Unlock a World of Delicious & Diverse Protein Sources for Optimal Vegan Nutrition.
Introduction:
As more and more people adopt a vegan lifestyle, the demand for vegan protein powder has grown. While soy protein powder, green pea protein powder, and rice protein powder are popular choices, some people may be looking for alternatives due to dietary restrictions or personal preferences. In this blog post, we’ll explore some vegan protein powder options that don’t include soy, green peas, or rice and are more nutritionally rich than the above-mentioned protein sources. But before we start let us understand what Protein is.
I would share a few lines from my book “Great Health Comes from Exercise & Nutrition”
WHAT IS PROTEIN?
In simple words: Protein is a macronutrient and the most essential nutrient that is required for the maintenance and building of body tissues and muscles. Now, these are made of small compounds called amino acids. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, we humans use only 22 of them.
Now comes the interesting part, Humans can produce all but nine of these amino acids it needs. These nine are called essential amino acids and these have to come from food. Now all food generally contains a combination of amino acids in various permutations and combinations but if we speak in general terms animal proteins like dairy, meat, and eggs contain all these nine essential amino acids.
For VEGANS there’s a challenge to have all these nine essential amino acids in one food, Only Soybeans (Tofu, Edamame, soya milk) and Quinoa can be termed as complete as these do have all nine, for the rest a little bit of research needs to be done and hence a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods can provide sufficient protein for the body’s needs.
Almonds, Chickpea, flaxseeds, walnuts, moong dal, peanuts, beans, etc., are rich in some amino acids but may lack others. So, a combination of two or more may be required for example a combination of “Almonds and flaxseed” (Flaxseed has all the essential amino acids except Lysine and is quite low, whereas Almond has good quantities of Lysine) or a combination of “Almonds and Chickpea”. The same goes for “peanuts and wheat”, or “Peas and rice”.
Read the labels before making a purchase:
I also warn people to read the labels carefully before making a purchase of Vegan protein powder. most of the brands that sell vegan protein isolate use Hexane for protein extractions, obviously, no one wants to eat lab-made chemicals. Also, these brands use an Anti-caking agent- INS 551, and that is nothing but silicon dioxide, although approved by regulatory bodies the question still lies- Will you prefer to consume a spoon of Silicon dioxide? Similarly, there are numerous other codes, so please check regarding each code mentioned on the labels, as almost all these codes are lab-made additives, preservatives or flavourings.
To avoid chemical consumption one can toast and grind the ingredients mentioned below, or buy from the Brand “Sheer MADness” as we do not use any chemical additives, preservatives, flavourings or emulsifiers.
Now let us run through the ingredients that are high in protein but are neither Soya, Soya products nor peas and rice.
Almond protein powder:
Almond protein powder is made from ground almonds and is a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium. Almond protein powder has a nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies or baked goods.
Lentil protein powder:
Lentil protein powder is made from ground lentils and is an excellent source of protein, fibre, and iron. It’s also low in fat and calories, making it a good option for those looking to manage their weight. Lentil protein powder has a mild flavour and can be used in smoothies, soups, or added to baked goods. Sattu in India is a century-old product and has been always used as protein powder. The mention of Sattu dates back to Dwapar Yuga when Sudama, Lord Krishna’s friend went to meet Lord Krishna, he was carrying a Potli (Small bag) of Sattu.
Chickpea protein powder:
Chickpea protein powder is made from ground chickpeas and is a good source of protein, fibre, and iron. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like folate and manganese. Chickpea protein powder has a slightly nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies, soups, or added to baked goods. Also if mixed with Almond powder the amino acid profile gets complete.
Flaxseed protein powder:
Flaxseed protein powder is made from ground flaxseeds and is a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in lignans, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Flaxseed protein powder has a slightly nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods.
Chia seed protein powder:
Chia seed protein powder is made from ground chia seeds and is a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Chia seed protein powder has a mild, nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods.
Sesame seed protein powder:
Sesame seed protein powder is made from ground sesame seeds and is a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium and magnesium. Sesame seed protein powder has a nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies, salad dressings, or added to baked goods.
