Pea Protein Powder: A Nutritious Plant-Based Alternative

Written By: Brandon Davies

Published on: February 10, 2023

Expert Review By: Steven Cleark& Arnold Hawyard&

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This Guide on Pea Protein Powder Teaches You:

• What pea protein powder is
• The benefits and nutritional value of pea protein powder
• How to take pea protein powder
• How to use pea protein powder for best results
• The types of protein powders

You have probably heard of different protein powder supplements being used by various people. There are two major categories of protein supplements. The critical difference is the source. The first category comprises plant-based proteins, while the second comprises animal-based proteins. Pea protein powder- plant-based protein has grown increasingly popular among supplement users in recent years. Its popularity stems from the fact that it is rich in protein content, and it fits perfectly into any diet because it is naturally vegan and hypoallergenic. This means you do not have to worry about any sort or form of allergy. 

If you are willing to know more about pea protein powder before buying it, then read this complete guide by Ripped.com (online health supplement store)Here, we share all the information, including the nutritional fact, health benefits, how to use, types of protein powder, potential side effects and the best pea protein powder for 2023. By the end of this read, we hope you will be able to make a more informed purchase of your plant-based protein supplements.  

What is Pea Protein Powder?

Derived from yellow peas, pea protein supplements can be used by vegetarians and non-vegetarians. 

Pea protein is made by drying and grinding peas into fine and consistent flour. This flour is then mixed with water to remove traces of starch and fiber. This process's product is a paste rich in nutrients like proteins, minerals, iron, and vitamins. The last phase entails drying this paste and grinding it into fine powder. 

Pea protein nutrition is what your body needs. It is an excellent source of iron for you. When you combine minerals such as iron with protein, you get a supplement that elevates your muscle growth, aids in weight loss, and improves your heart's health. 

The Best 3 Pea Protein Powder Products for 2023

Here are the three best-recommended pea protein isolates you should use:

• Fit&Lean: Plant Protein 100% Plant-Based Vegan Protein Creamy Vanilla 15 Servings

This is a plant-based protein supplement. It is a vegan and keto-friendly supplement with incredible benefits to your health and fitness routine for muscle building, performance, and recovery. 

• Isopure: Plant-Based Protein Vanilla 20 Servings

This is a blend of pea protein with rice protein. It is a natural complete pea protein isolate with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. It is a rich source of essential amino acids and is perfect for your use. 

• On: Gold Standard 100% Plant Plant-Based Protein Chocolate 19 Servings

This is a high-quality recommended pea protein supplement, and it is certified by the USDA s purely organic and non-GMO. This product ensures your body does not lack any of the essential amino acids it needs for muscle growth and recovery. 

Pea Protein Powder Nutritional Facts

Commonly known as pea protein powder, pea protein isolate is a concoction of various nutrients to create an ultimate plant-based supplement. Remember, nutritional facts vary depending on brands since the market is awash with similar products. 

When you take a dose of this supplement, you provide your body with nutrients such as proteins, carbs, fiber, sodium, and iron. Protein is recommended for muscle growth and recovery, while fibers help you have healthy digestion keeping you away from  bloated stomach and constipation. 

High-Quality Protein Source

Pea protein contains all the nine essential amino acids that are not created by your body. This means that you can only get these nine amino acids only through foods and nutritional supplements. With branched-chain amino acids like arginine, this supplement ensures that your body has an incredible blood flow and a healthy heart. Other essential nutrients include leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are necessary for muscle growth.

Rich in Iron 

Iron is vital in forming hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. Healthy red blood cells promote good air circulation since they carry oxygen in your body. However, since your body cannot readily absorb iron from plant-based proteins, you should supplement it by taking food rich in vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption into your body. 

Pea Protein Powders Health Benefits

Besides the nutritional benefits, pea protein powder contains health benefits you do not want to pass on. Let us take a look at some of these benefits:

Improved Muscle Mass

Protein as a bodybuilding nutrient promises you improved muscle growth. Pea protein powder is rich in high-quality protein. This supplement will boost your muscle mass to the desired level if you pair it with resistance training. 

Studies have supported the effectiveness of pea protein isolate in building body mass. Additionally, if you compare pea protein versus animal-based proteins, you will find this supplement is just as effective as most common dairy-based protein powders.

Also, your muscles need to recover from exercises and high-energy intensity exercises. Recovery entails replenishing your energy and protein level. Pea protein isolate gives your muscles the right kick of energy and proteins for an accelerated recovery. 

