When it comes to optimizing athletic recovery and performance, vegan protein powder has become a hot topic for discussion. Well known for offering a number of benefits ranging from higher protein absorption to dense amino acid profiles designed to repair muscles after exertion, vegan protein supplementation is a win for good reason.
You just need to make sure that you’re consuming the right types, especially if you’re lifting heavy weights, going long distances, or exerting yourself physically while training or participating in sports.
Using vegan protein powder supplements for athletic recovery is particularly beneficial in runners and endurance athletes who want to recover faster from their training.
Certain types of vegan protein powders provide incredible benefits for athletes and sports enthusiasts seeking to maximize the results from their training. Below we share a few of these types (or characteristics) to look for in the best vegan protein powders to improve athletic recovery, as well as a few of our favorite products.
Vegan Protein Powders Rich With Amino Acids
Arguably the most important aspect of high-quality vegan protein powders is those that offer rich amino acid profiles. Essentially, amino acids are the building blocks in protein that contribute to muscle repair. Not only do amino acids contribute to muscle growth and repair (particularly essential amino acids [EAA’s] and branch chain amino acids [BCAA’s]), but they also help prevent muscle loss or cannibalization, which is common in endurance athletes.
So if you consider yourself a high-level athlete, one of the most important qualities of a vegan protein powder supplement is ensuring the blend has a solid amino acid profile. A good way to know this is simply whether or not the product actually lists the amino acid contents on the label (as most products do not include these nutritional facts.) Some of the best vegan protein powder supplements are often the “sport” blends and cost slightly more than your average protein powder, but they’re worth it.
Vegan Protein Concentrates vs. Isolates
Another factor to consider when reviewing vegan protein powders is to consider the sources of protein and whether or not they’re concentrating or isolates. Concentrates are ideal in that they are proteins still in their natural form, only concentrated into powder. Isolates, on the other hand, have been introduced to the chemical processes in order to isolate the protein from its true source.
The issue with protein isolates is that these types are stripped of their true nutrient composition and don’t quite offer the same nutritional value as protein concentrates. And while this shouldn’t always be a deal-breaker (as some products will have a combination of vegan protein isolates and protein concentrates,) ideally you’ll want to stick to mostly concentrated proteins when supplementing with protein on a vegan diet.
Glutamine, Digestive Enzymes, Anti-Inflammatories & Other Nutritional Factors
Lastly, it’s important to take into consideration other nutritional variables found in vegan protein powders. When it comes to getting the most from your athletic endeavors, incorporating additional supplementation to fuel recovery and buffer inflammation can be beneficial
For instance, several vegan protein powder supplements on the market also contain digestive enzymes which help the breakdown and absorption of the proteins and amino acids. Some of the sport-centric vegan protein powders are infused with l-glutamine, which can help in muscle repair and growth. Additionally, some products contain concentrated cherry, turmeric, and other anti-inflammatory compounds.
From appetite-suppressing vegan protein powders for weight loss to green coffee bean extracts to increase metabolism, the list goes on as to what to look for in vegan protein powders. Just be sure to do your research and review the best vegan protein powder products thoroughly before spending your hard-earned money on these expensive supplements.
Garden of Life RAW Fit Protein Powder
RAW Fit from Garden of Life is an organic, raw, plant-based protein powder that contains a lot of clean, high-absorption protein sources – all of which are sprouted. It features unique blends for glucose management, probiotics, and enzymes. It also provides a good dose of Vitamin A, D, E, K, and magnesium.
Garden of Life RAW Fit contains a Raw Certified Organic Weight Loss & Stress Management Blend. Along with these two features is Svetol®, an organic and naturally decaffeinated green coffee bean extract combined with ashwagandha. This blend helps stimulate metabolism and combined with protein, staves-off hunger. For more info, see a full RAW Fit review.
Vega SportProtein Powder
Vega Sport is a simple yet amino-rich mix that contains: pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, organic sunflower seed protein, and alfalfa protein. It has about 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and anti-inflammatory powerhouses tart cherry, bromelain, and turmeric. In terms of branched-chain amino acids, it’s one the highest among vegan protein powders with BCAAs.
Vega Sport Protein powder is one of the most popular performance-centric products on the plant-based market. Designed for athletes looking to optimize post-workout recovery, Vega Sport Protein powder offers one of the highest concentrations of amino acids. In addition to other performance-enhancing ingredients like tart cherry and turmeric, Vega Sport protein has been developed to accelerate muscle repair, reduce recovery time, and get athletes back to their training, sooner. For more info, see the full Vega Sport review.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
Garden of Life Raw Protein powder is universal for all walks of life. Whether for athletic recovery or a weight loss supplement, it’s equally as versatile as it is healthy. The product’s organic sprouted protein base, gut-friendly probiotics, and digestive enzymes blend make for a superior plant-based protein powder for both athletic recovery and general supplementation.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Plant Formula has approximately 4 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and slightly over 8 grams of essential amino acids (EAAs). These numbers contend with some of the more advanced (and expensive) performance protein powders designed for athletes. So if you’re seeking vegan sport protein powder designed for optimal recovery and even muscle building, Garden of Life Raw Protein fits the bill. For more info, see the full Garden of Life protein review.
If you’d like further information on this subject and would like to check out these vegan protein powder reviews at VeganProteinPowder.reviews.
