Choosing the best vegan protein powder, or the best tasting protein powder can be hard work. There are many options in the market place and whittling them down to what is the best fit for you can be a challenge. It’s imperative you find something you actually enjoy drinking, or it’s highly unlikely you’ll stick to any kind of schedule with it. You also don’t want to be spending a whole lot of money on ordering products and then end out of pocket. No one likes forcing themselves to drink something they don’t enjoy. So, what are your options when it comes to choosing a protein powder to meet your needs, and what’s the best vegan protein powder for weight loss?
What is the Healthiest Vegan Protein Powder?
To be perfectly honest, all vegan protein powders are healthy. If you compare them to the ingredients in whey powders, you will see why so many people are turning towards them these days. Vegan protein powders are plant-based. Plant-based protein powders are naturally lower in calories and fat than animal proteins. They are also high in fiber and full of nutrients, which are essential for a healthy system. Vegan plant-based protein powder does not contain any animal byproducts, which is why they’re so popular with vegans, as well as those conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies in order to bulk up or lose weight.
Is Plant-Based Protein Powder Good for Weight Loss?
Several studies have shown that plant-based protein powders for weight loss are becoming more and more popular. This is because they contain no animal fats and are therefore naturally lower in calories and fat than many other protein powders available in the marketplace. Plant-based protein powder also takes into account products like dairy-free protein powder and rice protein powder. All are steadily increasing in popularity as their benefits become more widely known. Some of the plant-based protein powders also contain ingredients, such as caffeine or additional fiber, which can also aid weight loss. Many people avoid taking supplements like protein powders as they incorrectly assume these will make them bulk up when they hit the gym.
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This isn’t necessarily the case – unless that’s what you’re aiming for. Taking a plant-based protein powder needn’t mean you have to consume it day after day. You can simply do it a few times a week, or make yourself a small smoothie after you work out. There’s no hard and fast rule that says you must start every day with protein powder as a meal replacement, or follow anyone else’s schedule. What you do with it – and how often you use vegan protein powder – is entirely up to you.
Does Vegan Protein Cause Bloating?
Yes, it can do. Many ingredients in vegan protein powder can result in a swollen stomach. Many contain soy, lentils, or beans, and these contain indigestible sugars called oligosaccharides. Because there are indigestible, they can often result in bloating. They also commonly cause gas, which is a side effect of consumption. As these ingredients are all sources of protein, they are commonly used in vegan brand powders chosen by people following vegetarian or vegan diets. They don’t have the same effects on everyone, though. There’s no harm in trying them out to see what impact they might have on your system.
In saying that, this is likely to be the case for the first few weeks or so of you being new to vegan protein. Once your body adjusts to the change, your gut will settle down and bloating, and gas are unlikely to be much of a problem. If it does persist, it might be worth checking with your doctor just in case you might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or something similar.
Which Protein Powder is the Best for Weight Loss?
There’s really no right answer to this as all plant-based protein powders are designed to work in the same way. The decision comes down to which one you prefer and which one you think is working for you as an individual. Something that works for one person might not always be the perfect fit for someone else. It can be a good idea to road test a few before you commit to making a bulk purchase of any one brand. One might make a better-tasting vegan protein shake than another, but it comes down to personal taste. Some of the most popular vegan protein powders are:
Orgain Protein Powder: Orgain protein is a popular choice for protein powders, as well as a meal replacement.
Vega Sport Protein: Another popular choice and one that ranks highly and comes in a vanilla flavor. The company also has a Sports specialist protein powder and a range of other great items.
Growing Natural Organic Rice Protein Powder: Comes in original and also vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavor. The company also has a range of products that are certified Kosher.
Bulk Supplements Pure Soy Isolate Powder: a great choice for soy powder, and the company also does a huge range of other products to work in concert with the vegan protein powder. The company also does a sugar free protein powder, for those looking to cut out sugar from their diet, and a great range of some of the best vegan protein shakes.
