The Benefits of Plant Based Protein
Protein supplements are among the most popular nutritional supplements within the space of personal care, fitness and beauty, and for good reason! Along with aiding weight loss by keeping you fuller for longer, supplementing your diet with either quality whey or plant-based protein powders can also assist in boosting post-workout recovery, promoting a healthy metabolism and increase muscle performance. But which type of protein supplement is right for you – whey or plant-based?
Whey Protein vs. Plant-Based Protein
How they’re made
Whey protein is primarily made from cow’s milk. Once the milk has curdled, the liquid that separates from it is what we know as whey. Unsurprisingly, it’s super high in protein, but it does contain lactose so be mindful if you or your workout partners have any intolerances.
Plant based protein is typically made from pea, hemp, soy and brown rice, through a variety of different isolation methods. Celebrity Slim vegan protein shakes are made from a high quality blend of pea and brown rice proteins, they’re available in Salted Caramel and Chocolate Brownie flavours.
Does plant protein digest faster than whey?
Plant-based proteins take more time for the body to digest than whey proteins. This is a major reason why plant-based protein powders are often regarded as a more efficient meal supplement for supporting weight loss goals. As vegan/ plant-based meal replacement shakes take longer for the body to break down, they will make you feel fuller and more satiated for a greater amount of time than whey protein drinks.
Health advantages of plant-based diets
Plant-based proteins help keep your gut healthy. People on plant-based diets have been found to have a unique gut profile which contains fewer organisms that could lead to disease.
Other health benefits associated with plant-based diets include:
- hey are lower in saturated fat content
- Achieve calorie deficit without a nutritional deficit
- Plant sources are higher in fibre, vitamin c and flavonoids
- Fewer allergic reactions – safe option for lactose allergies/highly sensitive digestive systems
- Easily absorbed/digests slower – keeps you fuller for longer
Plant-based protein for weight loss
You need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight, but it doesn’t mean you have to be in a nutritional deficit. Plant based proteins are filled with essential nutrients to ensure they’re nutritionally complete.
Can you build muscle with plant protein?
Essentially, when it comes to building muscle, all you really need is to ensure you are taking in enough protein and that you are undergoing some form of resistance training. So, in short, either protein type will assist in building muscle. If fast muscular gains are what you are after, this is where whey protein has a slight upper hand. As whey proteins are more readily available for our bodies to digest, they have an edge over plant-based proteins when it comes to rapid muscular growth and recovery.
Environmental benefits
Plant based diets are better for the environment! By switching from whey to plant based you’re bettering our environment. You’re cutting your carbon footprint, conserving water and plant-based diets are more sustainable. Plant based proteins require less energy for production and therefore produce less greenhouse gas emissions.
Which protein type is right for you?
Plant-based proteins and whey proteins provide similar benefits in terms of muscle building. Swapping out whey protein for plant-based protein will likely reduce your caloric intake, assisting in your weight loss goals. If you’re going forward with a lactose-free or vegetarian diet, or wanting to downsize on your environmental impact, check out our collection of vegan and dairy-free shakes and smoothies. There’s an amazing range of delicious flavours to choose from to help you stay ahead of your weight loss goals!
