Pea Protein Isolate 1kg

Golden Pea Protein

Pea protein isolate is a plant protein with an excellent amino acid profile. It's made from premium-quality natural golden peas grown in Canada which have been dried and ground, then mixed with water to remove the fibre and starch components.

It's then ground and dried again to produce a product which is very high in protein, low in fat, easily digestible, and non-acidic. Low heat isolation is used to maximise bioavailability.

Pea protein is vegan and GMO free. It's also naturally free of dairy, gluten, soy, and other allergens*.

It mixes easily in a handshaker or blender, and also works well in recipes as it doesn't tend to dry out when baked like some other protein powders can. It can be used to make cookies, bars, pancakes, balls, muffins, and more. Our recipes page has some tasty ideas.

Best Pea Protein

Newer generation pea protein isolates are better than before because they have a complete amino acid profile. This product contains all 21 amino acids and is a rich source of branched chain amino acids.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and muscle tissue. Proteins are an essential part of the diet as they help the body to repair cells and make new ones, so are often referred to as the building blocks of life. Because pea protein has a complete profile with high levels of BCAAs it can help the body to recover and build muscle more efficiently.

The best pea proteins are processed without adding copious amounts of sodium to the formula in the manufacture of it. Our product has low sodium - only 53mg per serve or 168mg per 100g on average (unflavoured).

Our product is also far more cost effective than some other pea protein products on the market which go through 'middle-men' and retail into stores.

Clean Lean Protein

Pea protein is considered a clean lean product not only because it's high in protein and low in fat without the allergens, but it's more environmentally friendly - pea crops even benefit soil!

Peas belong to the 'nitrogen fixing' category of crops, meaning they provide an abundant and sustainable source of nitrogen into the soil.

Peas contain bacteria called rhizobia in their root systems which is utilised by crops to convert nitrogen gas from the air into more usable forms for the plant. After the plant dies the nitrogen is released into the soil. That nitrogen assists other plants to grow without the need for added fertiliser. This environmentally friendly aspect of pea production adds to its many benefits.

Benefits of Pea Protein

Pea makes a great alternative to whey and has many benefits:

• Pea is vegan, hypoallergenic, and alkaline. Whey is not.
• Whey can cause some people to get bloating and upset stomachs, whereas pea is easily digestible.
• Plants proteins are slower digesting than animal sources so can make you feel full for longer and enable more prolonged absorption. This study has shown that slower digesting proteins can be more beneficial for long term muscle growth due to the way the body uses the amino acids.
• Pea may also help to lower blood pressure and with kidney disease. "In people with high blood pressure [it] could potentially delay or prevent the onset of kidney damage." Source.
• Pea contains minerals including iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, potassium and magnesium that can benefit your health.
• Pea may help to improve glycemic control and balance blood sugar levels when paired with other foods.

Digestibility

Pea, being plant based, is a slower digesting protein powder than general animal types. In saying that, the digestibility rate is high with 88% of the protein easily digestible.

The better a protein is digested, the more efficiently it can be used by the body. The digestibility of any given protein is related to the concentrations of its amino acids. The Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) is a rating that determines the bioavailibility of a protein. The maximum score is 1.0. This study gives pea a PDAAS score of 0.64. This is greater than lentils and green peas but equal or slightly less than some beans.

Good for Weight Loss

High protein diets can help people to lose weight and keep it off as consuming protein can help increase metabolism, reduce appetite, and help control blood sugar levels.

Pea protein may assist with sugar cravings and can make you feel full for longer and enable more prolonged absorption.

Taste and Mixing

This has a mild taste which may take some adjustment if you've never had pea before. Of course, flavoured varieties are available too. The texture has a very slight grainy-ness to it but it's easily palatable. It blends easily into other foods and with other flavours.

It's formulated to mix with water, but other liquids (such as almond milk and yoghurt) can be used. It mixes thicker than whey and more liquid should be added.

Pea Isolate mixes easily in a handshaker or with a spoon but it's always good practice to add liquid before the powder. Our Fill n Go Funnels make this easy.

Depending on your nutritional requirements take 1-2 servings daily at breakfast, between meals, post workout, or before bed.

Side Effects

Pea allergies are uncommon. Those with allergies to pea should avoid this product.

There is a misconception that antinutrients can cause pea protein to be difficult to digest and not absorb well. Antinutrients are compounds that can interfere and prevent absorption of nutrients such as proteins and minerals. This is not the case. Though antinutrients are naturally present in peas, they're eliminated through the manufacture and extraction process.

For this same reason, pea protein is unlikely to cause bloating.

Pea vs Whey Protein

Now that we know all the benefits of pea protein we can address which is better - whey or pea?

One serving of our pea contains 111 calories and ~25 grams of protein. One serving of our whey contains 130 calories and ~25 grams of protein, so both have similar protein levels and whey has slightly higher calories.

Both are also high in L-leucine. Leucine is one of three branched chain amino acids and is primarily involved in muscle protein synthesis for muscle growth and recovery. It also contributes to the regulation of blood-sugar levels, growth hormone production and would healing. 

The leucine content of pea is about 7g per 100g, and in whey about 9g per 100g, so both are great for muscle development and initial research suggests that pea is as effective as whey in supporting muscle gain. Another study here found that pea protein vs whey protein taken post exercise both yielded positive results with no difference between the group taking pea and the group taking whey.

Overall, while both have excellent amino acid profiles, the amino acid profile of whey is better and whey generally tastes better. Pea is also slower digesting than whey, but has many other benefits as outlined above.

For more information see our blog articles plant vs animal protein and hemp vs whey vs pea.

Pea vs Rice Protein

Traditionally we were told to mix pea protein with rice protein because they were incomplete proteins - ie, missing one or more essential amino acids, and that the combination of both 'filled the holes' and made them complete.

This is not the case.

Both pea and rice are complete proteins, containing all essential amino acids. Both have powerful amino acid profiles suited to muscle building, with high levels of branched chain amino acids.

Though rice is a very good source of protein it has a grainy texture and can be unpleasant to drink. Pea is only slightly grainy and easier to drink than rice, so we recommend pea over rice except for those with pea intolerances.

Pea Protein Recipes

Naked No-Bake Protein Bars

These great tasting protein bars are made using pea powder, chocolate, berries, and almond milk
View Recipe

Pea Protein & Chia Cookies

These high protein cookies are made using pea protein and chia seeds.
View Recipe

Pea Protein Pancakes

This recipe is for protein pancakes that are made using pea isolate and egg whites
View Recipe

Powdered Peanut Butter Smoothie

This smoothie delivers on protein and healthy fats with our powdered peanut butter, pea protein, and LSA.
View Recipe