Powdered beverage composition

1. A powdered beverage composition suitable for being added to water or aqueous based liquid to form a protein-containing and fiber-containing beverage, said powdered beverage composition comprising (1) agglomerated protein, the agglomerated protein selected from the group consisting of whey protein, milk protein, and mixtures thereof, (2) a soluble fiber component, and (3) an optional high intensity sweetener component; the soluble fiber component present in an amount about 1.6 times to about 3.3 times greater by weight than the agglomerated protein; and the powdered beverage composition is soluble in water having a temperature below about 52° F. by using hand mixing; wherein the soluble fiber component increases the flowability and cold water solubility of the powdered beverage composition; and wherein a single serving size of about 3 to about 25 g of the powdered beverage composition has less than about 50 calories, about 1 to about 6 g protein, about 2 to about 10 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.5 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

2. The powdered beverage composition of claim 1 , wherein the soluble fiber component is inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide, polydextrose, modified corn dextrins, modified wheat dextrins, acacia gum, pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, hemicelluloses, beta glucan, soluble corn fibers, soluble wheat fibers, or mixtures thereof.

3. The powdered beverage composition of claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated protein is whey protein and the soluble fiber component is inulin.

4. The powdered beverage composition of claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated protein is whey protein and the soluble fiber component is modified corn dextrins or modified wheat dextrins.

5. The powdered beverage composition of claim 1 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

6. The powdered beverage composition of claim 2 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

7. The powdered beverage composition of claim 3 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

8. The powdered beverage composition of claim 4 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

9. A powdered beverage composition suitable for being added to water or aqueous based liquid to form a protein-containing and fiber-containing beverage, said powdered beverage composition comprising (1) about 1 to 6 grams agglomerated protein, the agglomerated protein selected from the group consisting of whey protein, milk protein, and mixtures thereof, (2) about 2 to 10 grams soluble fiber component, (3) 0 to about 5 grams organic acid, (4) 0 to about 1.8 grams high intensity sweetener component, (5) 0 to about 0.3 grams anticaking agent, (6) 0 to about 0.5 grams of at least one carbonate salt from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate, (7) 0 to about 1 grams of flow agent, (8) 0 to about 0.03 grams antifoam agent, and (9) 0 to 1 gram of flavorants and colorants; the soluble fiber component present in an amount about 1.6 times to about 3.3 times greater by weight than the agglomerated protein; and the powdered beverage composition is soluble in water having a temperature below about 52° F. by using hand mixing; wherein the soluble fiber component increases the flowability and cold water solubility of the powdered beverage composition; and wherein a single serving size of about 3 to about 25 g of the powdered beverage composition has than about 50 calories, about 1 to about 6 g protein, about 2 to about 10 grams soluble fiber, less than about 0.5 grams fat, and less than about 2 grams net carbohydrates.

10. The powdered beverage composition of claim 9 , wherein the soluble fiber component is selected from the group consisting of inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide, polydextrose, modified corn dextrins, modified wheat dextrins, acacia gum, pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, hemicelluloses, beta glucan, soluble corn fibers, soluble wheat fibers, and mixtures thereof; wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof; wherein the high intensity sweetener component selected from the group consisting of aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, cyclamate, stevia, and mixtures thereof; wherein the anticaking agent is selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, and mixtures thereof; wherein the flow agent is a silicate; and wherein the antifoam agent selected from the group consisting of silicone based antifoaming agents and surface active surfactants.

11. The powdered beverage composition of claim 9 , wherein the agglomerated protein is whey protein; wherein the soluble fiber component is inulin, modified corn dextrins, or modified wheat dextrins; wherein the organic acid is citric acid, malic acid, or mixtures thereof; wherein the high intensity sweetener component is aspartame; wherein the anticaking agent is magnesium oxide; wherein the carbonate salt is a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate; wherein the flow agent is a silicate; and wherein the antifoam agent is a silicone based antifoaming agent.

12. The powdered beverage composition of claim 9 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

13. The powdered beverage composition of claim 10 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

14. The powdered beverage composition of claim 11 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

15. A powdered beverage composition suitable for being added to water or aqueous based liquid to form a protein-containing and fiber-containing beverage, said powdered beverage composition comprising (1) about 2 to 5 grams agglomerated protein, the agglomerated protein selected from the group consisting of whey protein, milk protein, and mixtures thereof, (2) about 3 to 7 grams soluble fiber component, (3) about 1 to about 3 grams organic acid, (4) 0.1 to about 0.6 grams high intensity sweetener component, (5) about 0.01 to about 0.1 grams anticaking agent, (6) 0.01 to about 0.1 grams of at one least carbonate salt from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate, (7) about 0.04 to about 0.12 grams of flow agent, (8) about 0.01 to about 0.03 grams antifoam agent, and (9) about 0.2 to 0.5 grams of flavorants and colorants; the soluble fiber component present in an amount about 1.6 times to about 3.3 times greater by weight than the agglomerated protein; and the powdered beverage composition is soluble in water having a temperature below about 52° F. by using hand mixing; wherein the soluble fiber component increases the flowability and cold water solubility of the powdered beverage composition; and wherein a single serving size of about 10 to about 15 g of the powdered beverage composition has less than about 50 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 grams soluble fiber, less than about 0.5 grams fat, and less than about 2 grams net carbohydrates.

16. The powdered beverage composition of claim 15 , wherein the soluble fiber component is selected from the group consisting of inulin, nutriose, fructo-oligosaccharide, polydextrose, modified corn dextrins, modified wheat dextrins, acacia gum, pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, hemicelluloses, beta glucan, soluble corn fibers, soluble wheat fibers, and mixtures thereof; wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof; wherein the high intensity sweetener component selected from the group consisting of aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, cyclamate, stevia, and mixtures thereof; wherein the anticaking agent is selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, and mixtures thereof; wherein the flow agent is a silicate; and wherein the antifoam agent selected from the group consisting of silicone based antifoaming agents and surface active surfactants.

17. The powdered beverage composition of claim 15 , wherein the agglomerated protein is whey protein; wherein the soluble fiber component is inulin, modified corn dextrins, or modified wheat dextrins; wherein the organic acid is citric acid, malic acid, or mixtures thereof; wherein the high intensity sweetener component is aspartame; wherein the anticaking agent is magnesium oxide; wherein the carbonate salt is a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate; wherein the flow agent is a silicate; and wherein the antifoam agent is a silicone based antifoaming agent.

18. The powdered beverage composition of claim 15 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

19. The powdered beverage composition of claim 16 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates.

20. The powdered beverage composition of claim 17 , wherein the powdered beverage composition provides less than about 40 calories, about 2 to about 5 g protein, about 3 to about 7 g soluble fiber, less than about 0.2 g fat, and less than about 2 g net carbohydrates when reconstituted with water or aqueous based liquid.

21. The powdered beverage composition of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the agglomerated protein to the soluble fiber component is in the range of about 1:3 to about 3:10.

22. The powdered beverage composition of claim 9 , wherein the weight ratio of the agglomerated protein to the soluble fiber component is in the range of about 1:3 to about 3:10.

23. The powdered beverage composition of claim 15 , wherein the weight ratio of the agglomerated protein to the soluble fiber component is in the range of about 1:3 to about 3:10.