Best Vegan Protein Powder – Top Plant-Based Supplements in 2019
21.9% of the population of the globe is considered vegetarian and only eat plant-based foods. This means that there is a need for the Best Vegan Protein Powder as well. As consuming enough protein for vegans may prove difficult from foods alone, it is always worth exploring quality supplements for a complete nutrition. The general recommended protein intake varies from 0.6 to over 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. This means that people have different needs when it comes to protein consumption and some of them can be met with the help of a protein powder.
Top 5 Vegan Protein Powders
| ① Transparent Labs Organic Vegan - TOP PICK |  |
| ② Vega One All-In-One |  |
| ③ KOS Organic Plant Based Protein |  |
| ④ SAN Nutrition RawFusion |  |
| ⑤ Ora Organic Protein Powder |  |
With no dairy, no eggs, and no meat, you have to approach protein consumption differently. Some vegan options include the products which are made from brown rice, peas or soy. Some other options include:
- Flaxseed
- Quinoa
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chia seeds
These healthy alternatives to animal-based products can represent a great foundation for all people and especially for active people. There are a few essential processes which are sustained by protein. At the same time, there are some clear benefits to the consumption of a quality protein supplement. The following sections address how vegan protein supplements work and how they can benefit you.
Protein and Its Functions
Protein has important functions in the body. Besides serving muscle recovery and development, protein also comes with brain benefits and blood sugar levels reduction. With a role in skin elasticity in the form of collagen protein, it can be one of the powders to be consumed additionally as a mean to reduce the effects of aging.
Boosts Muscle Mass
One of the most important benefits of protein, even from vegan sources comes with muscle mass development. Based on amino acids, protein can be one of the recommended nutrients when you want to improve muscle recovery and to boost muscle development as well.
One of the complete proteins comes with collagen protein which contains all 9 essential amino acids. Luckily, there are plenty of plant sources for this type of protein and this is why it is important to look at the options which allow you a daily consumption with good quality of its sources and which is also sustainable for your budget.
Muscle mass is also influenced by other nutrients but protein has a significant role in this area. This is why its combination with a good micronutrient profile of vitamins and minerals is very important. In simple terms, you will even be able to find protein powders which come with added ingredients for more complex formulations.
Weight Loss by Filling You Up
Protein is one of the filling nutrients alongside fats. It represents a viable option when it comes to weight loss diets as well. This is why many of these diets or even simple meal plans are based on protein.
Weight loss is not triggered by protein but it can be one of the indirect benefits of its consumption. If you consume the recommended daily intake of around 1 gram per pound of body weight, it is a trigger for muscle mass development which burns more body fat to gain energy.
This is why it is essential to know that you should not aim to simply lose body weight but you should always want to lose fat and not muscles.
Normalizes Blood Sugars
Protein has an interesting benefit for the blood sugar levels as well. Since insulin is required to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, you might think that their absorption is the same. But there is considerable less insulin required to metabolize protein than carbohydrates. It is thus the case that prioritizing certain nutrient can help you reduce blood sugar levels and thus further reduce the risk of diabetes.
Promotes Brain Health
The brain uses different nutrients for its functions. A series of its nutrients is represented by amino acids. A complete chain of essential amino acids can be found in protein. This is why it is highly recommended not to deprive your brain of amino acids and protein consumption if you want to maintain good memory and focus. At the same time, consuming protein does not mean that you will focus better. It is more about avoiding amino acid deprivation.
Maintains Healthy Joints
Protein in its many forms such as collagen supports the joints and connective tissues in the body. Together with fats, it can ensure that you maintain good mobility in your joints. At the same time, this can be influenced by the levels of activity you have and even by your age.
More active people need better focus on joint health with ingredients such as Omega 3 and protein as the joints are worked more intensely. Aging people might start seeing declining mobility and even poor ingredient absorption and this is where a good protein intake is recommended. Bone broth is one of the leading foods for this purpose. But vegans can also have their own choice of complete proteins in the form of plant-based collagen for the same benefit. It is also highly important to consider the solutions you have when it comes to this permanent nutrient intake as you cannot prioritize only on certain weeks.
