What Is The Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder – Healthy And Flavorful
Plant based vegan protein powders come with the same benefits and amounts of protein as animal and dairy protein powders. However, these healthier protein alternatives tend to be lacking in their diversity of flavors. That’s why we are going to answer, what is the best tasting vegan protein powder.
One of the many reasons that vegan protein powders are a healthier choice is that most of them are made with natural ingredients. By using only natural ingredients rather than artificial flavors, they must use more creative ways to attain better taste.
We will review a few of the most important benefits of vegan protein as well as the best tasting powders.
Why Vegan Protein?
Plant based protein powders come with even more benefits than animal proteins. Here are just a few examples.
⊕ Vegan protein is better for healthier skin, hair, and nails because it contains more hyaluronic acid
⊕ Plant proteins are less likely to come with gas and bloating
⊕ Healthy fiber in plant proteins improve digestion
⊕ Several vegan brands have added probiotics, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
⊕ Plant based protein powders are lower in fat, calories, and sugars than animal proteins
⊕ People with a vegan diet have lower body weight and lower cholesterol
⊕ Vegetables have cancer fighting phytochemicals
⊕ Those with a plant based diet have less of a chance for heart disease and have lower blood pressure
Vegan Protein Powder Benefits
A high protein diet paired with an exercise program is the best way to a healthier lifestyle and a longer life. Here are some examples of the most common protein powder benefits:
⊕ Best nutrient for gaining quick muscle mass
⊕ Protein increases fat burn from speeding up metabolism
⊕ It helps maintain existing muscle mass
⊕ Protein is easily and slowly digested
⊕ Protein builds muscle tone which burns more calories even when resting
⊕ Protein naturally brings you more energy
⊕ Supports weight loss since it is extremely low in calories yet very filling
⊕ Great for heart, kidney, and liver health
⊕ Protein is the most effective food to rebuild and repair muscle after exercise
⊕ Low type of food in carbs and fat and the highest in amino acid proteins
⊕ Eating more protein helps to regulate cholesterol
⊕ Vegan protein powders contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
⇒ If you have any questions or comments about Vegan protein powder benefits, please leave a message at the bottom and I will respond.
Flavoring Used in Vegan Protein Powders
Vegan protein powders can be made from many different plant sources including soy, pea, pumpkin seed, hemp, brown rice, as well as a blend from several different sources.
The type of plant source that the protein powder comes from typically doesn’t really influence the taste. This is because the protein in these powders has been isolated out which ends up with only the concentrated, high protein powder portion.
Natural Flavoring
In vegan protein powders the natural flavor extracts come from plant based sources such as fruit, fruit juices, spices, vegetables, herbs, and roots. To tweak the flavor, a variety of several sources are blended together.
Many plant protein powders sources such as pea and brown rice powders make an “unflavored” version. These are the purest form with no added fillers or flavorings and contain zero sugar and carbs.
Unflavored powders can be made to taste however you like. Some people prefer to improve the flavor by adding things such as pumpkin spice, cocoa powder, grated orange peel, vanilla extract, almond, or lemon.
Because vegan protein powders tend to be made with all natural ingredients rather than artificial, the maybe less flavorful.
FDA on Natural Flavors
Obviously the naturally flavored ingredients are required to be derived from natural sources. The FDA has specifications for what is truly “all natural”.
“natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products.”
Non-Allergenic
Most vegan protein powders are also free of gluten, non-GMOs, nut products, dairy, and anything that can be considered an allergen.
The benefit to this is that plant based powders don’t cause any allergies or sensitivities. Being free of these ingredients can also alter the taste to a certain extent.
Most Popular Natural Flavorings
The main “natural” flavors that you will see in vegan protein powders are Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Berry, Coconut, and Banana. However, you may occasionally see some even more creative ones.
Chocolate is made from grinding up cacao or cocoa leaves into a powder and sweetened. Vanilla flavors come from processing be using alcohol to extract the vanilla bean.
