With a number of organic whey protein brands on the market, it sometimes can be hard to tell which brands are best. The goal of this post is to point out these differences so you can find the organic whey protein that best fits your needs.
Here are some things to consider when choosing an organic whey protein: the type of feed the cows consume, the use of soy, the treatment of the cows, the protein's source, and whether the cows are truly "grass-fed."
One of the first things you should check is whether the organic whey protein is Non-GMO Project Verified. Almost all the organic whey proteins on the market claim that their cows are fed Non-GMO feed but only one protein, Source Organic Whey, has met the strict standards of the Non-GMO Project.
Next, check the ingredient listing on the label to see if there are any soy ingredients. Many organic whey proteins use soy lecithin while only a few do not. Source Organic Whey does not use soy in any of its products.
Third, consider the treatment of the cows. There are very few brands that even mention where their cows are located, let alone if they treat the cows well. Also, many of these products will claim the milk used to produce their whey comes from small family farms, but never mention where these farms are. Other companies do this because their milk is received from farms all across the nation. Source Organic Whey comes exclusively from Northern California farms that are certified by the American Humane Association for their animal welfare practices.
Finally, no brand will tell how long their cows are grazing in pasture each year. Grass-fed organic whey protein still qualifies as “grass-fed” even if the cows are in a heated barn being fed grass that was harvested months ago. Source Organic Whey’s cows are located in a small region of Northern California allowing for an average of 350 days of pastured grazing per year. Compare this to cows in other parts of the country that are left standing in barns, with little exercise or movement for over 3 months a year.
So when deciding which organic whey protein to choose please consider:
- Is it Non-GMO Project Verified?
- Does it contain soy?
- How are the cows are treated?
- Where does the whey come from?
- Are the cows truly “grass-fed?”
Thanks for reading,
Al, MS, RD and Steve
Source Organic Whey is one of the most pure, grass-fed, organic whey protein powders on the market. From Jersey cows on family farms in Northern California, we think it's the best whey protein out there.
