Non-vegan protein powders often contain whey and casein, which are sources of protein in dairy products and by-products of the cheese-making process. Animal-based proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a “complete source of protein”. Both whey and plant-based protein powders are vegetarian and provide the same amount of protein. Studies have shown that both are equally effective at building muscle.
No, all protein powders don't qualify as vegan. Most protein powders come from animal products, such as whey protein, an isolate of milk protein. Plant-based proteins consist of soybeans, peas, rice, flaxseed, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds. As a by-product of cheese production, whey is not vegan.
Whey is obtained during the preparation of cheese by filtering the liquid from the curdled milk. Food processors often dehydrate this liquid whey to a powder. There is no whey protein in the world that is vegan. It is always derived from milk, which is not suitable for vegans because it is an animal product.
Specifically, whey protein isolate is a complete protein that absorbs quickly, perfect for a post-workout shake. Among both athletes and non-athletes, whey protein helps build or maintain muscle mass, increase power and strength, and lose weight. Few vegetarian foods contain as much protein as non-vegetarian foods, but many are naturally carcinogen-free and are important sources of protein. Most whey protein supplements are considered suitable for the lactovegetarian diet, but some do have added animal-based vitamins (especially vitamin D).
People who follow a vegan diet will most likely not consume whey protein, as they avoid both animal and animal-based products (for example, if you're vegan or want to avoid dairy, whey protein is clearly not right for you). Just as whey protein is the most common non-vegan source of protein powder, pea protein is by far the most common plant-based source of protein powder. Keep in mind that whey is not 100% protein, but usually contains a small amount of lactose, so people who are lactose intolerant should not consume whey protein powder. While whey protein is vegetarian, it's not the most complete supplement and lacks the main nutrients of a vegan plant powder.
Whey is a protein extracted from dairy products, such as beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, and serum albumin. While plant-based protein powders have become more common in recent years, whey is still more common and generally less expensive. Current research suggests that any difference between whey and plant-based protein powders is minimal. So, is whey protein vegetarian? It could be classified as a dairy product, meaning that it is not vegan, but it is vegetarian.
About 30 grams of a full tablespoon of whey protein powder contains approximately 20 to 30 grams of protein.