Top 5 Pea & Rice Protein Powders
| ① Transparent Labs Organic Vegan - TOP PICK | |
| ② Thorne Rice & Pea | |
| ③ Seeking Health Optimal Protein | |
| ④ Terra Origin Plant Protein | |
| ⑤ Invite Health Protein Powder | |
Improves Skin Elasticity
Collagen protein can also have a positive impact on skin elasticity. Requiring a large amount of protein, the skin can become loose after a period of drastic weight loss or due to aging. In many cases, this means that collagen intake can be one of the natural solutions to consider for better skin.
Since there is medication to tackle this issue as well, you always want to try some protein prioritization first. Tackling this can be complicated with protein from foods alone and this is where the vegan protein powders can prove to be great for practicality.
Vegan Protein Powder Benefits
Vegan protein powder is still not considered as a viable option by non-vegans. But it comes with some distinct advantages which might make some of them reconsider their position. At the same time, it is not truly meant as a solution to promote the replacement of animal-based proteins as it is different to an extent.
Added Antioxidants
Vegan protein comes from different sources. These sources are often the ones which offer a good solution to those who seek a better complexity. In many cases, this complexity comes with added antioxidants. This is why it is important to know that you can see improved results and in most situations, you will also be able to find the right solutions when it comes to better overall extended benefits.
Antioxidants reduce stress at the cellular level. They are highly recommended to diminish the effects of aging and they are also recommended in situations where your body is under a lot of stress. This situation involves high physical activity. This being said, the antioxidants in vegan protein cannot tackle the effects of oxidative stress but they can act to keep them away in the first place.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Vegan protein, in some cases, can be friendlier to the environment. Since the increasing number of animals has a negative impact on the quality of the air, vegan protein can be a viable alternative. If the sources are organic, such as with organic brown rice, vegan protein becomes more sustainable. Healthier and with a reduced impact on the environment, this type of protein is one of the leading solutions when it comes to better overall crop sustainability and improved use of available farmlands.
No Hormones or Antibiotics
Of course, vegan protein means that you can stay away from some of the most harmful chemicals and medication used in animal growth. Certain growth hormones and even the high amount of antibiotics administered to animals have a vastly negative impact on human health. With hormone imbalance and even with a reduced response to antibiotics when you need them, you have the option to move towards vegan proteins which can keep these problems away.
Weight Loss with Saturated Fats
Weight loss can be aided by different nutrients. One of them represents healthy fats in a long chain or medium chain triglycerides. Fats derived from coconuts are the best for this reason. Some of them are really fast to absorb and they can be used to trigger fat loss. At the same time, these fats can be used for extra energy. Their profile is impressive and cannot be really substituted by any other alternative.
The fats in plants which often come with protein powders can act as a trigger for a better metabolism. They also have a positive impact on hormone balance as well. It can be said that they can be one of the nutrients to be consumed on various weight loss programs.
Calorie Control
One of the most important benefits of protein powders comes with precise caloric control. Measured by servings, they represent a viable option when it comes to better overall health through calorie control. For example, if you want to lose weight you need to eat slightly fewer calories and a protein powder will inform you on the exact caloric impact of a serving.
A typical protein powder serving comes with a caloric content between 100 and 200 calories. This is not considered when part of the nutrition of an entire day. Most importantly, they are better than 100 calories which can come from highly-processed foods with better nutrient availability.
Good Flavor Options
You might think that plant-based protein doesn’t taste too good. But this is far from the truth in many cases. With natural sweeteners such as stevia, vegan protein can even come with different natural flavors to make its consumption more pleasant. In many cases, you have a selection of a few flavors from the leading manufacturers. But these flavors need to maintain a healthy profile as well if you plan to consume the protein for months.
