Have you ever known someone who has had a protein deficiency?  Died from lack of protein?  Probably not in our society.

 

So tone it down and keep it plant based.  I don't believe you can overdo plant based protein at all.

 

When do we need to ADD in protein powder?

 

If you eat low on the food chain, not much or any meat, eggs, dairy or fish.

If you are pregnant.

If you are exercising a lot.

If you are trying to build a lot of muscle.

 

Then you may want to add some powder into a green smoothie!

 

You might want to just keep some around for when you are feeling depleted and need a little oomph.

 

Okay, so easy.  No, wait!  Which kind??  Hemp?  Soy?  Whey?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Whey!

 

Since I prefer to go all plant based, I knock whey out of the running right off the bat.  Whey is a dairy product.  Whey is cow milk. 

 

Let's remember right here where the cow milk got it's essential amino acids... from the greens the cow ate right?

 

Milk just does not do any body good.  Casein, a component of milk, has been linked (famously in The China Study by T. Colin Campbell - a must, must read book) to disease and the beginning of cancers.

 

As ultra endurance athlete, Rich Roll, puts it in an article on the Forks Over Knives website, "...whey is nothing more than a highly processed, low-grade discard of cheese production — another diabolical stroke of genius courtesy of the dairy industry that created a zillion-dollar business out of stuff previously tossed in the garbage."  (Here is the full article...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soy What?

 

Soy is just as disappointing.  What seemed like such a terrific, healthful alternative to dairy in the 90's has turned out to be nothing more than a marketing job.  And we all totally bought it.

 

The downside to the consumption of soy is far reaching.  Indeed, I fed both my children soy milk and I sincerely wish I had not.  And, no I don't wish I had fed them cow milk either!  No milk would have been the way to go.  And now we have all the delicious nut milk options.

 

Here is a short laundry list of issues soy (particularly GMO soy) can contribute to or cause:

 

• Hormone disruption

• Miscarriage

• Infertility

• Erectile dysfunciton

• Low sperm count

• ...and more

 

And don't get me started on the problems it can cause for kids.  Please don't feed your baby soy formula!  For a more in depth article here is a link to one at Dr. Mercola's website.  If you want anything to do with unfermented soy after reading it you are braver than I (or maybe just more foolish).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Won't Hemp Get You High?

 

No, of course not.  Well, you'd have to eat a LOT of it and I think you'd give up first.

 

Hemp is a great protein source and has no downside except perhaps a bit of a heavy handed flavor and texture.  Hemp protein has a high fiber content and is very easy to digest  Hemp seed protein may have anti-fatigue and immune enhancing benefits as well.

 

Whirled Peas Please

 

Pea Protein is the top protein in most raw vegan blends.

 

Gluten free, soy free, dairy free, pea protein has a high Lysine content.
Lysine, one of the essential amino acids, appears to help absorb calcium and plays an important role in the formation of collagen—the building block of connective tissue such as bones, cartilage, skin, tendons. Lysine also helps prevent cold sores.

 

You can buy hemp and pea protein powders, but I think the best vegan protein powders are combination blends... so here come the best of the best!

 

Have a look at the right side bar for a comparison of my 3 favorite protein powders. I really like all three and would highly recommend each of them.