Protein is the nutrient du jour these days. It has been deemed essential for building muscle or even losing weight. That's mostly because protein is a filling nutrient that helps you to stave off hunger, allowing you to consume fewer calories. Not quite sure what protein powders are? Well, they are pretty much what their name implies: a powdered form of protein that come from plant or animal source. Some of the most common powders come from milk, eggs, soybeans, or peas. Surprisingly, the biggest trend is plant-forward protein powders, only second to single-ingredient powders. Want to know the most common types of animal and plant-based protein powders? Check out our breakdown below!
4 Common Types of Animal-Based Protein Powders
• Whey Protein: Whey is one of two proteins found in milk. Whey protein is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids, including leucine, which plays a key role in protein synthesis – a must for muscle building. In a 30-gram serving, there are about 25 grams of protein.
• Casein Protein: Casein is the other protein in milk and a slower-digesting protein. The benefit of slower digestion is that it can help prevent muscle breakdown and promote protein synthesis over a longer period of time. In a 30-gram serving, you'll find around 26 grams of protein.
• Egg Protein: Eggs score the highest of whole foods regarding protein quality and digestibility, per the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score. Egg protein powder, however, is typically just egg whites, which could impact the score. In a 30-gram serving, you get about 25 grams of protein.
• Collagen Protein: Collagen protein powder is quite trendy these days, as there are a lot of touted benefits to taking collagen. The research seems to be strongest around collagen supporting joint and skin health. A 20-gram serving delivers around 20 grams of protein.
4 Common Types of Plant-Based Protein Powders
• Soy Protein: A complete protein, soy is fairly comparable in its benefits to whey and casein protein powders in that it’s helpful with weight management and muscle health. It also excels when it comes to heart health. In a 30-gram serving, there are about 25 grams of protein.
• Pea Protein: Made from split peas, pea protein contains all of the essential amino acids, but is low in one — methionine. In a 30-gram serving, you get around 27 grams of protein, give or take depending on the brand.
• Almond Protein: Almond protein is one of the newer plant-based protein powders on the market, but has been met with positive reviews from consumers all over the world. One serving delivers approximately 20 grams of solid protein.
• Hemp Protein: Hemp protein powder often delivers a decent dose of fiber in it, along with a hearty amount of protein. Why? Well, it is usually made from ground hemp seeds – not too much of a surprise there, huh? In a 30-gram serving, there are about 14 grams of protein.
Physical activity and nutrition are important parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. At The Westport Apartments in Norfolk, Virginia, we do our best to provide our residents with resourceful tips, exercise routines, and even recipes to help them reach their fitness goals.