The natural strawberry flavor is harnessed from a compound in the strawberry that extracts is naturally. Banana flavoring comes from a natural chemical within the banana called isoamyl acetate.
Although they are better for the body, these natural flavors are much milder than the artificial ones. Because of this, many plant protein powders still come with a slight “chalky” taste.
Mixing Vegan Powders
No matter which of these flavors are used, I personally mix them with unsweetened vanilla almond milk. It’s only 30 calories per serving and zero sugars.
Per vegan powder directions, water is the most popular and easiest thing to use. However, I feel that almond milk adds a little more depth, creaminess, and flavor.
All natural vegan pre workout supplements also use natural flavors to give them fruity flavors. They make good use of beets, goji berries, monk fruit, coconut, and many other fruit extracts.
See the Best Organic Vegan Pre Workout Supplements
What Is The Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder
#1 Tasting Vegan Protein
Vega One Organic Plant Based Protein
Price: $$$
Container size: 17 servings
Flavors: Berry, Mint Chocolate, French Vanilla, Mocha, Coconut, Chocolate
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer: Vega
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is an all-in-one organic plant based protein that comes in every flavor that you could want. They use organic mint, chocolate, vanilla, and coconut as flavorings. Vega is packed with more vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3’s as well as probiotics and antioxidants.
The antioxidants come from the ingredients in cherry and carrot juice. This makes for a healthier and more well-rounded protein supplement. These additional benefits account for the higher price. Vega One has an average amount of protein per serving at 20 grams, but contains only 150 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates.
The protein sources in this Organic powder comes from pea protein, sunflower protein, and pumpkin seed protein. This makes Vega a great protein for muscle growth as well since it contains all 21 Amino Acids. Vega is USDA Organic certified, non-GMO, Vegan, and Gluten-free.
See my Vega One Protein Powder Reviews
Vega One Positives
- Comes in 7 organic all natural flavors
- 20 grams of protein
- Mixed plant protein high in amino acids
- High in fiber
- 100% Organic
- Added vitamins, minerals and Omega 3’s
- Contains probiotics and antioxidants
- No artificial ingredients
- 1 gram of sugar
Potential Negatives
- Cost more than average per serving
Purchase Berry from Vega.com
Best Tasting Vegan Runner Up
Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Price: $$
Container size: 20 servings
Flavors: Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Coconut, Peanut Butter, Vanilla
Protein Per Serving: 21 grams
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: Orgain Organic
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is the best selling Organic plant based protein on the market, and it comes in 6 different flavors including “unsweetened”. It contains zero grams of sugar and is sweetened with Stevia.
Orgain is a mixed plant protein powder and includes a mix of pea, brown rice, and chia seeds. Mixed plant source blends make a more well rounded than any singe plant protein. Because of this, Orgain contains all 21 essential Amino Acids.
Orgain comes with 6 grams of dietary fiber to help you feel fuller. 21 grams of protein is a great quantity for a plant protein. It’s also low in calories and carbohydrates.
See My full Orgain Organic Protein Powder Review
Orgain Organic Positives:
- 6 organic flavors including unsweetened
- Mixed plant protein, so it contains all 21 Aminos
- 21 grams of protein
- 100% Organic
- Low in calories at 150 per serving
- High fiber with 6 grams
- No artificial ingredients
- Zero sugar
Potential Negatives:
- Must take 2 scoops per serving
Purchase All 6 Flavors at Orgain.com
Purchase from Walmart.com
Great Tasting Vegan Alternative
PEScience Select Vegan Protein
Price: $$
Container size: 27 servings
Flavors: Chocolate Bliss, Vanilla Indulgence, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Delight, Wild Berry
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Manufacturer: PEScience
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Cinnamon Delight uses natural cinnamon, with this flavor being a rarity in the protein powder world. It comes in 4 other delicious, all natural flavors and are all sweetened with Stevia.
This is a blend of non-GMO, high-quality pea and brown rice protein sources containing a complete amino acid profile. There are 20 grams of protein with only 110 calories.
