What Is The Best Pea Protein Powder – The Power Of The Pea

Using a protein powder supplement can come with many health benefits.  Pea protein powders are an excellent source of nutrition.  Because of this you may want to know, what is the best pea protein powder.

Pea protein powders are a great way to increase muscle mass, help with weight loss, or to get more healthy nutrients in your diet.

The most effective ways to use this powder is for post workout muscle recovery, a high protein breakfast, or as a healthy snack.  The powder is mostly used by adding to smoothies, juice, or simply mix with water.

What is Pea Protein

Pea protein powders are made by extracting the protein out of both green and yellow peas.  This produces a pure pea isolate protein.

The process makes it a high quality and easy to digest protein source.  The best part about is its high protein content per serving at around 20 grams per half cup.

Pea is a legume that is high in amino acids including L-Arginine and BCAA’s as well as vitamins and minerals, especially iron.  Coming from the pea, makes it naturally vegan, hypoallergenic, and gluten free.

Pea Protein Benefits

One of the greatest benefits of using pea as a protein source is for those interested in a plant based diet.  This vegan protein contains more nutrients and amino acids than many other plant proteins.

Here are some specific benefits to using a pea protein.  Keep in mind that many of these perks come from using this protein along with a healthy diet and exercise.

⊕  Vegan plant based, high quality source of protein

⊕  Great source of nutrients and very high in iron

⊗  Contains all 9 essential amino acids making it great for muscle gains

⊕  Excellent source of Branch Chain Amino Acids

⊕  Hypoallergenic, gluten free, and dairy free

⊕  Very filling and effective for weight loss

⊕  Great for heart health and can help lower cholesterol

⊕  Pea is one of the better tasting plant proteins

Pea Protein for Muscle Growth

Pea protein powder coupled with exercise is known to be one of the best for building muscle.  This is because pea protein contains all 21 amino acid proteins that are used for post workout muscle recovery.

During resistance exercise, muscle tissue is broken down.  This is the process that enables your body to rebuild the muscle tissue bigger and stronger than it was.

Studies have shown that pea protein powder is just as effective at muscle building than animal or dairy based protein powders.

For best results for muscle growth, it’s best to consume a protein powder supplement within a couple of hours after exercise.  If you are serious about muscle, it is recommended to get approximately one gram of protein per pound of body weight per day.

Pea Protein for Weight Loss

High protein diets are proven to be the best for weight loss.  Pea protein powders have an extremely high amount of protein for the low amount of carbohydrates and sugars.

Not only are these powders nutritious, but protein is the most filling food that you can eat.

This nutrient will keep you feeling fuller and more satisfied for longer than anything else.  Because of this, they help to reduce the overall calorie intake which ends up in weight loss.

Pea protein and other plant based powders are a very effective and healthy supplement for dieting.  Your ability to lose weight will be even more effective when paired with exercise.

What To Look For in a Pea Protein Powder

All of the recommended pea protein powders in this review meet these nutritional qualifications.

Protein Quantity

Pea protein is a source of high protein and contains all of the essential amino acids.  Look for a powder that contains 20 grams of protein or more per serving.

Sweetener

Most Pea protein powders have an “unflavored” version which would be the purest form of pea isolate.  Any flavors will contain a sweetener.  Be sure to look for a natural sweetener such as Stevia and avoid ones with Sucralose.

All Natural

The majority of pea proteins contain natural colors and flavors but check the label to be sure.  If you are looking for an organic pea protein powder, this may be difficult to find.  I do have a page on the best organic protein powders.  You will find that almost all pea powders are non-GMO.

Low Carbs

Fortunately, you won’t have to look far to find low calories in a pea protein powder.  Pea sources will be between 100-150 calories per serving.  This is the lowest amount of any type of protein except for brown rice protein powders.

Pea proteins are across the board low in fats, carbs, and sugars.  If they do not fit this profile, you may want to take a closer look at the powder.

Minerals

Pea protein is higher in zinc.  Women should take special advantage of this.  Take a look at the nutritional facts label to check for this mineral.  There may also be calcium and potassium.

Sodium Content

Pea powders are known for containing more sodium than whey proteins.  Check the label for this if you are watching your intake.  Most pea proteins will have between 200-400 mg of sodium.

If you are on a regular diet, don’t worry about this too much since the recommended amount is up to 2300 mg of sodium per day.

⇒  Let me know if you have any questions or comments about what to look for in a pea protein powder.  You can leave a message at the bottom of this page.

What Is The Best Pea Protein Powder

#1 Pea Protein Pick

Nutrasumma Fermented Pea Protein

Price:      $$
Container size:  28 servings
Protein Per Serving:  20 grams
Rating:  4.6 out of 5
Manufacturer:  Nutrasumma
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

Nutrasumma Positives

• 20 grams of protein per serving
• Fermented contains probiotics
• 120 calories with 5 carbs
• 2 grams of fiber
• Calcium, iron, and potassium
• All natural ingredients
• 3 grams of organic cane sugar

Potential Negatives

• A little higher carb count

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Best Pea Protein Blend

Natures Best Plant-Based Protein

Price:      $$$
Container size:  20 servings
Protein Per Serving:  20 grams
Rating:  4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer:  Isopure
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

This protein powder is a blend of both pea and brown rice.  Between the pea and rice sources, there’s a comprehensive amount of amino acid profile.  Natures Best contains 20 grams of protein per serving.

It contains one of the lowest numbers of calories at 110 per serving and with 4 carbs.  Pea protein powders can be high in sodium, but this one only has 200 mg.

