Best Vegan Protein Powder | 5 Healthy Plant-Based Options • A Sweet Pea Chef

Plenty to love about vegan protein powder. From being easily digestible to having extra nutrients, I’m giving you the scoop on why I love it. You'll learn the 5 best plant-based powders to try!

Best Vegan Protein Powder | Your Healthiest Plant-Based Options

Y’all probably know how much I love protein powder.

From adding it to cookies and protein pancakes to swapping it in as a healthy four substitute…our pantry may run out of other staples but we will never run out of protein powder.

Because of this passion, I’ve gotten to know many healthy alternatives to animal-based powders. And I've been having a good time researching vegan powders in particular.

So in this post, we're exploring the many reasons vegan protein powder is great. I’ll also be sharing a few of my favorite brands so you can easily find a quality brand and try it out.

Whether you’re vegan or simply looking to cut back on animal-based products, I hope this post gets you to shake things up a bit! (Yes, I try.)

Let’s go!

Can You Build Muscle With Vegan Protein Powder?

Yes, you can build muscle with vegan protein powder. A recent study shows that rice and whey protein can provide similar performance and body composition results. Pea protein also proved to be on par with whey compared to a placebo.

It's easy to think that we need animal protein to score some gains. But according to a 12-week study, weight-lifting men who took in 50 grams of pea protein per day built comparable muscle to men taking whey. Nice!

However, remember that exercise is still a must! Having protein without working out won't work. And hey, a workout at any time is good, right? For more info on pea protein compared to whey, check this post out.

Is Vegan Protein Powder A Processed Food?

Vegan protein powder is a processed food because it's made in a lab. In general, all protein powders are processed as their ingredients are not consumed in a raw or natural state.

In most cases, protein powders (vegan and dairy) also include artificial sweeteners, flavors, and fillers to improve their texture and flavor. So it's important to check the ingredients list and purchase quality brands that don't include the bad stuff, highly-processed added sugars, etc.

It's always best to look for options with minimal ingredients you can understand. Read on further for simple, fantastic vegan brands!

What Is The Tastiest Vegan Protein Powder?

Try this delicious Momentous Essential Protein powder. It's smooth and has great taste, plus it's the go-to brand for professional athletes with its NSF for sport certification. It contains a pea and rice protein blend, and you're getting 20 grams of protein per serving! This brand comes in two flavors; chocolate and vanilla chai. Yum!

And I've gotta mention this! I've recently developed cleanish Plant-Based Protein Powder and have been getting marvelous reviews on the taste. Enjoy flavors like Chocolate + Sea Salt, Vanilla Bean, and Caramel Latte, you'll be happy. With 20 grams of protein and 100% natural, it's a fab option!

Is Pea Protein Healthy?

Yes, pea protein is incredible and healthy! It’s slowly becoming a favorite protein source of mine and because of that, our cleanish Plant-Based Protein Powder is... you guessed it! Made with pea protein. Here are some benefits of plant-based protein powder:

Low in sugar and carbs
It contains all nine essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids
High in iron and low in fat
High protein intake is good for heart health
Can reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure
High-quality protein is good for weight loss and can keep you full
It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Healthy for your gut and digestive system due to its fiber content
Versatile for different diets, offering terrific nutrition
It can help you build muscle

Want to know more about its many benefits? I wrote a whole post on it here!

Which Vegan Protein Is Easiest To Digest?

Pea protein is easy to digest because it doesn’t contain lactose and is gluten-free. Thus, it is versatile for different diets. It’s also allergy-free and contains fiber (which makes it friendly to your digestive system).

Another vegan protein that’s easy to digest is hemp protein. It’s a complete plant-based protein that includes nine essential amino acids and essential fatty acids! A vegan diet with protein sources like legumes, almonds, peanut butter, quinoa, broccoli, and lentils is even better when you up the amount of protein you take in with a plant protein powder. Hemp protein, extracted from hemp seeds is an awesome choice.

Is Plant-Based Protein Bad For You?

No, plant-based protein isn’t bad for you. There are so many benefits to it! Just be sure to pick brands that are conscious of producing quality products and always read the labels. Organic plant protein, for instance, will have traceable ingredients sourced from reliable producers.

Look for the grams of fiber listed on the label too, and keep an eye out for healthy sweeteners like monk fruit extract or stevia, as opposed to processed sugar. And if you see buckwheat, millet, flaxseed, chia seed, sunflower seed, or pumpkin seed, that's all good as well!

Some vegan protein powders will include additions like carbohydrates, sprouted grain, sprouted garbanzo bean, kale, and alfalfa for added nutrition. You'll find lots of probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in many high quality plant-based protein products.

And as with everything, moderation is always important. For example, pea protein may be high in sodium, so it’s always best to watch your intake.

Is Protein Powder Good For IBS?

If you have IBS, consult your registered dietitian for advice on protein powders. I get asked this question a lot and while I do think that there is a definite place for organic plant-based protein powder in the eating regimen of someone with IBS, why not avoid the guessing game?

Ask your registered dietitian nutritionist which type of protein powder is best for you. From organic pea proteins to hemp proteins to soy proteins, there is a lot to unpack. Your healthcare practitioner will have the full scoop on protein supplements, powders, and more.

Which Vegan Protein Powder Is The Best?

I've narrowed down the best vegan protein powders based on nutritional benefits, availability, and protein content! Take a look 🙂

1. Pea Protein Powder

I honestly love pea protein. So much, I wrote a whole post on all of its benefits! It's suitable for all diets and is highly digestible and affordable. Studies show pea protein may help lower blood pressure, build lean muscle, and boost your metabolism!

It also keeps you full and helps boost hair, nails, and skin health. What's also good for skin health? Check out the 8 Best Foods For Your Skin.

2. Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder

Pumpkin seeds rock. They're loaded with nutritional benefits, and as a protein source, they make an effective vegan option. Not only do you get a good dose of magnesium, but there are also iron, zinc, and other minerals. Studies also show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits from the plant compounds in pumpkin seed protein.

Want to learn more about the benefits of pumpkin seeds? Check out this post.

3. Hemp Protein Powder

It’s easy to have hemp in this list as it contains 20 amino acids, including the nine essential ones your body can’t produce on its own. Loaded with healthy omega fats, fiber, and of course, protein, hemp protein powder is a nutritional powerhouse packed into a few calories.

Studies show that hemp can help with immunity and fatigue if you're still not convinced.

4. Brown Rice Protein

Although it's not a complete protein, evidence supports brown rice protein powder as an effective aid in muscle growth. It's also rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs), which help with muscle repair and recovery.

Make sure to choose quality brands free from heavy metals or arsenic contamination that may be present in low-quality rice products.

5. Soy Protein

Rich in BCAAs and a complete protein source, soy protein powder makes the list for its many benefits! It may also help support weight loss, increased energy, muscle growth, and lower cholesterol.

Just steer clear of GMO soy protein products, and you're good to go!

More Great Protein Powder Recipes

Put your new knowledge to good use. If you aim to avoid animal products, grab some vegan protein powder and make some of these clean recipes!

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.