On the hunt for the best vegan protein powder to hit your daily protein goals? More and more people are interested in veganism for various reasons. There are now many options for products that are dairy-free and made without cow derivatives.
And, good news. Contrary to popular belief, you can take plant-based powders and still get all the essential amino acids your body needs.
However, it is worth noting that protein powder is not a dietary essential: It is possible to get enough of the macronutrient from your food, without needing to take it in liquid form as well. If you want to improve your physical appearance, taking a supplement can help you get the nutrients you need.
Why is protein important?
The first benefit of whey protein is that it helps your muscles recover after working out. This is because protein makes up 43% of your muscles. It also helps prevent chronic disease and keep you limber enough to perform necessary tasks like carrying the shopping and small children, although preferably not at the same time!
Protein is an important nutrient that is necessary for good health. It is one of three macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and fat.
How much protein do you need?
The UK National Health Service (NHS) suggests that adults should consume 50 grams of protein per day. If your goal is to build muscle or repair after a hard workout, you will need more than this.
The ideal amount of protein to consume at each meal is about 20 grams, which would equate to around 60 grams per day, according to award-winning nutritionist Anita Bean.
Some studies have suggested that the protein guidelines are too low, especially if you’re an active person.
According to nutritionist Jenna Hope, people who exercise for 150 minutes or more per week need to consume 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Athletes need even more protein.
A highly active woman weighing 65kg should aim for 78-97.5g of protein per day.
Is vegan protein better than whey?
Since protein powders arrived on the scene as a good way to follow up a heavy workout, whey-based formulas have been lauded as the best possible option. Why? Some people argue that plant proteins are not as effective as their dairy-based counterparts because they are missing at least one of the nine essential amino acids.
A recent study found that brown rice may be just as effective at the job of building muscle as whey. While plant protein may be incomplete, you can create a complete protein by eating lots of other plant-based proteins – like veggies and legumes.
8 best vegan protein powders
Before we start, there are a few different types of protein powders. Different sources of protein are blended together to create a ‘complete protein’ that provides your body with everything it needs.
Some proteins only come from one source, which is ideal if you have an intolerance or want to be able to choose where you get your nutrients and amino acids from.
The best way to lose weight is to find a diet that works well for you and your individual needs.
1) Best vegan protein powder
OTE Sports Soya Protein Drink
If you’re constantly on the move, you’ll love our best plant-based protein powder. The product comes in single-serve sachets that are easy to take with you and drink quickly, whether you’re at your desk or on your way to the gym. The texture of the drink is smooth and it tastes good with water. When mixed with milk, it is even better.
This product contains everything you need for optimal recovery, including a decent carb count, electrolytes, and vitamins.
2) Best salted caramel flavor
PhD Diet Plant Powder
Calling all sweet tooths! This protein powder has a salted caramel flavor and can be mixed with milk or water to create a drink that tastes like a liquid dessert. The packaging is recyclable, and the powdery texture means it mixes well – earning it top marks.
Our testers found that this product helped them to recover after their workout, with one person saying that they felt less fatigued afterwards and that it kept them satisfied throughout the day. If you want a more nutritionally dense shake, blend this drink with a frozen banana and some plant milk.
3) Best for multi-tasking ingredients
Form Performance Protein
Form’s vegan blend is one of the best plant-based protein sources, and it’s definitely worth it. This supplement is easy to mix and contains 30g of pea protein, 5g of BCAAs, turmeric, and digestive enzymes. It is a good choice for plant-based athletes who want to build muscle, decrease fatigue, and reduce soreness after workouts.
The company is trying to be 100% plastic-free and compostable by not including a scoop, but clear instructions explain how to measure it out with a tablespoon.
Our panel loved the chocolate hazelnut flavor because it was the perfect level of sweetness. If you prefer natural flavors, go for their unflavored option. It’s good for baking and can be mixed into soups and dips.
4) Best vanilla-flavored plant protein
The Protein Works Vegan Wondershake
worrying about moving from your regular whey protein to a plant-based one? This is a good shake to get because it is designed to taste like a dairy shake. The testers found the vanilla to be sweet but not too overwhelming, and said it was perfect for baking due to its consistency. Hiya protein pancakes and brownies!
The unique Quadplant™ technology is a combination of pea, brown rice, hemp, and soy protein that is designed to help with energy and recovery. Our testers said the product made them feel rejuvenated after a tough run. This product comes with a screw on lid to help keep it fresh.
5) Best low-calorie option
Huel Complete Protein
A protein powder with multiple plant-based sources can help you get the ideal levels of essential amino acids. A single product, like Huel, may include a combination of hemp, faba, and pea proteins. Each serving of this drink contains 20g of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals, making it a quick and easy way to hit your nutrient goals. This is especially helpful for those of us who are busy or have poor time management skills.
This chocolate is very flavorful, but it is a little grainy in texture. Mixing it with frozen fruit and plant milk would create a smoother consistency. This product only has 105 calories and 0.6 grams of sugar, making it a good choice if you are trying to cut down on calories.