Improves Your Hearts Health

Taking the right protein supplement will not only help you gain mass, but it will also improve the health of your heart. Pea protein hydrolysate can significantly lower your blood pressure levels. However, remember that not all pea protein powders can share the same benefits therefore, checking the supplements facts and ingredients list before buying any type of pea protein is recommended. 

Additionally, evidence supports pea protein's role in reducing your cholesterol levels. It enables your body to increasingly take cholesterol onto your cells and reduce your body's production of fats.

Improved Weight Loss

By taking pea protein supplements, you can easily lose weight due to their satiety and hunger control features. You will have an increased metabolic rate means your body can rapidly burn fats in your adipose tissue to provide energy. Second, since proteins are filling, you will experience a reduced appetite which is a plus when on a weight loss program. 

Regulated Blood Sugar

Pea protein powder helps you maintain the right blood sugar levels, complementing the proper functioning of various other body functions. When you take this supplement, you will experience a reduced craving for sugar. Pea protein powder also increases your insulin level, which is pivotal in lowering sugar levels.

Can Pea Protein Be Incorporated into Your Diet

You are probably thinking about how pea protein powders can be included in your diet. Since this supplement is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and without any trace of allergen food you want to avoid, it can fit all your meal ideas. Generally, pea protein powder works for most people unless you are allergy sensitive or intolerant to peas.

Pea Protein Uses in Baking

Try new ways of taking your protein powder; as to your wonder, you can cook pea protein powder. The texture of pea protein powder is finely milled to flour form, which can go beyond the usual stirring of your supplement into a glass of water. Here are some exciting pea protein powder recipes to try out:

How to Substitute Pea Protein Powder in Recipes

You can substitute this supplement in your regular recipes, more so when baking. Due to its fine consistency, pea protein powder can be used to bake like regular flour. You can use this supplement to make baked foods like bread, brownies, breakfast squares, biscuits, cake, cookies, donuts, crackers, cupcakes, pancakes, muffins, fritters, pizza, and waffles. 

Cooking and baking are not the only ways of getting the best out of pea protein powder. You can also use it in making your smoothies. However, since most protein powders have a unique and distinct taste, you can use sweeteners if you prefer to make their flavor tasteful. 

How to Use Pea Protein Powder

If you are looking for the best results, you must know how to optimize the use of plant protein-based supplements. 

• The best thing to do is to always check the packaging for the recommended servings. Alternatively, you can consult your physician on the dosages you should take. The goal is to avoid taking too much protein, which could pose health risks. 
• You must always consult a doctor if you have any underlying conditions that may cause an adverse reaction when using pea protein powder.
• Lastly, you can use this supplement as a pre-workout to elevate your workout performance or a post-workout to accelerate your recovery.

Types of Pea Protein Powder

• Isolated pea protein - This is one of the leading types of pea protein you will likely run into at the store. It is a blend of pea protein and amino acids. Arguably, it is a leading choice among people cutting weight and building a lean mass. 
• Concentrated pea protein - Pea protein concentrate contains less protein but has nutrients like additional carbs and fiber. It is highly recommended if you are after gaining mass because it has a dose of healthy calories. 
• Textured Hydrolystated pea protein - Most protein powders are milled into a fine powder with the consistency and fineness of wheat flour. As the name suggests, this is a type of pea protein powder that is less processed and usually used to make alternative protein products. As a result, you will find anyone using it as a dietary supplement.

Since there are many brands and types of pea protein powders, the choice lies with you. The golden rule is to always go to the best online store selling only authentic products for buying health supplement that meets all your needs. 

Potential Side Effects of Using Pea Protein Powders

Pea protein powder is generally safe for use. The chances of suffering any side effects range from minimal to zero. Generally, the manufacturing process extracts and isolates protein from peas which are low in fiber; therefore, you do not have to worry about gassiness or bloating. However, you should look out for the sodium content in your protein powder since most of them have a high sodium content. You should restrict your intake of sodium-rich foods when using this dietary supplement. 

Takeaway

Pea protein powder is a natural and approved plant-based protein dietary supplement with a load of benefits for you. These benefits include nutritional and health benefits. Nutritional benefits from this supplement include many nutrients that your body needs to function optimally. 

If you want to gain muscle mass while maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle, this is the supplement for you. All you must do is know the right way to use it. Since pea protein powders have a unique distinct taste, we have provided you with alternative ways of taking it for the ultimate experience.

Comparatively, pea protein powder has all benefits that you need or would look for in a protein-based powder.