The Best Plant Based Protein Powder

92 Published Feb 18, 2023, Updated Jun 05, 2024 It’s no fun to spend money on a huge tub of protein powder only to realize it has a chalky texture and has the flavor of wet cardboard. Been there done that! Whether you’re making protein shakes or using protein powder in recipes, the type and brand of protein powder you use will definitely affect the recipe’s outcome. For the recipes here on EBF, I always specify what type of protein powder to use because it does make a difference.

How to Choose the Best Protein Powder?

There are so many protein powders on the market. From whey, soy, egg white, casein, collagen, hemp, rice, pea, etc. If you’re new to protein powder, learn more about the seven best types of protein powder. In general, it’s hard to know which protein powder is right for you. It really depends on your dietary needs and how well your body digests the different protein sources. I personally like using plant-based protein powders, but I will occasionally use whey as well for certain recipes. Besides good flavor (which is one of the biggest factors for me!), this is what I look for when choosing a protein powder:

Complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. High in protein (obviously) – I look for powders with at least 15 grams of protein per serving. Low in sugar – I look for options with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. No artificial sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame. I’m okay with natural sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit. Free of soy, milk, yeast, wheat, and other allergens that often cause allergic reactions.

Why Use Protein Powder?

Let me start by saying that I don’t think you need protein powder to eat healthfully or lose weight. In college, when I lost over 20 lbs, I didn’t use any supplements or protein powder (I just ate healthy real food). At this point in my healthy eating journey I try to get most of my daily protein intake from whole, minimally processed foods like fish, dairy products, eggs, beans, grains, nuts and seeds. But protein powder makes for quick protein-packed snacks and on-the-go meals when needed. I personally love using protein powder to help make macro-balanced meals and snacks. If you’ve been a blog reader for a while, you know that I recommend having every meal consist of lean protein, fiber and healthy fats. I love adding protein powder to certain meals (especially snacks) to up the protein level, especially after a workout. The extra protein makes meals more satisfying and keeps you feeling full longer. Some examples?

Protein balls + energy balls Protein bars Protein oatmeal Protein pancakes Protein shakes Protein muffins Protein cookies Chia pudding Overnight oats

My Favorite Plant-Based Protein Powders

Nuzest Clean Lean Protein

Why I like Nuzest:

Super short ingredient list (almost all of their flavors have less than 5 ingredients) Great nutrition facts Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, lectin-free and non-GMO Easy to digest Both the vanilla and chocolate have a great flavor and aren’t chalky.

My picks: Smooth Vanilla + Rich Chocolate Coupon Code: use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.

Sun Warrior

Why I like Sun Warrior:

Great nutrition facts Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, organic, synthetic free and non-GMO Easy to digest Complete amino acid profile with 6 grams of BCAA’S per serving No added sugar because it’s stevia sweetened Delicious flavor – not chalky at all

My pick: Vanilla Warrior Blend