Nutrition Products Protein Powders The 7 Best Vegan Protein Powders, According to a Dietitian Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is our top pick, containing all essential amino acids By Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD is a senior editor at Verywell Fit, a registered dietitian, and a published author. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 27, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Facebook Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and macro social worker. 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Verywell / Sabrina Jiang If you're following a vegan diet and find it difficult to meet your protein needs through food alone, there are many vegan-friendly protein powders on the market. These powders are derived from plant-based protein sources including pea, hemp, pumpkin seed, brown rice, soy, chia, and flax. In addition to total protein, adequate essential amino-acid intake is also important to keep in mind on a vegan diet, as it requires incorporating a variety of plant-based proteins. Nathalie Rhone, MS, RD says, "Most plant proteins are not “complete,” which means that they don't contain all the essential amino acids that we need. If a client is vegan and having trouble thoughtfully combining plant sources of protein in his or her diet, or if a client requires higher protein intake and for some reason cannot get that through whole foods, I may recommend adding in a plant-based protein supplement." It is important to note that all plant-based protein powders are not necessarily vegan, as some may contain animal-derived products such as honey. When selecting our top list of vegan protein powders, we considered taste, protein content, amino acid profile, and additional ingredients. Verywell Fit Approved Vegan Protein Powders Best Overall: Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is USDA Organic and contains 19 grams of plant-based protein per scoop, including all nine essential amino acids. Best with Greens: Amazing Grass Protein Superfood contains 20 grams of complete vegan protein from sources including pea, quinoa, chia, and hemp combined with a fruit and vegetable blend for added nutrients. Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take. In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Select Supplements What To Look For Vegan Protein Powder Dosage Best Overall: Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Organic Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Vitacost Pros Zero grams of added sugar Cons Unflavored powder may not be palatable for some consumers The USDA Organic Sunwarrior Warrior Blend takes the top pick for vegan protein powders with 19 grams of plant-based protein per scoop, including all nine essential amino acids. The high protein blend is allergy-friendly, as it is free of soy, gluten, and dairy. The protein 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 MCT oil from coconut oil, Sunwarrior’s Warrior Blend Natural is a great choice. Each scoop also provides 6 milligrams of iron, which is helpful for those following a vegan diet that is commonly low in iron. This protein powder is not third-party tested or certified vegan, but Sunwarrior is dedicated to creating high-quality, plant-based dietary supplements. Key nutrients: Organic fermented pea protein, organic hemp protein | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: None Best Budget: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Max Fiber Protein Powder Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Manitobaharvest.com Pros Excellent source of dietary fiber Single ingredient protein source Cons High fiber content may not be desirable for pre-exercise supplementation If you’re looking for a high-quality protein source that is affordable (and has a ton of dietary fiber), Manitoba Harvest HempPro Fiber contains 13 grams of plant-based protein and fiber per 4-tablespoon serving. That’s about half of your recommended daily intake of fiber. The majority of the dietary fiber in the protein is insoluble fiber (12 grams), which speeds up digestion and adds bulk to stool. This is great to promote regularity and prevent constipation. 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. Key nutrients: Organic hemp protein | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: None The 8 Best Recovery Foods and Drinks for Your Workout Best with Greens: Amazing Grass Plant Protein Superfood Powder Vanilla Courtesy of Walmart.com View On Amazon View On IHerb Pros Dairy free Gluten free Grain free Cons Small package has just 11 servings per container 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 20 grams of complete vegan protein from sources including pea, quinoa, chia, and hemp. Additional fruits and vegetables include organic acai, goji, pineapple, and sweet potato. The slightly sweet vanilla blend is sweetened using stevia. Each scoop provides 3 grams of dietary fiber with less than 1 gram of sugar and only 4 grams 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. While it’s not third-party tested or Certified Vegan, we like this certified organic protein powder for its nutrient-dense ingredients, as well as the brand’s dedication to making high-quality plant-based supplements. Key nutrients: Organic pea protein, organic hemp protein | Vegan: Yes, but not certified | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: Natural flavor, xanthan gum What Experts Say "Eating a diet rich in plants has been shown to promote optimal health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. However, most plant proteins are not “complete,” which means that they don't contain all the essential amino acids that we need. If a client is vegan and having trouble thoughtfully combining plant sources of protein in his or her diet, or if a client requires higher protein intake and for some reason cannot get that through whole foods, I may recommend adding in a plant-based protein supplement." —Nathalie Rhone, MS, RD Best Grain-Free: Sprout Living Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma View On Amazon Pros Zero grams of added sugar Cons Small package, only 13 servings in a bag If you’re looking for a paleo-friendly (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) plant-based protein powder, Sprout Living’s Epic Protein is a great choice. Many vegan protein powders include grain-based proteins 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. Each two-scoop serving provides 26 grams of plant-based protein. It boasts 5 grams of dietary fiber, most derived from Jerusalem artichoke. The vegan protein comes in four flavors: chocolate maca, green kingdom, vanilla lucuma, and original. Of note, the product is free of fillers and gums. While not third-party tested, we appreciate that this product is Certified Vegan and free of fillers and gums. Key nutrients: Organic pea, organic sunflower seed, organic pumpkin seed | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: None The 6 Best Pea Protein Powders of 2022, According to a Dietitian Best Brown Rice Protein: Sunwarrior Classic Protein Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Vitamin Shoppe Pros Zero added sugar Fermented protein powder increases bioavailability Cons Some consumers may not enjoy taste of stevia Sunwarrior’s Classic Protein is a simple, organic, plant-based brown rice protein powder. It’s made up of five ingredients: brown rice, vanilla flavor, guar gum, stevia extract, and ancient