THE of plant protein

By Jennifer Brix, ND

Going more plant-based is an exciting endeavour, and there are many reasons that incorporating more plant-based food into your diet is healthy for you and the planet.

Animal-based foods have the highest negative environmental impact out of all food groups. To create 1 lb of beef requires 7 lb of plant protein, produces more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and uses more water, cropland, and fertilizer. It is a more expensive process while being less sustainable and can negatively impact health.

Crave foods (or other substances) for stress relief

___ Stiff, tense, or painful muscles

___ Over-stressed, burned out Unable to relax, loosen up, get to sleep, be still Often feel overwhelmed

CRAVING TYPE 5

LOW IN ENERGIZING

CATECHOLAMINES

AMINO ACID: Tyrosine

Crave foods or drinks for energy or focus

Feel apathetic, bored, flat Lack energy

___ Lack drive Lack focus and concentration

But can following a plant-based diet provide enough protein? And even if it can, would we get all the essential amino acids our bodies require? The answer is yes, but it can take a bit of work. Our bodies need between 0.8–1.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, so when we limit or remove animal-based proteins, it can prove difficult for some to reach the daily recommended amount of protein.

Enter vegan protein powders. Although not all are created equal, an excellent vegan protein supplement will contain a blend of legumes, seeds, and grains, providing both a high biological value and a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids as well as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) for building muscle. With an average of 20–30 g per serving, vegan protein blends can easily bridge the gap to help you achieve a healthy protein intake. Best of all, adding vegan protein provides health benefits while protecting the environment and helping you save on your daily food bill.

WOMENSENSE® D-MANNOSE