There are so many different protein options on the market, it can make it super difficult to choose one. Many of the protein powders available are made from whey, which is an animal product and, as a rule, unsuitable for vegans. There are also lots of other options available that are plant-based, such as pea, hemp and soy protein powder.

Here at California Performance, we have created a whey protein powder that is cruelty free and vegan friendly, combining the nutritional value of traditional whey protein, with the sustainability of vegan options.

We’re here to help you compare options.

What is Whey Protein?

Whey is one of the proteins found in dairy products, the other is casein. Whey protein is an excellent source of protein, promotes muscle growth and aids recovery.

What is Plant-Based Protein?

Plant-based protein comes from a wide range of plant sources. Plant-based options don’t always have a full amino acid profile. We’re going to look at pea, hemp, soy and brown rice protein powder.

V-Whey Vs. Pea Protein Powder

Pea protein powder is becoming increasingly popular in the vegan world, and as far as plant-based options go, it’s not too bad. While some consider pea protein powder to be a complete protein, it is particularly low in a vital amino acid, methionine. Methionine supports growth and tissue repair.

V-Whey Vs. Hemp Protein Powder

Hemp protein powder is a popular vegan option, this is because it has a complete amino acid profile. However, it does have low levels of the essential amino acid lysine and very little grams per serving, making it harder to reach your daily protein goal.

V-Whey Vs. Soy Protein Powder

Soy protein powder is a complete protein, which makes it seem like one of the best plant-based options. However, there are many drawbacks to the soybean. Most GMO soybeans have been altered to be glyphosate resistant. Glyphosate in food has been suggested to lead to cancer, cause issues with healthy gut bacteria and is often linked to Celiac disease. As well as this, Soy is difficult to digest, which can cause gas, bloating and general discomfort.

V-Whey Vs. Brown Rice Protein Powder

Brown rice protein powder does not contain all the amino acids your body needs, it is missing lysine. The protein that is found in brown rice is less bioavailable than V-Whey, meaning it is not as easily absorbed into the body. Brown rice is not a strong contender in the industry when it comes to muscle growth.

As you can see, there is not a plant-based option above that ticks all the boxes the same way V-Whey does.

Generally, whey comes from a cow, which is why people have been opting for plant-based options. Our whey protein comes from microflora and fermentation, learn more about our process here. This makes it suitable for vegans, and the most sustainable option available.

Whey protein is always complete, giving your body the full amino acid profile it requires, some plant proteins are incomplete, making them less nutritionally valuable.

Our whey protein powder is creamy and delicious, giving you all the benefits of standard whey protein without the animal impact. Plant protein powders can be grainy, bitter and have a more earthy taste. Our process uses 97% less emissions, 99% less blue water usage and 60% less non-renewable energy use in comparison to traditional protein production, meaning that plant proteins don’t necessarily have less of an impact than we do.