PEScience has zero fat and zero cholesterol with only 4 carbs per serving. Its also gluten free and dairy free with no fillers. It’s a little higher in sodium with 330 mg.
PEScience Positives
- Best 5 flavor selection options
- 20 grams of protein per serving
- 100 calories
- Zero fat and cholesterol
- Sweetened with sugar free Stevia
- 1 gram of fiber and contains 4 carbs
- All natural ingredients
Potential Negatives
- Higher sodium
Purchase at Best Price Nutrition
Purchase at Bodybuilding.com
Great Tasting Vegan Alternative
Green Beret Vegan Protein
Price: $$
Container size: 30 servings
Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Strawberry
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer: Redcon1
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Green Beret comes in 4 different flavors. The delicious Peanut Butter is flavored with dark roast peanut powder, stevia and sea salt. This powder contains a blend of pea, brown rice, and quinoa protein sources that add up to 20 grams per serving.
Because this is a mixed blend, it provides an excellent amino acid profile and with only 120 calories. It is naturally sweetened using Stevia and Erythritol. This powder is non-GMO, gluten free and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors,
Green Beret plant protein contains 5 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of fat. This blend contains 260 grams of sodium and is high in calcium, iron, and potassium.
Green Beret Positives
- 4 excellent natural flavors
- 20 grams of protein per serving
- 120 calories
- 2 grams of fat with 5 grams of carbs
- Plant blends contain more aminos
- All natural flavor and color
- Zero sugar
Potential Negatives
- Erythritol is a sugar alcohol
Purchase at Bodybuilding.com
Purchase at Best Price Nutrition
Great Tasting Vegan Alternative
PlantFusion Organic Plant Based Protein
Price: $$$
Container size: 15 servings
Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Rasberry, Cookies N’ Cream
Protein Per Serving: 21 grams
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: PlantFusion
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is another organic powder that comes in 5 different flavors including “unsweetened”. Plantfusion has the only Cookies N’ Cream flavored with organic cocoa and tapioca. This plant based powder uses pea, artichoke, quinoa, and algae protein sources.
It’s an amino acid infused protein blend for complete muscle recovery. This protein powder includes 2,000 mg of sprouted superfoods. Probiotic enzymes from fermented foods assist digestion and absorption of proteins.
PlantFusion says their product is ideal for improving energy, managing appetite, aiding digestion, and muscle recovery. It’s 100% Organic, all natural, dairy free, soy free, gluten free, and free of many other major allergens.
PlantFusion Positives
- Comes in 5 organic flavors including unsweetened
- 21 grams of plant based protein per serving
- 2,000 milligrams of sprouted superfoods
- 100% Organic
- Contains digestive enzymes
- Added minerals
- Extremely low 120 calories
- No artificial flavors or sweeteners
Potential Negatives
- Lower in dietary fiber
Purchase from Best Price Nutrition
Purchase from Walmart.com
Great Tasting/Most Nutritious Vegan
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein
Price: $$
Container size: 20 servings
Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate
Protein Per Serving: 30 grams
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer: Garden of Life
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is one of the nutritious organic plant based powders available but the flavor selection is limited. It only comes in 2 flavors, but uses organic vanilla and chocolate, stevia and sea salt. 30 grams of protein per serving is about as high of a concentration that you can find in any plant based source.
This is a mixed plant protein with organic garbanzo beans, organic navy beans, organic lentils, and organic cranberry seed protein to give the full spectrum of amino acids. It has added BCAA’s and glutamine important to help reduce recovery time after exercise.
This organic protein powder includes a high antioxidant blend of organic tart cherries, organic apples, organic turmeric, organic goji berries, and organic blueberries.
Garden of life also contains probiotics for digestion and to strengthen the immune system. It’s all natural, 100% organic and with no added sugars.
