Protein powders are a great way to increase strength, gain muscle, and increase our protein intake. However, not all proteins are the same and it's important that we should all be aware of what goes into our protein powders. We only have one body so we want to make sure that everything we put in our bodies is clean and beneficial in the long run!
For many years, whey protein has been the go-to due to its excellent high protein content and amino acid profile. But things are changing. People are getting increasingly aware of what they're consuming, which also leads them to stay away from artificial and processed ingredients.
This is where plant-based protein powders come in. Consuming plant-based proteins for strength and gains might sound unusual but a lot of people are making the switch today. So what exactly is a plant-based protein powder and why should you make the switch?
Plant-based proteins are diverse and can be derived from many plants. Due to this, it has a lot of benefits while providing children, adults, lactating mothers, and pregnant women the safe and necessary nutrients.
#1. Plant proteins do not upset your stomach.
Plant-based protein powders are lactose-free as compared to whey protein powder. This makes it ideal for consumers with milk allergies or those consumers who are lactose-intolerant. Common symptoms that people experience after consuming whey protein powders include bloating, gas, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort. Plant proteins will actually benefit your digestion as it contains fiber and other digestive enzymes.
#2. Easier to absorb.
If you consume whey protein and experience stomach discomfort, that is a sign that your body isn't breaking it down efficiently. Thus, you won't be getting all the full benefits of whey protein if you're intolerant to it.
However, your body is able to break down plant proteins a lot more efficiently as they are hypoallergic (lactose-free, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free).
This means your body will also build muscle faster. Even if a whey protein has 25g of protein per serving, you'll probably only be able to digest 20g of it. On the other hand — if a plant protein has 25g of protein, your body will more likely fully absorb 25g of it, which will give you better results.
#3. It's better for the environment.
An overlooked benefit for switching to plant-based protein powder is the impact it has on the environment. Manufacturing and processing this type of powder requires less land, water, and other resources. It's also cleaner for the environment as plants a biodegradable and creates less waste than animal protein.
So switching to plant-based protein powder is a small but impactful way to help the Earth!
These are only a few of the benefits — there are plenty of other benefits of plant-based protein powders such as calorie control, vitamins and minerals, and more! So if you're lactose intolerant, want to make a positive impact on the environment, and looking for only clean ingredients to put in your body, try out plant-based protein powders!
If you're not sure where to start, check out our starter pack. You won't have to commit to big packs of protein powders — try them out in sachets first and determine if you'd like to make the switch!