What is pea protein powder?

Fast becoming one of the most popular plant-based sources of protein, pea protein powder is an ideal vegan alternative for someone looking to supplement their protein intake, alongside a healthy diet and exercise.

But what is pea protein exactly? Is pea protein better than whey protein?

And, if so, what are the benefits of pea protein powder compared to other types of protein powders?

If these are the sorts of questions you want answers to, you’re in the right place. Learn everything you need to know about pea protein isolate from our detailed guide.

Skip to: What is pea protein powder? | Is it good for you? | Pea protein vs whey protein | 8 benefits | Weight gain | Effects on kidneys | 9 creative uses | Side effects | Where to buy

Pea protein powder is a plant-based source of protein made from (you guessed it) peas!

Yes, pea protein powder is good for you and actually contains a variety of health benefits – but more on that later!

To give more of an idea of the nutritional value of protein powder, the table below highlights the nutritional information of pea protein powder:

Well, it depends.

It could be argued that pea protein is better than whey protein regarding certain factors like allergies, as whey protein often contains lactose and glucose whereas pea protein, and other dairy-free protein powders, do not.

Pea protein is also completely vegan, meaning this could be a more popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

In terms of protein content, both contain a similar amount but whey protein does tend to offer a few more grams per serving.

Each serving of pea protein powder is roughly 30g, and it can be consumed up to three times a day if under an intensive training schedule.¹¹

Most foods or drinks when overconsumed can make you gain weight – especially if it means you’re in a calorie surplus.

However, pea protein is comparatively lower in calories than some other forms of protein, such as whey protein, so it may actually be a good choice if you’re looking to lose weight.

Additionally, we previously highlighted how it can actually help to build muscle and burn fat, so it’s important to remember that it may make the number on the scales go up, but that could be because muscle weighs more than fat.

Any type of high protein diet isn’t recommended for people with pre-existing kidney issues. However, there is no evidence to suggest that protein could cause kidney damage in people with healthy kidneys.^12,13

Pea protein is actually one of the lowest risk protein powders since it’s allergen-free, but that doesn’t mean to say that it couldn’t cause some side effects in individuals.

For example, some people may experience mild digestive upset, but this is far less common compared to other forms of protein.

Fancy giving pea protein a go but you’re not sure where to get it from?

Holland & Barrett stock a range of pea protein powder, such as Pulsin Pea Protein.

Nowadays, pea protein is a lot easier to get your hands on as there is plenty of vegan alternatives on the market.

There may be limited choice at a supermarket, but most health food shops should stock a range of protein powders, including pea protein.

Pea protein is a great plant-based alternative to whey protein whether you’re vegan or not.

And as well as being a high-quality source of protein, it also comes with a range of other benefits from being allergen-free to being rich in iron.

For more information on vegan protein powders, our informative guide has you covered.