Easy to Consume
One of the biggest advantages of vegan protein powder is that you can easily prepare it and consume it in any location. While you can always mix it with water at home, you can also consume it at work or at the gym. If you want to make it a slower-digesting formulation, you can replace water with coconut milk or almond milk as well. These types of slower-acting solutions are generally recommended when you need to feed your muscles for hours.
At the same time, the protein needs to be consumed on the spot since it may not taste too good when you leave it for more than an hour mixed with water. This is why you always need to be prepared to consume the protein on the spot.
With good practicality, good nutrients, unique antioxidants and unrivaled environmental sustainability, vegan protein powders can come to aid your vegan lifestyle. Here are the leading options to consider:
Top 5 Vegan Protein Powders
| ① Transparent Labs Organic Vegan - TOP PICK | |
| ② Vega One All-In-One | |
| ③ KOS Organic Plant Based Protein | |
| ④ SAN Nutrition RawFusion | |
| ⑤ Ora Organic Protein Powder | |
① Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein
Made with a combination of proteins, the Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein offers a decent serving for all people. With 24 grams of protein, the powder can also be consumed by highly active people. It comes with flavor options such as chocolate and vanilla and it is one of the proteins which has a pleasant taste making it a good option for long-term consumption. Made with 140 calories per serving, it is also a valuable option for weight loss.
Pros
- Made with 24 grams of protein per serving
- No artificial sweeteners
- No artificial colors
Cons
- 7 grams of carbohydrates
If you need a protein which is reliable in purity, the powder offered by Transparent Labs can represent one of the leading choices as it is made with minimum ingredients. Combining pea and rice protein, it is also easy to mix and it comes with a pleasant texture as well as this can be an issue with many types of powders. With only two flavors to choose from, it can also be one of the options to consider when it comes to better overall versatility as it can also be added to different shakes to make them sweeter.
② Vega One All-In-One Plant Based Protein Powder
Made with a combination of recognized ingredients, the Vega One All-In-One Plant Based Protein Powder is one of the complex solutions to consider. Based on pea protein, it also uses protein from flaxseed and hemp as well. It mainly stands out with its 12 added vitamins and minerals in addition to the Omega 3, even if in lower quantities. Made with probiotics, it is one of the supplements to consider for improved digestion as well.
Pros
- Unique formulation
- Based on pea, flaxseed and hemp protein
- Recommended for better digestion
- Comes with Omega 3
Cons
- High in fiber
Finding the right type of vegan protein is not always easy, especially in the conditions in which you want to maximize your results with a complete profile of essential amino acids. But the protein powder from Vega aims to offer an integrated solution which can also replace products such as probiotics and natural healthy fats. Made with 20 grams of protein per serving, it can be used both by active people and by those who want to tackle the effects of aging on the digestive system.
③ KOS Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
The KOS Organic Plant Based Protein Powder Chocolate is one of the high-quality options which are recommended for their mostly organic ingredients. Like many products in its class, it comes with a mix of vegan proteins. But most importantly, they are not your common protein sources. The proteins are made from pea, flax seed, quinoa, pumpkin seed and chia seeds. Many of these organic sources are highly regarded in the health community. Sweetened with coconut sugar and stevia, the distinctive formulation offers 20 grams of protein with each one of its 30 servings.
Pros
- Made with pea and quinoa protein
- Contains chia seed protein
- Sweetened with coconut sugar
Cons
- Only two flavors at the moment
With chocolate and vanilla flavors, the protein is one of the distinct options in the organic segment. With mostly organic ingredients, it offers a solution when it comes to better overall health, especially in the conditions in which it is also improved with Peruvian cacao rich in antioxidants. It represents a delicious blend which is recommended for those who do not like the taste of alternative protein powders in the vegan segment.
