There are very few nutrients quite as important as protein. Protein supports so many different physical processes that without enough of it, your body can pay the price. This one little nutrient supports muscles development, hormones, and enzymes, and can easily be deemed as a building block of the human body.
Unfortunately, a lot of people who eat only a plant-based diet, such as vegans or vegetarians, can really struggle to get enough protein into their daily intake. Roughly 30 percent of your daily calories should actually come from protein. If you’re struggling to hit those numbers, pea protein powder can be incorporated into all kinds of delicious recipes.
Continue reading below to learn the best ways to use protein powder in healthy recipes, including some of our favorite recipes with pea protein powder.
Protein Before a Workout
There’s good reason why the best athletes are particular about what they take in before a big game. Food is fuel and certain nutrients, like protein, can support a better performance and minimize damage to the muscular system. When you know you will be working out, it is important to give your body what it needs to perform at its best and make the most of the activity, and that is something protein can help you achieve. The recommended protein intake if you consider yourself an active person is about 0.6 grams per pound per day.
Protein After a Workout
After an intense workout, your body needs the extra protein to support muscle recovery and keep you energized. According to Healthline, protein will help stimulate protein synthesis in the body and even help you perform better the next time you workout. If you do not have time for a full meal after an especially challenging workout, at least grab a treat with a healthy dose of protein post-workout, like the Clean Lean Protein Bars by Nuzest.
Keeping your protein intake at about 0.6 grams per pound per day will help your body recuperate and thwart severe muscle soreness.
Protein In Cooking
One of the reasons those following a vegan or vegetarian diet find their meals to be unfulfilling is they are lacking in protein. Therefore, beefing up your meals with the addition of pea protein gives you more satisfying results when you finish your plate.
Baking with Protein Powder
There’s something so rewarding about baking, whether it is the idea of throwing a bunch of ingredients together to make a tempting treat or making something to share with someone else. Baked goods don’t have to be unhealthy; they are actually really easy to evolve by adding in some pea protein.
Interested in baking with protein powder? No-Bake Fudge Balls made with Rich Chocolate Clean Lean Protein is just one example, but we've got so much more where that came from. You won't believe all of the recipes we've come up with! The flour in a lot of recipes can be replaced with pea protein powder because it acts as a binding agent.
Protein Shakes and Protein Smoothies
When your regular diet is lacking protein or you just want a healthy dose of protein to give your energy levels a boost, protein shakes are a great option. Of course, pea protein is a nice healthy alternative to other forms of protein, but there are tips you should follow to get the best protein shake you have ever tasted. No one wants a protein shake that is gritty or chalky, so check out these tips to make the best protein shake.
If you’re looking for a super-filling smoothie packed with all the good stuff you need to get your day off to a good start, try out one of our other tasty smoothie bowl recipes.
