Perdi’s Founder Lainie Kates Is Bringing Banana Bread Back With 20g of Protein

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So many things happened in the early 2020s, but one of the most memorable sensations of those wildly strange years (that many of us choose to forget) was the banana bread phenomenon—right behind the sourdough starter season!

Six years later, banana bread’s publicist is still hard at work, making the right calls, because banana bread is so back—this time, with a protein twist (or sachet, rather).  

Like banana bread, something (or someone) else was taking off during the 2020 epoch—Lainie Kates, the creative mind behind @Lainiecooks on TikTok, and now co-founder of Perdi’s. Her journey to amassing over 1 million followers across her social media was driven by her own learnings from overcoming PCOS/PMOS through healthy recipes and a background in holistic nutrition. She figured out new ways to prioritize her health without sacrificing the foods she loved, especially when it comes to dessert.

Now, Kates and her co-founder, Lauren Montgomery, are bringing classic dessert flavors like Banana Bread and Chocolate to the table (and mugs everywhere) with up to 20g of protein and many, many ways to get your daily dose of nutrients and your blood glucose levels stabilized without losing any of the “mmmmmm, this is so good.” Lainie’s grandmother agrees!

Tell us your origin story! How did you get into the whole “health-and-wellness” thing?

LK: I struggled with PCOS/PMOS for years, dealing with chronic inflammation, cystic acne, irregular periods, and being 40 pounds heavier. I vividly remember being rushed to the hospital in excruciating pain, only to discover I had ruptured ovarian cysts. That was my turning point. Rather than going straight to the birth control and spironolactone my doctors recommended, I decided to take a holistic approach and start by looking at the foods I was eating.

I began experimenting in the kitchen, creating healthier recipes that were still delicious and satisfying. During COVID, I started sharing them online as a hobby, and things quickly took off. In 2023, my cottage cheese ice cream recipe went viral, and I realized my passion for food could become something much bigger.

The protein revolution has begun, which means that everyone has become fixated on protein. Our question is: how much do you actually need every day? Does it vary for women and men?

LK: I think protein is incredibly important, but I also think we've become a little too obsessed with hitting these massive protein goals every day. The reality is that protein needs vary by body weight, age, activity level, and individual health goals—not simply whether you're a man or a woman.

The general recommendation for healthy adults is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. However, active individuals and those looking to build or maintain muscle may benefit from around 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram.

As someone who has struggled with PCOS, I'm especially passionate about the role protein plays in blood sugar management. Including protein in meals can support satiety and moderate blood sugar responses, which is especially important for women with PCOS, since insulin resistance is so common.

My philosophy is to focus less on chasing extreme protein numbers and more on eating balanced, nutrient-dense meals that support long-term metabolic and hormonal health.

Of all the things, why is protein the all-star macronutrient at the moment?

LK: Protein is definitely having its moment, but the science behind its benefits is nothing new! It plays an essential role in building and maintaining muscle, supporting metabolism, balancing blood sugar responses, and keeping us feeling full and satisfied. With more people focusing on longevity, metabolic health, and healthy aging, it makes sense that protein has become such a priority.

But I actually think fiber deserves just as much hype! Over 90% of Americans don't meet their recommended daily fiber intake despite its incredible benefits for gut health, blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, and overall metabolic health. As someone who has struggled with PCOS, I really focus on getting both protein and fiber into my meals. I eat a lot of beans, lentils, and other plant-based foods because they're naturally rich in both. I think the next big wellness conversation should focus less on how much protein we eat and more on how we nourish our bodies as a whole.

What is Perdi’s doing differently than other protein-forward supplements, brands, or powders?

LK: What makes Perdi's different is that we're not just another protein powder or supplement. We created a first-of-its-kind, instant, protein-forward dessert powder you can enjoy in so many ways.

Mix it with milk for a delicious, creamy pudding, add your favorite toppings, or microwave it for a warm mug cake or brownie. The possibilities really are endless!

We wanted to create something that feels like an actual dessert, not just another way to get your protein in. It's convenient, versatile, and made with simple ingredients, so you can enjoy something sweet while still getting protein and fiber.

