5 Vegan Proteins You Need to Taste

 

 

 

In a market flooded with brands, it can get a little overwhelming when you're looking for a product that tastes great, delivers quality nutrition and doesn't cost the earth.

 

 

And when each brand's label claims look completely different, despite similar ingredients, this is typically when frustration can kick in.

 

 

So how do we really know what the best vegan protein powder is?

 

  

It's typically best to strip a protein powder down to it's most basic elements, while forgetting about flashy labels, marketing claims and social media influencers.

 

 

As boring as it may seem, let's get back to nutritional basics.

 

 

This is where the ingredients listing and nutrition panel become your best friends.

 

 

These label declarations are where the product reveals some of its secrets as mandated by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

 

 

Of course, if you have specific allergies or other concerns, check out the allergen declaration and warnings sections as well.

 

 

Protein powder companies are fortunate these days, as they have access to tonnes of raw material suppliers.

 

 

Because vegan protein powders are in such high demand, it's no surprise that raw material suppliers are always looking for better ways to extract and process proteins from plant sources, such as legumes and seeds.

 

There are even watermelon seed and chia seed proteins on the Australian market.

 

 

Due to this rise in manufacturer availability of plant proteins, protein supplements found in sports stores, health food stores, gyms and supermarkets have always got something different on offer for the prospective consumer. However, this can make things confusing for anyone without some hardcore nutrition qualifications.

 

 

People are switching to plant-based protein powders for very personal reasons. Sometimes the decision has absolutely nothing to do with nutrition, and instead might be a choice based on any combination of economic, environmental, ethical or even spiritual reasons.

 

 

This means the increased availability of vegan protein powders probably won't be slowing down any time soon. In fact, the industry might just be getting warmed up.

 

 

Despite the differences in vegan protein powders, we could all agree that we need a product that can deliver the best nutrition, and that is clean and safe, and preferably does not taste like sawdust.

 

 

The Fusion of Science and Plants

Keeping our protein intake optimised on a vegan or vegetarian diet has never been simpler. We are blessed to have access to an awesome range of vegan protein powders.

 

 

Let's face it, with the best vegan protein powder at hand, we can be sure that we are covering one of the most important macronutrients for the human body. And all with a simple shake that (hopefully) tastes awesome.

 

  

What are the most important nutrients that we need to survive, and even better, thrive? We all know that we can’t do too long without oxygen, and not so long without water either. After this it comes down to the nine essential amino acids, which are found in quality protein sources.

 

 

That's right, essential amino acids clock in at number 3, after oxygen and water! Then come the essential fatty acids. And on and on from there through all the nutrients required by the human body, some of which scientists most likely haven’t even discovered yet ...

 

 

You see, quality protein is not just about building muscle for aesthetic purposes, though it has become fashionable to carry some muscle bulk (thanks Schwarzenegger). There are other reasons why we need muscle mass. Skeletal muscle mass is important for movement, coordination and balance.

 

 

And though it may seem that we don't need much muscle for this (ask any long-term video game addict), it really becomes important in older age when building muscle mass is can be difficult. In the advancing years, muscle mass is relied upon for coordination and to prevent falls.

 

 

However, one of the most crucial roles for muscle mass (nearly always overlooked) is its ability to store and release, as-needed, the essential amino acids. Muscle is literally an amino acid reservoir that we tap into during periods of fasting, illness or other metabolic stressors.

 

 

Dr Robert R. Wolfe covers this topic extensively in one of the many research papers he has authored, called "The Underappreciated Role of Muscle in Health and Disease", published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006.

 

 

So what are proteins, really? Proteins are complex 3-dimensional structures. They are made up of chains of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds. If you picture a long chain, where each link in the chain is an amino acid, and then gather that chain up into a big ball, that’s kind of what proteins look like under a microscope.

 

 

Proteins are not perfectly straight lines, all laid out and ready for digestion. They are a big jumbled mess that our digestive system has to unravel like a rubik’s cube with chewing, peristalsis, acids and enzymes.

 

After we eat or drink protein, it first needs to be unfolded (denatured) by stomach acid, which also helps to destroy any harmful bacteria that may be present. Then, specific enzymes (pepsin and protease) start breaking the links in the chain—the peptide bonds.

 

 

This creates smaller and smaller units. When the proteins are broken down enough (dipeptides, tripeptides and single amino acids), they are ready for absorption from the intestines into the blood. From here, once past the liver, they are circulated to the organs, muscles and the brain.

 

Given the countless roles that essential amino acids play in the body, the importance of good protein nutrition cannot be overstated. The fact that protein shakes are so well known these days tends to take the shine off of just how helpful they really can be ... like the boy who cried wolf ... or the girl who cried tiger.

 

Fortunately, Sportys Health stocks an impressive range of sports nutrition and wellness products, each with their own point of difference. Hooray! In fact, we are sure to have a product that will qualify as the best vegan protein powder for you. So, let’s take a closer look at the 5 best vegan protein powders on the market.

