Best Protein Powder for Vegan: A Must-Read for All the Vegetarians
The Need for Vegan Protein Powder
By increasing your protein intake while following a plant-based diet, the best vegan protein powders can assist you in making the gains you've always desired. Vegan protein powders can help vegans and vegetarians who occasionally struggle to consume enough complete proteins (containing all nine essential amino acids) in their diet.
The best protein powder for vegans allows you to get up to 31g of protein per serving, so you don't have to rely solely on your diet to meet your needs. On average, most powders contain 20–25g of protein per serving, though some fall just a bit short, and some are more potent.
Luckily, anyone looking to increase their protein intake can choose from various protein powders for vegetarians and plant-based protein powders. Protein powders can be added to smoothies for a quick and satisfying breakfast because they are adaptable.
They can also be included in sauces, yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods, and even baked goods. What you need to know about various vegan protein powders is provided here, along with advice on choosing the best one for you.
So, let us deep dive into the world of the best protein powder for vegetarians.
Best Protein Powder for Vegan
Here is a list of the best protein powder for vegans that you must try at least once in your lifespan.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
Our top choice is Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein, which is also NSF Certified for Sport and a complete vegan protein source. With 30 grams of protein per two scoops, it has a protein blend with peas, beans, sprouted lentils, and garbanzo bean proteins.
One serving of Garden of Life Raw Organic protein, which is certified organic, provides 50% of the daily value for both selenium and manganese and 40% of the daily value for iron, zinc, and other micronutrients.
Additionally, it has a recovery blend with antioxidant power that includes tart cherry, turmeric, apple, and blueberry. Although it also comes in vanilla, we prefer the organic cacao-based chocolate flavor.
Bifidobacterium lactis, a probiotic, is a component of the Garden of Life Raw Organic protein. The benefits of probiotics in healthy people are still up for debate. Still, this probiotic strain may improve immune health and bowel function, particularly by lowering the risk of diarrhea and diarrhea brought on by antibiotics.
KOS Vegan Protein Powder
Incorporate the best protein possible into all of your smoothie recipes. This renowned protein blend is nutrient-dense and delicious thanks to the inclusion of premium organic Peruvian cacao, Himalayan salt, organic coconut milk, a dash of stevia and monk fruit, and other ingredients.
Plant protein is a fantastic weight-loss supplement because it contains soluble fiber that keeps you feeling fuller for longer. Soluble fibers found in plant proteins help you feel full for longer. You consume fewer calories without sacrificing nutrition. 20 g of protein per serving is still a lot.
Huel Protein Powder
The company Huel, best known for its plant-based meal replacement powders, has expanded into flavored goods and wholesome snacks, such as this impressive protein powder, which manages the extraordinary task of combining a plant-based product's excellent flavor and texture with a full range of nutritional benefits.
Although it has fewer calories and carbs than would be advised for a complete meal, it is still a high-protein snack that is nutritionally complete. It is not meant to be a meal replacement or your only source of nutrition.
It uses pea, faba pea, and hemp seed as sources of protein, contains all 26 recommended vitamins, minerals, and macro- and micronutrients, and complies with UK and EU guidelines.
There are a few negatives. Since sample sizes are unavailable and there is a minimum order of two tubs, you might be hesitant to choose a specific flavor. However, it tastes fantastic and blends very easily. This protein powder scored the highest overall among those we tested.
MyProtein Vegan Protein Blend
MyProtein is renowned for its trustworthy goods that provide an exact value for money. This is appropriate for its vegan protein powder. It is available in a wide variety of flavors (admittedly, not as many as the mind-boggling 40+ flavors that its whey protein comes in, but still more than most of its vegan competitors), and each serving contains a substantial 22g of protein for only 110 calories.
It's not as natural as some of the more expensive vegan protein powders as you might anticipate from a value product.
