A healthy diet is crucial for your general health, weight and wellbeing. Consuming food that will provide you with all the necessary nutrients is crucial for this. But, sometimes because of our lifestyle, we may end up not getting the right nutrients. Protein is one of the most important nutrients. It's essential to help your body create hormones, but also to keep your muscles strong. People who follow a plant-based diet know well that consuming various plant-based foods is a sure way to get all the right proteins. However, this may not be enough, so this is why they often turn to plant-based protein powders. If you're considering getting this supplement, it's essential to get your products from trusted brands such is the case with PranaOn. This is a brand that offers various types of plant-based supplements in the form of powders, protein bars, and ice tea.
Why do You Need Protein?
Protein is a vital nutrient that your body uses to build and repair tissues and create enzymes and hormones. When consuming food rich in proteins, keeps us feeling full and prevents hunger occurs too quickly. Even though we commonly think that meat, dairy and eggs are the main sources of protein, in fact, even plants contain proteins. Besides fruits and vegetables, bread and grains too, contain protein.
Are You Protein-deficient?
Many people worry if they are protein-deficient. This shouldn't worry you if you're eating enough calories or food. Even if you're not consuming meat or other animal products, you can get your proteins from fruits and vegetables, nuts and bread. However, there is a difference between complete and incomplete proteins.
A complete protein includes all nine essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins that are often found in plant foods lack one or more of these amino acids. Complementary proteins are formed by mixing two or more foods with incomplete proteins such as peanut butter on whole-wheat bread, rice or beans. For those of you who want complete plant-based protein in your diet, you can include tofu, edamame, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, quinoa and buckwheat.
What is a Plant-Based Protein Powder?
If you are considering becoming a vegan or a vegetarian, or are already testing the waters, you should consider including plant-based protein powder in your diet. This is a supplement that will help you provide your body with the full range of proteins you need. Even people who consume meat, might not get complete protein from their food. This would be a wonderful way to keep your body healthy and strong.
Types of Plant-Based Protein Powder
Pea Protein Powder
When you start checking supplement stores that offer plant-based protein powder, you will come across various types. PranaOn Australia stores, for example, offer many different options and if you're new to this, you may get confused. For instance, pea protein powder is a great source that isn't made from the green peas you are familiar with.
This plant-based protein comes from yellow split peas that have much more protein. It is packed with branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which is very important since many proteins lack suitable levels of amino acid leucine. This protein however lacks the methionine department, which is an essential amino acid.
Brown Rice Protein Isolate
The brown rice protein has BCAAs that supports healthy muscle growth. Since this protein isolate lacks suitable levels of lysine, you may want to get this essential amino acid from other plant sources to complete your diet. Make sure to purchase this protein only from trusted companies and brands like PranaOn (there is a risk of potential arsenic contamination in brown rice).
Hemp Protein
Hemp seeds have loads of nutritious substances and amino acids but they lack lysine; this is why it's important to include some legumes to make your protein intake complete. Hemp is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, fibre, zinc, and smaller amounts of iron. This is one of the best plant-based proteins you can get on the market.
Pumpkin Seed Protein
Pumpkin seeds are a valuable source of proteins and they don’t get credit for their nutritional value. Besides the high protein levels, pumpkin seeds also hold great amounts of magnesium, zinc, iron, and other nutrients. Another great thing is that they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. The phytoestrogens in pumpkin seeds can help lower high cholesterol levels. If you choose this protein (check PranaOn options) you will have a double gain: excellent source of proteins without the high levels of fat (it's removed during the production process).
Benefits of Plant-based Protein
If you decide to start consuming plant-based protein you will get the necessary proteins, but also other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. These are essential nutrients that you might not find in meat-based foods or products. Diets rich in plant-based proteins are good if you want to lower the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes. This type of protein is a great way to lower your cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, lower your body mass index, get rid of abdominal fat and get a smaller waist.