Is it permissible to just wait an hour from meat to drinking a smoothie with a scoop of whey protein powder? The protein powder has a dairy hechser, but I am hoping it is not considered actual dairy.
Answer:
Whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process (known in the Talmud as nisyovi de-chalav), and it is a dairy product like all others.
Therefore, the general principles of waiting between meaty and dairy will apply to whey.
Best wishes, and hope you find a viable alternative.