Microblog: A Beyond Meat – Pea Protein

Adapted from @CarnivoreCure: Awareness around the dangers of soy are causing plant-based foods to use pea proteins. Pea protein is made from extracting proteins from yellow pea legumes.⠀

❌Pea protein is not a complete protein as it is missing methionine (has next to none). If you want to substitute by adding soy protein, sorry, it’s also missing methionine.⠀

⚠️Peas can cause food sensitivities. Peas can cause issues with people susceptible to gout. Pea protein does not contain essential fatty acids which are critical for optimal health. Likely the reason Beyond Meat has the legume disclaimer.⠀

‼️As pea protein extracts and powders are not considered food but a supplement, the manufacturers are not required to provide nutritional values. Yes, pea proteins aren’t regulated by the FDA. Extracting proteins from dry peas will most likely remove most nutrients but the manufactures aren’t responsible to share.⠀

🚫These protein powders contain toxins like arsenic, cadmium and lead and in high amounts. In 2018, the Clean Label Project tested 134 protein powders for 130+ toxins and found that plant-based products were the highest carrier of toxins with 75% of the products testing positive for lead.⠀

🌱Add insult to injury you’re left with a heavy dose of allergens in plant proteins and a heavier concentrate of antinutrients.⠀

⁉️According to the USDA nutritional database, to get 27 grams of protein from whole peas, you would have to consume 3.5 cups of peas and 29 grams of fiber. 20 grams of a pea protein meat has only 2 grams of fiber.⠀

❓How is that possible?⠀

🤒People with reduced kidney function and possible gout should be careful before choosing to consume pea protein. Pea proteins are rich in purines and can convert to uric acid. Purines aren’t dangerous in normal amounts but excess amounts can make reduced functioning kidneys have a more difficult time to reduce uric acid.⠀

⚖️Without the natural balance of the 9 essential amino acids, your body will have a harder time finding homeostasis. P.S. You can get all 9 in 🥩.⠀

💡If you want to eat peas, it’s probably best to consume the real thing. Legumes, GMO, antinutrients and all, at least peas are still a food.