Plant Based Proteins are found in many different substances, offering you the same value as the protein you find in meat products. Getting the right amount of protein in your diet is crucial for muscle support and body maintenance.
What is Protein?
Whether you embark on muscle-building workouts regularly, or you want to get that full feeling after a meal, you need the right balance in your diet. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you need is to eat breakfast to help you break the cycle of not eating that you endured overnight.
However, a plain cereal won’t do. You need the right nutrients to perk yourself up enough to last through the day. Otherwise, you risk falling asleep on your lunch hour with nothing else to do. This type of support can only come from the right source of protein.
Protein supports a multitude of different processes in your body, ad is crucial for the development of healthy muscles. You need it to survive, since carbohydrates and other nutrients are not enough to keep your body nourished.
The most common source of protein is based on animal products, since they offer a broad range of amino acids in each serving. It also helps you to stabilize your blood sugar, especially when you consume healthy protein in the morning.
Protein offers your body many essential benefits, but there are some people that ignore this necessity and think they can eat a diet that has limited protein. You won’t find any diet or recommendations from your doctor that tell you to not include protein in your diet, but these issues come with one major flaw – they don’t give any support to consumers that partake in a restricted diet.
Challenges of Adding Protein to a Vegan Diet
If you newly have decided to pursue a meatless lifestyle as a vegan or a vegetarian, you may find yourself overwhelmed with attempting to compensate for the missing protein. You may seek out ways to incorporate it into your diet, only to find that you go through too many calories to make it beneficial.
Luckily, the days of being subject to fiber-rich protein solutions that will just overwhelm your digestive tract are over. Instead of using the unsavory juice blends and excessive calories, you can choose a protein that is based on the nutrients of plants.
Types of Plant-Based Protein
When you need to choose a protein that doesn’t come from any animal products, you should consider the plant-proteins that are offered in the industry. Meat products may offer you a healthy amount of protein, but the protein that you find in these products has a downside.
While the animal-based proteins offered in the industry are referred to as “complete” proteins, the only people who truly need the high biological value of these proteins are often athletes. Luckily, advancements in the industry have made it possible to supply your body with these proteins with vegetables as well.
The biggest difference is the presence of saturated fats and cholesterol, which are found in any meat product you can locate. These substances clog up your arteries and can lead to high blood pressure, which is normally when your doctor probably tells you to change your diet.
Plant-based proteins, like soy or peas, are easier on the digestive system to process. In fact, there are many sources of plant proteins that offer close to the same “complete” profile of amino acids that meat products do. There’s no saturated fat or cholesterol, which means you don’t risk your personal health to enjoy a little protein. Additionally, even though these substances don’t have all the amino acids you need, you probably will be able to supply the rest of your body with necessary nutrients that a basic protein powder cannot provide.
Read on below to find out more about some of the common plant-based proteins in the industry. The list below is not a complete list of every option available, but these are the substances that offer the highest amount of protein in their serving:
1. Peas and Legumes
When you think of plant-based proteins, the first ones you probably thing of are pea proteins and legumes. These two substances contain the highest amount of branched chain amino acids and lysine. Branched chain amino acids help with muscle growth, while lysine is a substance that maintains your health, but your body can’t produce it alone.
Unfortunately, there’s one thing that this protein lacks – methionine. Methionine supports the health of your liver, but it’s usually only found in seafood and dairy products.
The benefit of peas as a source of protein is the way that the powder expands, once it comes in contains with liquid. That liquid is meant mix is up into a drink, but it also helps to fill your stomach as you digest it.
2. Brown Rice Protein Isolate
Brown rice isn’t just a delicious side dish to add to your dinner tonight. It is a healthy source of methionine, which was described above. However, it doesn’t provide you with many other amino acids, so you will need a formula that combines it with pea protein or another substance that is high in this nutrient.
Rice protein is often the hardest substance to dissolve, which means you end up with a gritty texture that doesn’t appeal to many people.
3. Hemp Protein
Hemp protein is a healthy addition to the supplement industry, and features a complete profile of amino acids. It also provides your body with omega-3s, which are usually found in fish. This version of hemp doesn’t contain the same reaction that you typically get from cannabis, which is what makes it legal.
