As of 2019, the Vegan Society cited 600,000 people adopting a vegan diet in the UK. When you compare this to 2016’s figures of 276,000, it’s clear to see that veganism is still very much on the rise. The same increase is also true for the Veganuary campaign, with partakers for 2020 up a whopping 60% on the previous year!
Although the supermarkets are better stocked than ever with a variety of vegan-friendly meals and treats, there’s still a lot of consideration to make when it comes to getting enough protein on a vegan diet. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of best vegan protein sources that you can get from everyday foods, alongside some of the vegan-friendly supplements available. Tip: these supplements are also great for if you’re one of the 10-20% of the UK population who are lactose intolerant.
What are some of the best plant-based protein sources?
We’ve investigated some of the best sources of protein for vegans using the US Department of Agriculture Food Data Central database, of which you can find the details in the below graph. From the foods we’ve selected, chickpeas are leading the way with nearly 20g of protein per 100g, followed closely by chia seeds and oats.
If you’re a keen gym goer and want to use vegan-friendly protein sources to help increase muscle mass and strength, it’s also important to consider which sources are most appropriate for the desired outcome. Where pea and rice proteins are great for promoting muscle repair (and this is what you’ll find in our supplements), others may come with unwanted side effects.
Soy-based proteins are ones to watch if you want to ensure you’re not hindering your progress in any way. Although soy is a healthy, well-rounded source of protein, some studies[1] have proven that regular intake of soy-based food such as soy milk and tofu can actually reduce testosterone levels in males, which in turn means your body is less efficient at increasing muscle mass and gaining strength[2]. Just a little something to consider.
Vegan-friendly protein sources through supplements
Protein supplements are one of the best (and easiest) ways to give your body the boost it needs, whether you’re an avid gym goer or just want an effortless solution to enhance the protein in your diet. The great news is Half Human have an entire collection of vegan-friendly protein powder (and other supplements), which not only pack a punch when it comes to the amount of protein per 100g, but they also taste fantastic - gone are the days of chalky textures and bad flavour! So, we hear you ask, which vegan protein products would we recommend?
For everyday use
A plant-based protein source made using pea and brown rice protein (which work great together to support the development of lean muscle tissue), our vanilla blend provides 25g of protein in just one scoop, and what’s more, it’s a great protein powder choice for if you’re lactose intolerant.
Get the most out of your workouts
You may already be well versed in the benefits of pre-workout, but if you’ve not yet experienced our natural-ingredient raspberry and mango formula, it’s one to add to your cart! With 7g of protein per 35g serving and utilising natural energy sources such as guarana and caffeine, one scoop of this around half an hour before your run, gym session or class will ignite your energy levels and allow you to smash your workout, every time.
All-in-one vegan protein powder
Boasting a whopping 38g of protein per 60g serving, this is the ultimate all-in-one, vegan pea protein powder. With nothing but 5-star reviews for its taste and texture, it’s the ideal protein shake to enjoy after a workout. You also needn’t worry about allergens, GMOs or lactose irritants, as you won’t find any here! This one’s a fantastic choice if you’re looking to build muscle too. Check out our all-in-one vegan protein powder.
For a vitamin hit
If it’s vitamins and minerals you’re after, you may want to take a look at our multi-vitamins + super greens blend, which includes an impressive variety of, well, pretty much every vitamin and super green you can think of! From potassium, vitamin K and iron through to spinach, kale and baobab fruit, this supplement is a great addition to a healthy diet. It also delivers on the protein front too, boasting 2.1g in each 6g serving.
If you want to know more about the vegan-friendly protein offering we have at Half Human, you can explore the whole collection here.
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/soya-male-body-health-side-effects-truth-milk-sexual-function-a8382976.html
[2] https://androgenixsolutions.com/testosterone-and-why-its-important-to-build-muscle/