The Best Vegan Protein Supplements
You have heard it before: "How do vegans get enough protein?" Well, the answer is simple: plants! A diet full of beans, seeds, nuts, tofu, tempeh, grains, vegetables, seitan, and the list goes on, is more than enough protein to satisfy one's protein intake for the day.
So you may be wondering, what are protein supplements, and why do people take them? Protein supplements are dietary supplements that contain a high percentage of protein. These supplements can be sold in the form of powders, snack bars, drinks, and even foods such as cookies, various nut butters, chips, the list goes on! Many athletes, specifically ones who are trying to gain muscle mass and strength, may require a slightly higher protein intake than the rest of the non-active population because having a diet full of protein allows the body to build muscles and recover from exercise. While protein supplements are not absolutely needed, as one can fulfill his or her daily intake by eating whole, nutrient dense foods, they can be a useful tool to get a quick protein fix. Many non-vegans consume protein supplements that are made from cow's milk and eggs, but there are also many plant-based supplements on store shelves that derive from ingredients such as rice, peas, soy, hemp, and even from foods such as cranberries and artichokes!
Recently, due to my fitness goals, I have experimented with various vegan supplements in my diet. After trying out many products, specifically in the form of powders and snack bars, I wanted to share with all of you my favorite vegan protein supplements!
PROTEIN SNACKS
Price Per Bar: Ranges between $2-4 when individually bought
My favorite flavor(s): Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter, Chocolate Coated Cookie-Dough
Sarah and Andrew Gordon, the founders of Square Organics, created these delicious chocolate coated protein bars in 2012 after Sarah's asthma caused her to remove gluten, dairy, soy, processed sugars, and some meats from her diet. Because of her dietary restrictions, Sarah wanted to create a performance bar that included, "...nutrient-dense and minimally processed plant proteins like sprouted whole grain brown rice, and low glycemic sweeteners like coconut nectar." Although each of their products has slightly different macronutrients, they typically have around 220 calories and between 10-13 grams of protein. As time has passed, the brand has expanded. Not only do they offer chocolate coated protein bars in various flavors ranging from peanut butter, to cherry coconut, to almond spice, the brand now offers protein popcorn and crisp bars, which do not have the chocolate coating! While sometimes I find that the chocolate coated bars are quite sweet, the flavor profiles are outstanding. Square Organics can be found in Whole Foods, The Vitamin Shop, smoothie joints such as Pure Green, and other health food stores. The first time I tried the chocolate coated peanut butter bar, I was hooked! I kept going back to the store to buy and to try different flavors, and before I knew it, I had begun ordering them in bulk online.
Price Per Variety Four Pack: $12.00
My favorite flavor(s): I really could not choose one, they are all incredible.
Elizabeth Ann Giannuzzi, the CEO, and Co-founder of Siren Snacks, founded these delicious treats after she was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune condition, which caused her to switch to a plant-based diet free from processed and artificial ingredients. The Brand's mission is to, "...create a collection of snack bites using protein derived from peas. The result is a delicious, incredibly satisfying snack that is better for your body, better for the environment, and even better for our furry friends, too." Born in San Francisco, I was incredibly lucky to find this brand. I had been visiting a friend over there, and on my last day, I was looking for some healthy and vegan treats to take with me on the plane ride. I was strolling through Vegan Picnic and spotted the intriguing snacks. They caught my attention not only because of the ornate packaging but also because they are “bites” instead of a bar. When I read the label more closely, it said that each bite is designed to be one gram of protein, so you can have as many or as little as you desire! I bought the cookie dough flavor and during my flight, I pulled out the package and tried a piece...and immediately fell SO in love. The texture was incredibly smooth and it melted in my mouth. On top of that, it truly tasted like cookie dough! As soon as I arrived home, I went on their website to buy myself every flavor, which each have about 190-200 calories and 12 grams of protein, and had them shipped to me from across the Country. Not to my surprise, all of them are insanely delicious and taste exactly like the dessert they are trying to mimic!
Price Per Bar: Ranges between $2-2.50 when individually bought
My favorite flavor(s): Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Lemon Meringue Pie
After falling in love with fitness, but not with the stomach-pain inducing dairy protein bars out there, Daniel Katz began No Cow, a vegan protein bar brand that, "delivers high-quality, non-dairy protein with ridiculously low sugar." These bars, which are relatively low in calories and have upwards of 20 grams of protein, and are free from gluten, soy, dairy, and GMOs. No Cow also offers protein cookies, and even "fluffbutters," which are essentially dessert-flavored nut-butters that are infused with extra protein and are low in sugar. Some may not like the somewhat grainy texture of these bars, but I am personally a huge fan! Each bar also contains pea protein crumbles that add a nice crunch. I buy these in bulk directly from their website or on Amazon, but they can also be found in The Vitamin Shop, and other various stores!
PROTEIN POWDERS
Price Per 15-Serving Container: Ranges between $19.99-23.99
My favorite flavor(s): Chocolate Warrior Blend, Vanilla Warrior Blend
Sun Warrior is hands down my favorite protein powder of all time. The brand, founded in 2008, "is a premier all natural, raw, superfood company, [that is] dedicated to providing the best vegan plant-based protein powders and supplements." All of their products are free from, "gluten, GMOs, radiation, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, soy, yeast, wheat, or added sugars," yet are full of flavor! I also love this brand because their products are not chalky or grainy at all. I use these protein powders every day and love to put them in my smoothies, oats, ice cream, and virtually anywhere else that they will taste good. Each flavor has roughly 100 calories per scoop and almost 20 grams of plant protein! They can be found at The Vitamin Shop, Whole Foods, and other stores as well! Sun Warrior is well worth its price.
Price Per Serving Packet: About $2.00
My favorite flavor(s): Protein Superfood Pure Vanilla, Protein Superfood Chocolate
Amazing Grass is a, "USDA organic, Non-GMO, kosher pareve, vegan and gluten-free" brand that contains, "a plethora of vitamins, minerals, plant-based protein and phytochemicals, leafy greens [to] assist the body in maintaining healthy organ function, detoxification, and immunity." Aside from protein powders, Amazing Grass also sells superfood bars, elixirs, and health powders to include in your diet! I do not use this brand too often, but when I need something on-the-go, it can be very useful. One scoop of the various protein powder flavors has roughly 130-140 calories and 20 grams of protein! Additionally, each serving contains seven alkalizing greens and two full servings of fruits and vegetables. The protein powder does have an interesting tang of flavor from the addition of greens and fruit and veggie servings, but they are still quite tasty! Amazing Grass is found in so many stores, ranging from Whole Foods, to health food shops, to even yoga parlors!
HONORABLE MENTION
Price Per Bar: About $2.00 when inidiviually bought
My favorite flavor(s): Slim Crunchy Peanut Butter, Slim Toasted Coconut
NuGo Nutrition is a protein bar brand that strives to make bars that are made with, "wholesome, naturally delicious, non-GMO ingredients." While the brand is not solely vegan, it offers a variety of products to suit a diverse set of people's needs, such as bars that are low glycemic, high-protein, gluten-free, low-carb, and plant-based. They also have a line of products that are good for people with diabetes. My personal favorites are the Slim Bars, which are low in sugar and have between 16-17 grams of protein per bar, depending on the flavor. NuGo can be found in Whole Foods, on Amazon, as well as other health food stores!