Vegan Protein Powder

Vegan Protein Powders have come a long way over the past thirty years or so. It used to be the case that any vegetable-based protein pretty much tasted like a combination of shredded cardboard and sand. Fortunately, times have changed—as time does—and with it has come improvements in processing techniques. These days you can enjoy—that's right, enjoy—a vegan protein, which comes in a range of flavours, from smooth Coconut Milk to Salted Caramel to White Chocolate Raspberry. Sounds a lot better than a sand-shake, right? Tastes better too. 

The quality of vegan protein powders has improved as well. Plain pea protein now comes with a protein percentage of up to ninety, and contains all of the essential amino acids in appreciable quantities—in a good ratio—to support the body’s various metabolic needs and building roles. Vegan protein powders also contain many non-essential amino acids, like glycine and glutamic acid. 

The quality of plant-based proteins compared to whey protein, the industry standard, have been the subject of debate for decades, and of late, scientific research as well. Scientific research is actually showing that there is little, if any, difference to be seen when comparing whey, rice or pea protein, with body composition and adaptation to exercise as an end result. One clinical trial published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2015 showed that pea protein and whey protein were identical in promoting muscle thickness in response to exercise. Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences in 2014 indicated that rice protein and whey protein isolate achieved the same results. 

You see, it all comes down to our good friends, the essential amino acids. If you don’t know what these are, then I urge you to find out. We all know about the importance of oxygen and water to our health. We simply don’t last too long without these. Yet, most of us were never taught about the importance of high quality protein food as a provider of the nine essential amino acids. These are essential nutrients that the body cannot synthesize and therefore must be obtained from the diet or supplements. And guess what? These nutrients are actually stored in muscle tissue, kind of like a functional reservoir. So, apart from looking like a movie star, having an appreciable amount of lean muscle is an important marker of health.

Vegan Protein Powders are 100% plant-based for those following animal and animal-byproduct free diets. The sources of protein used in these powders can be any combination of yellow pea, rice, sacha inchi seed and chia seed, mixed with natural sweeteners and flavours. Simply add to water or your favourite milk alternative, shake or stir and drink. Instant nourishment, and purely from plants! Alternatively, you may like to add a small amount of protein powder to a muffin or cake mix to create high protein foods. The creative possibilities are endless.