Is Whey vegan?
Not vegan
No — whey is the liquid left when milk curdles into cheese.
Also listed as: whey protein, whey powder, lactalbumin
Why
Whey is a dairy by-product, so it comes from the same system that separates calves from cows. It appears in protein powders, crisps, bread, chocolate and processed snacks.
What to check on the label
- Whey, whey powder, lactalbumin
- Flavoured crisps and crackers
- Milk chocolate and protein bars
Swap it for
Pea proteinSoy protein isolateRice and pumpkin blends
Questions people ask
Is pea protein as good as whey?
Yes for most goals. A pea-rice blend gives a complete amino acid profile and comparable muscle-building results.
Is whey vegetarian?
Usually yes, unless animal rennet was used in the cheese-making step.