Vega Sport Review | Recover

If you haven't read my first two Vega Sport reviews, definitely catch up!

Vega Sport Review | Pre-Workout
Vega Sport Review | Sustain

If you did read those previous posts you already know that my initial review of the fantastic products below was WAY to long for just one blog post, so instead of composing a short novel, I decided to divide my reviews into three parts: Pre-Workout, Sustain, and Recover.


Vega Sport offers plant-based products catering to my strict raw, vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and sugar free lifestyle, thank God! The Vega Sport line caters to preparing, sustaining, and recovering efficiently, and today we're going to talk about Recovery. 

Recovery is so important post workout. People don't realize or understand that what they feed their body has much if not more effect than the actual workout itself...especially post workout!

After a workout I have to have protein shake. I was taught several years ago when I dove headfirst into health and fitness that protein post workout is vital for feeding my muscles, and justifying my hard work. Not to mention reducing recovery time so I can move the next day. My workouts used to consist of specific combination lift routines for everyday of the week, then I changed it to a full-body routine every other day. While I couple soreness with an awesome workout, I expect my post work-out protein shake to feed my body and muscles with the appropriate nutrients alleviating the majority of my muscle soreness.

Saving the specifics for another post, let me explain why Vega Sport's Performance Protein is the best I've tried so far. It is a complete multi-source, alkaline-forming, plant-based protein blend, featuring 5,500mg of BCAAs and 5,000mg of glutamine per serving. It is formulated to improve strength and exercise performance, repair and build muscles, and reduce recovery time between training.

A new addition to this protein is the SaviSeed (sacha inchi) protein, a rich, plant-based source of the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is a key component of serotonin production (source), and serotonin—the feel good hormone—helps with the mental aspect of recovery, so you’ll keep the drive alive and be motivated to train again.

The flavors include Chocolate, Vanilla, and Berry -- and I love them all. My boyfriend thinks the Chocolate tastes like dirt, but he loves the Berry. Again, the stevia is definitely prevalent in ALL the flavors, so if you're not a fan that taste will definitely stand out.

It is encouraged and in my opinion imperative to combine your post work-out shake with the Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator. I usually do this merely because I'm a glutamine glutton, but also because the two flavors Tropical and Apple Berry are ridiculously yummy!!! This product taste absolutely phenomenal by itself, but combining the two are even better (and less liquids I have to consume;).

The Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator is the first all-natural, plant-based recovery drink mix specifically developed to address all six key elements of post-workout recovery, including: Muscle glycogen replenishment, muscle tissue repair and protein synthesis, hormonal support, soft-tissue repair, immune function, inflammation-reduction and rehydration.

The unique formula of Recovery Accelerator features an innovative blend of 23 synergistic plant-based ingredients, like glucosamine, MacaSure, devil’s claw, L-arginine and American ginseng, specifically selected to replenish energy and electrolytes, reduce inflammation, muscle and joint pain, support immune system function and protein synthesis, reduce recovery time between training.

Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator also features a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, a combination shown to increase muscle glycogen re-synthesis—a crucial component of post-workout recovery.

I mention all that jargon in this post instead of referring you to the website because the above information is specifically what sets this product a part from any other plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free protein available on the market.

These two products alone are packed with vital ingredients -- check it out for yourself!

Vega Sport Performance Protein Powder

Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator
I usually have my Vega Sport Performance Protein shake immediately after my workouts, but as long as you get it in within the window of the first 60 minutes after stopping physical activity you should be fine.

Okay, so now that I've  literally advocated for this company in three separate posts, I do have to share a major let down. The one product other reviewers absolutely raved about, I was utterly disappointed in:

Vega Sport Protein Bar
Starving, I ripped open one of the Chocolate Coconut Vega Sport Protein Bars and swore I was chewing on a little piece of heaven. It was way too flipping good, I knew there had to be a catch...and there was.

After scouring the ingredients on every other Vega product I was trying, I failed to do so with this one, and my heart sank like the Titanic. I literally felt ill to my stomach as I read that the second ingredient (which means second most quantity in this product) is Dark Chocolate Coating, translation = SUGAR, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, and vanilla.

My heart skipped a beat and I was disappointed a company like Vega would even have a product with sugar in it at all. I couldn't get mad though. Not reading the label was my fault and will forever be my own responsibility.

