Seth Feroce will be the first to say that protein powders are not necessary. But, they are extremely helpful when it comes to hitting your daily protein intake. For active individuals, it’s recommended to consume approximately 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight to support training adaptations, lean muscle mass, and recovery.[1]
So if you weigh 200 lbs, you should aim to consume 200 grams of protein every single day. It’s also important to note that the body doesn’t have a storage mechanism for protein like it does for carbs and fats. Therefore, you should consume protein at every meal, ideally every 3-4 hours.
Since most of us live a very busy lifestyle and don’t have the time to make fresh meals all day long, having a protein powder comes in very handy. It takes less than 5 minutes to mix up a protein shake, drink it, and get on with the rest of your day. Plus, protein powders are a much more cost effective option then getting prepped meals, fast-food, or stopping at a gas station.
Not All Protein Powders Are Created Equal
Before you go buying the cheapest protein powder on the internet, it’s important to cover what makes one protein powder better than another. There are various types of protein powder on market, but the two most common types are dairy-based and plant-based.
Dairy-based protein powders usually consist of whey protein, with whey protein isolate being the highest quality. This is why we only use 100% grass-fed whey protein isolate in Farm Fed. In terms of plant-based protein powders, it’s important to use a combination of plant protein sources in order to yield a complete amino acid profile.
Some of the most popular and highest quality plant protein sources on the market is pea protein and rice protein. These two protein sources are also complimentary, which means that when one is low in a certain amino acid, the other one makes up for it.
Simply put, the combination of pea protein and brown rice protein supplies you with an adequate amount of essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids to optimize muscle protein synthesis, recovery, and health.
Since pea protein and brown rice protein are complimentary, we decided to use both of those protein sources in our newest protein powder – Plant Fed!
An All-Natural Vegan Protein Powder
Since IFBB pro bodybuilder and co-founder of Axe & Sledge Supplements, Seth Feroce, officially retired from competing and went 50% vegan, it’s only right that we make our own premium vegan protein powder. 50% vegan means that Seth’s diet primarily consists of meat, fruit, and veggies. This simple approach to nutrition allows him to remain healthy, perform, recover, and look good all year round.
Whether you’re 50% vegan, 100% vegan, vegetarian, allergic to dairy, or are looking for another high-quality protein option, you should consider using Plant Fed!
Plant Fed Macronutrient Breakdown
Here’s the macronutrient breakdown of 1 scoop (~27 grams) of Plant Fed:
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Zero sugar
- 1 gram dietary fiber
- Fat: 2 grams
Every serving of Plant Fed contains 20 grams of protein coming from a combination of pea protein and brown rice protein, but that’s not all! Similar to Farm Fed, we’ve added 50 milligrams of digestive enzymes (as DigeSEB®) to help you breakdown, assimilate, and utilize the nutrients found in Plant Fed.
Other key features of Plant Fed include:
- Naturally flavored, sweetened, and colored
- No soy protein
- Third-party tested
- Manufactured in a cGMP certified and FDA-inspected manufacturing facility
- No amino spiking
- 30 servings per container
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Keto-friendly
- Zero sugar
As you can see, Plant Fed is a powerhouse when it comes to the vegan protein powder category. Now, let’s get into the ingredients so you can understand what this product is made of!
Plant-Fed Ingredient Breakdown
Here’s a brief overview of the active and inactive ingredients found in Plant Fed! Keep in mind that the inactive ingredients may vary slightly depending on the flavor. For example, Plant Fed Peanut Butter Banana contains real peanut flour, whereas Plant Fed Vanilla Coconut does not. Make sure to check the allergen information on the product's webpage before purchasing.
Active Ingredients
Pea Protein
When someone asks you to name foods that are high in protein, I highly doubt that peas are the first thing that come to your mind. But after reading this section, then they just might!
Out of all the plant-protein options that exist, including soy, watermelon seed, mung bean, etc., pea protein is considered to be one of the best. In fact, several studies have shown that pea protein performs just as well as whey protein for improving performance, body composition, strength, and muscle mass when paired with a resistance training program.[1,2]
Pea protein is technically a complete protein source since it contains all nine essential amino acids. However, it is rather low in methionine, so that’s why we also added brown rice protein in order to make up for that.
Compared to other plant protein sources, pea protein contains a higher amount of branched chain aminos, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are crucial for muscle protein synthesis. Pea protein is also one of the most easily digestible plant protein sources.
Since pea protein has so many benefits, it’s the primary protein source in Plant Fed!
Brown Rice Protein
The second protein source in Plant Fed is brown rice protein, which also has several health and performance benefits. Similar to pea protein, some studies have shown that supplementing with rice protein is comparable to whey protein for improving body composition and performance when combined with a resistance training program.[3]
Furthermore, rice protein is considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that the chances of it eliciting an allergic response is very unlikely. If you’ve ever tried a whey protein supplement and experienced gas or bloating, then it may be a good idea to make the switch to a plant protein supplement.
