Health food is coming to a store near me....

Beckenzahler
Beckenzahler Posts: 26 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Living in Thailand, my shopping options are severely limited compared to EU/US, but new products do pup up now and then.

So I just saw Pea protein and Quinoa protein powder. I eat mainly vegetarian, but have no issues with whey protein powder. Are there any health reasons for me to buy the plant based powders then?

Likewise, they were selling Acai, Kale and Spirulina powder. Im aware that they are all healthy, but are these products just an overpriced vitamin tablet? Or is there any merit to them?

Edit: Posted this in the wrong forum, was suppossed to go in the food and nutrition. Can I move it myself?

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,097 Member
    IMO, it's always better to get nutrients from food, when feasible, rather than getting them from supplements.

    If you have trouble getting enough protein from food, sure, use protein powder. If whey protein powder works well for you, there's no reason to change it.

    What would you be getting from those very-processed acai, kale, and spirulina powders? Micronutrients? Are you eating plenty of varied, colorful fruits and veggies already? If so, you probably don't need very-processed fruit and veggie powders.

    Are those things healthy? Yeah, I guess. But nutritious food is healthy, too, and more evolution-tested than extracts and powders.

    Just my opinion.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,117 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    IMO, it's always better to get nutrients from food, when feasible, rather than getting them from supplements.

    If you have trouble getting enough protein from food, sure, use protein powder. If whey protein powder works well for you, there's no reason to change it.

    What would you be getting from those very-processed acai, kale, and spirulina powders? Micronutrients? Are you eating plenty of varied, colorful fruits and veggies already? If so, you probably don't need very-processed fruit and veggie powders.

    Are those things healthy? Yeah, I guess. But nutritious food is healthy, too, and more evolution-tested than extracts and powders.

    Just my opinion.

    I agree with all this. I just wanted to add, re OP's "have no issues with whey protein powder. Are there any health reasons for me to buy the plant based powders then?" query -- if pea and quinoa protein were nutritionally superior to whey protein, don't you think they would be the first choice for omnivores, who have no dietary restrictions, rather than whey-based protein powders?
  • kam26001
    kam26001 Posts: 2,794 Member
    Isn't there an abundance of fruits in Thailand? I'd rather get my vitamins from that.

    Protein powder is really up to you. If you are not able to meet your goal then it is a convenient option. Cooked quinoa and peas do have a good amount of protein though.
  • Beckenzahler
    Beckenzahler Posts: 26 Member
    Thank you for the answers, they were as expected.

    I do try to meet my nutrition goals through regular food, getting the full rainbow of fruits and veggies. I will stick to those.
    Protein powder is only a supplement, when I have problems getting enough. Usually mixed in with yoghurt, oats or in a protein fluff :)


    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    I agree with all this. I just wanted to add, re OP's "have no issues with whey protein powder. Are there any health reasons for me to buy the plant based powders then?" query -- if pea and quinoa protein were nutritionally superior to whey protein, don't you think they would be the first choice for omnivores, who have no dietary restrictions, rather than whey-based protein powders?
    The plant based protein is definitely more expensive than whey based, for me at least. Maybe they are more evenly priced in the west.
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