Athlete or not, we all need protein in our diet.
Protein helps your body perform many essential functions. Primarily, it is required for the growth, maintenance, and recovery of muscle tissues. Amino acids have been shown to reduce the rate of protein degradation in your muscles, shifting your body from a catabolic state to an anabolic state post-workout to help you to recover and build muscle.
Though we often just associate protein with muscle, proteins are also needed to make blood, hair, enzymes, antibodies, and connective tissue – to name just a few.
Where Should I Get Protein?
For many, “eat more protein” is synonymous with “eat more meat” – but that does not have to be the case. While many animal-based protein sources (like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy) contain the amino acids that your body needs, that doesn’t mean they are the only way to get your protein. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are great sources of plant-based protein to incorporate into your diet.
Some other good sources of protein include beans, seeds (hemp, chia, flax), tree nuts, quinoa, avocado, and raw, leafy greens.
Many people also rely on protein supplementation as part of their dietary protein intake. These supplements are often found in powder form, and come from various sources including whey, casein, pea, soy, hemp, and more.
Though it’s important to prioritize consuming your protein through the foods you eat whenever possible, supplementation is a great way to ensure you’re consuming enough protein on a consistent basis. Here’s what we recommend:
Plant-Based Protein
The most common sources of plant-based protein are soy, pea, brown rice, and hemp – or a combination of more than one. These plant-based protein supplements are naturally lactose-free and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Plant-based protein supplements are sustainably sourced, effectively support muscle development, and are a key part of supporting a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.
While there is a perception that plant-based proteins are less effective at building muscle because they are “incomplete” sources, that is not necessarily the case. One study found that pea protein promoted muscle growth as effectively as whey when paired with a resistance training plan. Plants, especially peas, are actually an excellent source of protein. Peas specifically deliver benefits like easier digestion, immune-supporting antioxidants, amino acids Lysine and Arginine, and anti-inflammatory properties. You couldn’t ask for a better partner in recovery.
Research also shows that plant protein can serve as a complete and well-balanced source of amino acids when paired with a balanced, plant-based diet. If you eat a variety of organic, nutritious foods, you will get all of the essential amino acids your body needs while meeting the daily protein requirements. Plant-based protein supplements are also a more sustainable alternative to animal proteins as production typically creates less waste and utilizes fewer resources.
Our TB12 Plant-Based Protein is a pure pea protein, making this great-tasting supplement naturally vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free. Our two delicious flavors – chocolate and vanilla – make it easy to simply mix with water or add into a smoothie or milk. Devoid of preservatives and GMOs, it’s the clean choice for every kind of lifestyle and every kind of dietary preference. Our Unflavored recipe is made with just 1 ingredient (pea protein!), and is completely stevia-free for endless versatility in all of your favorite recipes.
Whey Protein
Whey is generally the most popular type of protein powder due to its complete amino acid profile. This broad amino acid profile provides your body with all nine essential amino acids and is digested quickly to help repair your muscles faster – making whey great for post-workout muscle regeneration and recovery.
Though we know that everyone needs protein in their diet – not just athletes – whey protein does tend to be more popular with athletes and individuals who are looking to build muscle mass. If you’re an athlete looking to take a whey protein supplement, we recommend choosing one that is NSF Certified for Sport.
This certification program was developed to meet the growing demands of athletes, coaches, and all those concerned about banned substances in sports supplements. This program minimizes the risk that a supplement or sports nutrition product contains substances banned by a major sports organization. NSF tests and certifies that these products contain the identity and quantity of dietary ingredients declared on the product label, and do not contain unacceptable quantities of unwanted contaminants.
Whey is made from processed cow’s milk in order to isolate and extract the protein content. If not isolated to purity, whey can cause digestion problems for the nearly 65 percent of people who have some trouble digesting lactose, according to the National Institute of Health.
Here’s The Scoop
Not all protein is created equal. The quality of the protein matters, and greatly depends on its sourcing and processing. We formulate our protein powders with the highest-quality ingredients and minimize allergens and artificial ingredients — making our TB12 Plant-Based Protein vegan, non-GMO, and soy-free, with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or unnecessary fillers.