Even though brown rice protein does have relatively low levels of the amino acid lysine, pea protein contains a high enough amount of lysine to make up for it! In vice versa, brown rice has a high enough methionine content to make up for pea protein’s low methionine content.
So if you’re one of those gym bros that think they are going to lose their gains from using vegan protein powder, you have nothing to worry about! You might actually make more gains because your body is able to digest and absorb the protein better!
DigeSEB®
Unlike other protein powders that leave you gassy and bloated, Plant Fed was formulated to enhance digestion, rather than inhibit it, which is why we added digestive enzymes. DigeSEB® is a proprietary digestive enzyme blend that was developed by Specialty Enzymes and Probiotics.
DigeSEB® consists of the following digestive enzymes:
- Amylase - breaks down carbohydrates, specifically starches
- Protease - breaks down dietary protein
- Lipase - breaks down dietary lipids, also known as fats
- Lactase - breaks down lactose
- Cellulase - breaks down cellulose
DigeSEB® makes an appearance in several of our products because it improves digestion, supports gut health, and increases nutrient absorption. Whether you’re drinking Plant Fed on it’s own or adding it to a meal, DigeSEB® will help speed up your nutrient absorption so you can recover faster.
Inactive Ingredients
The following ingredients are added in small amounts to enhance the flavor and improve the mix-ability, texture, and consistency of Plant Fed:
- Natural flavors: flavoring agent
- Gum Blend (Gum Acacia, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum): thickening agent
- Stevia Leaf Extract: natural sweetener
- Sodium Chloride: flavoring agent & natural preservative
- Monk Fruit Extract: natural sweetener
Flavors
Plant Fed is available in the following flavors:
- Vanilla Coconut - this flavor has just the right amount of vanilla and coconut that neither one is too overpowering. It’s sweet, refreshing, and just a touch of tropical flavor. Vanilla Coconut is arguably the most versatile flavor since you can practically add it to anything! If you want a change of pace from boring vanilla, this flavor is sure to please!
- Peanut Butter Banana - enjoy the classic combination of peanut butter and banana without the fat and a fraction of the calories! This flavor is unique, yet addicting, and great on its own or blended into a smoothie. If you’re a fan of sweet and salty, Peanut Butter Banana Plant Fed is the perfect flavor for you!
Suggested Use
- Mix one scoop of Plant Fed with 8-10 ounces of water, milk, or milk substitute.
- Consume within 20 minutes after mixing due to the activation of the digestive enzymes.
- Plant Fed can be used any time you need a high quality protein source.
Allergen Warning
- Contains: Soy (as soy lecithin not soy protein)
- Manufactured in a facility that processes Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, and Sesame.
- Contains: Peanuts, Soy (as soy lecithin not soy protein)
- Manufactured in a facility that processes Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, and Sesame.
Stacking
50% Vegan Stack
- Mix 1 scoop of Farm Fed and 1 scoop of Plant Fed with 14-16 ounces of water, milk, or milk substitute.
- Consume any time you need a high quality protein source!
Post-Workout Vegan Stack
- Mix 1-2 scoops of Plant Fed and 1/2-1 scoop of Demo Day with 14-16 ounces of water, milk, or milk substitute.
- Consume within 30-45 minutes after training.
Natty Vegan Stack
- Mix 1 scoop Reds+, Greens+, and Plant Fed with 10-12 ounces of water, milk, or milk substitute.
- Consume anytime of the day!
Plant Fed Isn't Just For Vegans
A big misconception in the dietary supplement industry is that you have to be vegan to benefit from a vegan protein powder, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!
A lot of people are sensitive to dairy and although some can handle a high-quality whey protein isolate, like Farm Fed, using a plant-based protein may be a much better option for your gut. Not to mention, eating a combination of animal-based protein and plant-based protein is ideal for optimal health, performance, and recovery.
Another difference between plant protein powders and whey protein powders is that vegan protein powders are much thicker, which means they are better for baking and cooking because they don’t dry out. If you prefer a thicker protein shake or adding protein powder to your oatmeal, cream of rice, or yogurt, then a vegan protein powder may be more enjoyable.
Furthermore, if you prefer to stay away from artificial flavors and sweeteners, then Plant Fed is also a phenomenal choice! Plant Fed is a must-try for anyone that’s looking for an all-natural vegan protein powder.
References
- Banaszek A. et al. Jan. 2019. “The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study.” Sports, vol. 4;7(1):12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358922/
- Babault N. et al. Jan. 2015. “Pea proteins oral supplementation promotes muscle thickness gains during resistance training: a double-blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled clinical trial vs. Whey protein.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 12(1):3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4307635/
- Joy JM, et al. June 2013. “The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance.” Nutrition Journal, vol. 20;12:86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3698202/