreases Excess Weight

As was previously said, protein aids in a woman's weight loss by increasing metabolism, reducing cravings, and managing blood sugar. 

Protein and PCOS can provide much-needed help with weight loss, a significant problem for most women.

These advantages of protein aid in controlling PCOS. It's crucial to choose the right protein foods and the appropriate amounts. Protein supplements can guarantee that a person meets their daily protein requirements efficiently, without consuming too many calories. 

Generally speaking, the ideal protein powder for women with polycystic ovary syndrome is rich in protein, dairy-free, and low in carbohydrates. It has little to no added sugar. In addition, it has all the essential amino acids. 

In this post, we will focus on the most common types of protein powders. Then, we will study the benefits of these protein powders and observe how they impact insulin spikes and estrogen levels. 

Which Proteins Powders are the Best to Treat PCOS?

There are a number of different types of protein sources. Some are better and some are worse for PCOS. I'm going to cover some of the most popular sources and you can pick the one that fits your diet the best.

Whey Protein

First, the three different types of whey protein are whey isolate, whey concentrate, and why hydrolysate.

Whey protein is by far the best protein you can use unless you have some type of allergy. This is the protein we recommend: Whey Protein for Her

Check Prices

Whey concentrate features the highest amount of protein, nearly 90%. However, whey isolate has less protein than the concentrate. This is because carbohydrates like lactose and bioactive ingredients make a part of it.

On the other hand, whey hydrolysate is more processed, isolated, and concentrated, making it easier to digest. You should avoid whey protein if you suffer from an allergy or have milk intolerance.

Given that whey protein is an animal product, it's critical to pick a blend made from grass-fed cattle, free of hormones. We recommend going organic with animal protein blends. 

Whey protein is well known for helping people lose weight, increase muscle mass and strength, and activate the hormone ghrelin.

This hormone signals to the brain when we are full. That’s why people consume protein shakes to eat less and lose weight, the healthy way. 

But remember, you must consume these powders in moderation. 

In addition, consult a professional nutritionist or your family doctor before consuming whey protein powders. That’s because whey protein may trouble people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or those who are lactose intolerant.

Whey protein continues to be the most popular types of protein powder for PCOS women to lose weight. 

Pea Protein

Pea protein, derived from yellow split peas, has effects like those of whey protein. However, it is safe for vegans, and if you have any intolerances or food allergies (eggs, dairy, soy), you can consume it.

Women who are lactose intolerant or have a nut or dairy allergy prefer using pea protein over whey protein. Other advantages of pea protein include its ability to increase satiety and control hunger, as well as the fact that it doesn't elevate insulin quickly as whey protein does. 

Consequently, pea protein is a fabulous option for vegan women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Pea protein is high in iron and other crucial elements, which is another critical advantage for PCOS women. However, this depends significantly on the processing method and the concentration level. Typically, pea protein is relatively inexpensive and is used in many vegan protein blends.

Soy Protein

Apart from whey protein, one of the most popular plant-based proteins on the market right now, without a doubt, is soy protein. First, however, you will need to use it to know whether it is a good choice for you.

Like whey protein, soy protein is available as an isolate or concentrate. With a minimum protein concentration of 90%, soy protein isolate is a highly refined or pure type of soy protein. It is prepared from defatted soy flour. 

This soy flour has removed most of its fat and carbohydrate content. Soy protein concentrate, which is essentially defatted soy flour without water-soluble carbohydrates, has roughly 70% soy protein.

Since soy protein contains all nine essential amino acids for human nutrition, we refer to it as a ‘complete’ protein. It is one of the cheapest dietary protein sources and is virtually equal to that of other legumes or pulses (for example, pea protein). Soy is significant to many vegetarians and vegans for this reason.

But beware. Soy is frequently produced using GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and includes phytoestrogens, which can affect how hormones (particularly estrogen) operate in the body. For that reason, using soy protein or soy can have certain drawbacks.

The evidence for increasing or decreasing estrogen levels is ambiguous. However, recent research demonstrates that soy helps balance estrogen levels, whether they are high or low. 

Only by trying out a variety of high-quality soy products and keeping an eye on how you feel will you be able to determine what works for you.

Brown Rice Protein

A good alternative for the more popular whey and soy protein isolates is brown rice protein. This plant-based protein isolate has a more distinctive flavor than most other protein powder types.

