Sports Nutrition The 7 Best Hemp Protein Powders of 2020, According to a Dietitian Power up with these plant-based picks By Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN instagram Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN is a New York City-based registered dietitian with a lifelong passion for wellness who has written for Women’s Health, Well+Good, and more. Learn about our editorial process Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Fact checked by Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD on July 10, 2020 linkedin Elaine Hinzey is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and registered dietitian. Learn about our editorial process Elaine Hinzey, RD Updated on July 10, 2020 Print More in Sports Nutrition Improving Performance Reducing Body Fat Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Nutiva Hemp Protein at Amazon "Rich in amino acids, protein, and fiber and is also an ideal source of omega-3 fats and antioxidants." Best Budget: Just Hemp Foods Hemp Protein Powder Plus Fiber at Amazon "An excellent option for those looking for a quality but inexpensive plant-based protein powder." Best Organic: Navitas Organics Hemp Powder at Amazon "Sourced exclusively from a small family of organic farms in Canada." Best Unsweetened: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! at Amazon "Packed with 13 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein per serving." Best High Fiber: Nutiva Hemp Protein at Amazon "USDA Organic, gluten-free and Certified Vegan." Best Hemp Protein Blend: Sunwarrior Warrior Blend at Amazon "Proprietary blend of organic pea protein, hemp protein, and goji berry contains 19 grams of plant-based protein per scoop." Best Hemp Protein Blend Runner-Up: ALOHA Organic Protein Powder at Amazon "Uses coconut sugar and monk fruit to sweeten the powder instead of erythritol or stevia." Hemp protein powder is an excellent source of vegan protein that contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and filling fiber. Hemp seed is technically a nut, so it’s no wonder the functional food is chock full of healthy fats and vitamins and minerals. It’s also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Whether you're looking for an allergy-friendly alternative to soy or whey protein, or just prefer the nutty taste of hemp seed, hemp protein is a versatile, mild-tasting powder that's easy to digest. It blends well into smoothies and can be used in baking to give your favorite recipes a nutrition boost. Depending on what you're looking for, there are many types of hemp protein powder, including 100 percent hemp protein or hemp mixed into a protein blend. Here, the best hemp protein powders. Best Overall: Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Protein Powder Buy on Amazon Buy on Thrive Market Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder earns our top ranking, thanks to its exceptional quality, purity, value, and versatility. Made from organic, non-GMO, and sustainably-grown hemp seeds, the powder is rich in amino acids, protein, and fiber. It's also a great source of omega-3 fats and antioxidants. Plus, Nutiva’s all-natural cold press extraction process doesn’t use any harmful chemicals or heat. Like other hemp protein powders, it has a distinct, nutty taste, but it blends well into smoothies and shakes. It can also be used as a flour replacement when making muffins, bread, or other baked goods. One three-tablespoon serving contains 90 calories and 15 grams of protein with 8 grams of fiber. Best Budget: Just Hemp Foods Hemp Protein Powder Plus Fiber Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart An excellent option for those looking for a quality but inexpensive plant-based protein powder, this hemp powder from Just Hemp Foods is a great value. It’s perfect for those following a vegetarian or vegan eating plan or those who have had unpleasant side effects from dairy-based protein powders. It's free of soy, lactose, and gluten, so it's ideal for those with allergies to typical protein powder ingredients. Hemp protein can have a grainy texture, so it's best to blend it into a smoothie or mix it into other recipes. One serving of 4 tablespoons contains 130 calories, 0.6 grams omega-3s, 14 grams fiber, and 11 grams of protein. The 9 Best-Tasting Protein Powders of 2020, According to a Dietitian Best Organic: Navitas Organics Hemp Powder Buy on Amazon Buy on Thrive Market Choosing a USDA Organic protein powder ensures that your protein is made from high-quality ingredients. Sourced exclusively from a small family of organic farms in Canada, Navitas Organics Hemp Powder is free of fillers and additives. It is also an excellent source of all nine essential amino acids and fiber. This vegan, gluten-free powder is cold-pressed from the whole hemp seed to preserve its potent nutrients. Hemp protein is an easy way to add more plant-based protein, iron, and magnesium to your vegan or vegetarian diet. One serving of this nutrient-dense Navitas Organics Hemp Powder provides 40 percent of your daily value of iron and 60 percent of your daily value for magnesium. Four tablespoons offer 120 calories, 7 grams of fiber, and 13 grams of protein. The 8 Best Protein Powders, According to a Dietitian Best Unsweetened: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Organic Max Fiber Protein Powder Vanilla Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Some protein powders are filled with artificial flavors and sweeteners that may do more harm than good. Choosing an unsweetened protein powder is best for avoiding unnecessary ingredients, including colors, flavors, and sugar. Manitoba Harvest's Hemp Yeah! Organic Protein Powder is made with only one ingredient: organic hemp protein powder. Whether you have it in your hot cereal at breakfast time or mix it into your yogurt for a mid-afternoon snack, this all-natural powder packs 13 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber per serving to keep you satisfied for hours. One 4-tablespoon serving contains 130 calories with no added sugar. You can also use it as a healthy substitute for flour when baking. If you prefer more flavor, the powder also comes in Chocolate and Vanilla, using