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Protein for Body Builders – Plant Based vs. Animal Based

“ I need animal protein to build muscle, I’m a body builder I have no other option”

I hear you, we have been taught this for so long. It’s imprinted in our brains, in our gym buddy’s brains, our parents, our trainers, possibly even our doctors. But times are changing. The truth is no longer ONLY passed around by word of mouth, in TV commercials, billboards or by a textbook that was chosen by someone else for us read and obtain our information from. We are free to ignore societal pressures and ads and  learn what we want, IF that is what we want!

That being said, Body builders, Athletes, and Fitness enthusiasts, listen up. You do not need animal protein to build muscle. Don’t close this tab, hear me out a little longer I’ll try to make it quick.

Animal protein may build muscle, but it comes with a lot of baggage. The high amount of essential amino acids found in animal protein causes our bodies to over produce hormones that stimulates growth of cancer cells. It has high levels of phosphorus, they contain saturated fats, cholesterol, and also creates inflammation in your vessel linings which are all cause for cardiovascular issues. Animal protein is lacking in fibre which is a necessary element in assimilating protein. This is why many people (body builders or not) who consume animal proteins, end up storing the excess proteins as fat. 

Plant based proteins however, do contain the fibre needed to properly digest protein. They are free of cholesterol which is great because our body is designed to create its own cholesterol and doesn’t need to ingest extra. Oh and it can still be a complete protein (view Complete (Plant) Protein – Debunking the Big Myth ” linked below ) Plant protein contains phytonutrients which have anti inflammatory properties, help repair damaged DNA, and they help protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

So if you want to assimilate protein properly, have healthy gut, better digestion, lower your risk of heart disease, reduce excess fat storage, and lower cholesterol, all while still building muscle and making healthy gains, then choose plant protein!

Complete (Plant) Protein – Debunking the Big Myth
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Complete (Plant) Protein – Debunking the Big Myth

Complete protein, in a nutshell, is protein that contains the 9 amino acids that the human body cannot create on its own. Amino acids are important because they are what builds protein strands. You ingest a food containing the 9 essential amino acids, your body rearranges the amino acids in strands of protein which build muscle and connective tissue.

Myth: Plant based protein is lacking in 9 essential amino acids

Fact: Every plant based food contains all 9 essential amino acids! Yes, you read that right. However, each of the foods on their own do not all have the right levels of amino acids for ideal muscle growth, which is why eating a varied (plant based) diet throughout the day is important, especially if attempting to gain extra muscle. This does not necessarily mean that you need to combine proteins at each meal. Your body takes the amino acids ingested and creates little reserves so that it can mix and match the proper proportions of amino acids at a later time to create new proteins. So basically, as long as you are eating enough healthy calories, it is very difficult to be deficient in complete protein. Your body is smarter than you think!


Bonus Fact: the ONLY food source (plant based and animal based) that is not complete is gelatin.