In search of your new favorite high-protein, low sugar snack? Look no further. We’re always looking for new ways to innovate and fuel our activities with the best foods possible. In our search for binge-worthy whole food snacks, we created a delicious line of pea protein snacks.
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH PROTEIN?
Protein is one of the essential building blocks of the human body, one of the “building blocks of life.” Protein is essential fuel for all our body’s mechanical processes. It helps regulate brain activity, organ function, and your muscle contractions. You may have heard that ~60% of your lean body mass is water, did you know that ~20% of your lean body mass is protein?
AMINO ACIDS
Simply put, proteins are made of chains of amino acids. The different sequences and compositions of amino acids dictate the different properties and characteristics of proteins. As humans, we can make or convert energy into some of these amino acids ourselves. These are what we call “nonessential amino acids.” The other amino acids are called essential amino acids which we need to acquire through our diet.
In short, consuming sufficient protein is essential for optimal body function. If you don’t consume enough, your body will be “amino acid deficient” and you will feel it through a variety of symptoms. If you consume too much protein, your organs or gut micro-biome may have trouble processing it all. Lastly, you may experience weight gain.
WHY WE USE PEA PROTEIN
Protein comes in a variety of forms. Animal based proteins are derived from animal meat, eggs or milk. As a dietary supplement, whey protein, a bi-product of the cheese production process, has taken the largest market share.
WHY NOT WHEY?
Whey protein is usually processed to contain 80% or more protein by weight and is considered complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. Its neutral flavor, soft texture, and water solubility allows it to be used in a seemingly endless array of forms from bars, to shakes, to bites. Because of its low moisture content, its shelf life can be months to years.
Every one of us is unique in the way we interact with food. We all have a unique gut microbiome that interacts with food in different ways. Secondly, we have all grown up with unique diets that have shaped the way our bodies digest food. Not to mention, our own personal preferences for flavor and texture. For some of us, whey protein isn’t the answer. It can be difficult to digest as it contains lactose. Maybe just the flavor or texture isn’t for you.
Our reason for not using whey has nothing to do with the taste, texture or health benefits. We quite simply do not support animal agriculture in its present form. There is such a variety of plant-based proteins that offer the same benefits, flavors, and textures without using animals. PETA would be more than happy to have you hear them out on all the bad things related to animal agriculture.
CHOOSING PEA PROTEIN
In our search for a complete protein for our protein bites, we had a lot of options. As a legume, pea protein contains all 9 essential amino acids necessary for our body to function. Pea protein is made by grinding yellow peas into a fine powder and removing the starch and fiber. It’s simple, plant based, and complete.
Pea protein is clean – something you can feel good about. It doesn’t have issues around animal welfare, emissions, or intense processing like the animal counterparts. It’s healthier, neutral in flavor, and just better all around, so why not go pea?
WHY PEA PROTEIN SNACKS?
The two factors us mortals normally use to evaluate the quality or “binge-worthiness” of what we eat are taste and function. We want to eat food that not only satisfies our palate, but also provides the functional benefits that enable us to perform at our best.
When we first took a seat to choose the ingredients for our protein bites, we had a lot of options. In fact, the first versions of these pea protein snacks did not have added pea protein at all, we experimented with ingredients including our own granola, Medjool dates, and rose water. After playing around with these recipes for years, it dawned on us that for Ladera to make a true impact in the world, we can’t just stop at simply making tasty snacks.
FLAVOR AND FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS
Following the footsteps of our granola, we decided to pair flavor and functional benefits. Within the addictive salty snacks arena, the playground of our bites, we saw white space – very limited functional benefits. All these salty snacks – chips, popcorn, pretzels, crackers – mostly consist of simple carbohydrates with limited functional benefits beyond immediate satisfaction and satiation. These snacks in moderation aren’t terrible, but their addictive flavor makes moderation difficult and subsequently contributes to lethargy and obesity. In the States, over 40% of all adults are now considered obese. Some blame the food, some blame the people. Perhaps it is Ladera to blame for not coming to the rescue faster!
Our bites pair amazing (addictive) flavor with the functional benefits of chia seeds, buckwheat, and the star of the show, our pea protein crisps. Sometimes it’s those small steps in life, like snacking on a better snack, that can inspire a world of change. Or maybe it’s just a protein bite, time can be our judge : )
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Brian Tetrud
Founder
