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Men's Journal

The 8 Best Vegan Protein Powders and Best Vegetarian Protein Powders

Tom Lorenzo 8/25/2021
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  • Slide 1 of 6: If you want to get the best results possible when you hit the gym, you can’t just expect results without supplements. You need to fuel your body up with the right nutrients and ingredients to get the best results possible. This means for many that a good protein powder needs to be used before, during, and after a workout. But for vegans, that isn’t usually the case with most powders. That’s why vegans need to find and use the best vegan protein powders. “There is no reason that someone who eats a vegan or vegetarian diet can’t build just as much muscle as an omnivore,” says Matt Ruscigno, MPH, R.D. “They can get all of the same amino acids in the right amounts.” Why can’t vegans use most of the protein powders that exist out there? That is because most of them are made with dairy or other such non-vegan-friendly protein sources. And that isn’t just a problem for them in a grander sense but in a micro sense. Going from vegan to nonvegan is not a shift you make easily. And if you vegans want to put on the most muscle possible, then you need to use protein powders made from vegan-friendly sources. There are plenty of options out there for you vegans. Maybe not as much as the non-vegan options, but they are there. Options for protein sources being such options as Soy and hemp and brown rice amongst others. These have all been formulated with the intent of getting you fueled up with a ton of energy to burn off at the gym. And when you burn them off, your muscles will grow and recover much quicker. Great results all around. We have gone ahead and found some of the best vegan protein powders you guys could hope for. They are all found beneath and have been picked for their differences in protein sources. You can choose the one that works best for you. And in no time, you will be ready for a vigorous workout with the results you’ve always wanted. Get your body properly fueled and bulk up right now. The Best Vegan Protein Powders
  • Slide 2 of 6: 117 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 27g protein per 30g serving “Soy protein powder is a byproduct of the soya bean and consists of isoflavones, fiber, and all the amino acids you need for muscle growth,” says Shawn Dolan, Ph.D., R.D, Senior U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Dietitian. It’s also easily digestible, offers a smooth mixing consistency when added to foods and shakes, and is lactose- and gluten-free. If you’re a lacto-vegetarian and include dairy in your diet, you can try mixing it with whey for perfect post-workout fuel. Best For: Extra Nutrition Get It: Pick up the BulkSupplements.com Soy Protein Isolate Powder ($22) at Amazon
  • Slide 3 of 6: 110 calories, 3g fat, 8g carbs, 15g protein per 3tbsp serving Derived from the hemp seed, this protein-rich plant source offers a complete amino acid profile, plus it’s highly digestible—meaning Hemp protein powder a smart pre-gym supplement that won’t cause stomach issues during your workout. But hemp’s fat and calorie content can be on the high side, so if your goal is to cut, you might want to opt for whey or casein powder, says Jim White, R.D., a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (And for those not cutting? White says not to worry—it’s all healthy omega-3s and omega-6s.) Best For: Plant Based Get It: Pick up the Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Protein Powder ($14; was $17) at Amazon
  • Slide 4 of 6: 110 calories, 0g fat, 4g carbs, 24g protein per 31g serving Brown rice protein isn’t a complete protein by itself, meaning you need to buy a powder that contains enhanced amino acids—or you need to pair it with something, like tofu, quinoa or beans, that will round out the nutrients you need. Still, Brown rice protein powder has its own unique benefits. “It’s high in fiber, gluten-free, lactose-free and full of B vitamins, which help out with muscle metabolism and growth,” says White. Bonus: Brown rice protein is labeled as hypoallergenic, so it’s less likely to irritate your system or cause an allergic reaction. Best For: Muscle Growth Get It: Pick up the Growing Naturals Organic Rice Protein Powder ($40) at Amazon
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  • Slide 5 of 6: 70 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 13g protein per 18g serving Like brown rice protein, a yellow pea protein powder isn’t going to contain all the essential amino acids you need for building muscle. But if you’re lactose intolerant or allergic to soy, it’s worth adding to your more limited rotation. “A lot of studies show it can prevent hypertension and kidney disease,” says White. Just pair it with another protein source, such as beans, quinoa, or tofu, to make it complete, and use it in moderation, says White. “It may cause calcium to leak out of the bones due its affect on uric acid levels in the body—which can lead to flare ups for people with gout,” he says. Best For: Natural Get It: Pick up the Source Naturals Pea Protein Powder ($13; was $19) at Amazon
  • Slide 6 of 6: 160 calories, 3g fat, 5g carbs, 30g protein per 42g serving  Each vegetable-based protein is beneficial on its own, but this new method mixes multiple types of plant protein to deliver a variety of nutrients in one powder, says Lindsay Langford, M.S., R.D.. Typically sourced from a combination of sprouts and beans, like quinoa, millet, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, lentils, bean sprouts, and flaxseeds, a mixed protein powder can provide you with a nice profile of vitamins, fatty acids and fiber to help you diversify your supplements. Best For: Best Tasting Get It: Pick up the Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder ($44; was $51) at Amazon Check out the Daily Deals over at Amazon Check out the great products and gear we recommend to Men’s Journal readers Check out The Best REM Sleep Trackers For The Troubled Sleepers
Full screen
1/6 SLIDES © Shutterstock

If you want to get the best results possible when you hit the gym, you can’t just expect results without supplements. You need to fuel your body up with the right nutrients and ingredients to get the best results possible. This means for many that a good protein powder needs to be used before, during, and after a workout. But for vegans, that isn’t usually the case with most powders. That’s why vegans need to find and use the best vegan protein powders.

