At 1st Phorm, living a healthy lifestyle is something that we strive to help as many people with as we can. We also understand that a “healthy lifestyle” can look different for everyone.
Just as there are many styles and methods for working out and exercising, there are also many nutritional lifestyles out there.
Our goal is to make sure that no matter what lifestyle you choose to follow, we can help support your goals, results, and overall health.
No matter what you choose to eat or not eat, there can be benefits, and also some drawbacks. The drawbacks are typically the gaps that are created. These gaps can be filled with proper planning and execution of that plan.
One of the biggest gaps we have seen is in the plant-based lifestyle, whether that be vegan, vegetarian, or anyone who limits the intake of animal protein sources.
The beautiful thing is that, since we are aware of the problem, we have a solution to get ahead or fix it. This is exactly where a high-quality plant-based protein, like Vegan Power Pro, comes in.
Having a plant-based protein on hand will help you get the right amount of protein to support your health and your fitness goals!
Now, you may be asking yourself, “Should I be using a Vegan protein powder? Or what is a plant-based protein powder made of?”
I am going to go over what to look for and answer some very common questions about plant-based (vegan) protein powders.
Should I be using a vegan protein powder?
Before we dive into what they are, I want to discuss if you should be using a vegan protein powder, or if you can stick to traditional whey protein options.
The most common need for a non-animal-based protein source comes from living a plant-based lifestyle. “Vegan” is perhaps the most common form of a plant-based lifestyle, but it can be the most difficult when it comes to consuming optimal amounts of protein for your goals.
Other lifestyles such as; vegetarian, pescatarian, and even flexitarian can be great options for someone looking to live a plant-based lifestyle, depending on the personal restrictions they put on themselves, and the way they eat.
A less common, but still valid reason for this is an intolerance to whey protein, or even the minimal lactose that is in most whey-based protein powders.
If you have an intolerance or allergy to milk, lactose (sugar in milk), or the whey that is derived from milk ... then a vegan option could be a great protein option for you!
What are plant-based protein powders made of?
This may sound counter-intuitive, since plants don’t contain very much protein content compared to animal products. But where does the protein come from?
There may be a good amount of carbs and fats in plants, however, certain plants actually have a decent protein content as well.
Common sources of plant-based protein include pea, brown rice, hemp, and soy … and these are typically the sources you’ll see in most plant-based protein products.
That said, when we remove most of the carbs and fats, while also isolating the protein component, we’re left with a plant-based protein source. This is the base of any plant-based or vegan protein powder.
What is the main difference between animal-based protein and vegan protein?
The main difference, besides the fact that one’s made from animals and the other from plants, is the amino acid content. More specifically, I’m referring to the essential amino acids that our body needs to get from food or supplements, because it cannot create them on its own.
Most plant protein sources are not “complete” protein sources on their own, since they lack some of these essential amino acids. Therefore, they need to be combined with a complementary plant protein to fill that gap.
This is even true when eating whole foods and being plant-based. You will commonly hear about the need to eat things like, rice and beans, or, peanut butter and whole grain bread.
This will help ensure you are able to consume adequate amounts of the 9 essential amino acids.
Why is protein so important?
When I first got started on my fitness journey, everyone who I looked up to in fitness stressed the importance of protein. At first, I didn’t think anything of it ... but eventually, I wanted to know WHY!
So, thinking about protein again ... many of us know of the benefits protein can provide when it comes to building and repairing muscle tissue.
But what else is protein good for?
If it helps build muscle tissue, then it would only make sense that it helps the building and repair of all tissue in the body, right? Exactly!
Actually, protein helps with the growth and strengthening of our hair, skin, nails, immune function, overall metabolism, and more!
That’s why protein is so important in your nutrition plan, whether your goal is fat loss, weight gain, or just living an overall healthy lifestyle.
Plus, putting on some extra lean muscle helps to increase the number of calories you burn on a daily basis, so you can lose fat, or even maintain a lower body fat percentage on a consistent basis.
Side note - I get asked this question quite a bit: “Can you build muscle with vegan protein powder?” and the answer is “Yes!”
As long as you are working out consistently with some sort of resistance, focusing on proper nutrition (including protein intake), and allowing yourself to recover properly ... you can definitely put on lean muscle with vegan protein powder!
There is a debate when it comes to the question, “How much protein do I need?”. And before I start, I want to point out that getting “enough” and “optimal” amounts of protein are two different things.
See, “enough” protein can be referring to the amount required to keep you alive and not losing progress when it comes to your fitness goals. That said, most of us are looking to move forward and actually progress toward our goals.
Plus, even if we’re consuming “optimal” amounts of protein, there are so many different variables and factors that come into play when it comes to actually seeing results. It can be calculated, but there is no one-size-fits-all amount of protein that works for every lifestyle.
That is where a resource like the 1st Phorm App can be so beneficial! It will allow you to track your protein, macros, and calorie intake daily, while also working with a personal advisor 1-on-1 to get you set up for success in reaching your goals and creating a healthy and fit lifestyle that works for you!
What is the cleanest and healthiest vegan protein powder?
I can speak from first-hand experience, as someone who has tried many different vegan proteins, that they have come a long way in the last few years.
Even from our first few test samples of vegan protein, to our new formula of Vegan Power Pro, we’ve made massive strides & improvements on the mix-ability and flavors of our vegan protein!
Vegan Power Pro is the perfect plant-based protein powder for someone who follows a vegan lifestyle, can’t consume animal protein sources, or simply doesn’t want to do so.
It uses pea protein isolate and rice protein, which complement each other and create a complete protein source. This ensures that you have the amino acids your body needs to not only be healthy & strong, but actually see the results you’re working so hard for.
In addition to being a complete protein, we also included our Green Superfood Complex, Phytonutrient Blend, and Digestive Enzyme Blend to help your body better digest and absorb the nutrients.
Note: Vegan Power Pro is 100% natural, non-GMO, and contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, or dyes.
Plus … each flavor is absolutely delicious. Whether you’re making a smoothie with Vanilla Creme, or throwing Iced Oatmeal Cookie into some almond milk, there’s no going wrong with Vegan Power Pro.
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