The downside about the hemp protein is the vegetable aroma that it leaves you with, which extends to the aftertaste. Most vegans and vegetarians are familiar with and enjoy the taste, which lessens the concern you should have over this protein.
4. Pumpkin Protein Powder
Pumpkin protein powder is a completely different protein. Most people appreciate the delicious taste of pumpkin, but the flavor is unique. This is one of the few options available that mixes in a positive way with different drinks, and provides you with a healthy supply of minerals, beyond the composition of the protein.
Choosing the Right Plant Based Proteins for You
Once you make the decision to use a plant-based protein in your diet, the most important part is knowing how to choose the best one for your diet and routine. You may follow a vegan lifestyle for morality purposes, or you could have a dairy sensitivity that prevents you from consuming a protein that is dairy-based.
That’s why this protein is widely successful in the industry. However, many companies tend to lead you astray.
Taste
One of the main problems with a plant-based protein is that most of them don’t taste very good. If you want to find a formula that is widely appealing, you should check out the different flavors available.
However, even the flavored types may not taste good, and often contain more sugar than you want. Sugar is the biggest ingredient that you should avoid, since you don’t want to add unnecessary calories to your body. Sweeteners, both artificial and natural, are also big problems, since these formulas focus less on your health and more on your taste buds. For a safe and healthy balance, you may want to find a formula that uses natural tastes to improve the flavor.
Blending
The other problem with many different plant proteins is that it becomes difficult to blend the mix within your drink. For that reason, some companies add different processing methods to help make the taste appetizing and the powder, easy to blend.
Luckily, this issue is easy to handle, considering that you can purchase mixing water bottles to blend it. You can also use a blender. The easiest way to determine if the texture is right for you is to look up the customer reviews on the particular blend that you want to use.
Number of Proteins
Some of the best plant-based proteins contain different proteins in the same blend. Unlike animal proteins, plant-based proteins don’t quite have enough protein to nourish your diet daily.
The only way to truly get enough of the protein that these powders contain is by combining multiple sources at once. Your body typically needs about 20 different amino acids, which none of the sources have. However, when you put it all together you can get a supply of the protein that you need the most.
Your Body
When you try to look through different protein powders, you can’t forget to consider the biggest variable: you. Your dietary needs, allergies, and illnesses need to be considered when you put together your diet.
You should know about any recommendations from your doctor, but it can be overwhelming to decipher all the ingredients on the powder’s list. As a good rule of thumb, when in doubt, you should choose a formula with a shorter ingredient list.
Most of the time, consumers look for a formula that is gluten-free and dairy-free, since these allergies are some of the most popular food restrictions in society today.
Other Nutrients
The biggest problem with some of these formulas is that they contain nothing but protein. With so many different healthy vegetables available in a vegan diet, your best chance at healthy ingredients is to find a formula that offers superfoods, of which there are 30. Your protein supply needs to be enough to suffice your needs throughout the day, whether you need antioxidant support or just your daily vitamins.
When you consider the nutrients inside, you should gravitate towards formulas that use organic ingredients. Organic foods have not been treated with chemicals in the way that other foods have. Furthermore, these fields that are used to grow the ingredients have been certified with healthy soil. Essentially, that means that there are no synthetic ingredients even allowed near the substances.
The Manufacturer
Even if these factors measure up, you still need to consider the company that produces the product. Every company follows different standards, since supplements are not regulated by the FDA. According to some sources, Nutiva is one of the few ethical companies that follows the right type of procedures when maintain their products.
Why is a Vegan Diet Beneficial?
Many people choose to start partaking in a vegan diet, which is often a result of personal conviction. However, individuals that pursue that type of diet often have a wealth of health reasons. This type of diet features health benefits for your digestive system, along with the rest of your body.
