Key Takeaways:
- Safety First: Not all protein shakes are pregnancy-friendly. Look for clean, simple formulas designed for pregnancy and lactation.
- Plant-Based by Design: Plant-based protein is often easier to digest, dairy-free, and avoids unnecessary hormonal and processing concerns during pregnancy.
- Made For Moms: BOOBIE Superfoods’ pregnancy-safe, plant-based nutrition is designed to support real moms with no fillers, no fluff, just function.
Let’s talk about protein shakes and pregnancy, because when you’re growing a whole human, everything you eat suddenly feels like a big deal. One minute you’re blending up a smoothie to survive the morning rush, and the next you’re googling, “Can I actually drink this while pregnant?” We get it. There’s a lot of conflicting info out there, and most of it doesn’t speak to what real moms actually need. It’s confusing, and honestly, kind of exhausting. So let’s clear the noise.
We’re BOOBIE Superfoods, and we don’t mess around when it comes to mom nutrition. We created the first protein powder specifically for moms who need clean, complete nutrition on the go. BOOBIE Superfoods protein is 100% plant-based, dairy-free, hormone-free, and formulated to provide all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein that’s suitable for pregnancy. Our products are clinically informed and RN-formulated by our founder, a Registered Nurse and IBCLC, because motherhood nutrition should feel supportive, not stressful.
In this blog, we’ll discuss protein shakes during pregnancy, including potential benefits, ingredients to watch, and everyday considerations.
Real Talk: What’s Actually In A Protein Shake?
Not all protein shakes are built with pregnancy in mind. Many conventional powders are packed with artificial sweeteners, flavors, added sugars, or long ingredient lists that don’t serve a pregnant body well. When you’re growing a human, simplicity matters.
So, can you drink protein shakes while pregnant? Yes, but choosing whole-food-based, plant-based protein can make that decision much easier. Cleaner ingredients, fewer digestive issues, and less guesswork go a long way during pregnancy.
Why Plant-Based Protein Is Often the Better Choice During Pregnancy
Plant-based protein is naturally dairy-free and often easier to tolerate during pregnancy, when digestion can be more sensitive. When formulated correctly, plant-based protein can provide all essential amino acids, making it a complete and reliable source of protein for pregnancy.
Because plant-based proteins avoid dairy, they also sidestep additional hormonal and processing considerations that come with some animal-based proteins. For many moms, this makes plant-based protein the simpler, more comfortable option during pregnancy.
Can You Drink Protein Shakes While Pregnant?
Pregnancy hunger is real, and especially in the first trimester, solid foods don’t always cooperate. Nausea, food aversions, or sudden bathroom runs can make getting enough protein tough, even as your needs increase during pregnancy. That’s where protein shakes can help. Options like BOOBIE BODY offer a one-handed, low-effort way to get complete protein when full meals aren’t appealing. Before you start shaking things up, here’s what you need to know.
What Your Pregnant Body Actually Needs
Your protein needs increase during pregnancy to support your body and your baby’s development. A well-made shake can help meet those needs, especially on days when a balanced meal feels impossible. So yes, can you drink protein while pregnant? You absolutely can, just make sure it’s clean, nourishing, and designed for this season of life.
The Good, The Sketchy, And The Just Don’t
Some protein shakes can be a helpful tool during pregnancy, especially when they’re made with clean, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Others are loaded with artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, excessive added sugars, or low-quality fillers that don’t support a pregnant body. That’s why many moms prefer plant-based protein powders, which are naturally dairy-free, often easier to digest, and avoid the hormone and processing concerns associated with some animal-based proteins. When it comes to whey protein shakes during pregnancy, tolerance varies, but heavily processed formulas with long ingredient lists, added sugars, GMOs, or poor sourcing that raises concerns about contaminants like heavy metals are best avoided.
Listening To Your Body (And Your Label)
Always check the label and listen to your body. If something doesn’t sit right, physically or mentally, that’s your cue to move on. BOOBIE Superfoods is made to be safe for all moms, including pregnancy-safe nutrition and lactation-safe products, with thoughtfully vetted ingredients you don’t have to second-guess. We don’t treat pregnancy like a medical condition or design products that suddenly “expire” once your baby arrives. Instead, we make clean, functional nutrition that works for every stage of motherhood, because eating well should feel simple, not stressful.
Whey Protein And Pregnancy: Is It A Match?
Whey protein gets a lot of love in the fitness world, but pregnancy changes the rules. Digestion is more sensitive, ingredient standards are higher, and that scoop of powder suddenly matters more. Because whey comes from dairy, it can add extra digestive and hormonal considerations at a time when your body already has plenty going on. Whey protein powders are also typically more processed than whole-food-based plant proteins, which can be a factor for pregnant moms aiming for simpler, minimally processed nutrition. That’s why many moms choose plant-based protein during pregnancy for a cleaner, dairy-free option that’s easier to trust.
What Even Is Whey Protein?
Whey is the liquid byproduct of cheese-making (yep, cheese) that’s processed into a powdered protein source. It’s known for being high in essential amino acids and easily absorbed by the body. Sounds great on paper, but the real question is: is whey good for pregnancy?
Is It Good To Drink Whey While Pregnant?
Here’s the real talk: Is it good to drink whey while pregnant? That depends. If it’s a high-quality, clean-source whey with no artificial additives, it can offer some benefits. But if you’re sensitive to dairy, lactose intolerant, or dealing with pregnancy-related digestion drama (hello, bloat), whey might not be your friend right now.
