Its finally here! After a long wait and several delays; Some Good's Organic Pea Protein Isolate is finally here, and ahead of ... ahem its amended schedule. It's actually so far ahead, that our new website isn't even ready for it to be released on yet! While we make the final site checks, we've decided to offer our blog followers and Facebook family exclusive access, before anyone else!
A common misunderstanding is that if you are not working out at the gym, then supplementing with protein could be bad for you or lead to weight gain. This is substanciated often because cheaper proteins powders contain a high proportion of carbohydrates and sugars, that are sometimes geared towards gaining mass. The real question you should be asking yourself is, do I get enough protein each day for me and my lifestyle?
It's generally recommended that you get approx1g of protein for every kg of bodyweight, assuming you are not looking to build muscle. There are many reasons why today many of us fail to do this. Busy lifestyles, cheap food, snacking on the go, or choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, are all factors that can make it difficult to get enough protein.
We often replace protein rich foods with carbohydrate laden snacks and this leads to weight gain. However getting the correct amount of protein can lead to 4 key benefits:
How can you tell if you need more protein? Like with many things, we should listen to what our body is telling us:
So what protein should I buy? Concentrate or Isolate?
Concentrate: Protein is derived from various food sources and is "concentrated" by removing the non-protein parts. The result: a powder that’s 70 to 85 percent pure protein (with the remaining 15 to 30 percent consisting mostly of carbohydrates and fat).
Isolate: Taking the concentration process a step further, "isolation" removes a much higher percentage of non-protein content. The additional processing yields a premium protein that is up to 95 percent pure.
Whey? Pea? Or Soy?
Whey: The most popular protein supplement on the market today, whey is a by-product in the process of turning milk into cheese.
Pros: Whey protein has been shown to promote lean muscle growth and fat loss, as well as support cardiovascular health and a healthy metabolism
Cons: The sugar found in milk (lactose) is a common allergen that can make whey indigestible for some. Additionally many whey protein powders are produced with cost saving in mind. Packed full of flavours (read sugars) they are often unhealthy, lead to suagr spikes and weight gain, and further cause digestive upset. They are also not an option for anyone following a vegan diet.
Soy beans are one of the few plant protein sources that offer all of the essential amino acids
Pros: Soy may also help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of certain cancers .
Cons: Sourcing Soy Protien can be a problem with many crops being genetically modified. There is also a concern around hormone levels. With some studies stating it can affect oestrogen levels in an unregulated manner.
Pea Protein. Why's it yellow? Peas are green? Our pea protein comes from the yellow split pea. As its a pea its perfect for vegans, vegetarians and the lactose intolerant.
Pros: It contains one of the highest percentage protein ratios of all the proteins outside whey. And don't worry it doesn't taste like peas. In case you were envisioning mushy peas in your shaker ...
But how do you pick a protein? And why do you need it?
A common misunderstanding is that if you are not working out at the gym, then supplementing with protein could be bad for you or lead to weight gain. This is substanciated often because cheaper proteins powders contain a high proportion of carbohydrates and sugars, that are sometimes geared towards gaining mass. The real question you should be asking yourself is, do I get enough protein each day for me and my lifestyle?
It's generally recommended that you get approx1g of protein for every kg of bodyweight, assuming you are not looking to build muscle. There are many reasons why today many of us fail to do this. Busy lifestyles, cheap food, snacking on the go, or choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, are all factors that can make it difficult to get enough protein.
We often replace protein rich foods with carbohydrate laden snacks and this leads to weight gain. However getting the correct amount of protein can lead to 4 key benefits:
- Reduced hunger and weight loss as Protein is a particularly satiating nutrient. Australian researchers had 28 obese men consume four different drinks. Those who consumed the beverage containing 50 grams of whey had significantly reduced levels of ghrelin (a hormone that tells your brain you’re hungry) up to four hours later.
- Increased strength.
- An improved immune system: University of Alberta researchers found that subjects involved in strenuous aerobic activity suffered from significantly reduced glutathione levels, that could impact on such things as the nervous, gastrointestinal, and immune systems. However, they also discovered that by supplementing with protein, the subjects experienced a significantly lesser reduction in glutathione levels.
- Increased joy and lack of stress: Protein positively affects brain serotonin aka the happy chemical.
How can you tell if you need more protein? Like with many things, we should listen to what our body is telling us:
- Are you craving more sweets? One of the first signs you're low on protein: You start craving sweets and feel like you're never quite full
- Brain fog? Balanced blood sugar is essential for staying focused. So when you're protein-deprived and your glucose levels are fluctuating constantly you may feel like you can't focus your thoughts and that your brain is well.. foggy.
- Losing hair? In extreme cases of protein deficiency, which aren't as rare as you think ... your hair follicles themselves become weaker, then shrink and literally let go of the hair.
- Feel weak? Has your bag got heavier? Or have you got weaker? Being unable to to carry out tasks that you found manageable before, is another sign of protein deficiency
- Getting sick more frequently? Protein reinforces the immune system. Catching the sniffles every time you leave the house? ... Check your protein intake.
- Constantly getting hangnails? If your skin isn't strong due to a shortage of protein, you may start to notice cracks and tears (like hangnails), potentially exposing you to pathogens and leading to infections.
So what protein should I buy? Concentrate or Isolate?
Concentrate: Protein is derived from various food sources and is "concentrated" by removing the non-protein parts. The result: a powder that’s 70 to 85 percent pure protein (with the remaining 15 to 30 percent consisting mostly of carbohydrates and fat).
Isolate: Taking the concentration process a step further, "isolation" removes a much higher percentage of non-protein content. The additional processing yields a premium protein that is up to 95 percent pure.
Whey? Pea? Or Soy?
Whey: The most popular protein supplement on the market today, whey is a by-product in the process of turning milk into cheese.
Pros: Whey protein has been shown to promote lean muscle growth and fat loss, as well as support cardiovascular health and a healthy metabolism
Cons: The sugar found in milk (lactose) is a common allergen that can make whey indigestible for some. Additionally many whey protein powders are produced with cost saving in mind. Packed full of flavours (read sugars) they are often unhealthy, lead to suagr spikes and weight gain, and further cause digestive upset. They are also not an option for anyone following a vegan diet.
Soy beans are one of the few plant protein sources that offer all of the essential amino acids
Pros: Soy may also help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of certain cancers .
Cons: Sourcing Soy Protien can be a problem with many crops being genetically modified. There is also a concern around hormone levels. With some studies stating it can affect oestrogen levels in an unregulated manner.
Pea Protein. Why's it yellow? Peas are green? Our pea protein comes from the yellow split pea. As its a pea its perfect for vegans, vegetarians and the lactose intolerant.
Pros: It contains one of the highest percentage protein ratios of all the proteins outside whey. And don't worry it doesn't taste like peas. In case you were envisioning mushy peas in your shaker ...