Supplements are an excellent way to tailor your nutritional regime to meet your fitness goals without having to compromise dietary restrictions. This includes plant-based diets. With today’s growing vegan-based supplement options, it’s easier than ever to meet the needs of both your vegan diet and training goals.
When sourcing vegan supplements to enhance muscle growth, understanding the different plant based sources of protein is key. While vegan protein sources are all made without animal products, some may be better suited for your body than others.
Let’s take a look at the 4 most common vegan protein sources.
Vegan Supplement Protein Source #1: Pea
These preliminaries settled, he did not care to put off any longer the execution of his design, urged on to it by the thought of all the world was losing by his delay, seeing what wrongs he intended to right, grievances to redress, injustices to repair, abuses to remove, and duties to discharge.
Peas are a fabulous source for vegan-lovers to get iron, vitamins and protein into their diet. Vegan supplements designed for muscle building are often made with pea protein isolate because it naturally contains high amounts of the branched-chain amino acids the body needs to build muscle fibre.
Pea protein isolate is also high in iron and arginine – two micronutrients essential for cardiovascular and strength performance.
Pea Protein works with almost all diets as it is naturally:
- gluten-free,
- vegan
- dairy-free
- soy-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
Pea Protein Isolate: Similar Muscle Building Benefits as Whey
A downside to many vegan or vegetarian protein supplements is that they are often less effective than whey protein isolate. However, a recent study has shown that pea protein isolate can yield the same strength-training results as whey protein isolate.
Pea-based protein isolate products are often enriched with other nutrients and supplements to create the right product for an individual’s needs. When working to increase muscle mass, consider the pea-based supplement Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer.
Vegan Supplement Protein Source #2: Brown Rice
Brown rice, a dietary staple in most households because of its nutritional value, is commonly used to produce high-quality protein powder. When looking for a supplement to support muscle development that’s vegan, allergen-free, and easily digestible brown rice isolates are a favourable option to try.
One study that tested the effectiveness of brown rice isolate as a post-workout supplement was found to have favourable results. The results of the study found that when used immediately after a weight-training session, brown rice protein isolate was as effective as whey protein.
Due to environmental pollution, brown rice may contain high levels of heavy metals, specifically Arsenic. To ensure the brown rice supplement you use isn’t introducing arsenic to your body, use a product that tests for arsenic and other heavy metals.
Vegan Supplement Protein Source #3: Soy
Soy is likely the oldest commercially developed vegan protein source in North America and has been used in vegan-friendly muscle building supplements for decades. While other vegan protein options have become available in recent years, soy is still widely used by supplement makers because it is a complete protein.
Soy Protein Isolate & Muscle Building Benefits
- 1 ounce of soy protein isolate powder contains 23g of protein
- Contains the 9 essential amino acids
- Is about 8% Leucine, a key element for building muscle
- May aid in lowering LDL cholesterol levels
Vegan Supplement Protein Source #4: Chia
Chia seeds are tiny seeds loaded with nutrients. They were an important source of nutrition for many South American ancient civilizations, including the Aztecs and Mayans. When processed into a protein powder, one 28-gram serving of chia protein powder can yield around 10g of protein.
Additional benefits of Chia seed protein include:
- Easily digestible
- High fibre
- Contain amino acids
When blended with other plant-based proteins, Chia-based supplements can provide the health benefits of a chia seed as well as a source of complete protein.
Visit Fuel Belmont for Top Vegan Supplements
Fuel Belmont, located in the Greater Victoria area, has everything you need to support your muscle building efforts and vegan lifestyle. For a convenient, online shopping experience for vegan supplements, visit our online store.
