Through the years, I’ve tried many different brands and varieties of protein powders for my smoothies. I’ve found that many brands are simply selling cans of trash in terms of ingredients and what they do for our bodies. At the same time, the companies that produce these “trash cans” have elaborate marketing campaigns and fancy labels that attract the uneducated consumer in hordes. Promises like “Bulk up Fast!” or “Gain Muscle Now!” are slogans we need to run from. First of all, our bodies can only process a certain quantity of protein before the excess is stored as fat. Second, the quality of the protein is something we need to research before we put it into our bodies.
Why I Prefer Plant-Based Protein
In my own research, I’ve found plant-based protein powders to be the most efficient for my body for a few reasons…
1.) Digestion – Plant-based protein is going to digest more quickly and be readily available for use by our bodies. Whey-based protein is made from dairy which means the body will need to take it through a longer process for digestion as it breaks it down.
2.) Allergies – I’ve also found (as many others have) my allergies have decreased as my dairy intake decreased over the years. As I was growing up, I consumed large amounts of dairy in the form of milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, etc. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I suffered with Hay Fever on a yearly basis, especially from Spring to the beginning of Fall. My body was also producing a large amount of mucus which is the body’s way of trying to get rid of something it doesn’t agree with. I can’t remember the last time I experienced a Hay Fever attack which used to include itchy eyes, itchy & scratchy throat, runny nose and obnoxious sneezing bouts. I attribute this to dietary changes and improved fitness.
3.) Health Concerns – Studies are also finding soy protein to be dangerous for our bodies. Some of these concerns include increased cancer risks due to estrogen levels, enlarged thyroid and adverse interactions with some prescription medications. Most soy products have been genetically modified which is always a red flag regarding health and nutrition.
4.) Whole Food Nutrition – Stay away from protein powders that use the word “isolate” in their labels or ingredients list. This means the company has isolated and separated various parts of a food in order to cheapen the product. Study after study has shown that maximum benefit is found in whole food-based nutrition. For example, an apple contains thousands of individual phytonutrients that work in synergy together. Some well-meaning folks have isolated these phytonutrients to find out which ones are healthiest for the human body before putting them into capsule or powder form. Bottom line: if you want the maximal amount of nutrition, simply eat the whole apple! The same goes for protein…when you see the words “soy isolate” or “whey isolate” you’re not seeing whole food nutrition.
Garden of Life Sport Protein Is My Choice
Again, there are many different brands of protein powder on the market today including those that are plant-based. My absolute favorite has become Garden of Life Sport. My favorite part about Garden of Life Sport is that it’s 100% plant-based, free from dairy, gluten and soy, and contains no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. In other words, you won’t find fillers, isolates or non-food additives in this mix!
My body just feels cleaner since I’ve begun using Garden of Life Sport for my smoothies. I also love the taste! Unlike the bland, chalky taste of so many protein powders on the market, Garden of Life Sport is a delicious way to enhance your smoothie. It only makes sense as you’ll be adding real food (in powder form) to your blend.
The protein found in Garden of Life Sport contains all of the following in each can…
- Organic Pea Protein
- Organic Sprouted Navy Bean
- Organic Sprouted Lentil Bean
- Organic Sprouted Garbanzo Bean
- Organic Cranberry Protein (seed)
Garden of Life Sport is no “lightweight” in terms of the amount of quality protein, boasting 30 grams per serving (two scoops). You can rest assured knowing you’re feeding your body the protein is craves most and an amount it will use to build a strong, lean body.
Garden of Life Sport Protein is available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors.
Start using Garden of Life Sport protein powder today! Use code Ambassador20 for 20% off your next online order
I think that If you have an aversion to all animal products, soy protein is really your best choice. But it’s important to understand that soy protein does carry certain risks. Anyone with thyroid disease or a predisposition to thyroid dysfunction, however, should limit the intake of soy-based protein food, due to its potential to affect hormone balance. Dairy-based proteins like whey and casein are the best choices for their muscle-building benefits as well as their bio-available zinc and iron, if you’re not a vegan or suffer from dairy allergies.
I agree with you for the most part. So many protein powders are full of fillers. I used to use Vega (as the post mentions) but I’ve been with Garden of Life RAW protein and also their Organic Plant Protein for the last 8 months and love it. It’s chalkier but that’s actually a good sign that it’s more unrefined and raw. I would be very picky about what you choose. As a runner, I find the plant-based protein has a cleaner burn and gives me everything I need. I’ve also heard of many body builders using plant-based protein with success.