Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Lori Pace
Sometimes, protein powder is the best option to compensate for your daily nutrition. However, if you can’t afford it, can you buy protein powder with EBT Card?
So, the short answer is it’s possible to purchase most protein powders using your EBT Card. But this depends on the brand. You can buy protein powders that are sold in food form and marked with “Nutrition Facts” using your EBT. However, you cannot use your EBT Card for protein powders sold as supplements, and marked with “Supplement facts”. Below are lists of protein powder brands that you can buy with EBT. You may also use your EBT to purchase creatine and meal replacement shakes.
What Protein Powder Can I Buy With EBT (Food Stamps)?
As someone who has personally relied on SNAP benefits (EBT cards/food stamps) to meet nutritional needs, I fully understand their primary purpose—to support access to essential food items. The question often comes down to the product’s classification as food within the program guidelines. Let me provide you with insights based on my own experience navigating these distinctions, so you can confidently make informed choices about eligible products.
As someone familiar with the nuances of protein powder classifications, it’s important to understand that they straddle the line between being a food item and a supplement. This dual nature allows protein powder companies to market their products as either food or supplements. This distinction significantly impacts their eligibility for purchase using food stamps (EBT cards). Hence, the majority of protein powders qualify for purchase through food stamps, provided they are marketed as a food product with ‘Nutrition Facts’ labeling.
Lists of EBT-Eligible Protein Powders You Can Buy
I understand the importance of clear guidelines. When you’re shopping, it’s crucial to scrutinize the labeling on protein powders to determine if they are eligible. However, for the most reliable and accurate information, it’s highly recommended to consult official sources such as the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program guidelines [include link] to ensure you make the right choices.
Buy EBT Eligible Plant-Based Protein Powders
- Garden of Life Meal Replacement
- Garden of Life Sport
- KOS
- NAKED Pea Protein
- NOW Sports Pea Protein
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Plant-Based)
- Orgain
- Vega Sport Premium Protein
Buy EBT Eligible Whey Protein and Animal Protein Powders
- Ascent Native Fuel Whey
- BSN Syntha-6 Edge
- Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed
- Isopure Low Carb
- Levels Whey Protein
- MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Whey)
Is It Possible to Buy Creatine With EBT
Creatine can’t be bought with food stamps (EBT), as it counts only as a supplement and not as food. Creatine monohydrate, unlike protein powder which can be sold as both a food or a supplement, is sold only as a supplement. It is not food that you can purchase with EBT.
Can You Buy Meal Replacement Shakes With Food Stamps?
Use your EBT to purchase most meal replacement shakes, but this depends on the brand. You may buy shakes that are labeled “Nutrition Facts” and sold as food using your EBT. EBT is not eligible for supplements that are labeled with Supplement Facts.
The answer to meal replacement shakes is basically the same as for protein powders. However, you can’t buy everything using your food stamps.
EBT Eligible Meal Replacement Shakes
- Evolve Protein Shake [Vegan]
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Powder [Vegan]
- Orgain Organic Meal Replacement Powder [Vegan]
- PlantFusion Complete Meal [Vegan]
- 310 Meal Replacement Shake [Vegan]
- IdealShake Meal Replacement Shakes
- Labrada Lean Body Hi-Protein Meal Replacement Shake
- MET-Rx Original Whey Meal Replacement Shakes
- Premier Protein 30g Protein Shake
- SlimFast Original Meal Replacement Shake Mix
