As a small business, Mama Love doesn’t hit the same manufacturing minimums as larger companies, so we pay more for our products to be made. But those small batches end up being higher in quality, because we have more control over each item that comes down the production line—the fewer the items, the easier it is for us to check each one.
Plus, what’s inside is better, too. We work hard to source high-quality ingredients, like organic pea protein and real, non-alkalized organic cocoa powder, which tend to be more spendy than the cheap stuff other brands are dumping into their canisters.
All of the ingredients we use in Mama Love Chocolate Protein are third-party verified for quality and purity.
Better ingredients make a better protein powder—one that every mom, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, can feel good about using. We hope you’re willing to pay a little more for that peace of mind, Mama!
*If you’re comparing Mama Love Chocolate Protein to a luxe-priced item, with fancy advertising campaigns and lots of Instagram love, you might be surprised to discover that it ranks better. Mama Love Chocolate Protein has better ingredients and costs less per serving than Shakeology—how’s that for healthy savings?
]]>We buy our cocoa powder from a supplier in California. They import the cocoa beans from an organic farm in the Dominican Republic, process it without alkali, and package it here in the United States. It’s non-GMO and certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). It's also batch tested and verified gluten-free.
Cocoa powder contains polyphenols, special antioxidants found in many heart-healthy foods, including chocolate, coffee, and grapes, that have been linked to less inflammation and improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels (1). Using non-alkalized cocoa powder is important because the chemical has been shown to reduce the potency of those natural antioxidants by as much as 60 percent.
Cocoa powder is also naturally high in magnesium and other essential vitamins needed for muscle synthesis, which gives Mama Love Chocolate Protein a leg up on those other powders that skip the pure cocoa. And because we use culinary-grade cocoa powder, it brings a delicious, chocolate flavor to any smoothie or recipe you whip up!
Pea protein is made from dried, ground yellow peas, and it contains key branched-chain amino acids, specifically leucine, isoleucine, and valine, that the body needs to make strong, healthy muscles and other tissue.
Protein is essential for your growing baby, as it affects everything from healthy brain development to her weight at birth. That’s why it’s important for mamas to eat plenty of protein-rich foods from conception to delivery, and beyond. Pregnant women should aim for 70 to 100 grams of protein per day (1), depending on trimester and activity level.
While it’s always a good idea to run any new foods or supplements by your health care practitioners before diving in, we can confidently say Mama Love Chocolate Protein is great for pregnant moms who want to increase their daily protein intake.
A shake or smoothie made with one serving of Mama Love Chocolate Protein (45 grams by weight, or about 1/3 cup) provides 19 grams of plant-based protein. It’s sugar-free, allergen-free, and preservative-free, and all our ingredients have been third-party verified for quality and purity—so you can rest easier knowing that you’re doing something healthy for you and your new little one.
Mama Love Chocolate Protein is largely made from organic pea protein, which can help moms improve athletic performance (1, 2) and breastfeeding output.
Lactating women have an elevated need for protein (3), and adding a nutrient-dense supplement, like Mama Love Chocolate Protein, to breakfast smoothies, workout-recovery shakes, lactation cookies, and other snacks is a great way to hit that daily target.
Organic pea protein provides amino acids and other nutritional building blocks used by the body for both muscle growth and milk production. And unlike proteins derived from dairy, whey, soy, or rice, peas are not likely to be contaminated with heavy metals, antibiotics, or other risky compounds. Peas also come with a low allergy risk (4) and have been shown to be easy on both mom’s and baby’s digestive systems.
Mama Love Chocolate Protein also includes all-natural superfoods that support muscle tissue repair and healthy milk supply. Oats, flax seeds, and brewer’s yeast are safe for breast milk and act as boosters—providing nutrients for healthy milk production and let down. And tart cherry extract, an anti-inflammatory superhero, eases inflammation and muscle soreness.
