I first discovered how awesome eating a plant-based diet was for me, the planet, and animals everywhere nearly eight years ago. At the time I was a gym rat and was all about eating in a way that could provide me with plenty of energy and stamina for my workouts without having to gulp down whey protein shakes or eat meat to provide me with iron and amino acids. Being extremely interested in nutrition and plant-based foods, I researched my way into finding the truly best single plant-based protein out there: hemp protein. Hemp protein is not only delicious but it’s also full of nutrients that make it a plant-based fitness buff’s best friend! It’s a perfect healthy smoothie ingredient that makes for a truly fabulous post-workout smoothie.

Hemp protein is amazing for many reasons and despite that it comes from the cannabis plant, it does not contain any traceable amounts of THC, like the drug marijuana does. Hemp has been found to be one of the most sustainable plants that exist and one of the diverse foods for a variety of reasons and uses. There are many awesome reasons to consider using hemp protein if you’re into fitness, looking to lose weight, or looking to build or maintain lean muscle mass as you age (which is awesome to prevent bone loss whether you’re vegan or not.)

Check out the benefits hemp protein has to offer:

1. Complete Amino Acid Profile

Unlike many seeds, hemp protein made from raw hemp seeds contains all 20 essential amino acids, both essential and non-essential. For this reason, hemp is one of the best plant-based protein sources of all kinds. Complete amino acids are necessary for forming protein in the body, which fuels and repairs muscle cells, regulates neurotransmitter function in the brain, and regulates the nervous system function.

2. Lean Source of Protein

Hemp seeds have a fair amount of fat, but hemp protein is actually a very lean source of protein. Hemp protein is made by cold-milling hemp seeds. During the process, some of the fat is removed and the final product is mostly the natural protein found in hemp seeds. Lean sources of protein are beneficial for digestion, metabolism, and promoting a healthy, lean body mass. Three tablespoons of hemp protein powder contain roughly 90 calories with only 3 grams of fat but 15 grams of protein! Hemp protein is also cholesterol-free and saturated fat-free.

3. Boosts Metabolism

Since hemp protein contains all essential amino acids and is a lean source of protein, it’s a very effective natural metabolism booster. Protein requires more energy to digest than fats or carbohydrates, which means your body burns more calories just by consuming it. Since hemp protein is from a raw source of protein, it’s even better for your body and metabolism.

4. Energizing

Hemp is also full of iron,  magnesium, and zinc. Per three tablespoons, hemp protein has 40% of your daily iron requirements, 60 percent of your daily magnesium requirements, and 25 percent of your daily zinc requirements. These nutrients are critical for optimizing energy on a plant-based diet. It’s much better to get your nutrients from raw foods that your body can absorb than from highly processed protein powders or supplements.

5.  High in Fiber

Most plant-based proteins contain a little bit of fiber, but almost none of them besides chia seeds compare to the fiber found in hemp protein. Per three tablespoons, hemp protein provides 8-15 grams of fiber depending on the type of hemp protein you choose. That’s more than a bowl of oatmeal or two-three whole bananas! Fiber is important for regulating your blood sugar, protecting your heart, aiding in digestion, and maintaining a healthy weight.

6. Inexpensive

For such a healthy protein source, hemp is very inexpensive. Because it’s only mildly processed and such a sustainable food, it can be purchased at a fair price, even in organic form. You can usually buy a pound of raw, organic hemp protein for around $15.00, which is around the same cost as those highly refined, cheap tubs of hormone-filled whey protein powders sold at chain superstores. Most organic hemp proteins are also non-GMO, cold-milled, and processed without any chemicals whatsoever. This low-cost feature is great if you’re on a budget but looking to eat healthy without sacrificing quality.

7. Tasty

Hemp protein is also very tasty, especially in a smoothie! It has a deliciously rich, nutty taste when blended with other ingredients. Some great pairings to use with hemp are: blueberries, acai, raspberries, blackberries, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut milk, almond milk, spinach, chia, banana, and almond butter. You can also use it to bake with in replacement to flour or use it in a homemade dessert or protein bar recipe.

8. Low-Carb

Watching your carbs? You’ll be happy to know that hemp protein is very low in net carbs. Net carbs are the amount of carbs left after you subtract fiber from the total carb count. Since fiber does not impact blood sugar levels or cause weight gain, it’s not considered a net carb like sugar and starch are. A low-carb, plant-based diet may be beneficial for your blood sugar and weight, though healthy complex carbs most certainly have their place in one’s diet too.

9. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Hemp also contains EFA’s, which are essential fatty acids. EFA’s are important for lean body mass, brain function, and protecting the heart. Hemp seeds contain roughly 1245 grams of omega 3 fatty acids in just 1.5 tablespoons!

10. Anti-inflammatory

Hemp protein’s greenish-brown color denotes the natural chlorophyll found in hemp seeds. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that provides your body with alkaline protection against inflammation. Hemp protein is also rich in potassium, which can help balance your electrolytes and aid in water balance. This can also help prevent joint pain and muscle cramps, which all fitness buffs know is no fun to deal with. Hemp contains roughly 370 milligrams of potassium in just three tablespoons, which is more than twice as much as orange and more than twice as much as a cup of spinach!

*BONUS FEATURE*

Hemp protein is also one of the easiest proteins to digest. It’s grain-free, nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, and very easy for the body to process. This makes it a perfect option for anyone on a 100 percent plant-based diet or someone just looking to add a cleaner protein to their fitness routine. You can also choose between regular hemp protein, higher fiber hemp protein, or fiber-free hemp protein depending on your health goals.

What are you waiting for? Trade in the whey today and give hemp protein a try!

Here are some recipes to get you started: 

•  Raw Hemp Chia Seed Bars
• Sugar-Free Vegan Protein Bars
• Pumpkin Protein Smoothie
• Raw Protein Thin Mints
• DIY Vegan Protein Powder

Do you use hemp protein powder?

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