Choosing the Right Protein Powder: Whey vs. Pea vs. Soy

Are you struggling to decide which protein powder is best for you? Who said variety is overrated? Protein supplements are so varied that it can often times confuse shoppers. Not only do we have to choose between whey, pea, and soy protein, but each protein also comes in multiple flavors! Feeling overwhelmed yet?

Naturade is here with a guide to use when shopping for a protein powder. This guide compares the different kinds of protein powder that are out there! Now you will know if whey, pea, or soy is the best choice for you.

Naturade’s Cheat Sheet: Shopping for protein powders is easy if you follow our checklist.

1. Understand that there are different types of protein (we will help with this too!)
2. Identify your dietary restrictions and choose a base protein
3. Choose a flavor or variation of added ingredients
4. Compare prices

Not sure which protein is right for you? Let us break down the differences between whey, pea and soy protein using our products as a reference. Usually proteins are either vegetable or animal source proteins. Whey protein is animal-based, while soy protein and pea protein are derived from vegetables.. Many people feel that animal proteins taste better, making them more popular. Whey also has more varieties and has been around longer. People who choose plant protein generally do so as a lifestyle choice. Pea protein or soy protein may be right for you because of the added health benefits or as a result of dietary restrictions.

Whey Protein:

Whey protein is one of the two proteins in milk. Milk protein consists of 20% whey and 80% casein, which is the protein that can trigger various milk allergies. Many people who turn to whey do so to avoid casein allergies and still receive the benefits or milk protein. Whey is either sold as an isolate or concentrate and is by far the most popular supplement in the market.

Whey protein essentially helps your cells to grow, replace and repair themselves. For all the proteins that your body doesn’t produce on its own, many people turn to dairy protein. Whey protein provides all nine amino acids and is easy to digest. Most whey protein is low-fat or fat-free and is commonly used by athletes to improve muscle strength. Above any of its other ingredients, leucine is the most efficient for muscle building. It is an amino acid that is key in maintaining and repairing muscles and is obtained from foods.

Whey protein is good for more than meal supplement protein shakes. Spice up your breakfast routine with Naturade’s Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes. Experience whey protein in a new and tasty way!

Protein powders are an easy and delicious way of getting more whey protein into your diet. Naturade 100% Whey comes in both chocolate and vanilla flavors and is a great way to finish off your workout to build muscle.

Pea Protein:

Pea protein is derived from yellow peas and is a completely natural, plant-based protein. As a safe alternative for those who suffer from allergies, pea protein has become increasingly popular. Being a plant-based protein, it does not have gluten or lactose and allows for easier digestion. Not only is digestion easier, but there generally are no bloating effects. Pea protein is high in branched chain amino acids (BCAA), among others that the body does not naturally produce.

Besides being a source for protein, pea protein can also aid in weight loss and muscle maintenance. The BCAA in the protein may aid in maintaining a muscle building state, decrease fat, and keep you feeling full longer. Many believe that pea protein is helpful in providing pre-workout energy boosts and post-workout muscle recovery.

Complete a workout with a scoop or two of pea protein  to build muscle or use it as a meal replacement to help shed those pounds. Many people choose the conventional protein shake route when it comes to pea protein, but with Naturade’s chocolate and vanilla flavored powders, you can get more creative! Try our Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Protein Bars to see how delicious pea protein can be.

Soy Protein:

Soy protein is another plant based protein that is a go-to for many vegetarians and vegans. Soy protein contains the essential amino acids to support growth and development.

There are three types of soy protein: soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, and textured soy protein. Soy protein concentrate contains most of the carbohydrates from the soybean and around 65% protein. The concentrate is essentially what is left of the soybean after the “de-fatting” process. Soy protein isolate is the most pure form of soy protein available. The isolate is made mostly of the “de-fatted” soybeans with almost all other ingredients removed, making it a pure protein source. The textured soy protein is made from soy protein concentrates. The textured protein includes imitation meat products.

So if soy protein is your protein of choice, there are different types that you may prefer.

Naturade’s Total Soy is a meal replacement shake and is a popular ingredient in both shakes and cooking recipes. Try our Total Soy Vanilla French Toast next time you are looking for a morning pick-me-up.

The most confusing part is over! Now that you know the differences between the types of whey, pea and soy protein powders, you can have some fun! Naturade’s 100% Whey, Pea Protein and Total Soy are all delicious to say the least. Our protein powders come in two flavors – chocolate and vanilla! If you’re still feeling a little overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, try some of our favorite protein recipes!