Plant-based Proteins: How they stack up and all about our MVPs, soy and pea protein.

We’re dishing on our vegetarian and vegan-friendly proteins, and why we love them soy much. We’ll be answering questions like: are plant-based proteins different from their animal-based counterparts, and why does SimplyProtein® primarily use soy and/or pea protein?

We LOVE protein and support our community enjoying it in any form they find nourishing. And while we don’t turn our noses up at any form of protein, we do have our preferences — settled on after years of rigorous research and taste testing. (Think you eat a lot of snacks? You should meet our R&D team.)

Before we dish on our precious pea and soy protein, let’s dial it back a bit and go over the basics.

Protein 101: What it is and why we need it.¹

TL;DR: Protein isn’t just about bulking up at the gym. It’s about giving your body the raw materials to function, repair, and thrive (or chill on the couch … no judgement here).

We’ve all heard of protein and know our bodies need it, but you may not be 100% sure why. At its core, protein is a macronutrient made from amino acids (small organic molecules that link together like beads on a string). There are twenty different amino acids, and out of these 20, nine are “essential” amino acids. Essential amino acids can’t be made by your body, so you need to get them through food.

Proteins are vital to our health and well-being, because they build and repair tissues in the body. Everything from muscles, hair, nails, skin, and blood rely on proteins. They’re even behind the scenes as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies — orchestrating everything from metabolism and digestion to immune defense. So, yeah, you could say they’re kind of a big deal.

When most people think of protein, they jump straight to animal sources like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy. Meat sources like these are “complete proteins” since they contain all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions for humans. (Learn more about complete proteins here).

But guess what? Plants have protein, too! Sources like soy, legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains provide plenty of amino acids. And even if some plant-based protein sources are incomplete on their own, they can deliver the full spectrum of essential amino acids your body needs when eaten in combination (ex. rice and beans together).

Plant vs. Animal Protein: The ultimate showdown!¹

Animal versus plant protein: Same but very different. Both give your body the amino acids (a.k.a. the building blocks of protein) it needs. The big difference? Animal proteins usually come as a “complete package,” meaning they naturally contain all nine essential amino acids your body can’t make on its own.

Plant proteins don’t always check every box in one go. Either some are missing one or two essential amino acids, or the proteins have varying digestibility levels. But mixing and matching plant proteins easily fills the gaps and promotes digestibility. (It’s a real “teamwork makes the dream work” mentality.)

And then, there’re the “side effects.” Animal protein can tag along with extra cholesterol and saturated fat. Plant protein? Depending on the source, it usually brings fibre, antioxidants, and a lighter footprint on the planet. Translation: Both fuel your body, but plants tend to multitask a little harder.

Plant-based Protein: Bountiful benefits & impact.¹

Plant proteins aren’t just stand-ins for meat. They’re powerhouses in their own right and align with evolving sustainability and consumer preferences.

Here’s why people are loading up on soy, peas, and other plant-based bounties:

Some find them to be easier on the gut. Many are gentler to digest, leaving you fuelled without the food coma or “meat sweats.”
Plants are overachievers when it comes to well-balanced diets. Consumed in their original sources, they usually bring along added nutrients like fibre and antioxidants.
Plant-based proteins are associated with heart health benefits in some studies² and are typically lower in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to animal proteins. So, they support heart health (that’s not just us flexing).
Plant proteins = planet points. Growing peas and soy often use fewer resources and produce fewer emissions than raising livestock. Meaning a lighter eco-footprint!
Plant proteins are extremely versatile. They open up a whole new world of possibilities for people trying to avoid animal protein.

Our Final Vote: In plant protein we trust!

At SimplyProtein®, we had options. We could’ve gone the animal route, but honestly, soy and peas won our hearts (and tastebuds). Why?

Everyone’s invited. Plant protein is naturally vegetarian and vegan-friendly, so no matter your diet, you can snack with us.
Cruelty-free fuel. No animals involved means you can power your day without compromise.
Light on the planet. Growing soy and peas takes fewer resources than raising animals, which means a lower environmental footprint. (Snacking that’s more sustainable? Yes, please!)
Business-smart, too. More and more people are reaching for plant-based products, and we’re here for it. By keeping our protein plant-powered, we can serve a growing community that’s looking for better-for-you and better-for-the-planet options.

In short, plants check every box: nutrition, inclusivity, sustainability. And that’s why they’re the foundation of every SimplyProtein snack.

Soy & Pea Proteins: Our plant-based dream team.

So, why soy and pea specifically? Well, not all plant proteins are created equal, so we went shopping around the plant kingdom, and pea and soy came out on top. Here’s why:

Complete coverage. Soy is one of the few plant proteins that’s “complete,” meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids your body can’t make on its own. (Translation: it does the heavy lifting, no gaps.) While pea protein is not complete, it plays well with others, and combines to create a complete protein.
Plays well with others. Pea protein may not be complete on its own, but it's adaptable and combines easily with other proteins to create a complete protein option.
Small but mighty. Pea protein is rich in branched-chain amino acids (the MVPs for muscle support and recovery), making it a favourite for active lifestyles.
Friendly for Various Dietary Needs.³ Pea and soy protein are naturally vegan, dairy- and gluten-free, and kosher pareve, making it more versatile and safer for sensitive snackers.
Sustainable sidekicks. Peas and soy require fewer natural resources to grow, helping shrink the footprint of your daily protein fix.
Non-GMO Project Compliant. The soy and pea proteins we use are compliant with the Non-GMO Project.
Versatile and tasty. Soy and pea blend smoothly into our bars, chips, and shakes, so you get all the benefits without the chalky, “health food” aftertaste.

In short, pea and soy are the dream team: clean and conscious of impact on people, animals, and our planet.

Ps &Qs: Helpful tips to eat (and enjoy) plant protein.

No doubt about it … plant protein is a powerhouse, but like any diet choice, it comes with a few tips and tricks worth knowing:

Mix it up. Not all plant proteins are “complete” on their own (soy being the exception). Pairing sources, like legumes, grains and nuts, helps cover all nine essential amino acids with ease.
Watch your portions. Just because it’s plant-based doesn’t mean you can get away with unlimited scoops. Balance is key.
Check your labels. Some plant protein products sneak in added sugars, fillers, or artificial extras. Look for clean labels.
B12 awareness. This nutrient is easier to get from animal products. So, if you’re fully plant-based, consider fortified foods or supplements.
Listen to your body. Everyone digests protein differently. If one source doesn’t sit right, try another. Plants give you a delicious variety of options.

So, there you have it.

Plant protein is a smart, sustainable choice. Just keep variety, balance, and label-reading on your radar, and you’ll be set. Still feeling overwhelmed? We’ll make it easy for you: Shop all our tasty plant protein-packed snacks here.

¹Statements are based on publicly available scientific literature, including human clinical studies and reviews.

²Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; The Nutrition Source: Straight Talk About Soy (Jan. 2022)

³Soy is a common allergen and should be avoided by individuals with allergies or sensitivities. Nutritional outcomes may vary depending on overall diet and individual health conditions.