By Previnex®
When you’re on a weight loss journey, it’s important to get a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbs. Choosing the right protein powder to support your weight loss journey is important. There are pros and cons to whey protein powder and vegan protein powder—let’s compare the differences so you can choose which is best for your goals.
Is Plant Protein Better than Whey Protein for Weight Loss?
Both vegan protein powder and whey protein powder are beneficial for weight loss, as long as their consumption is coupled with a balanced lifestyle of diet, exercise, and hydration. Losing weight comes from remaining in a calorie deficit—meaning you’re burning more calories than you’re taking in. Plant-based protein powders tend to have fewer calories per serving compared to whey protein since whey protein has a higher fat content and is derived from milk.
Our bodies tend to metabolize plant protein slower than whey protein, which leads to being fuller for a longer period of time. Plant-based protein powder can help your body regulate its metabolism since it takes longer to digest. Whey protein is also beneficial for your metabolism by increasing your body’s rate of burning calories.
Which Protein Is Better for Weight Loss?
There are some key nutritional differences to consider when choosing between plant protein and whey protein:
Whey Protein Powder
-
Sourced and made from cheese
-
Contains lactose
-
Not vegan friendly
-
Is a complete protein
Plant-Based Protein Powder
-
Sourced from plants—most commonly pea, rice, soy, and hemp
-
Does not dairy or animal products
-
Lactose-free
-
May or may not be a complete protein—it is blend and brand-dependent
When it comes to digestion and absorption, whey protein has a faster absorption rate than plant protein. Since whey protein absorbs into your bloodstream faster, it tends to be the preferred option for pre-or post-workout protein fuel. Since plant protein gets absorbed slower—and is easier to digest—it’s a great option for protein supply throughout the day!
While there are differences, both whey protein powder and plant-based protein powder offer benefits for weight loss and overall health. As long as the protein powder you choose aligns with your fitness journey and dietary restrictions, either one should help you along. Plant-based protein powder in particular has long-term benefits like improved digestion, weight management, boosted metabolism, and gut health.
Does Plant Protein Help You Lose Weight?
In short, yes, plant protein can help you lose weight. However, protein powder—plant or whey—can’t be your only weight loss strategy. It’s imperative that you use protein powder as a tool, and pair it with proper exercise, hydration, and nutrition.
Plant protein sources vary. Many vegan protein powders on the market are soy-based, which could come with disadvantages such as stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, and more. Other sources of plant protein are pea and rice, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
The most common disadvantages of plant-based protein powder are digestive issues, higher carbohydrate content, and they are not always complete proteins. However, there are plant-based protein powders that are complete proteins, like Nourify® PLUS.
In addition to losing weight, plant protein is also good for building muscle! Protein in general helps stabilize your metabolism and maintain muscle mass. Consuming protein helps your body repair muscle tissue. Vegan protein powder can give you all these benefits, as long as it’s a complete protein (meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids). One of the most effective blends of vegan protein powder to help build muscle mass is pea and rice protein, as they contain all essential amino acids.
Protein powder is effective for women in particular because it helps increase bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis, which is important in particular in postmenopausal women. Protein also helps improve skin and hair health and can help with weight management.
Conclusion: Pea Protein or Whey Protein?
Ultimately, the choice between plant-based protein and whey protein lies with you and is dependent upon your dietary needs and goals. Protein powder in general is a great way to increase protein intake, lose weight, improve muscle mass, and improve your overall health. Plant-based protein powder in particular is easier to digest, stays in your system longer (which means you stay fuller for a longer period of time), and tends to have a lower fat content. Nourify® PLUS is a high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade, non-GMO vegan protein powder that is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. It contains digestive enzymes with probiotics and contains all BCAAs. It’s also free of added ingredients, gums, and emulsifiers, giving you one of the best products on the market. Take your health to the next level—grab yourself a bottle of Nourify® PLUS vanilla or chocolate protein powder today!