When you consume a diet that features a rich supply of fresh produce, you can reduce the amount of saturated fats and carbohydrates that are clogging up your system. These substances are often high in meat and sugar-filled foods, which are bad influences on your diet. By eating these vegetables, you also get a rich supply of:
- Fiber, to encourage healthy bowel movements
- Magnesium, to improve your body’s ability to absorb non-dairy milk
- Potassium, which improves your kidney function and helps to balance out your water and acidity in your muscles
- Folate, which is a B vitamin that helps you to repair the cells in your body
- And more!
With these vitamins that you consume in a vegan diet, you’re able to get the nutrients you typically miss in your diet, giving you a greater sense of well-being.
This type of diet encourages a healthy immune system, preventing multiple types of diseases. Cancer, obesity, and vitamin deficiencies are only a few different conditions that this supply of nutrients can help you with.
When you partake in a vegan diet, you can strengthen and improve your body, since you will probably end up consuming all the antioxidants. You can choose to use a vegan diet to help improve your energy levels, while means you’ll be reducing your DMI, losing weight, and supplying your body with helpful nutrients.
With these benefits, it’s incredibly easy to see why someone would pursue a vegan lifestyle, especially if they have a love and respect for animals.
Best-Selling Plant Based Proteins
Once you know what you’re looking for, it makes it easier to narrow down the vast selection of products that are offered by the supplement industry. While new products come out every single year, there are several products that should be in your “go to” selection.
Read on below to find out about which products that BodyBuilding.com believes to be the best products that are out there right now. However, keep in mind that the supplement industry is constantly evolving.
S.A.N. RawFusion
S.A.N. rawfusion is made up of the protein that you can find in pea, rice, and artichokes. The nutrients are extracted from raw foods, giving you the greatest supply of protein and other vitamins in an effective way. This formula is used to help you improve your muscle growth, while delivering glutamine and BCAAs that are necessary to your body.
If you want to make a protein shake from this formula, you only need to add one scoop to your selected beverage. Due to the composition of the powder, you will probably need a blender or a shaker cup to mix it up properly, taking about ten seconds.
A one-pound bottle of the rawfusion formula is $14.86.
MRM Veggie Elite
MRM Veggie Elite features pea protein and organic brown rice protein, gearing you up for an amazing performance at the gym. It helps you with nearly every part of your workout, providing you with the nutrients you need to enhance your strength, speed up your recovery period, and improve your energy levels.
You only need one scoop for an eight-ounce glass of water, but you can use any unflavored beverage. This formula is offered in both chocolate and vanilla. You should be able to watch it disintegrate without a blender cup.
A jar that contains 30 servings is available for $25.98.
Vega Sport Performance Protein
Vega Sport Performance Protein uses the protein that you can find in pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. It helps you to boost your performance during different athletic events, since the needs of an athlete are much different from the standard bodybuilder.
You’ll need to measure out one scoop of the protein into cold water. This drink should be consumed no more than 90 minutes before your activities.
The 19-serving jar is priced at $43.99, and you can choose from berry, chocolate, mocha, or vanilla.
MRM Veggie Protein
MRM Veggie Protein contains a large blend of different proteins, maximizing your protein intake. You will find the protein from peas, organic brown rice, organic hemp, flaxseed, and chia seed. Within this formula, you will find a complete profile of amino acids, which means you can support the health of your entire body with just one drink.
Mix up one scoop of the formula in any beverage to get the full benefits. You can choose from chocolate and vanilla, if you buy the 2.5-pound jar for $25.98.
Vega ONE
Vega ONE primarily uses the benefits of pea protein, but it also includes whole flaxseed to deliver the protein. This formula is a wholesome nutritional shake, helping you to lose weight or just support your current weight.
You can mix in a scoop of the formula into any drink to get the full benefits. For a 10-serving jar, you can expect to pay $28.98.
Plant Based Proteins Conclusion
For many reasons, animal-based and plant based proteins are both beneficial to the body, so you’re only restricted by your doctor-recommended or self-imposed restrictions. You need to find the right formula to meet your needs, but the plethora of options available will make it possible to find the one that fits your preferences the best.
Whether you need plant-based protein that blends smoothly or offers as big of a profile of amino acids as what the animals provides, you can choose from one of the options listed above.
