Nowadays, whey protein is becoming popular. People who want to build muscles or increase their protein intake are using it.
But is whey protein vegan? The simple answer is Nope! The reason is its dairy origin. Despite being a great source of protein for health enthusiasts, its use has become a concern for those who have lactose intolerance or allergies to dairy-based products and are following plant-based diets.
Is Whey Protein Vegan-Friendly?
Whey powder is obtained from cow’s milk during the process of making cheese. So, it is completely not suitable if you are a vegan. First, a protein-rich liquid is separated from curdled milk. Then, this liquid is dried to make whey protein powders. Yet, there are some good options that can be used as a source of protein.
You can easily incorporate soy protein, pea protein, and hemp protein into meals and snacks as vegan protein.
What is Whey Protein and How is it Made?
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Where Can We Get Vegan Protein?
Perhaps whey protein won’t work for you, but there are many plant-based sources from which you can get the required protein intake. If you don’t want to become protein deficient, then you should add a full plate of hearty vegetables and fruits, wholesome nuts, and satisfying sprouts to your daily diet.
Consider these natural vegan protein alternatives:
1. Soy
Soy is a nutrient-rich, plant-based protein derived from soybeans. It is considered a complete protein source as it contains all essential amino acids. Additionally, it also contains macronutrients like carbohydrates and healthy fats and different micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B complex.
You can have soy protein in the form of tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy milk. It is better to consider organic and non-GMO options due to their potential allergens.
2. Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is considered a protein powerhouse owing to its high amount of protein and presence of essential nutrients. It has versatile uses in kitchens, especially for those who are following plant-based diets.
It is yellow in color, derived from the unicellular organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and has a cheesy flavor.
Nutritional yeast is a complete protein, having all essential amino acids, making it beneficial for vegans.
Try adding it as seasoning on dishes like pasta, popcorn and salads for a savory and cheesy touch to your foods
3. Chickpeas
Chickpeas, unlike other plant-based proteins, are not a complete protein source as they do not contain sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cystine. But there is no need to be disheartened; you can pair chickpeas with other protein resources like veggies, rice, and wheat to make a hearty meal of complete protein.
A single cup of cooked chickpeas has 14.5 grams of protein. That’s Surprising. Chickpeas are also a wonderful source of fiber, iron, and calcium.
You can add this versatile plant-based protein to your diet in salads, curries, soups, and hummus.
4. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans, like other legumes, are the richest source of plant-based protein. A cup of cooked kidney beans has nearly 13.4 grams of protein, making it a great and affordable substitute for meat.
They provide many health benefits, including reducing blood sugar levels and cholesterol and increasing gut-friendly bacteria.
Kidney beans tout a number of health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, decreasing blood sugar levels, and increasing healthy gut bacteria. Adding kidney beans to your meals is an easy way to boost plant-based protein and fiber intake without a lot of calories.
They also have a healthy mix of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and cancer-preventing carbs.
You can make a variety of dishes with kidney beans, like stews, curry, and salads.
5. Green Veggies
Green vegetables are a rich source of plant-based protein, along with supporting overall health benefits, from aiding poor digestion to providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Here is how much protein a cup of cooked vegetables contains:
Peas: 8 grams of protein
Broccoli: 4 grams of protein
Spinach: 8 grams of protein
It is good to understand that green vegetables are not a primary source of protein. Try adding legumes, seeds, and nuts for a complete protein intake.
6. Legumes
Legumes are a group of foods including chickpeas, lentils, peas, and beans. They are considered a powerhouse among plant-based protein sources. Legumes are not complete proteins, but you can combine them with other complete protein options like rice and wheat to create a complete amino acid profile.
Being a budget-friendly protein source, they make up the base of a variety of dishes. Different legumes contain a varied amount of protein. Here is an idea of how much protein is present in 1 cup of cooked legumes.
Lentils: 18–20 grams of protein
Black Beans: 15 grams of protein
Green Peas: 8 grams of protein
Lima Beans: 15 grams of protein
Cannellini Beans: 17 grams of protein
7. Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts are a protein-rich plant source, along with other essential minerals and nutrients.
They contribute to a healthy intake of fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.
You can have seeds if you have nut allergies. From sprinkling seeds on salads and yogurt to preparing a healthy smoothie with nuts, they serve as a go-to protein option.
Here is the approximate protein content that seeds and nuts have:
Seeds:
Chia Seeds: 4.7 grams of protein per ounce
Flax Seeds: 5.2 grams of protein per ounce
Sesame Seeds: 5 grams of protein per ounce
Sunflower Seeds: 5.5 grams of protein per ounce
Nuts:
Almonds: 6 grams of protein per ounce
Peanut: 7.3 grams of protein per ounce
Hazelnut: 4.2 grams of protein per ounce
Pistachio: 5.8 grams of protein per ounce
8. Whole Grains
Beyond providing carbohydrates, whole grains play a crucial role in a plant-based protein diet. As they are also not a complete protein source, add seeds and legumes to reach your daily protein intake.
They are rich in complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Always prefer whole grains over refined ones to ensure high nutritional content in your diet.
One cooked serving (a cup) of different whole grains contains:
Quinoa: 8 grams of protein
Brown rice: 5 grams of protein
Oats: 6 grams of protein
Whole Wheat: 16 grams of protein
9. Potatoes
Potatoes have been widely consumed all over the world as a staple food for ages. Apart from their high carbohydrate content, they are also a plant-based protein source; a medium-sized potato contains nearly 2 grams of protein.
Different varieties of potatoes contain different amounts of protein. Here is the data according to the USDA per 100 grams:
Russet Potatoes: 2 grams of protein
Red Potatoes: 2 grams of protein
White Potatoes: 2 grams of protein
Sweet Potatoes: 1.6 grams of protein
10. Sprouts
Sprouts are young, tender shoots that emerge after the germination of legumes, seeds, and grains. During this process, the protein content of sprouts increases, serving as a nutritional plant-based protein source.
Sprouts are often consumed by preparing healthy salads and added to wraps along with other dishes.
A cup of commonly present sprouts contains nearly 2–5 grams of protein, depending on the type of sprout.
What About Plant-Based Protein Powders?
If you have a busy lifestyle or follow a strict protein diet, then it becomes difficult to achieve daily protein intake through whole foods only.
Then plant-based protein powders, or simply vegan protein powder, come to the rescue. They offer a wide range of options for those who follow a plant-based diet. Made from pea, soy, rice, and hemp, they provide a great alternative to whey proteins.
1) Pea Protein Powders
Pea protein powders are the ideal and most popular plant-based protein alternative for vegans. They are derived from yellow peas, which are known for their high protein content.
Pea protein powders serve as a complete protein source similar to animal-based proteins or whey proteins.
One scoop of pea protein powder contains 25 grams of protein. When compared to whey protein powders, pea protein powders contain a similar amount of protein, but as whey is dairy-based, it also provides lactose and glucose.
Hence, its a great choice for those searching for plant-based protein powders.
Try: Sprout Living Epic Protein Powder
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