California Nutrition Startup Launches New Protein Powder for Weightlifting

Three months ago, a Los Angeles-based startup called NutriHacks launched its first product: Protein Chalk, a half-kilogram bag of protein-based, white chalk for climbers to use instead of traditional magnesium carbonate.

“When you’re in the gym, you’re obviously inhaling chalk all the time,” says Lucy Deril, a 26-year-old climber and food science graduate who founded NutriHacks with her sister, Ella Deril, in Los Angeles in May 2025. Both sisters are active in the fitness community, and started climbing about six years ago in Culver City in the Cliffs. “If you accidentally inhale the chalk, you might as well hit your macros,” Ella adds.

Impressively, Chalk Protein is 83% plant-based protein with zero added sugar. It is biodegradable, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, USDA-certified organic, shelf-stable for three years when stored in plastic, and most importantly, 100% edible.

According to the founders, Chalk Protein is not meant to be used as a snack. “It actually doesn’t even taste good,” says Lucy. “It really does taste like chalk.” But according to the Deril brothers, it is designed to both maximize muscle growth, while minimizing harm to the climber’s lungs. The founders also say that their product, at its core, is designed to address an unavoidable side effect of climbing: accidental chalk inhalation.

For many climbers, especially those with asthma or other respiratory problems, the respiratory impact of magnesium carbonate has become a concern. Last year, the Czech Academy of Sciences came out with the most comprehensive study on limestone inhalation by climbers. For six months, researchers monitored the lungs of climbers who inflated in the gym, without masks, for at least two hours a day once a week. They found that the average climber inhales up to one milligram per cubic meter per hour of magnesium carbonate particles. That’s nearly double the US Workplace Exposure Limit of half a milligram per cubic meter per hour. When a climbing gym session lasts four hours, that’s up to two milligrams per cubic meter.

On the other hand, the founder of NutriHacks claims that Protein Chalk does not irritate the lungs because its molecular structure limits how small the particles can be, especially compared to magnesium carbonate. “Protein Chalk won’t stay floating in the air forever like regular chalk,” says Lucy Deril. “And if it does, it won’t get stuck in your lungs. The heavier particles mean you’re still getting the friction you need, but instead of hurting you, it will help stimulate muscle mass over time.”

The sisters say they were inspired to create a protein-based chalk, and not just a non-toxic one, from scratch. “As athletes, it’s important for us to optimize everything that goes into our bodies for performance,” explains Lucy. “We have protein shakes, protein pizza, and protein ice cream, but it’s still very difficult to reach the recommended amount of protein each day, especially as a woman. So why not support your nutritional goals every chance you get?”

With Chalk Protein, food scientists say that belayers will not have to worry about dodging falling chalk particles from their climbers above: If they swallow any chalk protein, it will only come back as gains. “Eventually, once everyone uses protein chalk, gyms will not have to worry about ventilation or aggressive vacuuming,” says Ella. “The potential savings for gym owners will literally be life changing.”

But does NutriHacks chalk really work? Like, for climbing? Last month, when I received a sample of NutriHacks’ Protein Chalk to test at the gym, I was surprised at how gentle the product was. With the fine grains, I can get more coverage on my hands with each re-application than with regular chalk. Overall, it works great in all types of indoor storage. Unfortunately, I noticed a distinct clumping effect on my hands, especially after I started sweating, as well as a lingering vanilla scent.

I gave my feedback to Ella Deril over the phone the next day. “It’s not like this is just protein powder marketed as chalk, right?” I’m joking.

Before he could answer, the phone rang. Since then, Climb up have not been able to contact Deril’s sisters via email, phone, or text.

Happy April 1st!