Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 6 hrs ago
Dietitians say protein powder is optional and recommend checking labels
Protein powders made from whey or plants are popular, but choosing one can be confusing.
Registered dietitians say no single ingredient needs to be avoided by everyone, though added sugars, some sweeteners and excessive added vitamins may be concerns for some people.
They recommend looking for independent testing, such as NSF, Informed Sport or USP certification, which can check whether a product matches its label and is tested for contaminants.
Organic whey is not necessarily more nutritious or better for building muscle than regular whey.
Protein powder is not essential for everyone, and taking much more than needed does not mean the body will use all of it.
Dietitian Nancy Rodriguez says the body has to process excess nitrogen, making the liver and kidneys work harder.
The advice is to focus on a suitable, independently tested product rather than paying more simply for an organic label.
Registered dietitians say organic protein powder is not necessary for a nutritious supplement.
They recommend prioritizing independent third-party certification over an organic label.
Certifications can help confirm that a product matches its label and has been tested for contaminants.
The US Food and Drug Administration does not test protein powders for safety or verify marketing claims, according to the article.
Experts say some people may want to limit added sugars, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners if they cause digestive issues.
- Who
- Four registered dietitians interviewed by the Guardian.
- What
- They answered questions about protein powder ingredients, certification, organic products and excessive intake.
- When
- The article was published on 2026-10-12.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The Guardian interviewed dietitians to answer questions raised during a protein powder taste test.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Dietitians interviewed
- 4
- Certification examples
- NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport and USP Verified
- FDA testing
- The FDA does not test protein powders for safety, according to the article.
- Added ingredients
- Some people may want to limit added sugars, excessive sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners if they cause digestive issues.
What people are saying
Organic whey is a personal preference, but not necessary for a protein powder to be nutritious.
Organic protein powders don’t necessarily provide more protein or better muscle-building benefits than non-organic whey.
Third-party testing is a good sign, but it doesn’t make a product bulletproof.
Your body will store excess nitrogen, and the only way we get rid of it is putting the liver and kidneys to work.
Sources
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