Whey VS Vegan Protein

Should I take a Whey or Vegan Protein? Is Vegan Protein healthier than Whey? These are both questions we get asked a lot here at Neat! So we thought we’d clear up some confusing by breaking down the difference between Whey and Vegan Protein, to help you decide which might work best for you...

First of all, what is Whey and what is Vegan protein?

Whey Protein: Whey protein is packed with all the essential amino acids and is the fastest acting protein supplement you can take. It’s sourced from the milk of grass fed cows, where the curds and whey are separated and the whey is spray dried to form a powder. When people talk about protein, this is the one most have heard of.

Vegan Protein: A lot of vegan proteins will consist of one core protein source: hemp, pea, soy and brown rice are common ones. At Neat Nutrition, we mix pea and hemp together for our vegan protein blend. Hemp is often considered a complete protein as it has a comprehensive blend of the essential amino acids your body needs, however it is low in lysine (an amino acid you will struggle to get in your diet if you’re vegan. Lysine helps with building muscle, injury recovery, production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies). Meanwhile, pea protein is closest to a whole food source and is high in lysine, so blending the two makes a good supplement covering every amino acid you need in good quantities.

Vegan proteins are also great for those who suffer from food intolerances as they’re hypoallergenic and are easier to digest. Lactose intolerance or an avoidance of dairy is seen more and more and the market for vegan proteins is growing massively.

Is one better for you than the other?

We work hard to ensure that our Whey and Vegan Proteins are both great additions to a balanced diet. With our Vegan Protein, we use a blend of whole pea and hemp sources to ensure an amino profile similar to Whey with high levels of essential amino acids.

None of our protein powders contain artificial sweeteners, flavourings or fillers, so both will quickly and easily deliver essential amino acids to your muscles, preventing fatigue and speeding up recovery and growth. However, Vegan Protein is particularly good for people that are lactose intolerant or suffer from allergies, as it is hypoallergenic. If you feel that your protein is affecting your digestion or causing any issues at all, Vegan could be a great alternative.

What should you choose?

Do your homework. Think about your exercise routine, your goals and how to look after your body. If you have issues with lactose intolerance or follow a vegan diet, then Vegan Protein is going to be for you. If you spend a lot of time on the go, Whey Protein will give quick delivery of protein to your muscles.