Learn in our latest article how vegan protein powder is made without artificial sweeteners and why it is a healthy alternative.
Vegan alternatives to traditional foods are becoming increasingly popular. In particular, vegan protein powder is an excellent option not only for vegetarians and vegans but also for people with lactose intolerance or allergies, for whom whey protein is not a viable option. But what distinguishes vegan protein powder? How is it produced, and is it possible to avoid artificial sweeteners in its production? In today's article, we aim to answer these questions and provide a good overview of the world of vegan protein powders.
What is Vegan Protein Powder?
Vegan protein powder (or simply "vegan protein") is a dietary supplement made from plant-based protein sources. While traditional protein powders are often derived from whey protein or other animal products like casein or egg white, vegan protein powders come from plants like soy, peas, rice, hemp, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. This makes them not only rich in protein but also provides a variety of other nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
In the past, vegan protein powder was often associated with a gritty texture and a strange or overly sweet taste, which meant it was used almost exclusively by people who followed a vegan diet. However, newer, higher-quality protein powders like our WAM Protein have put an end to that! You no longer have to choose between high-quality protein and good taste. The secret lies in the manufacturing process and the ingredients our protein contains.
The Production of Vegan Protein Powder
The production of vegan protein is a careful process that begins with selecting the right raw materials, as the quality of the final product heavily depends on the plant sources used. Let’s take a closer look at the most common vegan proteins and their production process:
Soy
Soy protein, or soy protein isolate, is one of the most well-known and widely used plant-based protein sources. It is derived from soybeans that are defatted, dried, and then ground into a fine powder and extracted. Soy contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source [1].
Peas
Pea protein is made from yellow split peas. The process is the same as with soy protein. Among plant-based protein sources, it stands out as an excellent source of the amino acid leucine, which is important for muscle growth and recovery [2]. Pea protein is also easily digestible, making it suitable for people with sensitive stomachs [3].
Rice
Rice protein, especially from brown rice, is a hypoallergenic protein source that is also high in fibre. It is produced through a process of fermentation, filtration, and spray-drying of whole grain rice. Since it has a high content of amino acids like methionine and cysteine compared to other vegan proteins, it is often used in combination to achieve a balanced amino acid profile [4].
Hemp
Hemp protein is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant and, in addition to protein, is an excellent source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, contains a high amount of fibre, and is easily digestible. Hemp protein has a nutty flavour, which makes it popular as an ingredient in smoothies and baking recipes, although in protein powder blends for shakes, it can spoil the taste.
Pumpkin Seeds and Sunflower Seeds
These seeds are also rich in protein and offer a variety of micronutrients such as magnesium and zinc. They are processed by pressing and grinding the seeds into powder and then extracting them. However, compared to other protein sources like soy, pea, and rice, the resulting protein powder is quite coarse, which can quickly lead to a sandy or gritty mouthfeel in blends.
Why Protein Powder without Sucralose?
A central differentiating point when choosing protein powders is the question: sweetened or unsweetened – with or without artificial sweeteners? Most common protein powders contain sucralose or aspartame to mask the natural taste of protein isolates and make the shake taste like a dessert without increasing the calories. However, this isn’t everyone’s taste.
Moreover, sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame-K, and other sweeteners can negatively affect gut flora, leading to digestive problems and intolerances. A protein without sweeteners and sugar can be an excellent alternative, provided that the other ingredients are carefully selected, and the flavour is adjusted accordingly.
WAM Protein: Vegan Protein Powder with Stevia
Our WAM Protein is 100% vegan and free from artificial sweeteners like sucralose. We use a blend of high-quality soy, pea, and rice protein for our 3K Protein (3K Protein = 3 components) and enhance the amino acid profile with an extra dose of leucine for faster, better recovery between training sessions. A small amount of natural stevia ensures that the flavour of the natural ingredients in our WAM Protein comes through well without being too sweet. You can then refine it to your taste with a sweetener of your choice. With 22 g of protein per serving, our vegan 3K Protein powder is ideal for those who want to consume enough protein and seek a sugar-free, vegan protein powder without sweeteners.