How did you transform your daily lifestyle into Perdi’s? In the simplest of terms, what made you want to create a dessert-style protein powder “of all the things?”

LK: When I was working on managing my PCOS symptoms, I became much more intentional about the ingredients I was using and the foods I was eating. But I also have a huge sweet tooth, and I never wanted to feel like I had to give up dessert to prioritize my health.

I started experimenting with high-protein desserts in my own kitchen, creating recipes that satisfied my cravings while using ingredients I felt good about eating. Eventually, I realized I could turn something I was already making and enjoying every day into a product other people could easily incorporate into their routines.

That's really where the idea for Perdi's came from. I wanted to make dessert more convenient, nutritious, and accessible without sacrificing taste.

How do you maintain optimal protein levels when you’re on the go?

LK: My biggest tip is to front-load your protein earlier in the day. I personally try to get around 50–60 grams of protein before I leave the house, so I don't have to constantly think about hitting my protein goals while I'm running around.

I also always keep easy, protein-rich snacks on hand, whether that's beef sticks, protein bars, or something I can throw in my bag or car. Another little trick I love is asking for double protein when ordering a smoothie.

It's about finding small, convenient ways to add protein to your routine so it doesn't feel like something you have to think about constantly.

We noticed that you’re very into protein desserts at the moment. What is the recipe for one of your favorites?

LK: One of my absolute favorites right now is turning Perdi's Chocolate into a molten lava cake topped with vanilla protein ice cream. It's so easy and tastes like such an indulgent dessert!

I mix two packets of Chocolate Perdi's with about 5–6 tablespoons of milk and a square of chocolate in the middle. Then I microwave it for about two minutes, until it's cooked through and has that warm, fudgy texture. I finish it with a scoop of vanilla protein ice cream on top.

The warm chocolate and cold, creamy ice cream together are SO good.

TikTok Shop has taken off as the new obsession for scroll-heavy shoppers. How are you using the platform to end up in the bowls and mugs of people everywhere?

LK: Going viral on TikTok has been one of the most exciting parts of building Perdi's. Seeing women across the country discover our product, make their own recipes, and share their creations has been incredibly fulfilling.

One of the biggest things I've learned is how important it is to create a product that translates well on screen. From the packaging to the recipes themselves, you want something that immediately catches someone's attention and makes them stop scrolling.

With TikTok Shop specifically, I think it's important to really understand the platform and how people discover products. Even when we were developing Perdi's, I thought about how our packaging would look on camera, how we could demonstrate the product, and what would make someone curious enough to try it.

At the end of the day, you have to give people something unique and exciting that they haven't seen before.

What have been the biggest benefits and challenges of going from a content creator / internet sensation to a wellness brand?

LK: The biggest benefit has been building something of my own that I'm genuinely passionate about. Creating a product and brand from the ground up and seeing how much people love it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

The biggest challenge is probably learning how to create boundaries between work and my personal life. When you're building something you love so much, it's really easy for it to become all-consuming. I'm constantly thinking about Perdi's, whether it's new ideas, product development, or what's next. There are definitely nights when I don't get nearly enough sleep!

I'm still learning how to find that balance because, when you're so invested in what you're building, there isn't always an obvious off switch. But I also feel incredibly lucky to be doing something that excites me this much.

Can we expect more flavors to come? What are some ways you’re looking to expand Perdi’s over the next year?

LK: Absolutely! We're already working on some exciting new flavors for next year, including seasonal launches and additions to our core lineup. We have so much we want to do with Perdi's, and we're always thinking of new ways to keep things fun and exciting for our customers.

We're also looking to expand our presence across more online retailers to reach new customers and make Perdi's even more accessible. It's been amazing to see how much we've grown, and we're excited about what's ahead.

We're still in our first year, and the response to Perdi's has honestly exceeded our expectations. We've already experienced incredible growth, strong sales, and some really exciting viral moments, which has been amazing to see.

Of course, scaling a business quickly comes with its own set of challenges, but that's also part of what makes this journey so exciting. We're learning so much along the way, and I feel like we're only just getting started. There's so much more to come!