6) Best post-workout shake
Shreddy Vegan Protein
Grace Beverley, an influencer who turned into an entrepreneur, is the founder of Shreddy. The company is well-known for its vegan protein blend. And after trying it, we can totally see why. The flavor of the chocolate cookie dough was very good and our panelists praised it for its texture and mixability. This protein powder is very easy to mix, tasting great with just water. It is perfect for when you are in a hurry and do not have time to make a smoothie.
Some testers were annoyed that the ice cream didn’t come with a scoop, but we bet you have one at home. Otherwise, just use a tablespoon.
7) Best clear plant-based protein
Myvegan Clear Vegan Protein
I’ve never been disappointed with a Myvegan product. The protein in their drink is clear and tastes similar to fruit squash. This is a healthier alternative to other protein shakes which have a creamier texture. The panel thought the raspberry mojito flavor was light, refreshing, and easy to drink quickly – perfect for after a sweaty workout.
Though it only provides 10 grams of protein per serving, at only 52 calories you could add a couple of scoops to your shaker for a more substantial protein intake. Meat contains a high amount of macro nutrients which are good for building muscle. It also contains half of the recommended daily amount of B vitamins, including B12, which can be difficult to get enough of when following a plant-based diet.
The packaging is fully recyclable and biodegradable, so it won’t have a negative impact on the environment.
8) Best for dietary requirements
Boxd Plant Based Pea Pouch
We love that Boxd only uses a handful of good quality ingredients in their plant-based protein- there are no extras Bulking up the ingredients list. This food provides a high amount of pea protein as well as 16 multivitamins, which the brand suggests will improve your energy, immunity, and brain function. This product is free of soy, gluten, wheat, and nuts, and its sweetness comes from xylitol and stevia, which are easy on the stomach.
Myprotein Clear Vegan Isolate: A Refreshing Twist On Plant Protein
Myprotein is known for their large variety of protein powders. Myprotein is not only known for their wide variety of high-quality protein powders, but also for their unbeatable prices. This store seems to have every type of protein powder, from vegan to whey, as well as every type in between. They also have those amazing Triple Stack Protein Bars!
Myprotein, after taking over the UK market, decided to branch out and launch in the US. They hoped to improve their business by releasing new products, expanding their brand, and gaining more customers. Now that Myprotein is here, we can expect some great things from them, including a new and unique take on protein powder.
Myprotein Adds Clear Vegan Isolate to Offer More Options!
They decided to create a new protein powder that was made from plant-based ingredients and that would be loved by people who preferred a more natural protein powder. They knew that it would be a difficult task to create a vegan protein powder that tastes good and has a good consistency.
After months of trial and error, Myprotein was somehow able to create a product that is unlike anything we’ve seen before. We’re not quite sure how they did it, but they managed to pull it off. We are excited to announce that Clear Vegan Isolate is now available for everyone who would rather use a plant-based protein opposed to dairy!
Clear Vegan Isolate Macronutrients
Myprotein is known for having incredibly low levels of fat and carbohydrates in their proteins. Obviously, the Clear Vegan Isolate will help to control your urges while you are trying to stick to your diet.
This protein powder is made from plants, so it has a higher carb count than protein powders made from dairy. A small amount of carbs is not a big deal when you consider the whole diet – especially if you are also eating protein.
Here’s what one serving (14.3g) of Clear Vegan Isolate contains:
- Calories: 50
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 2g
- Sugars: 0g
- Fat: 0g
This powder has a high protein to weight ratio, making it a good choice for those looking for a vegan protein powder. You want a protein powder that will give you exactly what you want. You can always add your preferred nutrients (or fats) inexpensively.
In addition, protein may be more difficult to obtain on a vegan/vegetarian diet. If you do not pay attention to what kinds of protein you are eating or how much you are eating, it is easy to not get enough protein. Protein powders are also convenient for on-the-go, post workout, desserts, and in between meals!
Clear Vegan Isolate Ingredients
The star ingredient in this product is hydrolyzed pea protein!
Pea protein is one of the best sources of plant protein you can get, research shows it can be just as good as whey protein! A study done in 2015 took 161 males and divided them evenly into three groups: one group received whey protein, one served as the placebo, and the last group got pea protein.
Each group was assigned to either take 25g of protein from whey or pea. They went through a resistance training program for 12 weeks. The placebo group was given a drink that only contained maltodextrin.
Pea Protein Goes Head to Head with Whey Protein: The Results!
At the end of the twelve-week period, the researchers found that the group who had been taking pea protein had an increase of 20.2% in the thickness of their biceps brachii, compared to only an 8.6% increase in the thickness of the biceps brachii of the group who had been taking the placebo. There was no significant difference found when the two groups were compared.
Is it not important to find anything significant in this case? This means that pea protein is just as effective as whey protein. Since we know that whey protein is effective, some people may want to avoid dairy or consume only plant-based proteins. A study comparing the amino acid profiles of whey and pea found that they are similar. Leucine is an important amino acid for muscle growth, so whey and pea proteins are often compared. Although whey has more leucine, pea protein can still help with muscle growth. In short, there is no need to worry about missing out on any gains by using pea protein instead of its dairy alternative when supplementing a scoop a day.
