Are you looking for a protein powder to enhance the effects of your workouts? If you have a restrictive diet due to food allergies or sensitivities, you may be nervous to try a new protein powder. Many tend to contain allergens or ingredients you can barely pronounce!
Perhaps you’re vegan and struggling to choose a plant-based protein powder. Or maybe you have some health concerns and want to add more plant food sources to your diet.
A vegan protein powder could be the perfect addition to your diet. If you’re hesitant to try it, I get it! Allergies and sensitivities make me wary of new foods. Fortunately, I decided to give Plant Works Protein Powder a chance after reviewing its ingredients. (Spoiler: I’m happy with the results!)
Consider these five reasons to opt for a plant-based protein powder. Then check out my experience with Plant Works as someone living with sneaky food allergies and sensitivities.
1. Cater to Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
High-quality plant-based protein powders are typically:
- Allergen-free: Most contain no nuts, seeds, or sugar. Just beware of those made with soy, another common food allergen. That’s why Plant Works does not use soy in its recipe.
- Lactose-free: Unlike whey protein supplements, vegan protein powders avoid casein and whey. If you’re lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, you won’t experience inflammation, bloating, or even more severe reactions. You’ll feel better overall!
- Gluten sensitivity or celiac: The gluten-sensitive and celiac sufferers don’t have to worry about gluten, either! Carefully crafted vegan protein powders should only contain protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Plant-based protein powder makes it easier to avoid many allergens and ingredients that trigger reactions in those with food intolerances.
2. Benefit from an Effective Vegan Protein Powder
Yes, it IS possible to get maximum protein benefits from a vegan protein powder! Whether you choose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle for health, moral reasons, or a combination, your protein intake shouldn’t suffer.
You can enjoy a plant-based protein powder containing all nine essential amino acids with Plant Works protein, which has the same protein level as whey protein powder! Whether you try Plant Works or another plant protein powder, this is crucial — be sure to check its protein bioavailability (i.e., how much your body will absorb) to confirm it is an effective supplement. Learn more in this blog post.
Whether you want a way to fuel up before or after workouts or struggle to obtain sufficient protein intake, plant-based protein powder is a great solution.
3. Diversify Your Diet & Nutrient Intake
A healthy diet is about more than the amount of protein, vitamins, fiber (which is only naturally derived from plants!), and other nutrients you consume. A significant portion of it has to do with eating a wide variety of foods, which helps:
- Meet adequate consumption of macro and micronutrients
- Improve gut health (plant foods especially foster healthy bacteria and nutrients in our gut!)
- Promote digestion, good moods, and radiant skin
So even if you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, adding a plant-based protein powder to your diet can ensure you get more of those macro and micronutrients you could be missing out on if you consume primarily animal-based protein.
After all, certain vitamins and minerals essential to our health are only found in plant sources. Those that are found in animal-based protein tend to be low amounts. For example, check out the four protein sources in Plant Works:
- Pea protein: Packed with iron
- Rice protein: Loaded with antioxidants, B-vitamins, and fiber
- Pumpkin protein: Great source of iron, calcium, and B2
- Mushroom protein: High in B vitamins and a powerful antioxidant called selenium
Discover the overall benefits of protein powder, from weight loss to workout recovery.
4. Lower Your Risk of Chronic Disease
Studies suggest that people who consume more plant-based protein than animal-based protein have a reduced risk of chronic disease and premature death. Researchers believe this is because plant-based diets include higher fiber and phytonutrients and less saturated fat.
This doesn’t mean you have to completely cut out meat and animal-based protein. But replacing some of it with a plant-based protein powder is a solid step toward obtaining more of those critical nutrients.
Adding more plant-based protein to your diet can even improve heart health. In fact, studies show that pea protein, in particular, helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels — when paired with regular exercise, of course!
5. Enjoy a Natural Flavor & Smoother Texture
A common complaint surrounding many protein supplements is that they have an unappealing flavor and texture. This can be the case with both animal and plant-based protein powders.
However, high-quality vegan protein powders with natural ingredients offer a more pleasant taste without the chalky texture often associated with protein shakes.
The Verdict
Before Plant Works Protein, I had never tried protein powder out of concern for my food allergies. I decided to try Plant Works because I could identify all of the ingredients, and it sounded like a safe choice.
Here are my favorite things about it.
Safe for Allergies
If you’re like me and have any allergies or sensitivities, you know what it’s like having to be careful and read every ingredient. Many protein powders I’ve looked into in the past contain ingredients like flaxseed or chia, which I’m very allergic to. These “superfoods,” unfortunately, are also common allergens.
I was also hesitant about whey protein because I have a sensitive stomach and wasn’t sure how my body would handle concentrated milk-based protein.
Fortunately, I had no allergy or digestion issues with the vegan, 100% plant-based, Plant Works Protein Powder. This was my number one concern, so that was a big box checked off!
Pre-workout Fuel
I typically have my shake as pre-workout fuel. Most of my workouts are in the evenings, so a big dinner beforehand isn’t an option. When I do exercise in the morning, it’s before breakfast.
My Plant Works shakes do a great job keeping me full (but not TOO full) and give me enough energy to get through two hours of cardio, Krav Maga, and/or boxing classes, which I attend three to four times a week.
Perfect for the Picky Eater
This picky eater is not a huge fan of veggies — I could definitely use more plant-based foods in my diet. I love that Plant Works Protein Powder is packed with many vital nutrients that I KNOW I need more of. And I notice I’ve been feeling better and staying full longer when I have my protein shakes regularly!
Of course, flavor and texture were my other main concerns. I was hesitant to try a protein powder at first because I’d heard horror stories of people trying protein powders that they could barely get down because of bad taste and gritty texture. This was not the case with Plant Works Protein Powder. It mixes seamlessly with anything, whether I make a protein shake recipe with several ingredients or simply shake it with some coconut milk.
Now, it’s a staple in my diet and workout routine!
To get a taste of what I’m talking about and give Plant Works Protein Powder a chance, shop the full selection today!
Stephanie Chabot is a copywriter and content marketer with 10 years of experience helping small brands reach their dream audiences. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys getting her heart rate and endorphins up at cardio, Krav Maga, and boxing classes. She also loves taking long walks with her dog, Sadie, and husband, Eric, around their New Hampshire home.