The right protein powder should provide you with a clean, delicious-tasting supplement that helps you reach your fitness or weight-loss goals with nutritionally complete protein. We’ll compare two leading brands: Just Ingredients Protein Powder and Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
“People are looking for clean labels, easily digestible ingredients, allergen-free options, and food that is compatible with vegetarian and vegan lifestyles and concerns about sustainability.” This is the overview of the trendspotters at New Hope Network, where the emphasis is on healthier lifestyles through simpler, more natural nutrition, with concerns for our planet’s future.
If you have been following the trends in holistic living, you’ll recognize how rapidly dietary and nutritional priorities evolve. First, it was all about natural and minimally processed foods. Then organic foods emerged as essential. Now the focus is on plant-based products, whether or not one identifies as a vegetarian or vegan. This trend identifies plants as the source of essential nutrients—carbohydrates, protein, and fats. “The plant-based heroes of today and tomorrow are those that are truly plant-forward, as well as transparent about nutrient density, sourcing, water use, carbon footprints, and supply chains,” New Hope Network concludes.
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Nutritionally complete protein
Proteins are for more than building muscles; they perform an array of functions within our bodies. They catalyze metabolic reactions, assist in DNA replication, respond to stimuli, provide structure to cells and organisms, and transport molecules. Nutritionally-complete protein is made of 20 amino acids; 9 of them, called “essential,” must come from our foods. Complete protein is found almost exclusively in animal products—meats, fish, dairy, and eggs—and rarely in plant-based foods.
For those who do not meet or wish to maximize the level of protein they receive from their diet, finding a quality protein powder that is nutritionally complete and meets one’s personal preferences can be difficult. To help you make an informed purchase decision, we will compare two high-quality products: Just Ingredients Protein Powder and Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein powder.
Just Ingredients Protein Powder lists whey protein—derived from dairy milk—as its first ingredient. This assures nutritionally-complete protein but will be off-limits for those who prefer animal-free protein sources and anyone who is allergic to dairy products.
However, Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein has achieved the elusive plant-derived, nutritionally complete protein requirement. Its golden pea protein isolate contains all 9 of the essential amino acids our bodies need from our foods, free of animal-sourced ingredients.
Clean, minimal ingredient listings:
Read the label
Just Ingredients Protein Powder contains a total of 10 ingredients: 100% grass-fed non-denatured organic whey protein isolate, organic pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic chia seed protein, organic coconut milk, organic cacao, collagen, sea salt, organic stevia leaf, and organic monk fruit. One serving (36.82gm) contains 140 calories and provides 24gm protein.
Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein contains only 3 ingredients: Pea protein isolate, natural flavor, and thaumatin (a natural, FDA-approved protein-based sweetener extracted from a West African fruit). It’s the minimalism of ingredients exemplified. One serving (25.00gm) contains 100 calories and provides 20gm protein. Clean Lean Protein is third-party safety-tested for microbial activity, pesticides, heavy metals, and allergens.
Just Ingredients Protein Powder registers a higher protein level (24gm), but with a 47% larger serving size, meaning Clean Lean Protein has 23% more protein per gram (0.80gm) in comparison to Just Ingredients (0.65gm).
Easily digestible ingredients
Just Ingredients Protein Powder emphasizes the quality of its organic, non-denatured 100% grass-fed whey protein, which is made in New Zealand. The protein is made from milk, and not from by-products of cheese-making. The company ensures excellent digestibility because of what its protein powder does not contain: no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or flavors, preservatives, gums, thickeners, or emulsifiers.
Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein has a 98% digestibility rating. This is because their product is 100% plant-based, with no allergens, no lectins (which can cause bloating), no emulsifiers, or gums. It is very low in phytates, and the very fine particle size ensures maximum absorption. The digestibility is further enhanced because the isolation process of pea protein results in an all-natural fluffy protein powder.
Taste and flavor
Just Ingredients Protein Powder contains no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols and comes in eight natural flavors: chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, fruity, mint, peanut butter, pumpkin, and vanilla. “Our protein powder tastes delicious because we use all whole food ingredients,” reports Just Ingredients.
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein obtains a great flavor to the quality of the pea protein and isolation process, which results in negligible pea smell or taste, and makes it easy to flavor naturally with smooth vanilla, real coffee, rich chocolate, and wild strawberry. There is also an unflavored selection, just natural. The very fine particle size ensures a silky smooth texture.
Concerns about sustainability
Just Ingredients Protein Powder does not address the sustainability of its processes or ingredients, beyond their whey being organic, non-denatured, and from 100% grass-fed New Zealand cows. Notably, 8 of their 10 ingredients are organic, which means no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used, and its stevia leaf extract does not go through the standard 42-step processing. The sourcing and processing of most of the 10 ingredients are not presented.
Clean Lean Protein is derived from golden peas grown exclusively in northern France by seeds provided to the local farmers, notes founder and CEO Trevor Bolland. “Peas are a sustainable crop that returns nitrogen to the soil while requiring less land and water than other protein sources. The pea crop is delivered by river barge to the protein isolation facility in Belgium, thus leaving a lower carbon footprint.” All of the unused parts of the plant become biofuel and animal feed, and the water is purified and recycled. “Even the container is 100% recyclable,” adds Nuzest.
The right protein powder
Just Ingredients Protein Powder appears to be a quality product, but we are drawn to Clean Lean Protein’s simplicity. Nuzest has produced a 100% plant-based, nutritionally complete, minimally processed, delicious protein powder, with just three ingredients. It contains no meat or dairy, making it ideal for those wanting plant-based foods exclusively. The company also gets high marks for its exemplary commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Protein powders can be valuable supplements to a healthy diet. They should not be used, however, to replace the nutrients needed from whole foods which contain fiber, carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats, as well as a diversity of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and antioxidants. However, for those who do need additional protein, powders are an efficient and convenient solution worth considering. Those with dietary restrictions or preferences or who only consume natural and organic ingredients can also find a powder that works for them and is still effective.
Further Reading for Additional Knowledge
Cleveland Clinic: “Everything You Should Know About Pea Protein“
National Geographic: “Sustainability“
New Hope Network: “What’s coming in natural product trends in 2023″
US News & World Reports: “Vegan vs. Vegetarian“
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