Rice protein is frequently combined with quinoa, pea, or chia powder. That’s because it does not fully contain all the essential amino acids required for human nutrition.

Compared to dairy or egg proteins, pea and rice proteins offer a superior amino acid profile but without the risk of allergies or gastrointestinal problems that some women may have with those proteins. 

Additionally, pea protein's light and fluffy texture mask the intense and gritty flavor of rice protein.

Brown rice protein aids the body's ability to develop muscle and strength, much like whey protein does. It also enhances liver and heart health and may lower cholesterol since you can limit the number of calories. 

When it comes to treating PCOS, there is no research demonstrating that brown rice protein increases insulin levels.

Hemp Protein

Another popular plant-based source you may buy is hemp protein, made from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Yes, that’s the same plant as marijuana. However, don’t worry about getting ‘high’ from consuming the seeds since they don’t have any mind-altering effects and only have minute levels of THC (the psychedelic elements).

Hemp seeds include many elements, including magnesium, zinc, iron, and other nutrients. That makes them highly nutrient-rich food. 

However, they are especially rich in ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is crucial for sustaining excellent health. Given that getting adequate omega-3 is vital to managing PCOS, hemp protein is a good option for women with the condition.

Hemp protein is also generally well tolerated, even by those with dietary allergies and sensitivities. Additionally, hemp protein seems to be one of the plant proteins that we can absorb quickly, and it doesn’t lead to bloating or gastric discomfort.

How Much Should You Put Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar in Protein Powders

Consider the type of sweetener that is present in the powder. Generally, there is one to make it taste better. Evaluate whether they are in line with your dietary approach.

You will have to be extra cautious if you have PCOS. If the protein powder you choose has excess sugar, it can lead to drastic spikes in blood sugar levels, contributing to insulin resistance.

Remember that artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, saccharin, maltodextrin, or regular sugar (brown, white) will hurt your health if you have PCOS. 

Even natural sweeteners like rice syrup or honey may worsen your condition if you don’t use them in moderation.

If you want to use an excellent protein powder, you won’t be able to avoid all sugars. However, there are some better options available. Look for options that have monk fruit, stevia extract, or erythritol.

Hence, the level of sweetness is critical when choosing a protein powder for PCOS. It’s better to stick to the mild ones.

How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for PCOS

Whenever you choose a protein powder, consider these factors:

Premium Brand: Carefully evaluate each brand and product to ensure that it has followed professional and ethical production standards.

Nutritive Value: Check the nutritional content of the items to know if they are low or high in added sugar.

No Additives or Fillers: The protein powder you choose should not have additives, artificial components, or fillers to enhance the taste.

Third-Party Testing: Certification stamps validate the safety and nutritional claims of the powder. If there is no third-party certification logo on the packaging, it may not be tested by a third party. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad product.

It is also common for many protein powders to have a variety of ‘superfoods.’ For example, some protein powders in the market come with several vitamins and minerals. 

However, they are not necessary if you consume a healthy and balanced food diet.

However, protein powders, supplemented with extra vitamins and minerals, can occasionally be quite helpful. For instance, powders enriched with specific vitamins, like B12, can benefit vegan women who may have a deficiency of this vitamin. 

Hence, choosing protein powder supplements is always a great idea according to your unique needs.

You must decide which flavor you genuinely prefer because every protein powder will taste and feel differently. We recommend you choose tastes that are more "balanced," like simple vanilla. This will allow you to include more ingredients to make your protein shake taste better.

What Should the Texture Be? 

Varying protein powders have different textures. For example, you may observe that some of these make thicker shakes or have a creamier texture.

You can always alter the texture to your liking (for example, by adding bananas, some plant milk, or nuts). When you want to use it for making a protein shake, pick something that gives your desired consistency.

You may prefer pure protein powders with a basic taste and no added chemicals and flavors. Your goal is to enhance the protein content of your meals (including recipes, sauces, and dips).

Choose the Best PCOS Protein Powder

Before adding any new dietary item to your menu, such as protein powders, consult with your doctor. 

In addition, it is also imperative that you discuss with your healthcare provider, before starting a high-protein diet, if you have diabetes or advanced kidney disease.

Follow our guide to get the most out of these best protein powders for PCOS. You can choose the one that best fits your dietary needs and PCOS symptoms. 

This way, you'll be able to lose weight and manage your PCOS symptoms naturally.