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.
Willow Jarosh is a registered dietitian and nutrition coach specializing in intuitive eating. She is the author of Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook.
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With so many protein powder options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to select the best product. Choosing an organic protein powder, when possible, ensures that you are getting a high-quality protein from a clean source. Specifically, the term “organic” means that protein powder is free of hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
Even though organic protein powder may have a higher price tag, the health benefits and taste will likely outweigh the price in the long run. In fact, some research suggests that organic foods may contain higher levels of certain nutrients —including antioxidants—than the non-organic variety of the same food. Whether you're looking for whey or plant-based protein, a flavored or natural variety, there are many organic options to suit your individual needs.
Here, the best options for organic protein powders.
Sprout Living’s Epic Protein is a fantastic USDA organic option that appeals to everyone from vegetarians to omnivores. The paleo-friendly (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) plant-based protein powder is great tasting and packs a ton of protein. Each 2-scoop serving provides 26g of plant-based protein and boasts 5g of dietary fiber.
Many vegan protein powders include a grain-based protein such as quinoa, amaranth, and brown rice (although quinoa is technically a seed). Epic Protein is made from yellow pea and a mix of sunflower, pumpkin, sacha inchi, and cranberry seeds. The super clean vegan protein comes in four flavors: chocolate maca, green kingdom, vanilla lucuma, and original. Of note, the product is free of fillers and gums.
If you're looking for an organic whey protein powder, Tera's Whey Simply Pure is a great option. The USDA Organic, rBGH-free, and rBST-free whey protein is sourced from grass-fed cows raised on small farms in Wisconsin.
The certified gluten-free product is sweetened with stevia and provides 21 grams of protein per serving. Each serving also provides 5.29 grams of BCAAs along with 3 grams of sugar and 4 grams of carbohydrates. The bourbon vanilla flavor is sweet and mixes well with water or your favorite beverage. Note that the product mixes best using a shaker bottle or blender.
The USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Certified Sunwarrior Warrior Blend takes the top pick among organic, plant-based protein powders with 19 grams of plant-based protein per scoop. Each scoop also provides 6mg of iron, which is helpful for those following a vegan diet that is commonly low in iron. The high protein blend is allergy-friendly, as it is free of soy, gluten, and dairy.
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 great choice. Note that the flavored versions contain additional ingredients including the specific flavor and stevia.
Amazing Grass boosted their regular greens superfood powder with plant-based protein. The USDA Organic greens protein powder contains seven types of alkalizing greens and two servings of fruits and vegetables per serving. It boasts 20g of complete vegan protein from sources including pea, quinoa, chia, and hemp. Additional fruits and vegetables include organic açai, goji, pineapple, and sweet potato. The slightly sweet vanilla blend is sweetened using stevia.
Each scoop provides 3g of dietary fiber with less than 1g of sugar and only 4g of carbohydrates. Superfood ingredients in this protein powder include spirulina and chlorella. Spirulina is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory powers and chlorella contains plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.
If you’re looking for an organic protein source that is affordable (and has a ton of dietary fiber), Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Fiber contains 13g of plant-based protein per 4 tablespoon serving. The Certified Organic and Kosher protein is made up of only one ingredient: organic hemp protein powder. Research shows that hemp seeds are a good source of protein that is easily digestible.
This versatile protein checks the box as a fiber and protein supplement, so you won't need to purchase both products. Each serving contains 13g of fiber or about half of your recommended daily intake of fiber. The majority of the dietary fiber in the protein is insoluble fiber (12g) which speeds up digestion and adds bulk to stool. This is great to promote regularity and prevent constipation.
Garden of Life is known for its high-quality, pasture-raised, grass-fed protein. Their USDA Organic Vanilla Whey protein is no exception. With 21 grams of easy-to-digest protein in each serving, the creamy vanilla flavor adds a delicious taste and a protein boost to your favorite beverage. Garden of Life's Whey is both grass-fed and organic, meaning that the cow that the whey comes from fed on grass (as opposed to grain) and was not given hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.
The Non-GMO Project Verified protein is sweetened with stevia and is free of added sugars. Each serving contains 4.7g of branched-chain amino acids to help you refuel and repair muscles post-workout. The Certified Gluten-Free product contains 130 calories per serving with only 7g of carbohydrates. It's also good for the digestive system, as each serving contributes 2 billion CFU probiotics from bifidobacterium lactis.
Note that the term grass-fed is not synonymous with organic. Grass-fed is fairly often organic, but organic is not necessarily always grass-fed.
Many protein powders, including organic versions, have intense flavors that don't appeal to all tastebuds. Choosing an unsweetened, unflavored protein like Garden of Life's Raw Organic Protein Powder may be the best option if you want to boost the protein content of your favorite beverage, without altering the taste. The Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Verified powder is also free of stevia and other sweeteners.
The high-quality protein powder is Certified Vegan, NSF Certified Gluten-Free, kosher, and Informed-Sport Clean for Sport. Made from a raw protein blend featuring grains, seeds, and 22 raw and organic sprouts, the powder is a great plant-based alternative to soy and whey proteins. Each scoop provides 110 calories and 22 grams of protein. The easily-digested protein powder also features live probiotics and enzymes, including 3 billion CFU of Lactobacillus.
Certifications: Look for the USDA Organic Certification seal or the term "Organic" on the packaging. Foods that are labeled as "Organic" must contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients (except for water and salt).
Taste: As nutritious as protein powders may be, some are far from delicious and can have chalky aftertastes. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there that contain all the protein you need but taste good as well. Many are available in a wide variety of flavors, or even an unflavored variety, so you can find what works best for you.
Protein: The amount of protein you want in a powder will depend on your goals. Some are designed for weight loss while others are designed to bulk you up, so you want one that helps you reach your goals rather than impedes them. There are also various types of protein sources to consider as well, including whey and those made from plant-based ingredients like peas, brown rice, or hemp.
Other ingredients: Beyond protein, protein powders can contain vastly different ingredients. From those with just a few ingredients to those that contain added nutrients, you’ll want to find one that helps you meet your goals. If you have any dietary restrictions, there are many alternatives out there that are free from common allergens such as soy, wheat, and nuts, too.
"Although an organic protein powder comes at a premium, the high-quality protein will likely benefit the body in the long term. Don’t forget to throw in other top-notch ingredients in your smoothie so the body is filled with pristine nutrients to help optimize your health." —Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RD
A personal note on my recommendations written above. As a dietitian, I am careful to recommend supplements including protein powders. I consider ingredient quality to be a critical factor when selecting a product, so organic items are almost always a first choice. In compiling these recommendations, I spent time reviewing the most current research on protein powders and looking at multiple organic products and brands. I believe the protein supplements in the round-up are made by trusted brands that I would feel comfortable recommending to my clients, friends, and family. I personally have tried all of the powders recommended, and use organic protein powder on a regular basis in smoothies. —Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN
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