Pea Protein: The Non-Dairy Muscle Builder (that Also Boosts Heart Health)

Pea protein powder is becoming a fast favorite for gym-goers and health-conscious people alike. Not only is it gluten- and dairy-free, but it’s been proven to be spectacular for your kidneys, heart and waistline too!

Although you can typically get enough protein each day by following a well-balanced and nutritious diet, real life often has a tendency to get in the way, and preparing a healthy meal rich in plant-based protein foods can be a bit of a hassle at times. 

That’s why smoothies with protein powder can be a great option, augmenting protein intake with minimal prep time.

Another great reason to use protein powder is that consuming it within 30 minutes of working out can help speed up muscle growth and recovery to optimize your workout and get faster results.

(1) But while preparing and eating a full meal is not only difficult directly after working out, it can often make you feel nauseous and heavy. A light smoothie packed with great proteins, on the other hand, is a quick and easy alternative to help bump up your protein intake.

Protein powder is available in several forms, most commonly as whey protein, brown rice protein powder and soy.
 
Whey and brown rice protein have some incredible benefits and both are very useful in their own right. Soy protein, on the other hand, may not be so stellar for health due to its high concentration of phytoestrogens and the fact that nearly all soy in the U.S. is genetically engineered.
 
Although pea protein powder isn’t currently in the top three, experts predict that it will begin drastically increasing in popularity over the next few years, given the huge surge in health-conscious consumers and the continued push toward following a more plant-based and sustainable diet.
 
The rising popularity of this pea supplement should come as no surprise, considering the amazing makeup of this veggie protein powder. Pea protein powder is among the most hypoallergenic of all protein powders, as it contains no gluten, soy or dairy. It’s also easy on the tummy and doesn’t cause bloating, a common side effect of many other protein powders.

 

So how is pea protein made?

It’s produced by grinding the peas into a powder and then removing the starch and fiber to leave a highly concentrated pea protein isolate that’s perfect for adding to smoothies, baked goods or desserts to quickly boost protein intake.

Whether you are allergic or sensitive to gluten or dairy or are simply looking for a healthy, plant-based vegan protein powder, pea protein is one of the best protein supplement options available.