Ways to Use Vegan Protein Powder
Vegan protein powder without sweeteners is extremely versatile. Of course, you can use it in the classic form of a protein shake. Simply mix your vegan protein powder with water, milk, or plant milk. Protein powders with a bit of flavour, like our WAM Protein, are better suited for this than neutral powders without flavour, which can quickly taste a bit earthy.
Vegan protein powder is also excellent for baking. You can use vegan baking protein, for example, in recipes for protein bars, muffins, or pancakes to increase the protein content. The advantage of a powder without sweeteners is that it doesn’t alter the taste, and you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Smoothies and smoothie bowls are another popular way to use plant-based protein powders. By adding protein powder, your smoothie becomes more filling and nutrient-rich. The natural sweetness of fruits is often more than sufficient for an excellent taste.
Plant-Based Protein for Athletes
For those with an active lifestyle, ensuring adequate protein intake is essential. Proteins, or rather the amino acids they contain, are the building blocks of muscles and play a crucial role in recovery after training [5]. Vegan protein powder, for example, in a shake after a workout, offers an ideal solution to easily and conveniently meet daily protein needs.
However, vegan protein powder often contains an insufficient amount of leucine, an amino acid that is particularly important for muscle growth [6]. That’s why we’ve added an extra portion of this essential amino acid to our WAM Protein. Leucine kickstarts protein synthesis and helps prevent muscle breakdown during intense training phases or dieting [7].
How to Choose the Best Vegan Protein
When buying vegan protein powder, besides good taste and a pleasant texture, you should mainly ensure that you choose a product with a complete amino acid profile. A 3K Protein like WAM Protein powder, which is made up of various plant sources like soy, pea, and rice, offers a balanced supply of all essential amino acids. If you prefer a natural taste rather than excessive sweetness, you should also select a powder without sweeteners like sucralose or other artificial additives. This way, you can sweeten it to your liking with fresh fruits, dates, or syrup.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
An important aspect of vegan protein powder that should not be underestimated is its eco-friendliness. The production of plant-based proteins has a lower ecological footprint than the production of animal protein due to lower land and water use. CO2 emissions are also significantly lower, as plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere, whereas animals emit it.
For our WAM Protein, we only use plant-based proteins that are grown without GMOs. Our packaging is also made from certified monomaterial for recycling, produced in Germany, and we have avoided the use of a plastic scoop in each pack. Our bags can be packed tightly, reducing the required freight space and thus shipping emissions.
Conclusion: Vegan Protein Powder without Sweeteners – The Better Choice
Vegan protein powder without sweeteners is not only a healthy alternative for vegans and people with allergies and intolerances. It is also suitable for anyone who values a natural and eco-friendly diet. By avoiding artificial sweeteners, our WAM Protein has a natural taste that you can modify according to your wishes.
Whether in a protein shake, when baking, or as an ingredient in smoothies – WAM Protein without sucralose is extremely versatile. An extra dose of leucine makes it an excellent choice for athletes who rely on a high-quality and pure protein source. So, if you’re looking for a natural protein powder that’s free from sugar and artificial sweeteners, WAM Protein is the right choice!
Do you have more questions about protein powder or WAM? Just send us an email!
Sources
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[3] Shen Y, Hong S, Li Y. Pea protein composition, functionality, modification, and food applications: A review. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2022;101:71-127.
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[5] Antonio J. High-protein diets in trained individuals. Res Sports Med. 2019 Apr-Jun;27(2):195-203.
[6] Wilkinson K, Koscien CP, Monteyne AJ, Wall BT, Stephens FB. Association of postprandial postexercise muscle protein synthesis rates with dietary leucine: A systematic review. Physiol Rep. 2023 Aug;11(15):e15775.
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