Plant Based Protein vs Whey

There are more options than ever when it comes to protein supplements these days. But should you be choosing a Plant Based or Whey Protein powder?

If you’re struggling to decide between Plant Based or Whey protein, then you’ve landed on the right page.

With the rising popularity of Vegan diets, more and more people are turning towards supplements that do not contain any animal products.

Perhaps you’re a strict Vegan, or maybe you have a Milk intolerance. Either way, there are plenty of valid reasons why you may choose a Plant Based protein supplement rather than Whey.

But how do these two types of protein powders compare, and which one is the best for you?

So, with the introductions out of the whey (sorry, but we couldn’t help that one!), let’s get started and begin taking a closer look at Plant Based Protein and Whey Protein supplements.

Why take Protein supplements?

You probably already know all about protein supplements if you’re reading this article, but let’s cover the basics quickly anyway.

The reason they are often consumed by gym goers is because of their touted benefits for helping you to build muscle.

That’s because Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass – and so having right right amount of Protein in your diet is crucial if you’re looking to get results from your hard sessions in the gym.

Simply put, making sure that you are consuming enough Protein to support the growth and maintenance of muscle mass is important if you’re looking to hit your goals.

Now, the important thing to realize is that you actually probably don’t need to take a Protein supplement if you are sticking to a healthy and balanced diet.

That being said, many people choose to take Protein supplements on a regular basis to help support their muscle-building goals.

Some Protein supplements have other things added to them, such as Vitamins, Minerals and ingredients to aid digestion and absorption.

The most common time to take a Protein supplement is post-training at the gym, but many people also take them at different times of the day.

If you practice Intermittent Fasting, taking a Protein supplement will almost certainly break your fast.

So, now that we’ve looked at the basic facts behind Protein supplements, let’s start taking a closer look at Whey Protein specifically.

What is Whey Protein?

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So, let’s now take a close look at exactly what Whey Protein is.

In its simplest form, Whey protein is a mixture of proteins isolated from Whey, which is the liquid part of Cow’s Milk that separates during Cheese production.

After being separated during Cheese production, Whey goes through a number of processing steps to become what is commonly referred to as Whey Protein.

This powder is then added to Protein Shakes, Meal Replacement Shakes and other products such as Protein Bars.

The powder is usually flavored with Sweeteners. Some common Whey Protein Powder flavors include Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. Some brands also sell unflavored Protein powders, but they generally don’t taste that great.

The good thing about Whey Protein is that it contains a wide range of Amino Acids, including Leucine and Cysteine.

So, now that we’ve looked at the basics about Whey Protein, it’s time to take a closer look at its Vegan rival – Plant Based Protein.

What is Plant Based Protein?

(Photo: Adobe Stock)

There are various different types of Plant Based Protein, but generally speaking, they are simply powdered supplements that are made from plants and do not contain any animal products.

Of course, Whey Protein is not suitable for Vegans, as it is made from Cow’s milk.

That’s why many people are turning to Plant Based Vegan Protein powders as an alternative.

Now, there are many types of different Plant Based protein powders. Some examples of Vegan Protein Powders sources include: soy, hemp, pea, rice, and peanut.

Some supplements also contain blends of different Vegan protein sources, such as Hemp and Pea.

It’s important to note that unlike Whey, some Vegan Protein powders do not have full amino acid profiles.

So, it’s clear that choosing a Plant Based Vegan Protein powder could be the best option for you if you are Vegan, or are, for example, Lactose intolerant.

Now that we’ve taking a closer look at both Whey Protein and Plant Based Protein, it’s time to compare the two.

Plant Based Protein vs Whey

So, should you take Plant Based or Whey protein?

The answer is that it depends purely on your individual circumstances.

If you’re looking for a Protein Powder supplement that has a good Amino Acid profile and offers good value for money, then Whey Protein may be your best choice.

If you’re looking for a Vegan Protein that doesn’t contain any Lactose or animal products, then a Plant Based Vegan Protein may be your best option, even if Vegan protein powders are typically more expensive.

One thing to bear in mind is that Whey Protein Powders are usually less expensive than Plant Based Protein Powders. This means that choosing a Whey Protein Powder may better suit you if you’re on a tight budget.

If you do opt for a Plant Based Vegan Protein, make sure to take a close look at the ingredients to examine the Amino Acid profile and decide whether it’s the product for you or not.

Anything Else to Consider?

As always, we recommend that you speak to a medical professional before taking any new supplement for the first time.

You should not take any new supplements without medical advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, are taking prescription medications or have an underlying health condition.

The pillars of good health and good results from the gym are sticking to a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest.

You should always make sure that you’ve got those three things on point before thinking about taking any new supplement for the first time.

That said, Protein powders are a good option if you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective way of ramping up your protein intake to help support your gym goals.

Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts

So, here we are at the end of our look at Plant Based Protein vs Whey.

We’ve walked you through the basic things you need to know about protein supplements, and have explained the main differences between Plant Based and Whey Protein.

Simply put, Whey Protein is a cost-effective protein supplement made from Cow’s milk, which contains a lot of Amino Acids.

Plant Based Protein can come from a number of sources, including Soy, Hemp, Rice and Pea. Some of these sources do not contain full Amino Acid profiles, but many products include protein from different sources.

But if you go for a quality Plant Based or Whey protein, then they are likely to be effective at helping to support your fitness goals.