What Is The Best Vegetarian Protein Powder -The Benefits of Going Vegan

Plant based protein powder comes with all of the same benefits as animal source proteins. These include muscle growth and recovery, fat burn and getting lean as well as supplying all of the necessary nutrients. So what is the best vegetarian protein powder?
These healthy powders can come from several different plant sources and some are more effective than others. We will review which ones work best for achieving different goals while discovering the pros and cons of each one.
Why Vegetarian Protein?
Many people are making the switch to a vegetarian diet, and for good reason. Protein is the most nutritious type of nutrient for your body. So getting the proper amount of protein in our diets is vital to our health. There are many advantages to plant based over animal proteins.
⊕ Vegan protein is higher in Hyaluronic acid, great for healthier skin, nails, and hair
⊕ Healthy levels of fiber in plant proteins improve digestion
⊕ They are less likely to come with gas and bloating
⊕ Plant based proteins tend to be lower in calories and fat than are animal proteins
⊕ Many vegan protein powders come with added antioxidants, probiotics, and other nutrients.
⊕ Those with a high vegetable protein diet have lower body weight, lower cholesterol
⊕ There is less of a chance for heart disease and lower blood pressure with a vegetarian diet
⊕ Vegetables contain cancer fighting phytochemicals
Benefits from Vegetarian Protein Powders
Whether you are upping your protein intake from plant or animal sources, there are many health benefits that eating more protein can provide.
To get the maximum effects out of your protein powder it pays dividends to include a rigorous exercise routine along with it.
These a few of the most common protein powder benefits:
⊕ Helps to gain muscle mass more quickly
⊕ Increases fat burn by speeding up metabolism
⊕ Protein is slow and easily digested
⊕ Getting more protein helps to maintain existing muscle mass
⊕ Protein is the most effective nutrient for post workout muscle recovery
⊕ Supports weight loss because it is low in calories and very filling
⊕ Building more muscle tone burns calories faster even when resting
⊕ Protein is an excellent source of energy
⊕ Great for kidney, heart, and liver health
⊕ Helps to regulate cholesterol
⊕ Low in carbs and fat while being high in amino acid proteins
⊕ These powders contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
⇒ If you have any comments or questions about these protein powder benefits, please leave a message at the bottom and I will respond.
Protein Powder Safety and Possible Negatives
These powders are really just simple, nutritious supplements made out of plant proteins. So what could go wrong?
It turns out that most of the know protein powder side effects come from consuming it too much or too often. Remember that it is important to get the majority of your nutrition from well balanced, high protein meals.
It’s best to limit your protein powder supplement to twice per day. Overuse can put a strain on the kidneys which can lead to much bigger health problems. Too much protein powder can also result in dehydration or extra fat storage.
Because of the high fiber in most vegetarian protein powders, your digestive system may take a couple of times to get used to it. Some animal proteins from dairy sources can cause gas and bloating if you are the slightest bit lactose intolerant.
Plant Based Sources
There are many different kinds of vegetables that can be used as a source for these protein powders. Companies seem to be coming up with more effective plants to use all of the time.
I had mentioned earlier that some of the more complete protein powders are the “mixed” plant blends. That’s why most of my recommendations in this review are for the mixed plant protein powders.
Here are most of the most common plant sources that you will find:
- Pea protein
- Brown rice protein
- Hemp protein
- Pumpkin seed protein
- Soy protein
- Sunflower seed protein
- Chia seed protein
⇒ If you have any questions or comments about the different plant source proteins, please leave a message at the bottom and I will respond.
Get “Amped” Up with Vegan Pre Workout
What to Look for in the Best Vegetarian Protein Powder
If you are beginning your search for a good vegetarian protein powder, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Which type of plant source?
If one of your goals is to put on more muscle mass, this is an important question. Many single source plant proteins do not contain all 21 amino acid proteins, and if they do, it will be in low concentrations. Some of these include brown rice protein, pea protein, and hemp.
For the most efficient muscle growth, it’s recommended to use a “mixed plant” protein powder. When several single source powders are “mixed”, it then provides a more complete amino acid source.
How much protein per serving?
To help get the proper amount of protein from your powder, it’s best to look for one that contains 20-30 grams of protein per serving. Since it is best to consume at least .05 grams of protein per pound of body weight, 20-30 grams will get you off to a good start for the day.
What about artificial ingredients?
Most name brand protein powders do contain artificial colors, flavors, and sugars (mainly Sucralose). If you are avoiding anything artificial, I recommend using an all natural protein powder. Fortunately, most plant based powders are “all natural”.
How about man-made chemicals?
Organic protein powders do not contain any man-made pesticides, fertilizers, or any other chemicals. Just because a powder is vegan, gluten free or non-GMO does not mean it is organic.
Be sure to look for the USDA Organic seal. Several of the recommended protein powders below are Organic.
What about the number of calories?
This is something that you shouldn’t’ be too concerned with when choosing a vegetarian protein powder. It’s difficult to even find one that is more than 200 calories per serving. Plant based powders, in general, have a low number of calories for such large amounts of protein.
Is price a factor?
Price is another thing that you don’t need to be overly concerned with. Although many of these plant based powders seem expensive because of their container size, even the most expensive ones end up being only $2.00 per serving.