④ SAN Nutrition RawFusion Plant Protein Powder
The SAN Nutrition RawFusion Plant Protein Powder is a unique formulation in terms of protein sources. While its pea and rice protein is common among the alternative products, it also comes with the rare artichoke protein. At the same time, these proteins are made in isolate form which further reduces their carbohydrate content. With 21 grams per serving, the stevia-sweetened protein can be a distinct option which translates to better amino acid profiles as well.
Pros
- Distinct added artichoke protein
- Sweetened with stevia
- Recommended for active people
Cons
- Flavors can be improved
With a rare formulation, the protein is a good solution for active people who need to recover from physical activity. It can be used to lose weight as it is easy to digest. It can also be used to gain muscle size and with a large pallet of flavors, it represents a viable option for many people. While it is not the most affordable vegan protein, it can be an option for those seeking a change from their regular one-ingredient protein powders.
⑤ Ora Organic Organic Protein Powder
Made with a complex selection of protein sources, the Ora Organic Organic Protein Powder is one of the leading options when it comes to better overall nutrition. While not all of its ingredients are actually proven in weight loss or muscle gain, their quality can be used to add protein to your diet which you would not normally find to be easy to access. While rice and hemp seed protein are easy to find, some of its other ingredients such as sprouted quinoa, acai berries, and added blueberries make it a viable option for tackling the effects of aging. For this purpose, the protein is also made with added digestive enzymes.
Pros
- Made with acai berries and blueberries
- Based on sprouted quinoa
- Added digestive enzymes
Cons
- The flavor can be improved
The complex protein is thus one of the leading options when it comes to better overall nutrition. At the same time, it comes with some ingredients which are not necessarily the best when it comes to muscle development. But its formulation which includes digestive enzymes is largely recommended when it comes to improving gut health. This is why it can be added to foods such as oats when you want to tackle some of the effects of aging, such as poor nutrient absorption.
⑥ Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Marketed as one of the supplements to be considered by busy professionals, the Orgain Organic Protein Powder is one of the recommended solutions. With an average 21 grams of vegan protein, it also comes with 5 grams of fiber which is slightly below the market average for this ingredient. With different flavors to consider which include the distinct peanut butter, it can be one of the options to supplement your daily protein intake with a delicious formula.
Pros
- 21 grams of protein per serving
- Recommended for fiber
- Comes with the unique peanut butter flavor
Cons
- Best for smoothies
The protein doesn’t come with overpowering flavors which means that it will not change the taste of the smoothies you might mix it with. At the same time, it also comes with a small quantity of fiber which should positively impact your digestive system when you decide to consume the protein powder for long periods of time. It represents a great solution if you plan to make your own meal replacement shakes.
⑦ Garden of Life Organic Vegan Protein Powder
As one of the complex formulations made with vitamins and probiotics, the Garden of Life Organic Vegan Protein Powder is one of the leading options when it comes to ingredient quality. All the fans of the manufacturer place ingredient quality above all other characteristics and the same can be said about the vegan protein powder. Made with organic pea, Amaranth Sprout, and Buckwheat sprout, it comes with 22 grams of protein and 4 grams of BCAAs.
Pros
- Made with 13 organic sprouts
- Comes with 4 grams of amino acids
- Perfect for better recovery
Cons
- Taste not great for all people
The organic protein comes with its unique approach with a strong base in sprouted sources of protein. At the same time, each serving of protein delivers a market-average of 22 grams of protein which recommends it as a daily driver when you want better recovery from physical activity. The protein powder also comes with 4 grams of essential amino acids to boost the nutrition of your muscles with intense workouts. With zero sugar, the formulation can be appreciated by those who seek rare ingredients.
⑧ Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Organic Plant-Based Vegan Protein
Optimum Nutrition is one of the respected brands in the protein world. The Gold Standard 100% Organic Plant-Based Vegan Protein is one of the lesser known proteins from the brand. But it can be a valuable choice for many people.
Based on the same popular protein combinations which characterize the leading products on the market, the powder also comes with a tasty experience mainly due to the added organic cinnamon and stevia. With 24 grams of protein, it represents a viable solution at any fitness level. It also comes with the recommended daily Vitamin C intake which means it can also boost your immune system.