“There is no reason that someone who eats a vegan or vegetarian diet can’t build just as much muscle as an omnivore,” says Matt Ruscigno, MPH, R.D. “They can get all of the same amino acids in the right amounts.”

Why can’t vegans use most of the protein powders that exist out there? That is because most of them are made with dairy or other such non-vegan-friendly protein sources. And that isn’t just a problem for them in a grander sense but in a micro sense. Going from vegan to nonvegan is not a shift you make easily. And if you vegans want to put on the most muscle possible, then you need to use protein powders made from vegan-friendly sources.

There are plenty of options out there for you vegans. Maybe not as much as the non-vegan options, but they are there. Options for protein sources being such options as Soy and hemp and brown rice amongst others. These have all been formulated with the intent of getting you fueled up with a ton of energy to burn off at the gym. And when you burn them off, your muscles will grow and recover much quicker. Great results all around.

We have gone ahead and found some of the best vegan protein powders you guys could hope for. They are all found beneath and have been picked for their differences in protein sources. You can choose the one that works best for you. And in no time, you will be ready for a vigorous workout with the results you’ve always wanted. Get your body properly fueled and bulk up right now.

The Best Vegan Protein Powders

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
2/6 SLIDES © Amazon

1. Soy protein powder

117 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 27g protein per 30g serving

“Soy protein powder is a byproduct of the soya bean and consists of isoflavones, fiber, and all the amino acids you need for muscle growth,” says Shawn Dolan, Ph.D., R.D, Senior U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Dietitian. It’s also easily digestible, offers a smooth mixing consistency when added to foods and shakes, and is lactose- and gluten-free. If you’re a lacto-vegetarian and include dairy in your diet, you can try mixing it with whey for perfect post-workout fuel.

Best For: Extra Nutrition

Get It: Pick up the BulkSupplements.com Soy Protein Isolate Powder ($22) at Amazon

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
3/6 SLIDES © Amazon

2. Hemp protein powder

110 calories, 3g fat, 8g carbs, 15g protein per 3tbsp serving

Derived from the hemp seed, this protein-rich plant source offers a complete amino acid profile, plus it’s highly digestible—meaning Hemp protein powder a smart pre-gym supplement that won’t cause stomach issues during your workout. But hemp’s fat and calorie content can be on the high side, so if your goal is to cut, you might want to opt for whey or casein powder, says Jim White, R.D., a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (And for those not cutting? White says not to worry—it’s all healthy omega-3s and omega-6s.)

Best For: Plant Based

Get It: Pick up the Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Protein Powder ($14; was $17) at Amazon

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
4/6 SLIDES © Amazon

3. Brown rice protein powder

110 calories, 0g fat, 4g carbs, 24g protein per 31g serving

Brown rice protein isn’t a complete protein by itself, meaning you need to buy a powder that contains enhanced amino acids—or you need to pair it with something, like tofu, quinoa or beans, that will round out the nutrients you need. Still, Brown rice protein powder has its own unique benefits. “It’s high in fiber, gluten-free, lactose-free and full of B vitamins, which help out with muscle metabolism and growth,” says White. Bonus: Brown rice protein is labeled as hypoallergenic, so it’s less likely to irritate your system or cause an allergic reaction.

Best For: Muscle Growth

Get It: Pick up the Growing Naturals Organic Rice Protein Powder ($40) at Amazon

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Slideshow continues on the next slide
5/6 SLIDES © Amazon

4. Yellow pea protein powder

70 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 13g protein per 18g serving

Like brown rice protein, a yellow pea protein powder isn’t going to contain all the essential amino acids you need for building muscle. But if you’re lactose intolerant or allergic to soy, it’s worth adding to your more limited rotation. “A lot of studies show it can prevent hypertension and kidney disease,” says White. Just pair it with another protein source, such as beans, quinoa, or tofu, to make it complete, and use it in moderation, says White. “It may cause calcium to leak out of the bones due its affect on uric acid levels in the body—which can lead to flare ups for people with gout,” he says.

Best For: Natural

Get It: Pick up the Source Naturals Pea Protein Powder ($13; was $19) at Amazon

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
6/6 SLIDES © Amazon

5. Mixed protein powder

160 calories, 3g fat, 5g carbs, 30g protein per 42g serving

Each vegetable-based protein is beneficial on its own, but this new method mixes multiple types of plant protein to deliver a variety of nutrients in one powder, says Lindsay Langford, M.S., R.D.. Typically sourced from a combination of sprouts and beans, like quinoa, millet, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, lentils, bean sprouts, and flaxseeds, a mixed protein powder can provide you with a nice profile of vitamins, fatty acids and fiber to help you diversify your supplements.

Best For: Best Tasting

Get It: Pick up the Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder ($44; was $51) at Amazon

Check out the Daily Deals over at Amazon

Check out the great products and gear we recommend to Men’s Journal readers

Check out The Best REM Sleep Trackers For The Troubled Sleepers

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
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