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Pea Protein vs. Whey
When it comes to making a choice between pea protein and whey powders, there are a few stark differences. Pea protein powder is naturally low in fat-free and cholesterol-free. This makes it a very healthy choice for your vegan protein powder. Pea powder tends to be a lot more concentrated than whey powder also. In a 30-gram scoop, pea powder contains around 25-grams of protein. An average whey powder contains around 23-grams of protein in a 30-gram scoop. Pea powder, as it contains no animal byproducts, it’s also considered to be far greener than whey protein. Studies show that pea protein is also absorbed by the body much slower than whey, making it slow release. Pea protein is made by extracting the protein from yellow peas, and the product has become really popular with people working out and those looking for the best vegan protein powder for weight loss.
Although both whey and pea protein can be beneficial for health and fitness, both have different ingredients. Whey powder contains animal fats, which contain amino acids. These can be good for your diet in small amounts, but animal fats aren’t the healthiest to have around all the time. However, getting enough protein without eating too many animal products can be hard to do. This is where vegan protein powders come into their own.
Why am I so gassy on a vegan diet?
The propensity for gas on a vegan diet is mainly down to the change in your eating habits. Vegan foods tend to be high in protein, beans, lentils, and other pulses. These contain a range of indigestible sugars known as oligosaccharides. The beans and pulses cause the stomach to produce more bacteria in the intestine. This happens as the gut must break down the foodstuffs. For this to happen, a lot of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen are produced. This often leads to excess gas and bloating symptoms. These usually subside as the gut gets accustomed to the new diet. Sometimes, it’s a short term issue, and sometimes, it can last for longer.
How do vegans avoid bloating?
There are many things you can do to combat bloating in your stomach. Many people swear by putting a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, while others simply drink water to help it pass through their system and speed up digestion. Mint and peppermint is also a very popular remedy to deal with bloating, You can either buy peppermint or mint tea bags or purchase peppermint capsules and eat them along with your meals. Abdominal massage is also a popular fix for stomach bloating as it can help to get your system moving and reduce the size of the swelling you may be experiencing.
How do I Debloat my stomach?
There are many tried and tested ways to reduce the effects of bloating in your stomach. Some of the most popular methods are listed above. Others, such as getting some gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, are also helpful. Having a warm bath is also a good option, particularly if you’re feeling too uncomfortable to do some exercise or go for a walk outdoors. If you can’t run out and grab some peppermint capsules or do some yoga moves because you’re at work, etc, drink a glass of water and gently rub your abdomen to see if it helps to ease your discomfort.
Why do vegans fart so much?
This is often to do with the number of beans, lentils, and soy they consume in their diets. People who eat meat tend to eat much less of these ingredients, so they tend not to suffer the consequences. A high fiber diet, like those that vegans tend to follow, is filled with potential bloat-causing foodstuffs. This is the reason behind the build-up of gas in their systems. There are many ways they can counteract the effects, though.
Can being vegan make you bloated?
Yes. But it doesn’t necessarily happen to everyone. If you already eat a diet filled with fiber-rich foods, beans, and pulses, chances are your guy won’t react to the change as much. If you don’t consume these items and then suddenly switch your diet, you can cause your system a few problems initially. Until your guy gets used to the new foodstuffs, there’s always the potential for bloating. If you are perhaps prone to bloating or having reactions to food, try to introduce your vegan diet gradually. This will give your guy time to adjust and may well help to reduce any side-effects. If you don’t have the liberty of gradually switching to a vegan diet, take a supplement of peppermint capsules, drink a cup or two of mint tea each day, and add some apple cider vinegar to your water. This will help to combat the bloating you may be experiencing at the beginning of the new eating plan.
Conclusion
In terms of vegan protein powder for health shakes, or whatever you choose to use it for, there’s a surprisingly large range to choose from. As well as the protein powders being vegan, you can also find them made with a plethora of different ingredients. Many people don’t want to add more sugar to their diets, so you can opt for a sugar-free protein powder version if this suits your lifestyle. Pea protein has proven to be really popular and shows no signs of slowing down in the marketplace. More and more flavors are being developed, and this shows a clear demand for the product. Rice protein powders are also popular, and these are popular with people who are looking for a high amino acid content, as well as how easily the powder is digested. Rice protein is also a great alternative to dairy protein, and you can even easily source rice protein powder which is certified Kosher. Basically, you shouldn’t have any difficulty in finding a plant-based, vegan protein powder that will work for you. The only issue you might experience is narrowing down the field and choosing between chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Decisions, decisions…
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