Plant based protein powders represent a new popular trend in nutrition. There are many reasons for this, but chiefly among them are the perceived limitations of whey protein and the limited side effects of many of the leading plant proteins. For vegans, these powders are almost essentially to maintaining a healthy diet. Whatever the motivation for using soy, rice, pea or hemp powder, it is important to understand the distinct advantages of each before going out to purchase a particular supplement. All four are generally effective replacements for whey protein, but some of them bring unique attributes that could be the perfect fit for your needs.

Soy Protein Powder

Soy has long been known in the “green” and healthy living community as an effective replacement for most any other protein source. Those who are lactose intolerant, are vegetarians or vegans, or have allergies to certain grains, have turned to soy in order to get the essential protein their body needs. One of the benefits of soy powder are that it is low in fat, something not all protein powders can boast of.

Rice Protein Powder

Rice protein powder happens to be a relatively new addition to the plant based Protien Powder field. One of the first benefits users tend to notice is the markedly lower retail price. This is because rice is a generally cheaper plant protein ingredient. While it doesn’t have as much protein per serving as some of the other powders, rice protein is great in that it delivers complete amino acids that have not been broken down in the production process. Like soy protein, rice is easy to digest.

Hemp Protein Powder

While hemp may conjure up images of marijuana smoking teenagers, this plant based supplement serves a very different purpose when utilized as a protein supplement. Many users state that hemp powder has a noticeably better taste than any of the other alternatives. While this should not be the first factor to consider, it can make the difference when all other factors are equal. Hemp protein is a whole food source, rich in fat, but the good kind of fat. The high fat levels can be a turn off for some potential users, but it is important to make the distinction between good and bad fats.

Pea Protein Powder

This powder might seem like an improbable source of protein, but the split pea has been know for its protein packed life providing vivacity for centuries. In addition to being highly soluble and relatively affordable, pea protein has been proven not only to lower blood pressure but to improve kidney function as well. Most of the commercial protein powders contain over 25 grams of protein per scoop which is considerably more than many soy and rice powders.

All of these plant based supplements are remarkably effective, yet often go unnoticed in favor of the highly commercial whey powder. The reality is that these protein powders are just as effective as whey protein powder. While they are great for vegans and those with allergies, plant based proteins are a perfect option for virtually any person in any situation.