One common, yet tiresome question that many vegetarians and vegans are asked is “Where do you get your protein?”

If an omnivore was asked the same thing, some would quickly say that they get their protein from meat, eggs, or dairy.

Contrary to popular belief, meat, eggs, and dairy aren’t the only sources of protein.

In fact, in order to be protein deficient, you’d have to be calorie deficient since protein is practically in everything! Vegetarians and vegans naturally obtain their protein from various sources: vegetables, especially green vegetables: spinach, French green beans, peas, and kale; milk alternatives: almonds, cashews, flaxseed, hemp, coconut, or soy milk; hemp, tofu, seitan, chia seeds, flax seeds, brown rice, tempeh, lentils, beans: kidney, garbanzo, pinto, or black beans; sprouted-grain bread, quinoa, and nut butter.

With all of that being said, how do you think herbivorous animals, such as the buffalo, panda, gorilla, hippopotamus, or elephant get their protein? From the earth! They’re not suffering from a protein deficiency, nor are they lacking in stature, build, or strength. 🙂

Here’s another myth: Protein powders are just for bodybuilders and will instantly turn people into the Incredible Hulk! Once again, just a myth. It’s true that they’re beneficial for muscle formation and preservation, but they’re also beneficial for weight management, digestion, energy, hormonal balance, strengthening the immune system, sustaining mental clarity, and staving off cravings.

Naked Nutrition has a pure vegan protein, the Matcha Pea Protein Powder, that is 100% plant-based and free of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. It is also free of gluten, soy, and preservatives. This vegan protein powder actually tastes good on its own without having to add additional ingredients to mask the taste. It’s one of the best vegan protein powders that I have tried so far! Not entirely convinced that a vegan protein powder isn’t for you? Don’t fret! They also have a whey version.

I can easily combine 2 scoops of it with a 12 oz. beverage of my choice (milk alternative) without adding additional ingredients, blend it in my blender, and call it a complete meal! It gives me the natural fuel that I need to begin my day or post workout. Not only it energizes me before exercising, but it nixes any unnecessary food cravings that I may have after leaving the gym.

Naked Pea + Matcha contains only their pea protein and organic Japanese matcha. Matcha has been shown to have many health benefits including being packed with antioxidants, boosting metabolism and energy, burning calories, detoxifying the body, and many more.*

In addition to being delicious and a great way to pack lean, clean protein into all kinds of recipes – Naked Nutrition has pledged to donate between 15-100% (yes, you read that right) of sales from these two products to the ALS Association’s Golden West Chapter/Team Nanci for the rest of 2018 in an effort to help raise money and awareness for the organization in hopes of helping to find a cure for this awful disease.

Bringing awareness is dear to me since I lost my father-in-law two years to ALS. If you’re not familiar with our story, please read our story here. Those affected by ALS will very often be robbed of a simple joy that we seem to have in common – eating solid food). Naked Nutrition’s pure and additive-free products offer help to make the smoothies and shakes that those with ALS almost exclusively get their nutrition from a little more fun, and a lot tastier.