Natures Best seems to be zero everything.  Zero cholesterol, zero sugar, and zero artificial ingredients.  It’s non-GMO and vegan but is not organic.  This powder comes in 3 flavors that are sweetened with Stevia as well as an “unflavored”.

Natures Best Positives

• 110 calories
• 20 grams of protein per serving
• 4 grams of carbs and no cholesterol
• Zero sugars and zero fat
• High in Iron
• 2 grams of dietary fiber
• No artificial ingredients

Potential Negatives

• Costs a bit more

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Pea Protein Blend Runner Up

PEScience Select Vegan Protein

Price:      $$
Container size:  27 servings
Protein Per Serving:  20 grams
Rating:  4.4 out of 5
Manufacturer:  PEScience
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

This is a blend of non-GMO, high-quality pea and brown rice protein sources containing a complete amino acid profile.  There are 20 grams of protein with only 110 calories.

PEScience has zero fat and zero cholesterol with only 4 carbs per serving.  Its also gluten free and dairy free with no fillers.  It’s a little higher in sodium with 330 mg.

Sweetened with zero sugar Stevia and contains all natural ingredients.  It comes in four delicious flavors including Amazing Cinnamon Delight.

PEScience Positives

• 20 grams of protein per serving
• 100 calories
• Zero fat and cholesterol
• Sweetened with sugar free Stevia
• 1 gram of fiber and contains 4 carbs
• All natural ingredients

Potential Negatives

• Added sea salt

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Great Alternative Pea Protein

Green Beret Vegan Protein

Price:      $$
Container size:  30 servings
Protein Per Serving:  20 grams
Rating:  4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer:  Redcon1
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

Green Beret contains a blend of pea, brown rice, and quinoa protein sources that add up to 20 grams per serving.  This blend gives it an excellent amino acid profile and with only 120 calories.

It is naturally sweetened using Stevia and Erythritol.   This powder is non-GMO, gluten free and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors,

Green Beret plant protein contains 5 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of fat.  This blend contains 260 grams of sodium and is high in calcium, iron, and potassium.

Green Beret Positives

• 20 grams of protein per serving
• 120 calories
• 2 grams of fat with 5 grams of carbs
• Plant blends contain more aminos
• All natural flavor and color
• Zero sugar

Potential Negatives

• Erythritol is a sugar alcohol

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Pea Protein Economy Pick

Now Sports Pea Protein Powder

Price:      $
Container size:  27 servings
Protein Per Serving:  24 grams
Rating:  4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer:  Now Sports
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

Now Sports contain 100% pure non-GMO pea protein isolate from yellow peas.  This powder contains 2000 mg of arginine (important amino acid) and 4200 mg of BCAA’s (Branch Chain Amino Acids).

There are only 130 calories, 2 carbs and 2 grams of fat.  This is an excellent ratio for containing 24 grams of protein per serving.  Now Sports pea protein doesn’t contain any sugar, gluten, milk, or preservatives.

Because pea protein is a good tasting powder, “unflavored” is the most popular.  However, we have also found a vanilla toffee.

Now Sports Positives

• 24 grams of protein
• 130 calories with 2 carbs
• zero sugars
• No fillers – only pea protein isolate
• 2 grams of fat
• All natural ingredients
• Unflavored comes with good reviews.

Potential Negatives

• Limited flavors
• Doesn’t contain fiber

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Try Vanilla Toffee Flavor

Pea Protein VS Whey Protein

Whey is the most popular protein source available.  Its most effective for both muscle growth and weight loss.  However, whey is dairy based, so it comes from animal products and contains small amounts of lactose.

If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, a pea protein powder is a much safer choice.  Pea can compete with a whey protein for its muscle building effects.

The reason for this is that pea protein sources contain all of the same amino acid proteins and essential BCAA’s as whey.  Both pea and whey are low in calories, carbs, and fats.  Pea is also just as good as whey proteins when used for weight loss as well.

Pea Protein VS other Plant Sources

The biggest difference that sets pea protein apart from other plant based sources is that it contains all of the necessary amino acids and BCAA’s.  Some other plant sources such as rice and hemp are lacking in the same quantities of these critical aminos.

Mixing several different plant proteins together can provide all of these aminos.  That’s why mixed plant protein powders are so popular.

Pea protein is also higher in L-Arginine (an important amino) and in Iron.  Iron can be critical in women’s diets since their bodies are known to sometimes be lacking in this mineral.

Lastly, pea protein powders mix well and taste better than some of the other plant proteins.  It tastes good enough that the “unflavored” is their best seller.

Is Pea Protein Safe?

Any supplement that is used to extremes can be potentially damaging to the body.  Too much protein powder can stress out the liver or cause the kidneys to malfunction.

Pea proteins tend to have a little higher amount of sodium in them than some sources of protein.  They contain by no means an unhealthy amount, but it’s a good idea to be aware of this if you require a low sodium diet.  The recommended daily amount is 23oo mg, so these powders won’t greatly affect your sodium intake.

The Best Pea Protein Powder Conclusion

Pea may just be the most nutritious and effective protein source above the other vegan protein powder options.  All of the pea protein powders in this review are high in protein and low in calories, fats, and carbs.

My top pick is Nutrasumma Fermented Pea Protein.  What sets this powder apart from the others is the fermented protein.  Although pea proteins are already easily digestible, the fermentation acts as a probiotic.  It goes a step further in promoting better digestion by enhancing nutrient absorption.

Along the way, we’ve also outlined the fact that these pea protein powders are as efficient as the more popular whey powders for both increased muscle growth and the ability to help with weight loss.

⇒  If you have any questions or comments on what is the best pea protein powder, please leave a message below and I will respond.

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