sea salt. One scoop provides 20 grams of protein with 100 calories and zero added sugar. The vegan powder is also free of gluten, soy, and dairy. The brown rice powder is sprouted and fermented, meaning that the brown rice is soaked for a period of time and then allowed to germinate. This process increases the bioavailability of nutrients such as vitamins and fatty acids and decreased amounts of anti-nutrients such as phytates and tannins. While this powder is not third-party tested or certified vegan, Sunwarrior is dedicated to creating high-quality, plant-based dietary supplements. Key nutrients: Fermented brown rice protein powder | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: Guar gum Best Stevia-Free: NAKED nutrition NAKED PEA 1LB Pea Protein Isolate Courtesy of NAKED nutrition View On Amazon View On Nkdnutrition.com Pros Single ingredient protein source Cons Unflavored powder may not be palatable to some consumers Naked Pea Protein is a great stevia-free vegan protein powder to add to your routine. In fact, it’s free of all additives, because the only ingredient is Yellow Pea Protein. This powder is Certified Vegan, certified gluten-free, soy-free, and made with non-GMO ingredients. Each serving provides 120 calories and an impressive 27 grams of plant-based protein. It is certified by Informed Choice, which tests products to ensure they are not adulterated with substances banned in sports. The unflavored powder easily blends into your favorite beverages, smoothies, or can be used in baked goods. Key nutrients: Yellow pea protein | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: None Best Soy-Free: Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Vitamin Shoppe Pros No added sugar Contains probiotics for gut health Cons Not organic Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder is soy-free and made from a blend of different vegan protein sources including pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, alfalfa seed protein, and sunflower seed protein. It provides all nine essential amino acids and 30 grams of protein per serving. It also has 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and tart cherry to support recovery. Sweetened with stevia leaf extract, this protein powder has zero grams of added sugar, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of dietary fiber. It also provides 2 billion CFU probiotics bacillus coagulans for gut health. This protein powder is Certified Vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified, and third-party NSF Certified for Sport. Key nutrients: Pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, alfalfa seed protein, and sunflower seed protein | Vegan: Yes | Gluten Free: Yes | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes | Additives: Xanthan gum Final Verdict For a simple, vegan protein powder, try Sunwarrior Warrior Blend (view at Amazon). We like the allergen-friendly blend and the addition of branched-chain amino acids and MCTs to the mix. For a budget-friendly vegan protein powder, try Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Organic Max Fiber Protein Powder (view at Amazon). We like the single nutrient ingredient list and high fiber content. How We Select Supplements Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab. It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend. What To Look For Flavor While many protein powders are packed with essential nutrients, some may fall short in terms of taste. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of flavors out there. You can also mix many of them with different beverages, fruits, and vegetables to tailor the flavor exactly to your liking. Type of Protein There are a variety of vegan protein sources, including peas, soy, brown rice, and hemp. Some may agree with you more than others; you might also have to base your choice on any dietary restrictions you have. Fortunately, some varieties can work for most diets (including organic formulas). Fillers When it comes to protein powder, you want to make sure you know what else is included besides protein. Some brands contain fillers that add extra calories from carbs, while other formulas offer purely protein. Vegan Protein Powder Dosage The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine define the DRI (Daily Recommended Intake) for protein as 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for healthy adults. However, individual protein needs are dependent on many factors including height, weight, age, physical activity level and overall health status. For example, some athletes may need anywhere from 1.2-2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. Consider speaking with a healthcare provider or working with a Registered Dietitian to assess your individual protein needs. While you can meet your daily protein needs through plant-based foods (including nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, tofu and other soy-based proteins), protein powders can help to meet your goals. Assess how much protein you are getting from food and supplement with protein powders as needed to reach your individualized, optimal intake. Frequently Asked Questions Is all protein powder vegan? No, all protein powder is not considered vegan. Many protein powders are derived from animal-based products, like whey protein, which comes from milk protein isolates. Plant-based proteins are derived from various sources, including soy, pea, rice, flaxseed, hemp seed, sunflower seed, and chia seed. Many of them are vegan, but some may contain animal-derived products like honey. Be sure to check the ingredient lists to make sure the product is compliant with your dietary modifications. Is vegan protein powder keto-friendly? Most Vegan protein powders contain carbohydrates, some in the form of added sugars, which may interfere with your keto intake goals. If you follow a keto diet, look for powders low in overall carbohydrates and sugar—under 5 grams of each is best. For a great keto-friendly vegan protein powder, try Sunwarrior Organic Vegan Protein Powder Warrior Blend (view at Amazon). One scoop (25 grams) contains 17 grams of protein and just 1 gram of carbohydrate and 0 grams of sugar. It also contains MCT oil to boost your healthy fat intake. Is vegan protein powder healthier than non-vegan protein powder like whey? The nutritional content and ingredient lists vary greatly from one protein powder to another, whether they are plant-based or animal-derived. Therefore, it’s important to compare specific product information when deciding on what powder to choose. Animal-based proteins are considered higher quality protein sources based on their amino acid levels and ratios and their protein digestibility or bioavailability. Whey and animal-derived protein powders tend to have a higher amount of protein per ounce, and they are considered complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids.However, plant-based proteins tend to have higher levels of antioxidants and fiber. Some plant-based proteins, like soy, contain all nine essential amino acids and have a relatively high protein content per ounce. Other plant-based protein powders contain complementary protein blends, meaning they combine different plant proteins to create a complete protein.Consider your individual health goals and concerns when selecting which protein powder is best for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? 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