new to the gluten free journey?

Is Whey Gluten Free?

Whey is a product that is heavily marketed as a health food, particularly to support athletic performance and body composition. It is also promoted as a way to boost protein intake and combat nutritional deficiencies. 

But is whey really safe to eat on a gluten free diet? Let’s take a look.

What is whey?

Whey is one of the two proteins found in cow’s milk. Whey makes up about 20% of the protein and is the liquid part of cow’s milk that separates during cheese production. Casein makes up the remaining 80% of protein in cow’s milk and is found in the solid curds that result as a byproduct of cheesemaking.

Whey is generally processed and dried and sold as a powder form known as whey protein that can be mixed into a liquid or soft food.

Whey Can Mimic Gluten

Pure whey does not contain any gluten. However, some research has shown that whey can mimic gluten and cause a similar immune reaction in the body. This means that if you have been following a gluten free diet and still are not feeling well, whey might be the cause.

In addition, whey protein can be problematic for other reasons:

  1. Cross contamination: Whey protein powders or shakes ordered at smoothie bars or restaurants can be cross contaminated with gluten so it is important to be extremely careful and to read all product labels. 
  2. Gluten in disguise: Many whey protein powders contain various other ingredients.  Some of these are derived from gluten. It is important to cross reference your ingredients with our comprehensive list of hidden gluten terms
  3. Dairy content: whey is derived from dairy, which can be problematic for some with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity for a number of reasons:
  1. Lactose intolerance (an intolerance to the natural sugar in milk)
  2. Dairy allergy (an allergy to all dairy)
  3. Casein protein reaction (this protein in milk can mimic gluten)
  4. Reaction to the beta casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) protein which has been linked to a number of digestive disturbances
  5. Reaction to the microbial transglutaminase being used to treat the dairy (mimics gluten)


Is Whey good for you overall?

Many whey protein supplements contain other ingredients that are not healthy, including the following:

  • Processed sugars or sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame
  • Artificial flavors or natural flavors from unknown sources
  • Other additives that can be a detriment to health like xanthan gum and soluble corn fiber, 
  • Inflammatory oils like sunflower oil and canola oil

Many people with a gluten intolerance, or any other digestive issues find that whey protein can be difficult to digest and can cause unpleasant side effects like gas, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Those with a gluten intolerance or other digestive issues may be better off avoiding or limiting intake of whey protein. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort from consuming dairy, whether intentionally or accidentally, try a supplement like Dairy Shield to help your body process it. 

Whey alternatives

If you are looking for ways to boost your protein intake without dairy, there are other sources of protein that are similarly convenient, without toxic ingredients, hidden gluten, or gluten mimickerst:

Of course, as with any supplement, quality matters. Be sure to vet the supplier of all supplements to ensure that their sourcing, manufacturing, and testing are safe and free from gluten cross contamination.

The Bottom Line

Even though whey protein is naturally gluten free, it isn’t necessarily a good option for someone who is gluten intolerant. If you do choose to consume whey, be sure that it is from a trusted source. 

2 Responses

  1. Maybe mention to only buy grass fed and finished whey?
    As you know type 2 diary is better than type 1 for those with dairy issues like me.
    Age 29 183 lbs I benched 400
    now im 71 still at it…..fighting sarcopenia…
    still stronger than 90% of wippersnapers in my gym!
    thx for the great u tubes! im 5 9 and 160 lbs now. I miss those 23 lbs of hard muscles.
    will get my testost. tested soon and try dairy shield.
    gluten free old dude. out

  2. I’m wondering if anyone other gluten and wheat intolerant people have experienced a rash with whey. I’ve started using whey and would like to know if anyone else has experienced this?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sing up to our newsletter for 10% off your first order!

Receive the latest strain releases, exclusive offers and 10% OFF welcome discount.