If you’ve been following our page for a while, you may have noticed we’ve been hesitant to promote any protein supplements or powders. This is due to how much conflicting data there is regarding the amount of protein we need. Even among vegan health authorities, some promote protein supplements and extra protein for vegans, while others insist we do not need as much as is implied by the media. Some studies even suggest that consuming too much protein is associated with adverse effects like cancer, disorders of liver and kidney function, bone disorders, and more.

Are you beginning to understand our dilemma?

What to believe? Ultimately, the fact is that some of those on a plant-based diet do need more protein than others — this mainly includes athletes, individuals over the age of 65, and adults with very active jobs or lifestyles. Intense exercise breaks down muscle cells and causes temporary damage to the tissue. Consuming extra protein can help the body repair muscle tissue more rapidly and shorten recovery times. So, if you fall into one of these categories, you may consider incorporating a protein powder into your daily diet or taking a protein shake after your workouts.

Recovery is a major priority for athletes. The less time you spend recovering, the more time you can spend training and improving! Selecting a protein powder that offers enough protein for recovery, and possibly additional nutrients to boost your performance is crucial.

Even after taking all of this into account, it’s not a question of going for whichever protein powder you come across at the grocery store. You could do this; however, many protein powders are loaded with fillers, artificial flavors, chemicals, and other potentially harmful additives. As vegans, we also want to avoid any powders containing whey protein, as this ingredient is a byproduct of the cheese industry. More info on this here!

The most difficult step to finding the right vegan protein powder is looking for a product that is safe, natural, certified, and comes in eco-friendly packaging. Although health is our priority, we do always favor products that tick all the nutritional boxes, and do their part for our planet. Make sure to give sustainable brands some extra points!

What to Look For in Your Vegan Protein Powder

Here are some features you’ll want to keep an eye out for when browsing the perfect protein powder for your daily dietary needs:

1 - Natural, plant-based ingredients. Look for identifiable plant protein sources like pea protein, soy protein, pumpkin seeds, or hemp protein. Try to avoid those containing artificial sweeteners or fillers, or animal products like whey protein

2- No mysterious “natural flavors”. This ingredient is highly questionable. It is one of the most common ingredients found in processed foods and could cover up to 100 different ingredients used exclusively for flavor in this one blanket term. This may include any of the 3,000 different chemical 'GRAS' additives that the FDA considers ‘natural’.

3 - Go for organic ingredients. While foods like fruits, legumes, and vegetables can be washed or scrubbed thoroughly to remove most of their pesticide residue, the same cannot be done for a heavily processed product like protein powder. So, the safest solution is to go organic. The good news is, there are plenty of affordable organic vegan protein powders on the market today!

4 - Third-party tested. As with any supplement, it’s best to go for a third-party tested product to be sure you’re getting the amounts of nutrients listed on the label, as well as the lowest possible levels of toxic heavy metals.

Bonus Features: You may find a digestive enzyme blend, probiotics, or fruit and vegetable blends in your vegan protein powder meant to boost your overall nutrition and gut health!

Be Careful: Some protein powders even serve as a meal replacement, so they’re fortified with plenty of vitamins and minerals. While this can be a huge plus for those who have trouble obtaining certain nutrients in their diet, it’s important to be careful that these nutrients do not overlap with those you may already supplement through a daily multivitamin. After all, consuming excessive amounts of iron, calcium, iodine, or other nutrients in their supplemental form can do more harm than good.

How To Use Vegan Protein Powder

Vegan protein powder is the perfect addition to your breakfast, and many experts agree that it’s best to take it after your workouts!

So, if you love to work out in the morning, a morning post-workout protein shake could be your best ally. This is because protein aids in muscle recovery. As mentioned earlier, the quicker your muscles recover, the sooner you can start your next training session! That’s why this supplement is a must-have for plant-based athletes.

Meanwhile, some athletes and fitness enthusiasts may find that consuming protein before a workout can leave them more tired and sluggish, or even give them digestive issues. This is the last thing you want when jumping or running!

As for the way you prefer to take your protein powder, the options are endless! You can whip up both sweet and savory meals using vegan protein powder, and there are plenty of ways to mask the taste and texture. Simply get creative and give all of your meals a nutritional boost!

Try adding your vegan protein powder to smoothies, pancake mix, oatmeal, or simply mix it with some soy or nut milk for a creamy and nutritious drink. However, if you’d like to add your plant-based protein powder to savory meals like crepes, dips, or veggie burger patties, try opting for unflavored protein powder to leave out any unwanted sweetness.

Storage is another factor that is often neglected when consuming protein powder. You’ll want to keep your protein powder in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Old protein powder can taste stale or bitter. It may also be clumpier than usual when mixed with liquid. If you notice any changes in your powder’s smell, texture, or color, your best bet is to toss it and purchase a new (perhaps smaller) package.

