Is Whey Protein Vegan? 

If you’re new to the world of supplements, then you’ve undoubtedly heard of whey protein. However, one of the most common questions associated with this source of protein is whether or not it’s suitable for vegans.

To find the answer to this question, and more, keep reading…

So, is whey protein vegan?

Okay, so we’re not going to keep you waiting for the answer

Is whey protein vegan?

The short answer is no. Whey protein is not vegan-friendly, as it is derived from cow’s milk.

But, don’t worry. If you want to continue to add additional protein to your diet, there are some fantastic non-whey protein powders available to support your training.

What is whey protein?

So, we know now that whey protein is not suitable for vegetarians. But why? What makes whey protein non-vegan?

Again, the short answer is that whey is a naturally-occurring protein that is found in animal milk – like that from cows or sheep. 

However, it’s not the only protein you’ll find, as there is another found in milk called casein. These two proteins are typically found in pasteurised milk at a ratio of 20:80. That is, whey makes up 20% of milk’s protein content, whilst casein makes up the remaining 80% of milk’s protein content.

Whey protein is a popular supplement because it’s classed as a ‘complete protein’, meaning that it contains a quantifiable amount of each essential amino acid that the human body requires.

Note: while the body actually requires 20 individual amino acids, 11 of these are produced endogenously (meaning the body can produce them itself). The other nine need to be consumed via our diet – which has led to any foods containing all nine of these being considered ‘complete’.

Want to learn more about essential proteins? Check out our Whey Protein Buying Guide…

Whey protein is also considered to be a ‘fast acting’ protein, meaning the amino acids are absorbed very quickly by the body1. It’s for this reason that whey protein is so popular amongst athletes, gym goers and weekend warriors as it offers a single source for important amino acids needed to build and repair muscles.

Are there non-whey protein powders?

If you have recently gone vegan, or have considerably reduced the amount of animal products in your diet, then you may have found it more difficult to hit your daily protein goals. But, with whey protein being off the table, you might be left wondering where you can get a supplement to match your lifestyle.

But, don’t worry. There are vegan protein alternatives available to you; specifically, those found in plant-based sources. For example, you can choose whole foods such as legumes, nuts, fresh vegetables, and grains that provide plenty of protein such as; tofu, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils etc.

Or, you could explore taking non-whey protein powders – more commonly referred to as plant proteins.

What is plant protein?

Plant protein, which is also known as vegan protein, is a type of protein which is derived from flora rather than fauna (plants rather than animals). Plant proteins are typically made from soya beans, rice, peas, hemp or seeds. While not always being considered ‘complete’ proteins, by combining two plant proteins such as pea and rice, you can still get all the necessary amino acids to support muscle growth. 

This is because, like whey protein powders, plant protein powders are designed to help build muscle and boost your protein intake. According to research, when combined with additional leucine, plant proteins have been shown to stimulate muscle protein synthesis to a similar extent to whey2, so you can still get the performance gains you’re looking to achieve with a vegan protein alternative.

Kinetica Sports top tip: for more information, read our guide to What is Plant Protein Powder?

Non-whey powders are also not exclusively the realm of vegans or vegetarians. As they do not contain lactose, people who are lactose intolerant tend to choose vegan protein powders over whey protein powders. Some vegan protein alternatives – such as Kinetica’s Plant Protein – are even formulated to be gluten-free, allowing individuals with a gluten intolerance to add protein powder to their diet safely. 

Whey protein vs vegan protein: which is right for me?

If you’re not strictly plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian, then you may be faced with a decision: should you stick with whey protein or try a vegan protein alternative instead? Below, we’ve set out some of the reasons for why you might want to choose one form of protein over another. 

Cost

At present, there is little to no difference in the price of whey protein and vegan protein alternatives. You’ll pay roughly the same amount per volume. So, whichever type of protein you choose, you’ll be getting an equivalent amount. 

However, what we would suggest, is checking the amount of protein per scoop/serving. This is often a better measure of value compared to the price per volume. 

Which leads us nicely onto our next point…

Protein content

At Kinetica, you’ll find that both our whey proteins and vegan proteins have been formulated to offer approximately the same amount of protein per scoop. 

Let’s look at the numbers. Our Kinetica Sports Plant Protein Chocolate (1kg) offers 23g of protein per serve. Looking at it comparatively, our Kinetica Whey Protein Vanilla (1kg) offers around 22-23g of protein per serve. As you can see, whether you go for the whey or vegan option, you end up with the same amount of protein. Win, win!

Buy Now – Kinetica Sports Plant Protein Chocolate (1kg) 

Digestibility

Sometimes, the choice between whether to consume whey protein or a vegan protein alternative will be down to your body rather than you! What we mean by this is that each type of protein has certain drawbacks/benefits depending on how your body reacts to certain ingredients.

For example, whey protein contains lactose (although this is often in very small amounts). However, if you are lactose intolerant or have a sensitivity to lactose, you may find that whey protein causes stomach discomfort, bloating, feelings of nausea, or other uncomfortable effects. Should that be the case for you, then it makes sense to use a non-whey protein powder instead.

Disclaimer: this information is not health or medical advice. Always check the ingredients of your chosen protein powder, and if in doubt, consult a medical professional.

Muscle growth

For many athletes, gym goers and weekend warriors, their main concern when selecting a protein powder is how effective it will be at repairing and growing muscle. 

So, is there a discernible difference between the two types of protein? 

As with any sort of scientific question, the answer isn’t clear-cut. 

However, a range of studies do suggest that both plant protein powders and whey protein powders can be similarly effective at promoting muscle growth3, and that choosing a non-whey protein powder will not compromise athletic performance4. That’s based on the qualifier that the protein powders contain similar amounts of protein and BCAAs per serving.

As per our suggestion earlier, the key to buying a protein powder that’ll help you achieve your goals is to look for one that provides at between 20 to 30g of protein per serving – and at least 5 to 12g of BCAA within this. Of these BCAAs, at least 2.3g should be leucine. 

Those aren’t just our recommendations, but those of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, as per their position.

The top vegan protein alternatives with Kinetica

Are you looking for a vegan protein powder without compromises? Then you’ve just found it here. Formulated with a plant protein blend consisting of micronised pea protein and micronised rice protein, Kinetica Sports’ Plant Protein Powder is available in a convenient 1kg tub and two delicious flavours; vanilla and chocolate.

Buy Now – Kinetica Sports Plant Protein Vanilla (1kg)

Our Plant Protein Powder has been specially formulated to provide a creamy dairy-style mouthfeel and to mix easily with water or milk alternatives. It also stands on a par with whey protein powders when it comes to protein per serve. 

Here’s the hard facts: 

• Ours contains 23g of protein per serve.
• It’s gluten-free.
• It’s low in sugar.

It includes branched chain amino acids, including those integral to muscle repair and development, e.g. leucine.

We also take product safety and quality incredibly seriously. All of our whey, and non-whey, protein powders are tested in compliance with strict WADA and Informed Sport standards – so you can trust you’re getting the best.

Kinetica Sports: nourish your ‘why’ with the nutrition it deserves

If you’re looking for the very best protein – be it whey or vegan – then look no further than Kinetica Sports. Trusted by elite athletes, sports teams, weekend warriors and everyday gym goers, Kinetica offers the best protein that’s chosen by the best athletes.

And, for more sports nutrition information, advice and buying guides, explore the Kinetica Sports blog…

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