So why can vegan protein powder be such a good option? I've realised that vegan protein powder, particularly a good clean one, can be great for us, even when we aren't necessarily eating a fully vegan or plant based diet. There's a few reasons for this, which centre around how they can be easier to digest, that they can have a complete amino acid profile, and they overall can contribute other nutritional benefits. There's a big myth as well that plant based protein powders don't often have a full amino acid profile, and this isn't necessarily true. When a plant based protein is sourced from a variety of plants, such as pea, rice and cranberry, it can have a complete profile. If you'd like to do some further reading, here's a few references: References: [1] Hertzler, S. R., Lieblein-Boff, J. C., Weiler, M., & Allgeier, C. (2020). Plant Proteins: Assessing Their Nutritional Quality and Effects on Health and Physical Function. Nutrients, 12(12), 3704. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123704(Discusses digestibility and quality of plant proteins) [2] Sicherer, S. H., & Sampson, H. A. (2018). Food allergy: A review and update on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and management. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 141(1), 41–58.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2017.11.003 (Covers common food allergens, including milk) [3] Lynch, H., Johnston, C., & Wharton, C. (2018). Plant-Based Diets: Considerations for Environmental Impact, Protein Quality, and Exercise Performance. Nutrients, 10(12), 1841. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121841 (Touches upon nutrient profiles of plant-based sources) [4] Gorissen, S. H. M., Crombag, J. J. R., Senden, J. M. G., Waterval, W. A. H., Bierau, J., Verdijk, L. B., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2018). Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates.Amino Acids, 50(12), 1685–1695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-018-2640-5 (Details amino acid profiles of various plant proteins) [5] Banaszek, A., Townsend, J. R., Bender, D., Vantrease, W. C., Marshall, A. C., & Johnson, K. D. (2019). The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 7(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7010012 (Compares effects of whey vs. pea protein on muscle adaptations, finding similar results) [6] Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987–992. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaq0216 (Comprehensive study on the environmental impacts of different food products) Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or supplement routine. If you'd like to purchase the protein powders I love and use, you can purchase them online: https://www.arbonne.com/au/en/shop-all/nutrition/protein/c/protein
