What Is Pea Protein?
Pea protein is a vegan alternative to the whey powder often used by athletes and others looking for a protein boost, but what exactly is it? If you’re wondering what the benefits are and whether you should integrate pea protein into your diet, we have your answers.
What Is Pea Protein?
As the name indicates, pea protein is a powder made from split peas (or yellow peas). The peas are ground, then soaked in a saline solution to extract the protein. It is increasingly seen in packaged products such as energy bars and cereals, as a way to boost their nutrient content. It also tends to be fairly affordable, making it an economical protein source. As for the taste of pea protein, don’t worry: It’s not like eating a bowl of green peas. The taste is pretty mellow and blends easily into smoothies, for instance.
What Are the Benefits of Pea Protein?
Pea protein is a bit of a hero product. It contains the nine essential amino acids that we need from food, although it is low on methionine, so you need to make sure you’re getting other sources of protein that contain more of that.. These include eggs, fish, chicken and rice. Pea protein is also rich in other heart-healthy amino acids, as well as iron, and helps build muscle mass and reduce some of the risk factors for heart disease.
As plant proteins go, pea protein is one of the most easily digestible and causes less gas and bloating than whey protein does, for example.
Who Is Pea Protein for?
Pea protein is well-tolerated by most people, so it’s pretty much for everyone! It’s particularly well-suited to those with special dietary requirements and those looking to build muscle mass. Pea protein is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and free of many allergens as well - but if allergens are a concern, make sure your pea protein is produced in an allergen-free facility (check the label!). It is a great alternative to whey and other forms of protein for vegans, who need to make up for the protein they aren’t getting from animal products or through other avenues. Make sure to speak to a doctor if you’re unsure about how much protein you should be getting daily.
How Should You Use Pea Protein?
There are two main ways to in
The other main way to consume pea protein is in post-workout smoothies instead of whey powder. Make sure to opt for a high-quality organic product to reap the most benefits.
Pea protein is full of healthful nutrients that make it a wonderful vegan protein source. Whether in a soup or a smoothie, it’s super-easy to integrate into your everyday diet for a nutritious boost.
References:
- https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/health-talk-pea-protein-is-everywhere-is-it-healthy/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pea-protein-powder
- https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/pea-protein-powder-benefits-why-you-should-give-it-try
- https://www.wellandgood.com/pea-protein/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/methionine
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-per-day