Pumpkin seed protein powder:
Pumpkin seed protein powder is made from roasted pumpkin seeds that have been ground into a fine powder. It’s a good source of protein, fibre, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron. It has a mild, slightly nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies, baked goods, or added to oatmeal.
Hemp protein powder:
Hemp protein powder is made from ground hemp seeds and is a great source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids, including omega-3s and omega-6s, making it a great option for vegans who may not consume enough of these nutrients. Hemp protein powder has a slightly nutty flavour and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods.
Sacha inchi protein powder:
Sacha inchi protein powder is made from the seeds of the Sacha inchi plant, which is native to South America. It’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs to function properly. Sacha inchi protein powder is also a good source of fibre, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. It has a mild, nutty flavour and can be used in smoothies or baked goods.
Sunflower seed protein powder:
Sunflower seed protein powder is made from ground sunflower seeds and is a good source of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. Sunflower seed protein powder has a slightly nutty flavour and can be added to smoothies or used in baked goods.
Algae protein powder:
Algae protein powder is made from various types of algae, including spirulina and chlorella. It’s a complete protein and is also a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like iron and magnesium. Algae protein powder has a strong, earthy flavour and is best used in smoothies or blended with other ingredients to mask the taste.
Conclusion:
There are plenty of vegan protein powder options available for those who want to avoid soy, green peas, and rice, including a variety of nuts, seeds, and pulses. Almond protein powder, flaxseed protein powder, lentil protein powder, chickpea protein powder, chia seed protein powder, sesame seed protein powder, and pumpkin seed protein powder are all great options that provide a variety of nutrients and can be easily incorporated into a vegan diet. Hemp protein powder, Sacha inchi protein powder, sunflower seed protein powder, and algae protein powder are also there, the only thing a person has to do is find the right combination, few combinations have already been mentioned above, please comment and let me know if you have researched regarding more combinations.
Now, here are Few Facts before I finish:
These are the same lines from my book “Great Health Comes from Exercise & Nutrition”
a) Everyone is an individual, so what suits me, may or may not suit the next person.
b) If a person has a medical condition, a doctor’s advice and prescribed medication will only help.
c) While buying any protein powder from the market read the labels carefully, and Watch out for various codes, and words like Anti-caking agent, and INS 551( Also known as Silicon dioxide), All these are Laboratory made chemicals, and although approved by regulatory bodies think twice, will you consume a spoon of Silicon dioxide? And Silicon dioxide is just one product, there are numerous others like BHA ( Butylated hydroxyanisole ), BHT ( Butylated hydroxytoluene ) and the list of lab-made chemicals goes on and on with various codes, that we generally ignore.
Hence read the labels especially the ingredients list of the product before buying.
If you are interested in buying chemical-free Natural vegan Protein powder, Health drinks for kids or our delicious but chemical-free Energy bars and Protein bars shop @ Sheer MADness.
One can also buy our Products From Flipkart, Jio Mart or ONDC in India.
d) Exercise is the key to fitness, we should always keep in mind that exercise and nutrition are two sides of the same coin and always go hand in hand. So only nutrition will not help you attain any goals till it is not supplemented with Exercise.
e) Excess of anything is wrong, it can be the best nutrient-filled superfood, but one should consume only recommended quantities.
f) Regarding health, fitness, and nutrition, remember that Rome was not built in a day. Your discipline and consistency is the key.
g) It’s not only Exercise and protein that builds muscles, there are numerous other factors like a healthy gut, numerous macro and micronutrients, your body type and DNA, the amount of rest the body gets, the lifestyle an individual lives, and on and on it goes. Out of all these, exercise and nutrition are within our control, and one should focus on these two primary aspects.
h) For More benefits related to Vegan Protein Powder, I will request you to read the Post: Muscle Growth to Health, Plant Protein Powders are the future.
i) To clear any doubt related to the topic of “Protein” I would request you to read my post “Protein, Everything you should be aware of.”
j) And the most important part: Nothing is better than a balanced meal.
Article by Chef Ashutosh Awasthi.
Disclaimer: Our products are a source of HEALTHY NUTRIENTS and COMPLETELY FREE OF ANY ADDED CHEMICALS.
We do not claim to cure any medical condition.
The information provided is informational, and we do not claim to diagnose or treat a person with any specific medical condition.