Beyond Whey: What Really Matters in a Pregnancy Protein Shake
If you’re asking, can you drink whey protein shakes while pregnant? The answer is maybe—but it’s not just about the whey. Pay close attention to whether it contains GMOs, added sugars or excess carbs, gums, fillers, artificial colors, or sweeteners. Look for options that are certified organic, certified non-GMO, and free from the top 8 allergens—like BOOBIE products. And as always, choose a source you trust and that your body tolerates well. Trust your gut. Literally. And don’t force it just because “everyone at the gym drinks it”—you’re not training for a marathon; you’re growing a human.
How To Choose A Pregnancy-Safe Protein Shake
Not all protein shakes are pregnancy-friendly, no matter how pretty the packaging looks. Choosing the right one means being a label detective, listening to your body, and refusing to settle for anything sketchy. Here’s how to do it right:
Scan The Ingredients, Always
Look for simple, recognizable ingredients. Skip artificial sweeteners, dyes, and overly long ingredient lists.
Prioritize Easy Digestion
Pregnancy can be hard on your gut. Plant-based proteins are often gentler and easier to tolerate.
Choose Mom-Designed Nutrition
A protein powder made for the general population isn’t the same as one made for pregnancy. Products designed specifically for moms take this stage of life into account.
Go With A Brand That Gets Motherhood
This isn’t the time to roll the dice on just any supplement. BOOBIE Superfoods was literally built for this, by a Registered Nurse and IBCLC who knows what your body actually needs. Products like our lactation bars and lactation cookies are created with clean, functional ingredients that actually support you and your goals.
What Makes Our Protein Different (And Better)?
Let’s be honest. The supplement aisle can feel like a guessing game, especially when you're pregnant and trying to make the best choices for two. Here’s how we actually show up for moms:
Made For Moms From Day One
Our Protein wasn’t an afterthought slapped with a “for women” label. It was developed specifically for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding by Nurse Wendy Colson, a Registered Nurse and IBCLC who knows the science and the struggles. You won’t find random trends here, just functional ingredients backed by real expertise.
No Junk, Ever
Every BOOBIE Superfoods product is free from dairy, gluten, soy, and artificial fillers. So if you’ve been wondering, is whey good for pregnancy, and you already know dairy doesn’t sit right with you, you don’t need to gamble on it. Our plant-based protein offers clean, gentle nutrition without compromise.
Designed For Real Life
We get that you’re juggling more than macros. That’s why we make options that are convenient, crave-worthy, and easy to digest, whether you're pregnant, nursing, or somewhere in between. If you need a little extra support beyond shakes, our postpartum supplements from the lactation collection have your back.
Final Thoughts
So, can you drink protein shakes while pregnant? Yes, absolutely, when you choose the right kind. Clean, plant-based protein offers a simple, reliable way to support increased protein needs during pregnancy without unnecessary additives, dairy, or digestive drama.
If you’ve been debating whey versus plant-based, remember this: pregnancy is already full of variables. Your protein shake doesn’t need to be one of them. Choosing a plant-based option designed specifically for moms, like BOOBIE BODY, helps take the guesswork out of pregnancy nutrition so you can focus on what actually matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Protein Shakes During Pregnancy
Can protein shakes help with morning sickness during pregnancy?
Some moms find that cold, bland protein shakes can be easier to keep down than solid meals. They offer a quick source of nutrition when nausea makes eating difficult.
Are plant-based protein shakes better than whey during pregnancy?
Plant-based shakes are often gentler on digestion and easier to tolerate, especially for moms with dairy sensitivities or lactose intolerance.
How much protein should a pregnant woman consume daily?
Most healthcare providers recommend 70–100 grams of protein per day during pregnancy, depending on your trimester, weight, and activity level.
Can protein shakes replace meals during pregnancy?
They shouldn't replace all meals, but can supplement your intake when you're too tired or nauseated to cook. Always aim for balance with whole foods, too.
Do protein shakes affect fetal development?
Quality protein supports fetal growth, but additives or low-quality ingredients in some shakes could have negative effects. Always choose clean-label options.
Is it safe to drink protein shakes every day while pregnant?
Yes, if the shake is made with pregnancy-safe ingredients. Just make sure you're not using it to completely replace real meals or relying on it exclusively.
Are flavored protein powders safe during pregnancy?
Natural flavors are usually okay, but artificial ones may pose concerns. Always check for added sugars, dyes, or synthetic chemicals on the ingredient list.
Sources:
- Gerraghty, A. A., O’Brien, E. C., Alberdi, G., Horan, M. K., Donnelly, J., Larkin, E., … & McAuliffe, F. J. (2018). Maternal protein intake during pregnancy is associated with child growth up to 5 years of age, but not through insulin‑like growth factor‑1, findings from the ROLO study. British Journal of Nutrition, 120(11), 1252‑1261. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114518002611
- Wang, D., Partap, U., Liu, E., Costa, J. C., Cliffer, I. R., Wang, M., … & PLoS Medicine (2025). The effect of prenatal balanced energy and protein supplementation on gestational weight gain: An individual participant data meta‑analysis in low‑ and middle‑income countries. PLoS Medicine, 22(2), e1004523. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004523
- Ota, E., Hori, H., Mori, R., Tobe‑Gai, R., & Farrar, D. (2015). Antenatal dietary education and supplementation to increase energy and protein intake. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(6), Article CD000032. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000032.pub3
- Herring, C. M., Bazer, F. W., Johnson, G. A., & Wu, G. (2018). Impacts of maternal dietary protein intake on fetal survival, growth, and development. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 243(6), 525‑533. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370218758275
- Miyake, K., Mochizuki, K., Kushima, M., Shinohara, R., Horiuchi, S., Otawa, S., Akiyama, Y., Ooka, T., Kojima, R., Yokomichi, H., Yamagata, Z., & Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group. (2023). Maternal protein intake in early pregnancy and child development at age 3 years. Pediatric Research, 94(1), 392–399. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02435-8