 

Balance Plant Protein

Balance is one of the latest sports nutrition companies to release a protein for vegans in Australia. As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Does it rate as the absolute best vegan protein powder? Let’s take a look.

 

Balance took their sweet time in putting together this product, but rushing to market can sometimes lead to an incomplete product.

 

This plant protein contains a formidable blend of quality ingredients, delivering an unparalleled taste and texture. Balance Plant Protein is a smooth and delicious protein powder, currently available in chocolate, vanilla and berry flavours.

 

When it comes to plant-based protein powder, texture becomes just as important as flavour. Unlike the natural milky quality of plain whey protein, plain plant proteins can be gritty and grainy.

 

This makes it tough when balancing (no excuses for the semi-pun) flavours for an astute palate. This is where Balance have done their homework. Their plant protein has one of the best texture and flavour jobs on the market.

 

When mixed in water the finished product glides over the palate quite nicely, with a moorish flavour. It also works superbly in smoothies, shakes and in baking. If it's not the best vegan protein powder, it's definitely up there as a leading contender.

 

Of course, protein is not just about how good they make our morning smoothie taste. We have to consider the nutritional impact on our body. Most people also take into consideration the cost-effectiveness as well. After all, some people drink these protein shakes daily, for decades.

 

 

One single 30 gram serve taken daily for 10 years equates to almost 110 kilograms of powder! Just imagine how much of a difference it would make putting 110 kg of a low quality product into your body versus something that’s premium sourced? And how this would impact quality of life …

 

 

 The protein in Balance Plant Protein is extracted from 4 plants, which are pea protein, organic brown rice protein powder, chia seed and sacha inchi seed.

 

 

And though this ingredients list all sounds very natural and impressive, we do have to consider the essential amino acid (EAAs) values of the finished product. And if we really want to dig a little deeper, take the time to look at the bio-availability of this profile.

 

 

Bioavailability takes into consideration not just the total amount of the 9 EAAs in a product, but the balance between them. For instance, grains, such as wheat and rice, tend to be low in an essential amino acid called lysine. The 9 EAAs work well as a team, and so a low lysine value limits how we uptake the other 8 essential amino acids.

 

 

Lysine would therefore become the weak link. Fortunately, Balance Plant Protein has a healthy 5% lysine content, even though some of the protein is derived from rice. A lysine content like this is comparable to egg white powder, which has an excellent biological value.

 

 

Balance Plant Protein also contains a solid 70% protein, with 20.9 grams of protein per 30 gram serve, and delivers a mere 0.3 grams of fat per serve, along with 2.5 grams of carbohydrates per serve.

 

 

A small amount of glutamine and branched chain amino acids have also been added, as well as the bromelains and papains digestive enzymes, derived from pineapple and paw paw, respectively. This product is also naturally sweetened with stevia and thaumatin.

 

 

Now if you're concerned about the addition of the BCAAs to the product, let me alleviate your fears. We've all heard the stories of amino acid spiking, but this is certainly not that. Firstly, quality vegan BCAAs are not cheap, and secondly, they can bio-enhance the finished product.

 

 

 

As Leucine is a potent activator of mTOR, this means muscles can be primed to take-up more amino acids, generating more protein synthesis. This is especially helpful in advancing age, and may assist in overcoming anabolic resistance. Why add extra isoleucine and valine then?

 

 

These 3 amino acids need to be kept in balance, as just adding leucine would drop levels of the other 2 BCAAs, due to stimulation of oxidation enzymes, which would limit protein synthesis.

 

We were impressed to say the least with this addition to the Balance Sports Nutrition range. It tastes great and delivers the quality nutrition that we have come to expect from this leading brand.

 

 

Royal Hemp Protein Powder

It goes without saying that the Sporty's Health staff were more than a little excited when they first heard about this product. Royual Hemp have created a protein powder that contains all natural sweeteners and flavours. It is made from premium certified organic hemp protein and is not diluted with cheaper proteins as so many hemp proteins do. 

 

While hemp is growing it goes the extra mile, adding plentiful amounts of mineral and creating an abundant fatty acid profile.

 

The carbohydrate content per serve is quite low, at 2 grams per serve, making this a quality keto or low-carb option. With 4.5 grams of fats per serve, much of which is essential fatty acid, this makes for a quality protein product.

 

Providing 20 grams of solid protein nutrition per serve, Royal Hemp Protein contains plenty of essential amino acids. In addition, hemp is a rich and natural source of Vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, calcium, iron and zinc. This puts hemp proteininto a new category as a protein and mineral supplement!

 

Given the commonality of mineral and vitamin deficiencies in western nations, it's definitely helpful to get a hit of minerals (in addition to essential fats) in your protein shake that are naturally sourced and not synthetic derivatives.             

 

Despite the products slightly earthy flavour, the Sporty's Health team were impressed with the quality of protein, and the added benefits of the essential fatty acids and micronutrients. If you're looking for vegan protein support with added benefits, this is your product.

