Whey Protein for Vegetarians
Protein from animals sources such as meat, dairy and poultry provide "complete protein", that is, it is protein which contains all the essential amino acids needed to grow and maintain muscle. Vegatables source usually don't have all the essential amino acids found in animal sources. Rice for example, is low in isoleucine and lysine. So if you're a Lacto or Ovo-lacto vegetarian whey protein will be fine for you to take because all it contains is dairy products.
As mentioned before, whey protein is separated from milk during the cheese making process. There are a few different processes that result in different forms of whey protein. Concentrated whey protein has a less fat and cholesterol but a greater amount of carbohydrates. These are between twenty-nine and eighty-nine percent protein. Isolate whey protein removes the fat during the process and they are much higher in protein than concentrates. The final type, hydrolysates are whey proteins that are much easier for the body to absorb, but they can be more expensive.
Whey proteins have been used by those who are building muscle because of they are a tremendous source of amino acids without the use of animal products. This makes whey protein a good source for vegetarians who need a greater source of protein in their diet. Vegetable sources just do not supply the same amount of amino acids for muscle building and maintaining muscle.
Vegetarians must be concerned with the nutrients that they are missing from their diet. Vegetarians who are building muscle must find other sources of proteins for muscle mass to be built. Proteins are chains of amino acids that cause reaction in the cells and also work as a fuel for the body. The diet must have eight amino acids for a healthy diet. There are some plant sources that have the eight essential amino acids, but they are not common foods. Sources such as hempseed, chia seed, lupin and buckwheat all have the right amino acids, but these are not foods that you are likely to find in the grocery store.
Vegetarianism can be an extremely healthy diet as long as all of the nutrients are included in the diet including protein, iron and essential fatty acids. Whey protein provides a sufficient amount of protein to the vegetarian diet without adding meat. Nutritionists recommend getting at least one gram of protein for every pound of body weight. This is a necessary nutrient for building muscle.
Strict vegetarians or vegans will even abstain from whey protein and need a vegetable source of protein to make up for what is missing in this strict diet. There are sources for protein, but they may be difficult to find.
Lacto vegetarians or ovo-lacto vegetarians are perfectly healthy using whey protein in their diet to make up for the lack of animal sources. Vegetarians tend to be extremely healthy because of the attention that is paid to the nutrients and diet. Finding alternative sources of protein, fatty acids and iron is a challenge, but with whey protein the issue of amino acids and protein is resolved.