I emailed Cristina at Vega to get the scoops and she confirmed the dark chocolate coating on those bars contains white sugar. But she also mentioned they have recently made some changes and just switched to use organic cane sugar in the chocolate, which is definitely the better of the bad (IE: no chemical additives).
[side bar]
If you're wondering what the big deal is, I don't eat refined sugar, and avoid it like the plague. With all my restrictions I always negotiate what I eat and when I have to cave on something I try to pick the better of the worse in any situation. However, there are three things I will never compromise: meat, soy, and sugar. Subscribe via email and eventually I'll publish a post as to WHY:)
That is the only negative feedback I have for the Recovery products, so if you don't care about consuming sugar, than you've just discovered a phenomenal tasting protein bar to indulge in!!

I've mentioned in my previous reviews for the Vega Sport products to please don't let the sticker shock deter you from trying the products. The quality of ingredients is near perfection, and I have yet to find a better product on the market. If or when ever I do, I'll of course share it here on the blog:)

In the mean time, get yourself some Vega Sport fuel. Visit Sequel Naturals or go on Amazon to find better deals. Do what you got to do to finally try this product! It took me long enough;)



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Do you use any sports nutrition products after a hard workout?  
Have you tried or are you planning to try any of the Vega Sport Products?

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6 love notes:

Anonymous said... [Reply]

Thanks for such a great review! I've been using the Vega Sport products for a few months now and I'm in love with them!

For the pre-workout energizer, I've only tried the lemon-lime and it's ok, but I think I will try the Acai Berry flavour next. As for the recovery accelerator, I've tried both flavours and prefer the Apple Berry. I thought I loved the flavour of the Vanilla Performance Protein, until I mixed the R/A in with it - it is incredibly delicious together!!! :)

I've noticed an improvement in my workouts since using VegaSport and I love the guilt-free aspect.

Ok, so your review didn't convince me to try the Vega Sport products, but it HAS convinced me to stick with them! ;)

Thanks again!

Greg

Jennʻs Adventureʻs said... [Reply]

@Anonymous Thank you so much for your awesome comment Greg!! Definitely try the Açai Berry Pre-Workout Energizer -- It will rock your world!

I am also a HUGE fan of adding the R/A with the Performance Protein -- while each taste great separately, they move Heaven and Earth together!!

I've also noticed a huge difference in my workouts since using VegaSport -- the phenomenal ingredients feed my body with the nutrients it's thirsty for and I feel it, as well as see it:)

Stoked my review confirmed your passion for Vega -- I truly am a fan of Brendan and his enterprises!

Jennʻs Adventureʻs said... [Reply]

@Anonymous Aloha Greg! Thank you so much for your comment & the link to that Vega Did You Know post -- because I had no idea!!

"The main difference lies in the timing: Recovery Accelerator immediately following a workout, and Performance Protein within 60 minutes.  We don’t advise mixing them together as it will skew the Recovery Accelerator’s 4:1 carb ratio and well, we are little obsessed with optimum sports nutrition."

I really want to know more about this as to WHY & HOW combining them skews the RA 4:1 carb ratio...

If you or anyone can add to this, please do!

PS: Thanks for following me in twitter--I'm headed over to yours now:)

Calvin said... [Reply]

Hey Jenn! I've done some thinking about life lately. Starting in July when I move into a new place, I am going 100% vegan. I want to try a year long trial of this, and am thinking of opening a new blog to chart my year long experience through pictures and food. Just a thought, but your blog has been a great inspiration to me and I've decided to take better control over my fitness life. So that's what's up. :-) I'll definitely subscribe to your site so I can keep monitoring and being accountable. It's for real. And I'm doing it.

Brian said... [Reply]

@Jennʻs Adventureʻs

The Recovery Accelerator is 4:1 carbs-to-protein but the Performance Protein is not. So if you mix the two together, you're now consuming the overall mix.

If Recovery Accelerator is 4:1 carbs-to-protein and let's for demonstration say Performance Protein is 1:4 carbs-to-protein, when you combine them, you now have a 5:5 carbs-to-protein ratio... or 1:1.

You need to wait 45-60 after taking the Recovery Accelerator before consuming Performance Protein (or anything else, really) to give your body time to absorb the Recovery Accelerator (or more specifically, to absorb the 4:1 carbs-to-protein nutritional goodness contained within it)

Did that make sense?

Katy said... [Reply]

Just read this review and it helped a lot! I train intensely but I rarely take supplements. I'm thinking of starting... with recovery products and I was looking at their Recovery Accelator.

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This place is all about Jennʻs Adventures: a Maui Girl who has evolved in to the modern day female nomad! Departing from her home in 2005 until the beginning of 2011, only the leave again less than a year later. Follow Jenn's Adventures in life, healthy living, travel, and love. To learn even more about Jennʻs Adventures, read this! Thanks for stopping by, please stay awhile & say ALOHA!

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