 

Bodyscience Clean Vegan Protein

Body Science are a tried and trusted brand that focus on natural protein powder ingredients with banned substance free assurance. Their products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are free from prohibited substances, allowing peace of mind for sports professionals and athletes.

 

This protein for vegans, and omnivores too, is a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein powder, with natural vanilla flavour and the natural sweeteners stevia and thaumatin. These two protein sources are often used in a plant-based protein powder, as they tend to complement each other with regards to taste, texture, and amino acid profile.

Bodyscience Clean Vegan Protein has a pleasant taste, is gluten free and 100% natural. Each serve delivers 30 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of fat and 4.2 grams of carbohydrates, 1.5 grams of which are sugars. This means each serve is a nice 159 calories!

 

At such a low energy content, this makes it a great product for anyone on a fat-loss program.

 

Bodyscience have kept this product nice and simple, not adding too many obscure ingredients. So if its clean and simple you like, then this is the best vegan protein powder for you.

 

Clean Vegan Protein is a great addition to the Bodyscience range, providing a clean, simple and natural product that will help you hit those macronutrient targets. This is certainly a product in good contention for the best vegan protein powder.

 

Amazonia Raw Protein Isolate

 Amazonia are well known for their range of sprouted and bio-fermented proteins. They do a great job at including as many organic ingredients as possible.

 

The Pea protein powder and rice protein powder are both certified organic, making this as close as you will get to a 100% organic product. This is the best vegan protein powder if your focus is organic.

 

 

Amazonia really hone-in on the power of digestion with this product as well, capitalising on the bio-fermentation process and the addition of a digestive enzyme blend.

 

The bio-fermentation process should make this product lighter on the digestive system.

 

The enzymes added, particularly protease, are responsible for physically breaking down proteins into smaller units which are then absorbed.

 

This means less hard work for the digestive system, which is a great thing for anyone prone to digestive difficulties.

 

Amazonia Raw Protein Isolate contains natural sweeteners and flavours, including organic vanilla bean and stevia extract. It contains a healthy amount of iron, at around 6 to 9 mg per serve, depending on the flavour.

 

This is a decent amount of iron, given that the recommended dietary intake is 8 mg per day for men of all ages and women over the age of 50. Young women need quite a bit more at 18 mg per day. With one Amazonia Raw Protein Isolate protein shake per day, anywhere between 35% and 100% of the RDI for iron can be covered.

 

This product contains all of the essential amino acids, including a healthy branched chain amino acid percentage of 19.23% (cacao coconut flavour). This is comparable to whey protein isolate. And the BCAAs are naturally occurring and derived from plants- not added as free form amino acids.

 

Add in the greater than 20 grams of protein per serve, with minimal calories, fat and carbs, and you’ve got a wholesome plant-based product that is light on digestion and delivers unsurpassed quality vegan protein.  

 

Prana Power Plant Protein

Prana are a market leader in sports nutrition and wellness, especially when it comes to gourmet flavour. For so many, the hardest part of switching to a plant-based protein powder is finding a product that tastes good. Plain unflavoured whey protein tastes quite neutral, making it easy to flavour.

 

Pea protein and rice proteins, however, have a harder flavour and texture profile to work with. Prana have weaved some magic when it comes to flavour and texture, which sets is apart from all others in the industry. In fact, they’re so good that some mix them into water to eat for dessert.

 

Prana Power Plant Protein is a blend of pea, rice protein powder and fababean protein, fortified with isoleucine, leucine and valine. These extra fortified amino acids are a unique addition to the powder. Extra leucine for a protein powder is certainly a good thing.

 

In fact, added leucine improves the ability of the essential amino acids to stimulate muscle repair and healing. This is because leucine triggers mTOR, an important part of the muscle protein synthesis process.

 

Furthermore, research into leucine fortified whey protein doses show that its potency is increased quite remarkably with the addition of extra leucine. Given plant-protein's excellent essential amino acid profile, there's no reason the same results could not be achieved with it instead of whey. Check out the research snippet below.

 

 

This product also contains the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans and digestive enzymes to support the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fibre. The natural sweeteners included in this product are steviol glycosides and monk fruit extract.

 

If flavour and texture are a big issue for you, look no further than Prana Power Plant Protein. There are more than a few people who class this as the best vegan protein powder.

 

Conclusion

It can be a tricky affair pulling apart a protein powder to see how they compare.

 

If you are after a simple formula with minimal ingredients that is banned substance tested, then Bodyscience have the best vegan protein powder for you.

 

However, if organic and holistic is your thing, then we suggest Amazonia.

 

If the best vegan protein powder should taste amazing with a smooth texture, and be all natural, then Balance certainly ticks all of the boxes.

 

Worried about quality and getting some extra nutrition with your protein? If so, the best vegan protein powder for you is Gold Standard.

 

And finally, if you want to keep your sodium low and want a gourmet taste second to none, Prana will bring home the mushrooms and fry them in the pan.

 

The best vegan protein powder is a very individual thing. So consider your needs, and take it from there ...