Plant based protein powders represent a new popular trend in
nutrition. There are many reasons for this, but chiefly among them are
the perceived limitations of whey protein and the limited side effects
of many of the leading plant proteins. For vegans, these powders are
almost essentially to maintaining a healthy diet. Whatever the
motivation for using soy, rice, pea or hemp powder, it is important to
understand the distinct advantages of each before going out to purchase a
particular supplement. All four are generally effective replacements
for whey protein, but some of them bring unique attributes that could be
the perfect fit for your needs.
Soy Protein Powder
Soy
has long been known in the "green" and healthy living community as an
effective replacement for most any other protein source. Those who are
lactose intolerant, are vegetarians or vegans, or have allergies to
certain grains, have turned to soy in order to get the essential protein
their body needs. One of the benefits of soy powder are that it is low
in fat, something not all protein powders can boast of. Additionally,
soy powder is low in carbs, while containing many essential amino acids.
Many studies have shown a steady diet of soy protein to lower "bad"
cholesterol. This could be an important factor for certain individuals
looking to lower their cholesterol effectively. Practically speaking,
soy powder is considered to be highly mixable, meaning that it can be
integrated well with a wide variety of smoothies, shakes, and added to
baking recipes with ease.
Rice Protein Powder
Rice
protein powder is a relatively new addition to the plant based
supplement powder market. One of the first benefits users tend to notice
is the markedly lower retail price. This is because rice is a generally
cheaper plant protein ingredient. While it does not have as much
protein per serving as some of the other powders, rice protein is great
in that it delivers complete amino acids that have not been broken down
in the production process. Like soy protein, rice is easy to digest.
People who have had issues digesting the other nutritional supplements
may wish to try rice powder to alleviate some of these symptoms. It is
also another great protein to easily mix with drinks and baking recipes.
Hemp Protein Powder
While
hemp may conjure up images of marijuana smoking teenagers, this plant
based supplement serves a very different purpose when utilized as a
protein supplement. Many users state that hemp powder has a noticeably
better taste than any of the other alternatives. While this should not
be the first factor to consider, it can make the difference when all
other factors are equal. Hemp protein is a whole food source, rich in
fat, but the good kind of fat. The high fat levels can be a turn off for
some potential users, but it is important to make the distinction
between good and bad fats. Hemp is also extremely high in amino acids
and other hard to get nutrients such as zinc, iron, and magnesium.
Pea Protein Powder
Pea
powder may seem like an unlikely source of protein, but the split pea
has been know for its protein packed life giving vitality for centuries.
In addition to being highly soluble and relatively affordable, pea
protein has been proven not only to lower blood pressure but to improve
kidney function as well. Most of the commercial protein powders contain
over 25 grams of protein per scoop which is considerably more than many
soy and rice powders. Bodybuilders also point to the fact that pea
protein has over 5 grams of BCAAs which helps accelerate muscle
building.
All of these plant based supplements are remarkably
effective, yet often go unnoticed in favor of the highly commercial whey
powder. The reality is that these protein powders are just as effective
as whey protein powder. While they are great for vegans and those with
allergies, plant based proteins are a perfect option for virtually any
person in any situation.
