A person who is a vegan or vegetarian may find it difficult getting enough protein for their body. Removing fish, meat, dairy, eggs, etc., from your diet requires you to be creative in meeting your nutritional requirements. The good news is you can use plant-based protein powder in supplementing your protein consumption. It is not only for vegans and vegetarians, as omnivores can also benefit from these protein powders.
What is plant-based protein powder?
A plant protein is a tasty and convenient way to help you meet your protein needs. These plant-based powders usually came from hemp, pea, flax, chia, brown rice, pumpkin seed, and many other sources. Some of these products come with essential ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and fibre. These powders are also an excellent option for people who want to add a quality, digestible protein to their daily diet, or for individuals who are sensitive to dairy-based protein powder like whey.
How to pick the right plant-based protein powder for you?
Complete protein. Considering that there are many plant-derived protein products out there, find those that agree more with your digestive system. Also, consider any dietary restrictions you may have. Make sure your protein powder has enough protein, so you are getting ample nutrients. There are plant protein powders that combine blends from different plant sources to provide you with as much protein and other nutrients as possible.
Fortunately, there are many varieties of plant protein powders that work well for most types of diets. You may rotate the protein supplement you use, for example, alternating rice protein and pea protein in your smoothie.
Organic. Your protein powder supplement must be organic. You will want to avoid those plant sources that are filled with pesticides. With this, the traditional soy protein causes a major concern for many supplement users, as these products are often derived from GMO soy, which is produced in an environment with plenty of pesticides. While those pesticides are removed before they reach your home, they are not friendly to the environment.
Quality ingredients. Many companies that make plant-based protein powders add sweeteners, fillers, or flow agents to make their products taste good. Opt for a plant-based protein powder that uses all-natural flavours and stevia. Besides protein, you want to make sure what other components are included in the product. Scan the ingredients and choose the one that supports your nutritional goals. As you read the labels, the ingredients to avoid:
- Aspartame
- Sucralose
- Coconut sugar
- Brown rice syrup
- Acesulfame-potassium
- Agave
Taste and flavour. When using your plant protein powder, you want it to taste good as it is healthy. You may prefer a protein supplement in vanilla or chocolate flavour, or you want something with a relatively neutral taste. Regardless of your preference, look for a protein powder without additives or artificial flavour.
Nutrient-dense. The plant protein powder you include in your daily diet should be packed with micronutrients. For example, pea protein is rich in vitamin E, iron, zinc, and calcium, while pumpkin protein is packed with potassium and magnesium. Preferably, you want to get additional vitamins and minerals with the supplement you are using.
When choosing the best plant-based protein powder for you, the main criteria to consider is that you will use it regularly. You want it to be convenient to use as well as taste good. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, consider adding other plant sources in your diet that are rich in protein like spinach, broccoli, rice, and legumes.