organic coconut sugar as a sweetener and natural flavoring. The 7 Best Plant-Based Protein Powders of 2020, According to a Dietitian Best High Fiber: Nutiva Cold-Pressed Raw Hemp Seed Protein Powder Buy on Amazon Buy on Gnc.com Many protein powders pack in the protein but skimp on fiber. Choosing fiber-rich foods can help you to feel fuller longer, improve digestion, and even reduce the risk of cancer. While most hemp proteins are naturally high in fiber, Nutiva's Organic Hi Fiber Hemp Protein has an extra edge over most products on the market, offering 4 grams of fiber per tablespoon. One 3-tablespoon serving also provides 80 calories, 11 grams of protein, and 25 percent of the recommended daily amount of iron. While choosing high-fiber foods is key for meeting the average daily recommended fiber intake of 25 grams, a quality supplement like Nutiva Organic Hi Fiber is ideal for those looking to boost protein and fiber from a whole foods-based product. The higher price tag is worth the extra money: the USDA Organic product is committed to quality and is also gluten-free and Certified Vegan. Best Hemp Protein Blend: Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Organic Vegan Protein Powder Buy on Amazon Buy on Vitaminshoppe.com Sunwarrior Warrior Blend takes the top pick among hemp protein powder blends. The proprietary blend of organic pea protein, hemp protein, and goji berry contains 19 grams of plant-based protein per scoop. The USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Certified blend is allergy-friendly, as it is free of soy, gluten, and dairy. Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is also free of added sugars and artificial sweeteners. It comes in five flavors, including berry, chocolate, mocha, vanilla, and natural. The natural flavor doesn’t taste overly sweet, so it won’t overpower your favorite beverage. With only four ingredients: pea protein, hemp protein, goji berry, and ground coconut, Sunwarrior’s Warrior Blend Natural is a super clean choice. Note that the flavored versions contain additional ingredients, including the specific flavor and stevia. One scoop provides 100 calories, 1 gram of fiber, 19 grams of protein, and no added sugar. Best Hemp Protein Blend Runner-Up: ALOHA Organic Vanilla Plant-Based Keto Friendly Protein Powder with MCT Oil Buy on Amazon Buy on Thrive Market Aloha’s USDA-Organic plant-based protein mixes pea, brown rice, hemp, and pumpkin seed protein to provide 18 grams of plant-based protein per serving. The blend contains 5 grams of dietary fiber per serving from acacia fiber, a rich source of soluble fiber. Aloha's powder uses coconut sugar and monk fruit to sweeten the powder instead of erythritol or stevia. The vegan powder also contains medium-chain triglycerides from coconut oil. Aloha protein, made with simple whole-food ingredients, comes in three flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and banana. The vanilla flavor has a creamy coconut taste from coconut sugar and coconut oil that boosts the nutrition of your favorite smoothie, baked good, or oatmeal. One serving provides 120 calories. Final Verdict If you’re looking for a high-quality USDA Organic hemp protein that’s rich in fiber and protein, Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder is a reasonably-priced hemp protein. If you’re looking for a hemp protein powder with a bit more flavor, a blend like Sunwarrior Protein Warrior Blend Vanilla is an excellent choice. What to Look for in a Hemp Protein Powder Ingredients: Many hemp protein powders contain only one ingredient: hemp protein. Aim to choose a hemp protein that contains only ingredients that you can read and as few ingredients as possible. Consider quality, and select USDA Organic, non-GMO Project Verified products when possible.Flavor: Hemp protein powder has a naturally nutty taste but comes in different flavor variations, including unflavored and typical chocolate, vanilla, and fruit flavors. If you prefer a relatively neutral protein and doesn't overpower the smoothie or food you mix it into, then an unflavored hemp protein may be best for you. If you want a bit more flavor, consider a flavored hemp protein blend.Fiber & Protein: Consider your dietary fiber and protein needs when selecting a protein supplement. Hemp protein contains dietary fiber, which can help to keep you satisfied. Some hemp protein powders contain equal amounts of protein and fiber, while others contain less fiber. If you are looking for a higher fiber product, choose mostly or 100 percent hemp protein powder. If you're looking for more protein and less fiber, choose a protein blend that integrates hemp protein. What Experts Say "Hemp protein is an excellent source of easily digested plant-based protein and fiber. Many people with allergies or intolerances to other plant proteins such as soy or nuts can use hemp as a safe and healthy alternative. Adding hemp protein to a smoothie or sprinkling hemp seeds onto a yogurt bowl or salad is a great way to pack in some extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats."—Nathalie Rhone, MS, RD Why Trust Verywell Fit A personal note on my recommendations written above. As a dietitian, I am careful to recommend supplements, including protein powders. I spent time reviewing the most current research on hemp protein and looking at multiple products and brands. I believe the hemp protein supplements in the round-up are made by trusted brands that I would feel comfortable recommending to my clients, friends, and family. I have tried the majority of the hemp protein powders recommended, and use plant-based protein powder—including hemp— regularly in smoothies and baked goods.—Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Callaway, J.C. Hempseed as a nutritional resource: An overview. Euphytica 140, 65–72 (2004). doi:10.1007/s10681-004-4811-6 Kaczmarczyk MM, Miller MJ, Freund GG. The health benefits of dietary fiber: beyond the usual suspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. Metab Clin Exp. 2012;61(8):1058-66. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2012.01.017 American Heart Association. Whole grains, refined grains, and dietary fiber. Updated September 20, 2016.