See my Garden Of Life Protein Powder Review
Garden of Life Positives
- Comes in 2 natural, organic flavors
- 30 grams of organic plant-based protein
- 5.5 grams of BCAAs
- 5 grams of glutamine & glutamic acid
- 100% Organic
- No added hormones, no antibiotics, non-GMO, gluten-free
- Includes probiotics to support immunity
- High antioxidant blend
- Packed with minerals
- 180 calories per serving
Potential Negatives
- 2 scoops equal 1 serving
Purchase from Best Price Nutrition
Purchase from Bodybuilding.com
Best Tasting Pea Protein Blend
Natures Best Plant-Based Protein
Price: $$$
Container size: 20 servings
Flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer: Isopure
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This protein powder is a blend of both pea and brown rice. The strawberry is flavored with monk fruit, beet juice, and Stevia. Pea protein tastes even without flavor making this an excellent choice for their “unflavored” version. However, It also comes in 3 other natural flavors.
Containing both pea and rice sources, makes this have a comprehensive amount of amino acid profile. Natures Best contains 20 grams of protein per serving.
It contains one of the lowest numbers of calories at 110 per serving and with 4 carbs. Pea protein powders can be high in sodium, but this one only has 200 mg.
Natures Best seems to be zero everything. Zero cholesterol, zero sugar, and zero artificial ingredients. It’s non-GMO and vegan but is not organic.
See the Best Pea Protein Powders
Natures Best Positives
- 3 natural flavors as well as unflavored
- Only 110 calories
- 20 grams of protein per serving
- 4 grams of carbs and no cholesterol
- Zero sugars and zero fat
- High in Iron
- 2 grams of dietary fiber
- No artificial ingredients
Potential Negatives
- Costs a bit more
Purchase at A1 Discount Supplements
Purchase at Walmart.com
Best Tasting Rice Protein
Nutribiotic Rice Protein Powder
Price: $
Container size: 20 servings
Flavors: Mixed Berry, Vanilla, Chocolate, Plain
Protein Per Serving: 12 grams
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Manufacturer: Nutribiotic
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Rice Protein powders seem to have the least amount of flavors available. They taste great when naturally flavored because they don’t come with the typical aftertaste. This is an excellent source of vegan protein and contains an 80% protein content.
There are no fillers, added sugars, or artificial ingredients. Nutribiotic is of high quality and an extremely healthy formula with no fat or cholesterol and only 60 calories per serving.
A special low temperature, enzyme process allows this rice powder to isolate the amino acid proteins. It’s made without any pesticides or chemicals and is gluten and GMO-free.
Check Out the Rice Protein Powder Benefits.
- Comes in 3 natural flavors as well as plain
- 12 grams of protein
- No pesticides or man-made chemicals
- Pure rice with no fillers
- All natural – no artificial ingredients
- Only 60 calories per serving
- Zero fat or cholesterol
- Great for weight loss
- 1 gram of sugar
Potential Negatives:
- Rice powders contain less protein
Purchase from Best Price Nutrition
Purchase from Walmart.com
Negatives to Artificial Flavoring
Artificial flavors are synthetically produced to mimic natural flavors. They are made by combining chemicals from inedible ingredients. Believe it or not, many of these include things such as papers pulp and petroleum. Some flavoring can be made up of over 50 different chemicals.
It’s hard to believe that chemicals can taste so much better than natural ingredients. They are made to taste and smell even better than the actual thing. The good news is that the nutritional supplements that are made with these flavorings only contain small amounts.
The Best Tasting Vegan Protein Conclusion
Because most vegan protein powders use all natural flavorings, it is difficult to find the same variety of flavors as animal based and whey protein powders. Besides being a healthier alternative, vegan protein powders come with tons of benefits.
We did find some very flavorful choices in our plant based protein powder review. The favorite picks are Vega One and Orgain. These are both well known brands containing quality organic ingredients. They are also high in protein and nutrients while being low in calories, carbs, fats, and sugars.
⇒ If you have any questions or comments on what is the best tasting vegan protein powder, please leave a message below and I will respond.
See the Best Supplements For Muscle Growth