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What is the best vegan protein powder
Vegans rely on plants for pretty much everything and that includes protein. Whilst there are many sources of plant based protein for the vegan diet, there are days when you need an extra boost. Maybe you want to build lean muscle, or maybe you’ve just got a busy day ahead. Either way, vegan protein powder is a great way to get those extra nutrients that you need.
Do vegans need protein powder?
In all honesty, you should not need a protein powder on a plant-based diet. You should be getting all you need from a broad variety of beans, lentils, legumes, nuts and even vegetables. But a vegan protein powder can be a helpful supplement to an already healthful diet.
Protein powders are popular post-workout to aid recovery, as a protein boost for an active physical lifestyle, or to supplement the diet on those days when it is less than optimal. And lets face it, it happens. Life does have its demands.
Find out why protein is an essential part of your superfoods diet.
Is whey protein vegan?
Standard protein powders are made from whey. A by product of the cheesemaking industry, whey is what’s left when the curds are removed from milk. It has a complete amino acid profile.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The body breaks down the protein and uses the amino acids for growth, maintenance and repair. Of eleven amino acids we need to get nine from our diet. The body can make the other two. A complete amino acid profile contains all nine.
Whey protein is low in fat and carbohydrates. It is also dairy. AKA not plant-based. Which is a nay-nay for a growing number of people. Whey protein isolate may be suitable for the lactose-intolerant but it still ain’t vegan.
What to look for in vegan protein powder
When looking to buy vegan protein powder it is more about what not to look for. Many are marketed as a blend, perhaps labelled as a protein shake. This may give you the benefits of a mixture of vegan proteins but it may also come with an extra portion of fillers, fluffers and flavours. And sugar, in one form or another. What do we love to tell you? ALWAYS READ THE LABEL!
The best vegan protein powder
The best vegan protein powder is the one that suits your requirements and fits your own personal protein needs.
How much vegan protein powder per day
This very much depends on your build, the amount and quality of protein in your current diet, and your activity levels.
As a general rule you need 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight. This requirement can double, depending on how physical your lifestyle. In percentages, protein should make up between 10 and 35% of daily calorie intake.
A 30g serving of vegan protein powder can contain between 15g and 25g protein.
Hemp protein vs pea protein
Two of the most popular sources of plant protein found in powders are hemp protein and pea protein. Let’s look at them in turn…
Hemp protein powder
Hemp protein powder is essentially ground hemp seeds. Considered a complete protein source, it may however be low in the amino acid lysine. Quinoa is an excellent source of lysine.
At 15g of protein per 30g serving the protein content is lower than pea protein, but it is a whole food not a protein isolate. It therefore comes with fibre and fatty acids as well as antioxidants and minerals.
A good source of fibre, hemp protein powder can provide a quarter of the daily fibre requirement in a 30g portion. Pea protein powder contains very little fibre.
A lot of the oils have been pressed out of hemp protein powder but it is still a good source of essential fatty acids, with a healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Pea protein has little if no fat content.
Hemp contains powerful antioxidant compounds as well as minerals phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper.
The flavour can vary but is considered to be fairly overpowering with earthy nutty tones. The texture is gritty.
You can buy hemp protein powder online from our online wholesale store.
Pea protein powder
Pea protein powder is also considered to be a complete protein.
Pea protein is made from yellow split peas, not the green garden kind. It is rich in the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, valine and arginine. So it is good for blood flow and heart health as well as providing fuel for working muscles. Some studies show pea protein to be as effective as whey protein at building lean muscle.
A 30g serving of pea protein can contain 24g protein.
Pea protein is more easily absorbed than many other plant proteins. Rich in iron, it is best taken in conjunction with Vitamin C to aid absorption.
The texture of pea protein powder is smoother than hemp, with the slightly sweet vegetal flavour of raw beans.
Both of these protein sources have slightly varying nutrient profiles. Our recommendation would be to supplement your diet with both, in order to take advantage of all they have to offer.
You can buy pea protein powder online from our online wholesale store.
How to use plant-based protein powder
Protein powder has so many uses. Both pea protein powder and hemp protein powder benefit from being used alongside other ingredients.
Add a spoonful to your breakfast porridge, along with fruit powder or greens powder.
Make super healthy muffins, savoury or sweet.
Blend with fruit and almond milk for a mid morning smoothie. You can learn how to make your own almond milk right here.
Add to bright and beautiful bliss balls for a post workout snack.
There are so many ways to use vegan protein powder. Keep checking the site for more ideas.
View our full range of protein powder here.
Boost those beets! There are plenty of ways you can use beetroot powder.
Beetroot powder has long been used for its sweet flavour and vibrant red colour. Once the best kept secrets of pastry chefs and food manufacturers it is now popular as a nutritional supplement and superfood ingredient.
Is beetroot good for you?
Beetroot is a root vegetable that looks something like a turnip. Brightly coloured, not all beetroots are red, yet most beetroot powder is made from the red variety. It is actually a relative of spinach.
Red beetroot are home to a unique group of antioxidants known as betacyanins. Their main role is to support the liver, purify the blood, and improve circulation.
It is also rich in B vitamins, Vitamin C, and folate, as well as minerals potassium, manganese, magnesium, and iron. Not to mention fibre.
So yes, in short, beetroot is pretty good for you.
Beetroot powder benefits
Beetroot powder is a great way for those who don’t like beetroot to benefit from its substantial array of nutrients. Even if you do like beetroot, it is heavy to carry and a nightmare to prepare. Just one teaspoon of beetroot powder is the equivalent of 1 beetroot. It won’t go soft in the vegetable rack and needs no further thought than a quick stir into whatever happens to be going on in the kitchen at the time.
Beetroot powder ingredients
Beetroot powder is literally just that. Whole beetroot with all the water removed. Dehydrated and ground to a powder. All the fibre, all the nutrients; still there.
How to use beetroot powder
The complex flavours of beetroot make it a really versatile ingredient. Earthy and sweet, with slightly bitter tones, it sits happily in both sweet and savoury dishes. In sweet dishes it pairs particularly well with berries and also chocolate. Try pairing with our organic berry powder for a double dose of pink, or with raw cacao powder.
You can pretty much stir a spoon or two into anything. It dissolves readily in water.
Mix with water, juice or milk for a simple shake or add to smoothies for a nutrient boost. Make a beetroot pumpkin spiced latte. Or a decadently pink hot chocolate.
Try adding to dips and sauces. Beetroot hummus anyone?
How to use in baking
Beetroot powder is ideal for baking, with its earthy sweetness and bold pink colour. It is the perfect addition to red velvet cake and also a classic twist on chocolate cake. It can lose its colour due to oxidation though so don’t expect everything to be a perfect pink. A touch of acid such as vinegar goes a long way to preventing oxidation and keeping the colour though.
Try adding to your pasta dough, bread dough, pastry, cakes or cookies. Or you could make some pretty yet powerful beetroot bliss balls.
How much can I eat per day?
You would be surprised how much power just one teaspoonful of vegetable powder can have, so start off small and build up to 4 or 5 teaspoons a day.
If you want to buy organic beetroot powder then you have come to the right place. We are a major stockist of superfoods in Australia, so check out the rest of the range.
Beetroot is a bonafide superfood. To find out more about superfoods, read our in depth guide…