What is in the Juice Press plant protein?
Plant-based protein powders have become increasingly popular as more people adopt vegan and vegetarian diets. Juice Press offers a variety of plant proteins made from peas, rice, hemp and other sources. But what exactly is in these products and are they healthy? This article will take a deep dive into the ingredients of Juice Press plant proteins.
Pea Protein
One of the most common sources of plant protein is peas. Juice Press uses yellow pea protein isolate in several of its protein powders. Pea protein is made by extracting protein from yellow split peas. It’s highly digestible and contains all nine essential amino acids. Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for Juice Press pea protein:
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (35g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 240mg |
| Protein | 24g |
As you can see, pea protein is low in fat and calories but high in protein. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fat. The yellow split peas are simply ground up and concentrated to form a powder.
Brown Rice Protein
Brown rice protein has also become a popular plant-based protein source. It’s made by removing the starch from brown rice, leaving behind the protein. Here are the nutrition facts for Juice Press brown rice protein:
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (34g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Protein | 24g |
Brown rice protein is a good source of protein while being low in fat, carbs and calories. It’s also naturally gluten-free. The protein content comes from rice that has been mechanically milled and concentrated.
Hemp Protein
Hemp protein powder has gained popularity due to its high protein content and health benefits. It’s made by grinding up hemp seeds into a fine powder. Here’s what’s in Juice Press hemp protein:
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (30g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Protein | 15g |
Hemp protein contains all 20 amino acids including the 9 essential ones our bodies can’t produce. It provides fiber and omega-3s in addition to high quality protein. The hemp seeds used are not psychoactive.
Pumpkin Seed Protein
Pumpkin seed protein is not as common as other plant proteins but is offered by Juice Press. It’s made by shelling pumpkin seeds and processing the remaining meat into powder. Here’s what pumpkin seed protein contains:
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (35g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 133 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Sodium | 3mg |
| Protein | 20g |
Pumpkin seed protein is rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. It contains all essential amino acids needed to support muscle growth and maintenance. The seeds provide a boost of nutrients in addition to plant-based protein.
Sunflower Seed Protein
Sunflower seeds are transformed into powder to create this vegan protein source. Juice Press sunflower seed protein has the following nutritional profile:
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (30g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 60mg |
| Protein | 20g |
Sunflower seed protein is high in protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and copper. The seeds are ground into powder form to make this hypoallergenic protein powder.
Mixing Plant Proteins
Juice Press offers pre-mixed plant proteins combining sources like pea, pumpkin seed, cranberry seed and more. By mixing different proteins, you get a more complete amino acid profile. Combining 2-3 plant proteins helps ensure you get all essential amino acids. Additionally, the different sources provide a wider range of nutrients.
Flavors and Sweeteners
Juice Press plant proteins come in unique flavors like cacao, vanilla chai and tropical. Natural flavorings and sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia and vanilla bean are used. These provide flavor without spiking blood sugar levels. Many protein powders contain artificial flavors and sweeteners, but Juice Press uses all natural ingredients.
Organic
All Juice Press plant proteins are certified organic. This means the crops are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Going organic ensures the protein powders don’t contain any genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) or nasty chemicals.
Digestibility
Plant proteins tend to be more digestible than whey or other animal-based proteins. This is because plants don’t contain lactose, which some people are intolerant to. Plant proteins are easier on the stomach and less likely to cause bloating or gas. Of the plant proteins, brown rice and pea tend to be the most easily digested.
Benefits of Juice Press Plant Proteins
There are many benefits to incorporating Juice Press plant proteins into your diet:
- Vegan and vegetarian: Suitable for plant-based diets
- Non-GMO and organic: Free of chemicals and additives
- Complete amino acid profile: All essential amino acids when combining 2-3 proteins
- Easy to digest: Gentler on the stomach than animal proteins
- Unique flavors: Creative flavors like vanilla chai and cacao
- Low carb and calorie: Helps with weight management or low carb diets
- Boosts protein intake: Helps build muscle and satisfy hunger
- Nutrient rich: Provides fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals
Potential Drawbacks
There are a few potential downsides to plant-based protein powders:
- Lower protein content: Typically 10-25g protein per serving compared to 25-30g for whey
- Need to combine proteins: On their own, plant proteins may not contain all amino acids
- Higher price: Plant-based proteins cost more than whey or casein
- Gritty texture: Some people dislike the texture of plant proteins
- Digestive issues: While less common, some people have trouble digesting plant protein
Conclusion:
Juice Press offers a wide array of plant-based protein powders made from nutrient-dense whole foods. Pea, brown rice, hemp, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed proteins provide complete and easily digestible protein for vegetarian, vegan and plant-based diets. The organic, non-GMO ingredients mean you get clean protein without artificial ingredients. Juice Press plant proteins can help boost protein intake, build muscle, satisfy hunger and aid in weight management. The creative flavors make plant-based protein more enjoyable. While they can’t match whey protein for protein content, mixing 2-3 Juice Press proteins provides a full amino acid profile in a more eco-friendly and stomach-friendly form.