Wheat protein isolate is sourced from whole wheat and is an ideal option for those unable or unwilling to consume whey or casein protein powders. The starch is removed from the whole wheat in order to isolate the protein. While you may have to look harder to find protein isolate sourced from wheat, there are some advantages to using this type of protein isolate rather than the more popular whey protein isolate:
1. Pure wheat protein powders are compatible with a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle. Consuming an adequate amount of protein on a daily basis is sometimes challenging for vegans, and high-quality wheat protein isolate offers a convenient plant-based option.
2. Those suffering from lactose intolerance can safely consume wheat protein without suffering from stomach issues. This is why wheat supplements are considered ideal alternatives to whey protein isolate.
3. Wheat protein isolate is low in calories and fat. These powders are great options for anyone trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy bodyweight. You can use multiple scoops of the powder in a single day to increase your protein intake without going overboard with calories or fat grams.
4. You take in fewer carbohydrates through wheat protein shakes than you would through breads or baked goods made with whole wheat. This is something to consider for anyone interested in losing weight, gaining muscle or controlling bodyweight in general.
5. Wheat protein isolate naturally contains more glutamine than casein or whey protein powders. It is common for users to add glutamine to their protein supplements for more effective after-workout supplementation, but that may not be necessary with wheat protein products.
Potential Disadvantages of Wheat Protein Powder
While the benefits of using wheat protein powder are impressive, there are also some potential downsides to using this type of protein supplement. The biggest problems come into play for users suffering from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Severe stomach problems can result due to the body’s inability to comfortably process and make use of products high in gluten.
If you have used other types of protein powder in the past, you may notice that wheat protein powders have a different texture and consistency than some other types of protein shakes. There aren’t many flavored wheat powders on the market, so you may need to work a bit harder making your shakes taste good. You can add fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt and many other ingredients to liven up your wheat shake.
If you decide that wheat protein powder is the ideal pick for your body, you may need to purchase it in bulk. Since it is not as well stocked in most local stores as other types of protein powder, you will likely have to shop online to get the best prices. When you find a great sale, you can stock up to ensure you have the powder on hand when it is needed.
How to Buy Wheat Protein Isolate
This type of protein isolate is often purchased by bakers and chefs. It is rather affordable compared to other types of protein powders when you purchase it unflavored in bulk. For instance, you can pick up a 5-pound bag of Honeyville pure wheat protein isolate for less than $30 full retail price. Find a good sale, and it becomes amazingly affordable. This product is designed for baking, but you can still use it in other ways to increase your protein intake.
If you really want to stock up in advance so that you don’t have to keep ordering your wheat protein online, you can buy a 50-pound bag of Honeyville Farms wheat protein isolate for approximately $130 full retail price. You may sometimes catch this on sale online, bringing your cost down substantially.
Flavored wheat protein isolate powders are not as easy to find as whey or casein protein powders, but Ultimate Nutrition does make a flavored supplement that you can mix up just like any other type of protein powder. One serving will deliver 20 grams of protein with just 100 calories and 1 gram of fat. The powder is fortified with enzymes and contains a long list of amino acids, so this is a great option for an after-workout protein supplement.
If you can tolerate some whey protein and want to try a protein supplement that is not a powder or shake, consider P28 high-protein bread. You get 28 grams of protein for just two slices of this bread, but the protein comes from a variety of plant sources and some whey protein. This is a good option when mixing a shake is not convenient.
Which of these wheat protein isolate products you select will depend on your needs. If you want to bake with protein powder or use your powder in a variety of ways, you may want to purchase the unflavored Honeyville powders. If you want to make protein shakes, then the Ultimate Nutrition protein powder is your best option. P28 bread is something to consider even if you want to purchase a powder for more routine use.