Our Pick: Complement Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder

Price | $59.00/One time purchase - $50.15 with subscription

Net Weight | 675g

Protein Per 30g Serving | 20g

Protein Sources | Yellow Peas, Pumpkin Seeds, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds.

Third-Party Tested | YES

Certified Organic | YES

Our pick for the absolute cleanest, most natural, and safest vegan protein powder had to be Complement's Unflavored Organic Protein! Made of just five plant-based ingredients, with zero sweeteners, flavors, fillers, or preservatives, this vegan protein is as healthy and sustainable as it gets.

It's third-party batch tested so you can be extra sure it contains no contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, or pathogens. This also helps to confirm that it actually contains the amount of protein listed on the bag (Spoiler alert: It does!). In fact, they've published the results directly on their site so you can view them for yourself. We LOVE this level of transparency!

We also can't argue with the sustainability of this product. Zero greenwashing! It's entirely USDA Certified Organic and packaged in a 100% biodegradable pouch -- no plastic tubs. This protein is also manufactured in the U.S., meaning it doesn't require as much carbon to reach you. Each nutrient is traceable, and they even plant a tree and support sanctuary animals for each order made! They also feed a plant-based meal to one child in need through FoodForLife Global for every product purchased.

Complement's protein is not only sustainable, it's also suitable for most needs and preferences. The flavor is neutral, making it a great addition to sweet or savory meals. No chalky texture, either! And if you have allergies/sensitivities to soy or gluten, no worries; this protein is entirely soy and gluten-free. Try this clean, versatile protein and support the brand's incredible mission now!

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Use our discount code OOPS for 10% off at checkout!!

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Other Recommended Vegan Protein Powders

We’ve compiled a selection of protein powders that fit our ideal description, so you can get a better idea of what to look for! Check them out below.

Naked Nutrition Seed Vegan Protein Powder

Price | $29.99

Net Weight | 454g

Protein Per 30g Serving | 20g

Protein Sources | Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Watermelon Seeds, Chia Seeds.

Third-Party Tested | YES

Certified Organic | Organic Chia Seed and Pumpkin Seed Protein.

Made with just 4 simple, plant-based ingredients, Naked Nutrition’s Seed Protein Powder provides you with 20 grams of protein per serving and a whopping 43% of your daily iron needs! It’s also a great source of potassium and fiber, and includes all essential amino acids to support muscle growth and recovery. Additionally, you’ll benefit from the astonishing antioxidant capacity of these 4 superfood seeds! Add a scoop to your post-workout smoothie for major energy and gains!

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Wholier Organic Plant Protein with Prebiotics

Price | $34.00

Net Weight | 645g

Protein Per 30g Serving | 15g

Protein Sources | Peas, Brown Rice, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flaxseeds.

Third-Party Tested | YES

Certified Organic | YES

This affordable vegan protein powder option is the total package. It's made with clean organic ingredients, no "natural flavors," and contains beneficial prebiotics (from green banana flour and psyllium husk) to improve your gut health! It's also gluten, corn, and soy free, making it an excellent allergy-friendly choice.

Although it's lower in protein than the other options on our list, it still provides a nice amount to help boost your muscle mass, and can be a great addition to nutritious breakfast smoothies, homemade pancakes, oats, cookies, and more. You'll also love that for every order, they'll plant two trees to give back to our planet. Not to mention that their powder comes in a totally plastic-free FSC-certified paper tube!

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Your Super Skinny Protein Powder

Price | $34.99

Net Weight | 400g

Protein Per 30g Serving | 18g

Protein Sources | Hemp Seeds, Peas.

Third-Party Tested | YES

Certified Organic | YES

This ultra-clean mix uses a blend of pea protein and hemp protein for a complete amino acid profile! Each 30g serving provides you with 18g of organic, traceable protein as well as a dose of superfoods from moringa, spirulina, and alfalfa. These 5 high-quality ingredients can give your smoothie game a major nutritional boost and help speed up muscle repair after your daily workouts!

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Gainful Protein

Price | Starting at $45.

Net Weight | 420g

Protein Per 30g Serving | 19-27g

Third-Party Tested | YES

Certified Organic | YES

For a more personalized approach to fit your unique fitness goals, go for Gainful's Protein! First, you'll take a quiz so they can determine which ingredients can get you on the right track to achieving your goal. Then, they'll send you a customized protein made with their carefully selected protein, plus organic natural sweeteners and flavors to enhance your morning shake!

Gainful offers a variety of options for different dietary needs, including organic pea protein and organic brown rice protein for vegans. Just remember to select the 'vegan' option in your quiz so they can send you the correct formula!

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Still not sure which plant-based protein to choose for your specific goals and dietary concerns? Our top pick, Complement is a well-rounded option for all; it covers all the nutritional bases and it even comes in an unflavored variety so you can get creative in the kitchen!

That said, all products on our list are thoroughly researched and tick all the boxes we look for in our ideal protein powder. Select the vegan protein powder that catches your eye and give it a try in some of your favorite recipes. Bon appetit!