The 10 Best Vegan Protein Powders For 2021
- Best for weight gain:Iron Vegan Athletes Gainer
Protein powders can be an easy way to increase your intake of protein.
They can be especially useful for athletes as well as those having difficulty meeting their protein needs from food sources alone.
However, many protein powders on the market contain animal products, such as whey protein, which can make it challenging for vegans to find suitable plant-based protein supplements.
The products featured in this article were selected based on the following criteria:
- quality of ingredients
- lack of additives, fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavors
- use of third-party testing
- adherence to manufacturing quality standards
Here are 10 of the best vegan protein powders for 2021.
Price: $$$With 30 grams of protein packed into each serving, adding this plant-based powder to your routine can be an easy way to bump up your protein intake.It features protein sourced from peas, sprouted navy beans, sprouted lentil beans, sprouted garbanzo beans, and cranberry seeds.Its also certified organic and has a vanilla flavor that works well mixed with water or almond milk.Whats more, this product is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning that it has undergone third-party testing to ensure that it does not contain unsafe levels of contaminants or substances that are prohibited for athletes.
Does Plant Protein Contain Branched
Yes, some do.
Out of the 9 essential amino acids that your body must get from food, 3 of these are known as branched-chain amino acids .
- Valine
- isoleucine
BCAAâs are usually found in meat, poultry, fish and dairy products like eggs. However, they can also be found in some high-quality plant-based protein powders.
Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder
- Animal/bone broth protein
- 20 g protein per serving
This Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder is made from real bone broth. Its made a point to be allergen friendly, and its free from dairy, gluten, and nuts. Each serving contains 20 grams of bone broth protein. It contains Collagen Type II, which is great for bones, joints, hair, nails, and skin. The bone broth collagen is sourced from animal protein, and through non-GMO chickens from the United States.
It comes in four flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Turmeric, and Pure.
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What Is Brown Rice Protein
Brown rice protein is a protein supplement made from brown rice, which is converted into powder form. The brown rice is treated with select enzymes that cause the protein and carbohydrates that make up the rice to separate. The protein is isolated, resulting in a protein powder. Like pea protein, brown rice protein is hypoallergenic and has many health benefits. But unlike pea protein, brown rice protein does not provide all nine essential amino acids. It is not technically considered a source of complete protein because it doesnt contain adequate amounts of amino acids needed by the body, although it is high in cysteine and methionine. Brown rice protein is lower in lysine.
When To Take Your Gluten
- For Building Muscle
For anyone with a goal of building muscle mass, research has demonstrated the best time to take a protein supplement is right after each workout. Here are a few ways that can help boost your muscle-building potential.
Benefits of post-workout protein:
- Decrease delayed-onset muscle sorenessAcute milk-based proteinCHO supplementation attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage
This is important for women as well as men, no matter the fitness goal. Since muscle is more calorie-hungry than fat, it helps to best your calorie burning potential . So the more muscle you have, the more calories youll burn. For more information, you can read our guide on the best protein powders for women.
- For Weight Loss
For anyone wanting to drop a few pounds, its still best to take your protein shake right after each workout. As touched on above, this helps boost muscle mass, which in turn helps with burning more calories.
For anyone who doesnt work out, its best to drink a protein shake in between meals. Research has shown that this helps with losing more fat than drinking protein shakes with meals.Effects of protein supplements consumed with meals, versus between meals, on resistance traininginduced body composition changes in adults: a systematic review Of course, youll want to make sure you to go over your calorie goals.
For more information the best dosage and timing for gluten-free protein powder, check out our protein powder guide.
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What To Look For In A Protein Powder For Women
We use âmenâsâ and âwomenâsâ in this article to align with how companies market their products, but there is no need to stick to one or the other. A person should choose the product with the fit, style, and features that work best for them.
There is a wide variety of protein powders available on the market today and a range of factors to consider before purchasing:
- Protein types: Protein powders may derive from animal or plant-based protein. Plant-based products often contain soy, hemp, and pea protein, whereas animal-based products often contain whey, casein, and egg.
- Ingredients: Some protein powders may contain artificial colors, flavors, and added sugars. Always read the ingredients list carefully before purchasing.