Still, it’s always a good idea to discuss what you’re eating or planning to eat with your OB-GYN and your baby’s pediatrician, especially if you’re concerned about food allergies or sensitivities.
Getting a thumbs up from a medical pro can be reassuring, but it also signals that you’re on top of this whole mom thing already by researching and doing your homework to keep yourself and your baby well fed. Good work, Mama!
Sunflower lecithin is an especially good form of lecithin for anyone concerned about animal products, GMO foods, or chemicals. Sunflowers are not genetically modified and food processors don’t need to use chemicals to extract lecithin from sunflower seeds (2), the way they do with lecithin derived from soybeans.
Sunflower lecithin benefits breastfeeding, cognition, and athletic performance. Lecithin supplements are commonly recommended to mothers struggling with plugged ducts (3, 4) and they are considered to be "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (1).
Mama Love Chocolate Protein is made with superfoods and all-natural ingredients, including sunflower lecithin, that have been lab-verified for safety and purity. The amount of sunflower lecithin in one serving of Mama Love Chocolate Protein is aligned with the daily recommended dose of lecithin for mothers maintaining plug-free milk ducts (5). Still, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before using supplements or adding anything new to your diet.
You can learn more about the benefits of sunflower lecithin here: Sunflower Lecithin Benefits Mama's Milk, Memory & Muscles.
Lecithin.DRUGS AND LACTATION DATABASE (LACTMED), Oct. 23, 2019.
Guiotto, Estefania & Tomás, Mabel & Diehl, Bernd. (2015). Sunflower Lecithin. 10.1016/B978-1-63067-044-3.50007-8.
Scott, CR. Lecithin: it isn't just for plugged milk ducts and mastitis anymore. MIDWIFERY TODAY INT MIDWIFE, 2005 Winter, vol. 76, pp. 26-7.
McGuire E. Case study: white spot and lecithin. Breastfeed Rev. 2015 Mar;23(1):23-5. PMID: 25906494.
Bonyata, Kelly. Lecithin treatment for recurrent plugged ducts.KELLY MOM, Jan. 2018.
TO USE: In a blender, mix about 1/3 cup of Mama Love Chocolate Protein with 8 to 12 ounces of your favorite beverage. Use non-dairy milk and a handful of ice for a creamy treat.
Here's a simple how-to video:
I don't recommend using milk, since dairy proteins can pass directly through breast milk and might upset baby's tummy.
I do recommend adding tasty mix-in, like berries or nut butter. I love tossing in a banana for a touch of sweetness, more fiber, and potassium—an essential mineral that helps to regulate hydration and muscle contractions.
Need more inspiration? Check out the blog for smoothies, muffins, and more!
]]>Although, there hasn’t been a lot of clinical research into how they work (1, 2), doctors, lactation pros, and everyday moms have been sharing their favorite galactagogues with other mamas for centuries. Mama Love Protein contains 4 well-documented galactagogues: Peas, Oats, Brewer’s Yeast, and Flaxseeds.
You can learn more about galactagogues and breastfeeding superfoods here: 9 Foods That Can Boost Your Breast Milk Supply
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Oats are naturally gluten-free, however, the oat flour we use is processed in a facility that also handles wheat and other grains that do contain gluten. The probability is very low that our oat flour is contaminated, but we want anyone who uses Mama Love products to be aware of the small risk.
]]>Protein powders are notorious for clumping up and losing freshness after opening—that’s why so many of them contain fillers and preservatives. We wanted to keep our formula clean, so we decided to go a different route. Silica gel is non-toxic and relatively harmless, but it could present a choking hazard in the hands of children and you definitely don’t want to toss it in your blender by accident.
Keep an eye out for that freshness packet, and when you’ve finished your Mama Love Protein you can recycle or reuse it. (Slipping a packet in your sweaty gym shoes can help prevent stinky odors and mildew.)
]]>Still, it’s always smart to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine, changing your diet, or taking supplements.
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