Health, fitness and the supplement aisle. An independent South African desk.
Women's health · Answer
A simple whey protein shake is generally considered acceptable by many clinicians in pregnancy, but it is not studied in detail, so check with your gynaecologist or dietitian first. The concerns are what else is in the tub: sweeteners, herbs, caffeine, added amino acids, heavy metals and overstated protein. Food should supply most of your protein, and mass gainers and pre-workouts are best avoided.
No. Whey is a pasteurised dairy protein and, in healthy adults, normal intakes are safe. Protein needs rise in pregnancy, which makes a shake a reasonable convenience on days when food falls short. But "reasonable" is not the same as "studied": supplements have not been tested in pregnant women as a group, so confirm with your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you have gestational diabetes, a milk allergy or kidney problems.
| Concern | What the evidence shows | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metals | Consumer Reports (Oct 2025) found more than two-thirds of 23 protein products exceeded its 0.5 µg/day lead concern level; whey and dairy were generally lowest, plant-based about nine times higher on average; the highest was a mass gainer (7.7 µg per serving). US FDA interim reference for women of childbearing age is 8.8 µg/day | Prefer plain whey; avoid mass gainers; ask for a batch certificate |
| Protein overstatement | A University of Pretoria study of 70 SA sports supplements found measured protein differed from the label in 68.6%, with 5 products 42% to 80% below the claim | Check the nutrition table per 100 g (isolate about 85 to 90 g, concentrate about 70 to 80 g) |
| Amino spiking | Free amino acids or glycine can inflate protein figures | Read the ingredient list for added amino acids |
| Caffeine, herbs, "burners" | Some products add stimulants; South African product pages say over 200 mg of caffeine a day is not recommended in pregnancy | Avoid pre-workouts and "protein coffee" unless cleared |
| Sweeteners | Approved sweeteners are permitted in foods; we found nothing in our research files either way for pregnancy | Unsweetened options sidestep the question; discuss with your doctor |
| Vitamin A and added vitamins | Excess preformed vitamin A is a concern in pregnancy | Pick products without added vitamin blends (see supplements to avoid) |
As of October 2026, per 100 g of powder: ATP Fitness Unflavoured Whey Protein Concentrate 1 kg, R800 (R80.00, no sweeteners, ATP shop); ATP Unflavoured Whey Protein Isolate 800 g, R900 (R112.50); Primal Whey Isolate 750 g, R700 (R93.33, sucralose, Dis-Chem Living Fit). ATP Fitness offers single-ingredient products, but it does not publish protein per serving or third-party test results, and it is a young brand (2024), so ask for a certificate of analysis before using it in pregnancy. USN BlueLab states Informed Choice certification on its product pages (register not checked). The concentrate contains more lactose; the isolate has far less. See whey isolate vs concentrate.
Eggs, dairy, lean meat, fish low in mercury, legumes and nuts supply protein plus other nutrients. For total targets see how much protein women need.
Speak to your doctor or dietitian before starting (and mention any medication you take, or if you are under 18), and urgently if you have bloating with severe pain, hives, vomiting or swelling after a shake. Collagen products have their own considerations: collagen in pregnancy.
| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per 100 g powder | R per 30 g protein | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATP Fitness Unflavoured Whey Protein Concentrate | 1 kg | R800 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | — | R80.00 | — | None |
| ATP Fitness Unflavoured Whey Protein Isolate | 800 g | R900 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | — | R112.50 | — | None |
| Primal Whey Isolate (750 g) | 750 g | R700 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | — | R93.33 | — | sucralose |
| USN Isozero Whey Protein Isolate (805 g) | 805 g | R899-R909.99 (USN shop (za.usn.global), 2026-10) | — | R111.68 | R38.53 | not stated |
Educational information, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease. Prices were observed in October 2026 and are not offers.