- Fiber content: Some protein powders contain more fiber than others. Fiber helps people feel
There are various gluten-free protein powders available to buy online.
Please note, the writer has not tested these products. All information is research-based.
What Is The Best Dairy
When it comes to vegan protein powder, you can see how both pea protein and brown rice protein are great dairy-free options. They each have their own set of pros and cons: Pea protein is low in methionine but is lysine-rich, whereas brown rice protein is low in lysine but contains methionine.
Of the two dairy-free proteins, pea protein offers a complete range of amino acids. Although pea protein is lower in methionine, people who choose pea protein over brown rice protein will turn to other plant-based foods to get the methionine they need.
Bodybuilders who go with a dairy-free protein powder tend to be pleased with pea protein powders assistance in muscle gains: In a 2015 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, male participants between the ages of 18 and 35 followed the same 12-week upper-body lifting program. One group supplemented with 25 grams of pea protein twice a day, and another took the exact same amount of whey protein. Each 25 grams of protein from pea protein delivered around two grams of leucine, compared to 2.65 grams for whey, but both fell right in the middle of the optimal leucine range. Researchers recorded biceps muscle thickness at the beginning and end of the study, and at the end of the 12 weeks, both groups showed identical increases in biceps muscle thickness. Both pea protein and whey protein types also showed greater results than placebo.
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Naked Rice Organic Brown Rice Protein Powder
Naked Rice Protein Powder is exactly what youd expect it to be, a protein powder made with just one ingredient: 100 percent organic sprouted brown rice protein. It is GMO-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. Each serving has 120 calories, 25 grams of protein, 22 percent of your daily iron, and 4.9 grams of branched chain amino acids. Reviewers are saying that this protein powder is very mild-tasting and versatile, healthy since it doesnt have any artificial ingredients, and isnt sweet on its own so reviewers are saying people should pair it with fruit if they want something flavorful. You can get one five-pound tub for $65.
Your Superfoods Organic Muscle Power Protein Mix
Whether your goal is to slim down or to bulk up, this Superfoods Muscle Power Protein Mix can assist you. Its vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, contents are made up of pea and rice protein powder. Each serving has all the essential amino acids and superfoods youll need for the day. According to the company, their products contain maca which is an ancient superfood from Peru is a powerful adaptogen that was already used hundreds of years ago by the Incas for more energy and hormonal balance. You can get this powder for $32.90!
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The Bottom Line: How To Find The Best Gluten Free And Non Dairy Protein Powders For You
There are lots of protein powders available these days without gluten and dairy. But a lack of those two allergens doesnt make a product healthy or clean, like most of these brands claim to be.
Learn how to read and understand the ingredients list and nutrition facts label and then use the checklist above when evaluating protein brands.
Its the only way to see through the marketing hype and know if your protein powder is healthy.
Lastly, as we mentioned above, most folks rely on online reviews when choosing what protein to buy. This is a great approach but make sure you understand that most of the reviews you see are cherry-picked by brands.
Heres how to make sure youre getting the full picture:
Plant Fusion Vanilla Bean Protein Powder
Plant Fusion Vanilla Bean Protein Powder is a soy-free and gluten-free protein powder made from amino acid infused protein blend , fructose, natural vanilla flavor, stevia, glycine, and silica. Plant fusion has also added amino acids and enzymes to the mix to make it easier to digest for customers. Each one-scoop serving has 21 grams of protein, 120 calories, and 4.5 grams of branched amino acids. Reviewers are reporting that this powder is delicious, isnt chalky or gritty like other brands on the market, is cleaner than whey proteins, and has a nice range of protein sources. You can get one two pound tub for a little more than $30.
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Oath Organic Oat Milk + Plant Protein
Three cheers to Oath for incorporating oat milk in vegan protein shakes. The creative flavors of this organic drink enticed us to want to try them all. While we didnt love Matcha Chai, the othersincluding Golden Turmeric, Indian Rose and Double Chocolatemade for smooth sipping. With 210-260 calories apiece, these are heartier than some other shakes, thanks to the addition of both almond and pumpkin seed protein .