Pros
- Made with multiple protein sources
- Great for athletes
- Recommended for label accuracy
Cons
- Needs better promotion in the segment
The protein also comes with 4 grams of Glutamine. The amino acid is recommended when it comes to keeping your muscle mass. If you are going on a low-calorie diet, it represents a real option to prevent muscle catabolism. With some of the most mature flavors in its class, it also stands out when it comes to better overall flavor for most people.
⑨ Naturade VeganSmart Plant-Based Protein
The Naturade VeganSmart Plant Based Protein is a complex formula. It comes with some of the most beneficial ingredients which are normally associated with a vegan diet as outlined above. This includes the Omega 3 fats, fibers, minerals, and prebiotics. Seen as one of the leading options when it comes to better overall nutrition, it represents a viable solution to even be seen as a meal replacement, if you are considering losing weight.
Pros
- Complex formulation
- True to vegan benefits
- Made with added minerals
Cons
- High in stevia
The protein is one of the few options which offer the distinct chai flavor. But even in these conditions, it can be too sweet for some users. At the same time, it is also complex and it is mainly used as a protein which comes with higher absorption rates. This immediately recommends it for people who have problems in this area or for those who are working with strict caloric goals.
⑩ BN Labs Organic Vegan Protein
The BN Labs Organic Vegan Protein is marketed as better than whey. In some aspects, it is as it comes with vegan protein which is based on brown rice which is easy to digest. With 28 grams of protein, it can be one of the options to consider when it comes to better iron intake as well, which is great for better strength. High in Glutamine, the protein powder is also one of the great options when it comes to maintaining the muscle mass through periods of low caloric consumption.
Pros
- High 28 grams of protein per serving
- Made with spirulina
- Added hemp seed protein
Cons
- Sweet for some people
The powder can be one of the highest in protein in its class with its 28 grams per serving. This makes it a great solution for those looking to build more muscle, such as people who train strength. At the same time, it combines various proteins from spirulina, hemp, and peas. With such high protein, it also comes with high amino acid levels as well. With 6 grams of BCAAs, it is highly recommended for muscle development.
⑪ MRM Veggie Elite Performance Protein
The Veggie Elite Performance Protein from MRM is free from fillers. Made with no genetic modifications, it represents a fair powder which can be consumed by most users. Free from soy traces, it works well when it comes to reducing hunger as well.
Pros
- Strong chocolate tasted
- High in Glutamine
- 24 grams of protein with each serving
Cons
- No innovation
The protein can be relied-upon for recovery. It can easily be consumed before workouts as well. This is why it represents a viable option when it comes to amino acid intake as well, especially Glutamine. With different flavors to choose from, you can have your own custom protein which can also be combined in various smoothies as well.
Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Protein Powder
There are various combinations of the Best Plant Based Protein Powder to choose from. Some of them focus on the pure approach while other also add different fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, minerals or amino acids. While there is no perfect combination, it is surely recommended to choose a product free from fillers. As a good starting point, this can also be followed by a protein which is easy to use and which also comes with a pleasant taste as this is not always the case with the vegan alternatives.
One such product is Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). Made with no artificial fillers, it comes as the recommended solution to boost your calories with 24 grams of protein. As the trusted solution, the product can be used on its own with water and it can also be used with other drinks such as vegan milk or shakes. At the same time, the protein is low in carbohydrates. This makes it the option to choose when it comes to losing weight as well. With chocolate and vanilla flavors, it is one of the options to consume for its pleasant taste as well.
About Becca Shaeffer
Becca Shaeffer is our resident health nut. An Ohio native, she loathes for the day she can quit her day job and move to somewhere warmer. When she's not at the gym, she's either hacking her way through skin treatments or thinking about her favorite cheat meal - thin crust pizza with anchovies and jalapenos.
