What Are Pea Protein Shakes? (And Why You Should Try Them)

Are pea protein shakes something you should include in your daily routine? Keep reading to find out more!

If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and lose a few pounds along the way, chances are you have a consistent diet and exercise regimen. Making the right choices each day is crucial to our health, and helps us look and feel our best! However sometimes it’s not always easy to get all the nutrients our bodies need throughout the day, which is why a lot of folks turn to supplements to help nourish their bodies.

One of the top supplements for those looking to feel their best, and even lose some weight along the way, is protein powder. These powders can easily be made into a shake, making it even easier to include it in your daily routine. A popular way to get an increased amount of protein throughout the day is with pea protein shakes. But are they right for you?

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What pea protein is
• The benefits of pea protein
• Our must-try pea protein shake

What is pea protein and why is it a popular shake mix?

Learn a little more about pea protein, and why it’s so popular as a shake!

Pea protein shakes are a great way to increase your daily protein intake. Keep in mind they shouldn’t be the only form of protein you consume! Image courtesy of Unsplash.

Protein powders have been around for years, and people have used them to boost the protein they consume daily, help build muscle mass, and stay fuller throughout the day. You may have already heard of the popular protein powder made from whey, which is created during the cheese making process. This is one of the most popular ways to get additional protein in your diet, since it is readily available and in powder form, you can add it to almost anything and have an easy way to fuel up.

However, because whey is an animal product, a lot of people who have issues with dairy (such as lactose intolerance) find it difficult to use. Additionally, those who are following plant-based lifestyles such as vegans or vegetarians might not want to regularly use a product that is from animals. Enter pea protein. This is a great alternative to an animal-based protein supplement like whey. Pea protein is made from yellow peas that are dried and then ground up until they are a powder. The starch and fiber content is mostly removed, but not to worry, this protein supplement is still considered a complete protein. This means it contains the nine amino acids that the body cannot make, which we must get from food or supplement sources.

Although pea protein is a great way to increase your overall protein intake, it should not be the only way you consume protein. Experts recommend you get your protein, and other essential nutrients, from a variety of sources, both animal and plant based.

Pea protein is mild in flavor, and it mixes easily with a variety of liquids to make the perfect shake. You can also include pea protein into your cooking or baking efforts, if that works better for you! One scoop typically contains around 15-20 grams of protein, and only around 100 calories. This makes pea protein a great option when you want to stay fuller and limit the amount of calories you’re consuming each day.

The benefits of adding pea protein to your diet

The top reasons why pea protein is a great addition to your routine

If your goals are to start living a healthy lifestyle, consider adding pea protein to your day. Image courtesy of Unsplash.

Pea protein is a great addition to your healthy routine, but what are some of the benefits you can expect?

Easy to digest

Pea protein is easy to digest, no matter if you have it in a shake, or include it when you cook or bake. This is especially helpful for those folks who have a hard time digesting whey protein, due to the lactose that this source contains. Pea powder is also easier to digest than large quantities of meat, which while they contain a good amount of protein, have additional calories and other dietary consequences (like more fat content, etc.).

Nutritious

While you should get your daily protein from a variety of sources, pea protein is a low calorie, complete protein. Not only does it contain all nine amino acids, but it also has branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) that are good for the heart and the circulatory system. Additionally, consuming pea protein regularly may also help reduce your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure. While this research has been done mostly in animals, it’s easy to see the connection between consuming a plant based protein and helping out your heart.

Great alternative for vegans/vegetarians

Whey protein excludes a lot of individuals, whether it’s because of their diet choice, or their bodies cannot process this milk-based powder. With pea protein, anyone who follows a vegan/vegetarian diet is free to reap the benefits without compromising their chosen lifestyle. Pea protein is also naturally gluten-free, and can be enjoyed by those people who have allergies to lactose, nuts, soy, wheat, eggs, or shellfish. This is great news and means that no longer will those folks with allergies miss out on adding additional protein to their diets.

Helps with weight loss

One of the major reasons people are interested in taking protein powders and shakes is because it can help with weight loss. When you’re on a weight loss journey, you need to make sure you’re still getting all the nutrients your body needs, but still ending the day with a calorie deficit. Your diet choices, as well as your exercise routine, are crucial elements to successfully losing weight—and keeping it off. Having more protein throughout your day will keep you feeling fuller for longer periods of time. This means you won’t be tempted to overeat, eat when you’re not hungry, or engage in too much snacking.

Having a variety of protein sources, including pea protein shakes, is a fantastic way to help you lose weight, especially if you’re already taking weight loss medication like Ozempic. Staying consistent is key when you’re trying to lose weight, which is why getting your protein and other vitamins and minerals from a variety of sources is such a good idea.

Can help build muscles

In addition to helping you feel fuller and contributing to your weight loss journey, pea protein can also help you build and tone your lean muscle mass. If this is one of your health goals, you know how important it is to ensure you’re incorporating not just cardio exercise, but specifically weight and resistance training. This coupled with a daily dose of pea protein is a great way to ensure you’re building muscle and achieving the results you’re looking for.

Friendly to your gut

Did you know that pea protein in particular has a decent amount of fiber naturally? That’s right, in addition to being a great source of sustainable protein, pea protein also has fiber, which is very good for your gut. Since pea protein is made from peas, it does not contain lactose or glucose, making it extremely easy to digest. If you dealt with gas or bloating from consuming whey protein, you won’t have to worry about that when you switch to pea protein!

Lots of ways to use it

While most people like to have pea protein shakes because they’re so convenient, you can actually add it to any liquid and have it dissolve easily. This means you can add it to your morning tea or coffee, your usual morning smoothie, or even add it to your favorite foods. Pea protein doesn’t have a strong taste or smell, making it a very versatile addition to your routine.

Our must-try pea protein shake

Pick up this pea protein shake and enjoy a protein boost anytime, anywhere!

WonderSlim’s pea protein shakes are a great way to ensure you’re getting extra protein from healthy, 100% organic produce. Image courtesy of Diet Direct.

If you want to reach your health goals, then including a plant protein meal replacement shake like this one from WonderSlim is essential. Packed with 15 grams of pea protein, 24 vitamins and minerals, 4 net carbs, 1 gram of sugar or less, and only 100 calories, these shakes make it easy to stick to your diet. The protein will keep you fuller for longer, ensuring you won’t be tempted to snack too much or eat when you aren’t hungry. These shakes come in three flavors, including a variety pack, and are made with all kinds of organic produce including broccoli, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, kale, and more.

Should you add pea protein shakes to your diet?

We think the answer is yes! There are a lot of benefits to adding pea protein shakes to your routine, especially if you want to sustain a healthy routine.