Navitas Organics Superfood Smoothie Blend
Made with pomegranate, maca, and spirulina, Navitas Organics Superfood Smoothie Blend is the best bet for a tasty but nutritious mid-day smoothie. This is lighter on the protein side with 12 grams per scoop, but its great for an extra dose of superfoods in your liquid of choice. It offers digestive support and a bit of sweetness. Beowolf says, This stuff is amazing! I mixed one scoop in my normal almond milk morning shake. Felt energetic and well-recovered after a morning run. The taste is very mild not exactly dessert-tasting but not bad either. The energy boost is undeniable, though. Would likely buy again. That sounds good to us! You can get this smoothie blend for $17.25.
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Benefits Of Protein Supplements
The following information is summarized from our complete protein powder guide. Give it a read for more thorough information.
Athletics
- Building and Preserving Muscle Mass
Taking protein supplements can help with gaining muscle mass, boosting performance, and decreasing soreness.
Weight Loss
Research has demonstrated that drinking protein shakes can help with reducing fat mass while increasing or maintaining muscle mass.Whey Protein Supplementation Improves Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisA whey-protein supplement increases fat loss and spares lean muscle in obese subjects: a randomized human clinical studyEffects of protein supplements consumed with meals, versus between meals, on resistance traininginduced body composition changes in adults: a systematic review
There are a few contributing factors here. The simplest is that protein shakes are filling, and can often replace unhealthy food choices. They can help with both appetite control and responsible dietary choices.
But beyond simple meal replacements, protein shakes help increase muscle mass, which in turns helps with burning fat.
Even at rest, muscle consumes more calories than fat does. This means that the more muscle tissue you have, the higher your resting metabolism. And the higher your resting metabolism, the easier it is to maintain a calorie deficit and burn fat.
SUMMARY
Labrada Lean Body High Protein Meal Replacement Shake
Labrada’s shake contains whey protein concentrate and isolate and soy protein isolate, in addition to sunflower oil, corn syrup, MCT oil and added vitamins and minerals.
It’s considered to be gluten-free , but if you’re sensitive to oats along with gluten, note that it includes oat flour . The product is available in six flavors: chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, strawberry, cinnamon bun, and latte.
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About The Celiac Diva
Gluten-free products have begun their takeover, and theres no stopping this healthy alternative to gluten-based products. Since 2010, The Celiac Diva has helped celiacs and those that are gluten intolerant. As an independent blog we review, suggest and report the best products and news to those who follow a Gluten-free lifestyle.
Muscle Mass Maintenance And Growth
Increased protein intake in conjunction with resistance training, is widely understood to be essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. Research notes that consuming more protein during resistance training may help the body maximize the muscle-building benefit of protein.
However, the study also states that there is only a marginally greater effect on muscle building if a person consumes more than 20 grams of protein for their workout.
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Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder
Look at pumpkin seeds in a whole new way with Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder. This whole-food, gluten-free powder is made with partially defatted organic pumpkin seed protein powder. Three tablespoons of this powder is 110 calories, has 20 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of fiber, and 20 percent of your daily iron. Reviewers are saying that this powder has a good deal of essential fatty acids, is economical, does not leave an aftertaste like other protein powders, and mixes well. However, some reviewers did not find this powder particularly digestion-friendly and not as complete of a protein powder as some others who have more amino acids. To see how you feel about it, you can get one 21-ounce tub for a little more than $35.
Yuve Vegan Protein Powder With Superfoods
Boost your vitality with Yuve Plant Based Powder With Superfoods. It contains an amazing mixture of low, sodium, natural, and FULL organic raw chia seeds. This award-winning powder includes everything you could want in a vegan protein shake Pea protein, brown rice protein, maca root, coconut juice powder, spinach leaf, chlorella, broccoli plant, kale leaf, spirulina algae and alfalfa sprout. Mix a scoop into your breakfast smoothie or create protein bites.
Deanna said, Not at all chalky, nice smooth texture. The chia seeds add a nice dimension. Tastes great with water, almond or coconut milk. Slightly more expensive than other shakes Ive purchased, but its worth the extra cost because it tastes much better! Buy this beloved protein powder for $29.99!
Lead image source: Shuttershock
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