Whey and wheat proteins are not to everyone’s taste. Lactose and gluten intolerances are on the increase, and people are looking to other foods for protein. That goes for protein powders, and manufacturers have noticed this by making powders that exclude certain foods.
Branched Chain Amino Acids are found in brown rice, peas, and other foods. Protein powders started adding some of these in the whey powders to increases the types of BCAA they could offer to consumers. Arginine is a fantastic BCAA that helps muscles and veins after a long training session, and peas are a great source of this.
Benefits of BCCAs:
Improves Muscle Growth
Reduces Blood Pressure
Relaxes Muscles
Improves Brain Function
There are many alternatives to common whey protein, but not all taste good or give your muscles the protein its needs. So, we have tasted some of the best Brown Rice and Pea Protein Powders for you.
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Red Guelder Brown Rice Protein Powder
Red Guelder makes a great organic Brown Rice Powder. Red’s protein is both edible by any age and food group packing a concentrated protein punch. 37% of the amino acids and proteins come from brown rice. Brown rice tends to rest better on the stomach than other powders, such as whey that lactose-intolerants cannot eat.
Facts:
Organic Brown Rice
0.5 lb Bag
9 Servings
Flavors: Plain, Chocolate
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
The Guelder’s Brown Rice Protein will enhance the rate at which you burn excess fat, before and after exercising. As with all protein shakes, the drink will help with your performance at the gym and improve muscle recovery post-workout.
This brand of protein rice comes in two flavors. Both flavors supply the same levels of protein, and unflavored protein is easier to use in other drinks or for adding to food. The chocolate flavor is fine for a simple shake, but it does add another 20 calories per serving. Although 20 calories do not sound like much, it may concern those on strict keto diets.
Pros:
Organic
Low on Carbohydrates
Brown Rice Only
Cons:
Unexciting Taste
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NOW Sports Nutrition
NOW Foods is a pioneer in the food industry, and for over 50 years, it has shone the way in food supplement science. And to offer another source of protein, NOW have developed their Pea Protein Powder to supply everything a whey powder can. Each 1.16 oz serving of powder holds 0.15 oz of BCAA, including arginine, as well as 0.85 oz of protein. The peas are isolated from non-GMO crops and offer a different raw flavor compared to other supplements.
Facts:
Pea Protein
2 lb Tub
27 Servings
Flavors: Plain, Vanilla Toffee, Dutch Chocolate, Creamy Chocolate
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
The flavor of this powder is one of the biggest issues for consumers, but it is a simple point that if you do not like pea soup, buy something else. For those that do like peas, the taste is a welcome variation to the usual taste of whey. If you really do not like peas, NOW makes flavored versions as well.
Peas are one of the least allergenic foods and are a great source of arginine, which increases levels of nitrous oxide in the blood. In addition to increasing libido. Arginine accelerates fat burning, relaxes blood vessels, and increases blood flow. It comes as an amino acid in most pulses, dairy, and brown rice. This powder has a fantastic range of amino acids to aid in muscle building that include iron and sodium. Near zero carbohydrates and covering 48% of your RDA, this is a great post-workout powder.
Pros:
Has Arginine and Iron
Near-Zero Carbohydrates
No Allergens, Except for Pea
Cons:
Tastes of Split-Pea Soup
Purely Inspired Organic
Purely have made an all-round protein power with the benefits of both pea and brown rice protein. This a broad supplement that aims to look after your muscles and your immunity. Holds vitamins A and C as well as iron and calcium to ensure that you do not miss a day from the gym. The powder has a decent amount of fiber and LactoSpore©.
Facts:
Pea and Brown Rice Protein
4 lb Tub
50 Servings
Flavors: French Vanilla, Chocolate
Vegan, Gluten-Free Soy-Free
Lactospore© is a manufactured probiotic that increases the bacteria in the gut to improve digestion. Better digestion equals better absorption of nutrients and better fat burning. Rice and peas are not the only ingredients. Leafy greens, flaxseed, and blueberries add to the flavor of this shake and diversify the types of amino acids you get from it. You do get a free shake bottle with each tub of Purely.
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The taste is not for everyone, and the mix of pea and brown rice may not digest well with some people. The fiber is 28% of your RDA, and if you already eat a lot of fiber, you may develop stomach aches when drinking this in unison. There is also a generous amount of sugar for a protein shake (5%), which along with, the fiber brings the carbohydrate up to a high level. This is fine if you intend to replace other sources of carbohydrates in your diet.
Pros:
LactoSpore©
Benefits of Both Peas and Brown Rice
Large Tub
Vitamins Minerals
Free Shaker Bottle
Cons:
High in Carbohydrates
No Whey
Purely Inspired Organic Protein is a good idea; they mix many different natural sources of protein together to make a super-shake. And it works, they cover your BCAA and immunity needs, but the mix of flavors is hard to swallow. The flavorings hide the taste, but the mix of produce does not sit well with everyone. In terms of value for money, Purely is the best and ticks all the boxes for a weight training powder. The Purely powder is a good shake to have towards the end of the day, after having eaten other foods.
NOW Sports achieved a powder like the Purely that is made from pea protein and no other ingredients. The problem with this is that not everyone likes peas, but they do have several benefits over other sources of protein. The arginine and other BCAA concentrations in this powder; are higher than many others, and it is still an organic powder.
Red Gueller is a product with a low taste profile and needs only a little chocolate to dispel any after taste. The organic brown rice is the easiest to swallow and digest first thing in the morning, or after a fast. It has near-zero sugars, and most of the protein you need to build your body.
Winner = Red Guelder Brown Rice Protein with the highest amount of protein per serving