Which Protein is Better: Whey or Vegan?

Whey or Vegan protein? Common question. Both are good for you, it’s just that whey comes from dairy sources, whereas vegan comes from you guessed it…vegetables. You can get the same amount of grams of protein per serving no matter which type of protein you use, but the quality will most likely be different. Here’s why.

Proteins are made up of molecules called amino acids which are used to accomplish lots of things in the body like building muscle, providing energy, helping digestion, and boosting your immune system. Some amino acids are what we call essential, meaning they must come from your diet because your body cannot make them (i.e leucine, tryptophan). Non essential amino acids like glutamine, are made within your body, independent of the foods you eat.

Whey protein, and other animal proteins contain all 9 essential amino acids, while plant based proteins do not. If you’re ok with eating meat and dairy, your decision is easy: go for the whey protein.

If you are lactose intolerant, or averse to eating animal products, you will prefer a vegan source of protein. Vegans and vegetarians can get adequate amino acids from veggies, you just have to be a little more creative, and mindful of the amino acid profiles of your protein sources. For example, if your goal is building muscle, then you need to make sure you’re getting enough of the amino acid leucine. You can get this from wheat and beans, but you would need to consume quite a bit! For some people eating a lot of wheat and beans can lead to bloating, so pay attention to how your body responds to your food choices.

Most people I serve are not eating enough daily protein. In these cases, a protein supplement may be helpful. You can buy a shaker bottle and simply mix the protein powder with water or almond milk. If you prefer a smoothie, throw a scoop of powder in a blender with some berries and ice! Please note: When purchasing a protein powder supplement, the amino acid profile of your protein powder should be listed on the back of the package, so you can make an informed decision.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

If you can tolerate WHEY PROTEIN, I recommend Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder which contains at least 25 grams of protein per serving and very little sugar. The flavors are great! In particular I like the Vanilla Ice Cream and the Rich Double Chocolate. Optimum also makes a VEGAN protein powder listed below.

OPTION 1 - Click here to try Optimum Nutrition WHEY Protein

OPTION 2 - Click here to try Optimum Nutrition VEGAN Protein