Veganism and vegetarianism is spreading, either for personal health reasons or for the health of the planet, and getting proper protein is one of the most crucial things about following these kinds of diets. I follow a mostly plant-based diet, but once and a while, I still need meat and fish. It’s always been my personal belief that nothing can replace the proteins we get from animals, but more and more i’m beginning to find that it is possible to get complete protein from plants. When it comes to amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) different plants contain different parts of the spectrum, and by making sure you get a diverse range of plant proteins every day, it is possible to get the protein we need to function. But making sure you eat 5 or 6 different plant proteins every day is intense, which is why vegan protein powder has been absolutely transformative in assuring my body gets everything it needs. And when you struggle with issues like malabsorption, gastroperesis, IBS, SIBO, and Colitis, eating solid foods during flares can be very tough. But supplementing with plant protein has made a huge difference in getting through those tough moments and making sure to get the nutrients without further irritating my gut. And its so hard to get the nutrients we need, that I’ve starting integrating vegan protein powders into my regular regime.

What’s tough is knowing what company to trust, especially when the food comes in the form of a powder and you can’t see the actual ingredients. I was so excited when I discovered Sano protein powders that are gluten free, vegan, organic (!!!) and made with sustainable products and methods. Their powders contain an amazing protein to calorie ratio, with 20g of protein per serving! It’s such a relief to know that no matter what you eat in a day, supplementing with Sano’s protein powders will assure that you get enough protein via the best vegan sources. I’m lucky to know the founder of the company and heard first hand the values and ethos behind the products. Plant protein powders are a big part of exercise world, but as someone with chronic health issues, I see first hand what a difference they make for someone with a compromised system.

Plant Protein Facts

The body doesn't store protein, so it's important to get enough from your diet each day

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and when the body digests proteins in foods, they're broken down into amino acids. Different amino acids are needed for different actions and basically every metabolic process in the body. This is why it's important to get in "complete" sources of protein. Meat and dairy products are considered complete proteins while plants are often missing one or more amino acids, which is why eating a combination of different plant-based proteins is key in getting in a all the amino acids we need. 

But eating five different types of legumes and plants in high enough quantities every day is daunting and can be tough on the stomach for some. But plant protein powder blends have been a life saver in helping me getting enough protein every day. 

Plant proteins don't contain cholesterol and contain very little saturated fat 

Plant proteins also offer a good dose of fiber which helps to keep the digestive system balanced, keeps arteries clean, and helps keep hormones balanced. 

Around a 4oz (100g) serving of steak has between 20 and 30g of protein (and a dose of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium) while protein powders like Sano contains 20g of plant protein... more than a cup of cooked lentils and a lot easier to eat. 

Well rounded plant proteins

Plant sources that contain all the amino acids we need to survive: hemp, flax, peas, goji berries, (soy contains the whole spectrum of amino acids, but comes with side effects for this with allergies and estrogen issues)

Plant proteins sources like hemp, flax, and peas contain high antioxidant and phytonutrient levels. 

Hemp proteins contains a complete range of amino acids (20 different kinds of amino acids, including 9 complete ones (the kind that the body cannot produce on its own) compared to other plant food sources. Hemp is also an easy and fast to digest protein. Another main reason people express concern over a plant-based protein diet is due to lack of zinc, but a 100g serving of hemp seeds contains 10mg of zinc. Fish contains 1 to 2g of zinc per 100g serving...

Flax seeds contains an amino acid profile similar to soy (one of the most similar plant profiles compared to meats) but without the issues that soy often presents (like containing compounds that dangerously imitate estrogen, sensitivities and allergies). And flax seeds also deliver omega-3 fatty acids, the kind of good fat found in fish. And beef contains around 5mg per 100g. 

Peas deliver complete protein. They also offer a good dose of fiber (for digestion, hormone balancing and artery health) and are considered an easier to digest protein. 

Goji berries are a known antioxidant superfood, but did you know they also deliver a good dose of protein

Other complete plant-based protein sources

Soy beans

Lentils

Amaranth

Chickpeas

Quinoa

Buckwheat

Seaweed

Chia Seeds