Strict vegans and vegetarians should know that it contains processed ingredients like high-oleic sunflower oil, xanthan gum, and sucralose. MyProtein also produces products like beef biltong, hydrolyzed beef protein, and fish oils. Not everyone enjoys the flavors; we thought the chocolate flavor was uncharacteristically unchocolatey and artificial.
Additionally, some of our testers who consumed this protein powder reported having a mildly unpleasant cotton mouth feeling. When combined with fruit, peanut butter, or other ingredients, it blends well and doesn't overpower the flavor.
The Protein Works Vegan Protein
The protein powder in question is a blend of five different types of protein and was created by vegan nutritionists. This protein powder provides the most with a potent 25.1g of protein per serving.
It is not the simplest vegan protein powder to blend; to achieve a smooth consistency, we found that you really need a metal spiral or a blender. It's also clearly made for people who love sweets. But even when combined with fruit or peanut butter, it didn't feel overpowering and worked well with water and plant-based milk.
Protein Works has two additional varieties of this protein powder that it sells: a diet variety with fewer calories and an extreme variety (infused with a mineral and vitamin blend). The fact that this company also creates items like whey protein and fish oils should be noted by strict vegetarians and vegans.
Maximuscle Plant Max Vegan Protein Powder
Anyone participating in athletic competitions will know how crucial it is to avoid taking prohibited substances, whether on purpose or accidentally. You can be sure that using this protein powder will not cause you to break any anti-doping rules. According to the Informed-Sport program, all batches are tested for prohibited substances.
Although, unfortunately, the flavor and texture are fairly good, only two flavors are available—chocolate and banana. There should be more options, including vanilla, and only one size is available (although the pouch arguably makes it more environmentally friendly than a tub).
Strict vegans might be hesitant to purchase from a company that also makes whey products and fish oils, which are non-vegan products. If you enjoy using creatine powder, we discovered that this supplement blended incredibly well with both creatine and water.
Innermost The Health Protein
To create its products, Innermost Health says it uses best practices from Ayurvedic and Asian medicine" in addition to science and research. This plant-based protein powder checks all the immune-supporting boxes by providing an exceptional 31g of protein per serving and glutamine and medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, maitake, reishi, and cordyceps).
With 150 calories per serving, it has a slightly higher calorie count than most other vegan protein powders.
However, the protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener, and vegans and vegetarians should be aware that some of their products, like the collagen peptides, are not vegetarian despite the company's strong emphasis on natural and non-GMO ingredients.
We enjoyed the flavor, though there was a slightly off-putting undertone that we were aware of—possibly because of the impressive list of ingredients—and it blended well.
Form Performance Protein
This protein powder has a lot to offer.
It tastes pretty good and contains high-quality, plant-based proteins, which give it a powerful protein punch. We enjoyed how smooth and creamy the texture was. Although some flavors may seem way too sweet, the powder is simple to mix and has fun flavors. Combined with other ingredients, they might make the flavor taste too strong.
The form is still worthwhile to use. Each serving of their protein powder contains 5g of glutamine and 5g of BCAA, making it the ideal supplement for muscle growth. Additionally, it has several digestive enzymes and is free of thickeners and artificial flavors, which can be advantageous for those with digestive problems.
Vegans can be confident that it comes from a company that only sells products made from plants (even the omega oils are vegan). Although it isn't cheap, most flavors are offered in smaller sample sizes, and the packaging is entirely made of compostable plastic-free materials, so you are getting a product that is environmentally friendly in every way.
It makes sense that it has received honors. The flavors and the protein-to-calorie ratio have received positive reviews. Not everyone enjoys it; some complaint about the flavor, powdery texture, and excessive sweetness.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best protein powders for vegans. To avoid purchasing a vegan protein powder with artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors, it is advised to look for products with straightforward, easily recognized ingredients.
Common vegan protein powder sources include mixtures of plant-based proteins like pea, brown rice, and various seeds, making these vegan protein powders the most widely available and frequently least expensive.
However, it should be noted that protein powders made from soy may be nutritionally superior to other types because they contain all nine essential amino acids.