Increasing Pea Protein Intake for Weight Maintenance on a Restricted Diet
Explore the safety and benefits of increasing pea protein intake for managing weight loss on a restricted diet due to leaky gut. Learn about protein needs, nutritional balance, and the importance of consulting a healthcare provider.
how much pea protein
Hey guys,I’ve recently been doing a diet my doctor prescribed me for leaky gut. It’s extremely limiting as you might imagine, and I’m losing excessive weight. I usually have a protein shake every day, but that’s only 20g of protein. Now I know with weight, calories are what matter, and I’m going to try to get more calories in in general, but my protein consumption is still lackluster regardless. I was wondering if I can up this dosage to 2-3 scoops per day. From my understanding, I know it’s always better to get protein from real food sources rather than a supplement, and I believe I remember reading that there’s a certain amount of pea protein you shouldn’t exceed. I just wanted to get your guys thoughts.
In general, the amount of pea protein you can consume depends on your overall dietary needs and any restrictions or goals, such as muscle building or weight maintenance. Since protein requirements can vary based on factors like age, sex, and activity level, it's essential to tailor intake to your specific needs.
Pea protein is often considered a good alternative to other protein sources due to its digestibility and amino acid profile. It is also beneficial for vegetarians and those avoiding dairy1. Studies indicate that consuming 10-20 grams of pea protein per serving is common, and blends of plant proteins, such as pea and rice protein, can provide a complete amino acid profile1. Pea protein can support similar strength and muscle adaptations as whey protein when used consistently over time2.
If you're considering increasing your intake to 2-3 scoops per day, it's generally safe, especially if this helps meet your daily protein needs2. However, it's essential to ensure that your overall diet remains balanced and provides all necessary nutrients, possibly by including a variety of protein sources1.
To ensure appropriateness and safety, you should discuss dietary changes and supplementation with your healthcare provider, particularly given your underlying health condition and dietary restrictions.
Footnotes
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Steven R. Hertzler, "Plant Proteins: Assessing Their Nutritional Quality and Effects on Health and Physical Function," PubMed Central, 2020. ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Amy Banaszek, "The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study," PubMed Central, 2019. ↩ ↩2
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