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If you’re looking to include more protein into your diet or maybe even lose some weight, protein powders and drinks can be really helpful.
But as you probably know, not all proteins are created equal. Some of them are nearly impossible to consume.
What’s even harder is choosing a plant-based protein that doesn’t taste like grass and dirt and provides you with the necessary nutrition.
So I’ve rounded up my top favorite plant-based proteins for you that aren’t crazy expensive and taste just as great as other proteins!
Why Choose Plant-Based Protein Instead Of Whey Protein?
There are a lot of reasons to choose plant-based proteins instead of whey proteins.
Whey protein is a dairy based protein. So the number one reason people choose plant-based is to stay inline with their vegan diet.
However, another major reason people choose plant-based is because they are allergic or sensitive to dairy products and may find that whey protein causes bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
If you know your body doesn’t particularly like dairy products, switching to a plant-based protein is a smart idea.
Is Plant-Based Protein Better for you than whey?
Determining which protein is best really depends on your body and your overall goals and preferences.
Plant-based proteins are much cleaner and typically include more nutrients than whey protein does, so you’ll be able to get more out of your supplement. Whey protein is much cheaper because it’s more processed and cheaper to produce, but that also means it has more added chemicals that may be harmful to your body.
Plant-based proteins are also a lot easier to digest and are less likely to cause cramping, bloating, or GI issues.
Not to mention, plant-based proteins are more sustainable for the environment.
Some people argue that Plant-Based protein is better for your overall health, but I would recommend taking everything into consideration and determining which protein makes your unique body feel its best.
What To Look For In A Plant-Based Protein Powder
As you probably already know, your body produces amino acids on its own, however, there are 9 amino acids that it can’t make. These are the “essential amino acids” that you instead have to get from your diet. People turn to protein powder when they struggle to get all 9 essential amino acids or when they want a lower calorie option.
Whey is a popular protein powder because it is a “complete protein” and contains all 9 essential amino acids.
When it comes to Plant-Based proteins, not all of them are complete proteins. Rice and brown rice proteins are popular in plant-based protein powders but are not complete proteins. Instead, you want to look for pea protein or a blend that includes pea protein. The amino acids in pea protein are very similar to whey and provide similar benefits.
In order for your plant-based protein powder to allow your body to build muscle and support fat loss, you’ll want to invest in a pea protein or pea protein blend.
Best Tasting Plant-Based Proteins
It’s hard to find a good tasting plant-based protein – so here are my top favorite plant-based proteins:
Orgain Organic
MY OVERALL RATING:
4 Stars
MACROS:
Calories: 150 Protein: 21g Fat: 4g Carbs: 15g
BUYING OPTIONS:
Orgain Organic is a fairly common protein and you can shop a variety of flavors on Amazon including; vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, naturally unsweetened as well as special superfood, keto, greens, and probiotic blends.
You can even buy ready to go meal replacement shakes if that’s more your style.
PRICE:
It’s a very affordable option typically coming in around $25 for 20 servings (depending on the flavor).
TASTE:
As far as it’s taste I personally think they taste good, but are more gritty than I’d like just mixed with water or almond milk. Instead, I prefer to mix this protein in with my smoothies, use it for baking, or add it to protein balls.
Vega Protein
MY OVERALL RATING:
4 Stars
MACROS:
Calories: 130 Protein: 20g Fat: 4g Carbs: 4g
Note: This protein is really low in Carbs, which is great if you need that for your macros or on Keto.
BUYING OPTIONS:
Vega Plant-based proteins come in a variety of flavors like vanilla and chocolate and they also have quite a few options that include extra greens (another way to sneak those in).
You can order a variety of flavors right from Amazon.
PRICE:
Vega Proteins are a little more expensive ranging from about $30-$45 a bottle depending on the blend you choose. Most bottles contain about 18-20 servings.
TASTE:
Vega Protein is not one that I would want to just mix with water or almond milk and drink. It’s pretty gritty and has a more earthy taste when done that way (especially their green blends). However, it is really easy to throw it in a smoothie, bake with, or add it to protein balls.
Evolve
MY OVERALL RATING:
4 Stars
MACROS:
Calories: 160 Protein: 20g Fat: 3g Carbs: 16g
BUYING OPTIONS:
Evolve is available on Amazon in both vanilla and chocolate. You can also buy it as ready to go shakes with can be a convenient option.
PRICE:
Evolve protein is a great price for the quality of protein. Typically a bottle comes in around $25-$30 for 20 servings
TASTE:
Evolve protein is one that I would be ok mixing with almond milk or drinking one of their shakes just plain. It is still a little gritty, but not as bad as other plant-based proteins. Evolve is a lot sweeter than other plant-based protein drinks so it’s a good option if you tend to have a sweet tooth. It’s also a great one to mix into smoothies, bake with, or add to protein balls.
310 Nutrition
MY OVERALL RATING:
5 Stars
MACROS:
Calories: 110 Protein: 15g Fat: 2g Carbs: 7g
Note: This one doesn’t have as much protein as some of the others on this list, but it also has less carbs which may fit into your macros easier.
BUYING OPTIONS:
310 Organic shakes are available directly from 310nutrition.com and come in vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, unflavored, and usually a seasonal flavor (pumpkin spice in the fall!).
PRICE:
On their site, you can purchase a 14 serving bag for $39 or a 28 serving bag for $68. They typically run sales and will re-target you with ads a lot after visiting their site. So just be patient and you’re bound to find a discount. You can also save by setting it up as a subscription.
Use this link to get $15 off your first purchase!
TASTE:
310 is one of my all-time favorite top picks because not only is it loaded with essential superfoods but it also is SO SMOOTH. The smoothest plant-based protein I’ve ever had. This is my go-to to mix with water or almond milk and just drink. It’s thick and creamy and tastes just as good as whey protein shakes. Plus it’s also good to bake with or add to protein balls. It’s a bit more expensive than other options on this list, but it’s totally worth it.
Plexus Lean
MY OVERALL RATING:
5 Stars
MACROS:
Calories: 180 Protein: 20g Fat: 6g Carbs: 13g
BUYING OPTIONS:
Plexus Lean Vegan protein powder is available directly from their website. It comes in two flavors; chocolate and vanilla.
PRICE:
Their bag is typically around $53 for 14 servings. However, you can opt for the “snack size” and get 28 servings out of one bag to make it last longer. You can also save money by setting it up as a subscription.
TASTE:
Plexus Lean is another one of my top FAVS when it comes to plant-based protein powder. What I really love about this one is that it contains all 9 essential amino acids PLUS digestive enzymes and dietary fiber to benefit gut health at the same time. This is one that I love to just mix up with almond milk and go. Because it’s more expensive I’ll typically use this one as a meal replacement drink and throw a cheaper protein in with smoothies or protein balls.
I hope these recommendations are helpful in your journey to find a great tasting plant-based protein! I’m always curious to try new brands so if you have any favorites that aren’t listed please drop them in the comments! I’ll continue to add more great tasting plant-based proteins as I find them!
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