Nowhere else can you get a healthy snack containing so much nutritious protein for anywhere near this price.
What Is The Best Vegetarian Protein Powder
#1 Vegetarian Protein Powder
Garden of Life Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
Price: $$
Container size: 20 servings
Protein Per Serving: 30 grams
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Manufacturer: Garden of Life
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Garden of life is well known in the industry for using quality natural ingredients. 30 grams of protein per serving is about as high of a concentration that you can find in any plant based source.
This is a mixed plant protein with organic garbanzo beans, organic navy beans, organic lentils, and organic cranberry seed protein to give the full spectrum of amino acids. It has added BCAA’s and glutamine important to help reduce recovery time after exercise.
This organic protein powder includes a high antioxidant blend of organic tart cherries, organic apples, organic turmeric, organic goji berries, and organic blueberries.
Garden of life also contains probiotics for digestion and to strengthen the immune system. It’s all natural, 100% organic and with no added sugars.
See my Garden Of Life Protein Powder Review
Garden of Life Positives
- 30 grams of organic plant-based protein
- 5.5 grams of BCAAs
- 5 grams of glutamine & glutamic acid
- 100% Organic
- No added hormones, no antibiotics, non-GMO, gluten-free
- Includes probiotics to support immunity
- High antioxidant blend
- Packed with minerals
- 180 calories per serving
Potential Negatives
- 2 scoops equal 1 serving
- All natural flavors can have a chalky taste
Purchase from Best Price Nutrition
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Vegetarian Protein Runner Up
Vega One Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
Price: $$$
Container size: 17 servings
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Manufacturer: Vega
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Vega One seems to have everything, thus an all-in-one organic plant based protein. 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
- 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
- A little higher fat content
- 7 flavors but some are bland tasting
Purchase from Vega.com
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Best Selling Vegetarian Protein
Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Price: $$
Container size: 20 servings
Protein Per Serving: 21 grams
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: Orgain Organic
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is the best selling Organic plant based protein on the market. It’s a mixed plant protein powder and includes a mix of pea, brown rice, and chia seeds.
Mixed plant source blends make a more well rounded than any singe plant protein. Because of this, Orgain contains all 21 essential Amino Acids.
Orgain comes with 6 grams of dietary fiber to help you feel fuller. 21 grams of protein is a great quantity for a plant protein. It contains zero grams of sugar and is sweetened with Stevia. It’s also low in calories and carbohydrates.
See My full Orgain Organic Protein Powder Review
Orgain Organic Positives:
- Mixed plant protein, so it contains all 21 Aminos
- 21 grams of protein
- 100% Organic
- Low in calories at 150 per serving
- High fiber with 6 grams
- No artificial ingredients
- Zero sugar
Potential Negatives:
- Must take 2 scoops per serving
- Taste a bit bland
Purchase from Orgain Organic
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Excellent Vegetarian Alternative
PlantFusion Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
Price: $$$
Container size: 15 servings
Protein Per Serving: 21 grams
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Manufacturer: PlantFusion
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This organic plant based protein 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
- 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
- Doesn’t contain the antioxidants like some others
- Low in dietary fiber
Purchase from Walmart.com
Best Pea Protein Blend
Natures Best Plant-Based Protein
Price: $$$
Container size: 20 servings
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. Between the pea and rice sources, there’s 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. This powder comes in 3 flavors that are sweetened with Stevia as well as an “unflavored”.
See the Best Pea Protein Powders
Natures Best Positives
- 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
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Best Vegetarian Value
Musclepharm Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
Price: $
Container size: 15 servings
Protein Per Serving: 20 grams
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Manufacturer: MusclePharm
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
This is MusclePharms plant based performance protein which used a blend of raw pea protein isolate and quinoa protein sources. It includes all of the essential amino acids and BCAA’s.
MusclePharm contains some of the highest amounts of probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzyme blends. These enzymes also include protease, amylase, lipase, and cellulase.
In addition, it has a special fiber blend composed of organic coconut and organic oat bran. This organic protein powder is all natural, gluten free, no soy, and non-GMO.
MusclePharm Positives
- 20 grams of plant based protein
- 100% organic
- Contains 5 billion CFU probiotics and prebiotics
- 170 calories
- Antioxidants are from pea and quinoa
- No artificial sugar
- No added sugar
Potential Negatives
- 2 scoops for one serving
- No antioxidants
Purchase from A1 Supplements
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Best Rice Protein Powder
Nutribiotic Rice Protein Powder
Price: $
Container size: 20 servings
Protein Per Serving: 12 grams
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Manufacturer: Nutribiotic
Guarantee: 30 day satisfaction guarantee
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.
- 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:
- Limited flavors
- Rice powders contain less protein
Purchase from Best Price Nutrition
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Best Vegetarian Protein Powder Conclusion
There are many benefits to adding a protein supplement to your diet. Using a vegetarian protein powder is even one step healthier in nutrition.
Plant based powders are high in protein, vitamins, and fiber, yet low in calories and sugars. Many of the selections in this review even come with added superfoods and probiotics.
These vegetarian protein powders work well for gaining muscle mass, weight loss, meal replacements, and getting added nutrition on the go.
⇒ If you have any questions or comments about “what is the best vegetarian protein powder”, please leave a message below and I will respond.
Check out the Best Supplements For Muscle Growth