Pea Protein

Pea protein is a supplement made by extracting protein from yellow peas. It’s naturally rich in iron and is a great fit for almost any diet as it’s vegan and also has no negative allergy problems. As a protein it supports muscle growth, weight loss and heart health.

It’s naturally low in calories and a 20 gram serving contains around 80 calories and 15 grams of protein.

To thrive our bodies require the full range of nine essential amino acids (AKA BCAAs).  Pea protein is an excellent source of all nine key essential amino acids making it the perfect health and fitness food and one that is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It’s perfect either for pre-workout rocket fuel, or to use for post-workout muscle recovery, since it has a complete array of amino acids, including those crucial BCAAs.

In fact, pea protein has a similar amino acid profile to whey, without any of the side effects, such as bloating or cramping.

Which protein should you choose?

There are several proteins that you can choose from, by far the most common is whey protein from dairy food. Not everybody will respond in the same way to proteins. As well as having different amino acid profiles, we may have a different tolerance according to the type of protein. Many people are intolerant to lactose or choose to not eat dairy, meaning that whey or casein is a no-go option.

Pea protein is a great dairy-free alternative for protein powders and is easy to digest since it contains no lactose or gluten. It can also keep us fuller for longer because it forms a greater number of peptides within the body. It naturally stimulates a hormone called peptide YY, this peptide tells our brain when we have eaten and that we are full. It also reduces the level of lowering ghrelin levels (AKA the hunger hormone), and sustaining satiety for hours on end. As a result, pea protein is fantastic for weight loss, or for when we have a busy day ahead of us.