How we pick our products
Welcome to our big vegan protein powder test 2023. Here we present all the vegan protein powders we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best vegan protein powder for you. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a vegan protein powder.
Summary
- There is now a wide selection of vegan protein powders, both in terms of flavours and protein sources used. By combining the right protein sources, an even higher biological value can be achieved.
- Vegan protein powder is also ahead in terms of availability. Many shops that sell conventional protein powder now also offer vegan alternatives.
- Vegan protein powder provides you with additional protein. It is often the case that the average person already consumes enough protein per day through their diet. Therefore, it is advisable to first find out how much protein you get from your diet and then calculate if and how much additional protein you need.
The Best Vegan protein powder: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying vegan protein powder
What is vegan protein powder?
Just like traditional protein powder, it is a food supplement. So if you don’t get enough protein, for example because of sports goals or just your diet, vegan protein powder is a good option.
What is vegan protein powder made of?
| Protein source | g protein per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Hemp seed | ~ 37 g |
| Peanuts | ~ 25 g |
| Quinoa | ~ 14 g |
| Soy | ~ 8 g |
| Chickpeas | ~ 7 g |
Depending on the type of preparation and the use of certain parts of the plant, there may be a higher or lower protein content. Overall, there are many more protein sources and also combinations of several to increase the protein content, among other things.
How much does vegan protein powder cost?
If you are not yet familiar with the area, you can also buy vegan protein powder in selected shops and get advice.
It may be that the prices there are a little more expensive, also because of the advice, but it doesn’t have to be.
What alternatives are there to vegan protein powder?
Decision: What types of vegan protein powder are there and which one is right for you?
Basically, there are many types of protein powder, most of which differ mainly in the source of protein. Therefore, here are four different vegan protein sources listed, explained and equipped with advantages and disadvantages.
- Hemp based protein powder
- Rice based protein powder
- Pea based protein powder
- Soy based protein powder
There are of course many more, but since these are among the most common, we will limit ourselves to these four in this article. But you can also mix the different protein powders and then you get multi-component proteins with higher biological values.
What distinguishes hemp-based vegan protein powder and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Hemp-based vegan protein powder is made from hemp seeds. Nevertheless, most hemp-based powders consist not only of protein, but also of valuable fibre, long-chain carbohydrates and a good omega 6 to omega 3 ratio.
The hemp plant consists of many different parts, each of which is used differently and can have different effects. When people think of hemp, they easily think of a high or an amusing effect, but this is not the case with hemp-based protein powder. Only the seeds that do not contain THC are used in vegan protein powder.
What distinguishes rice-based vegan protein powder and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
In the production of vegan protein powder, the basis of which is rice, is obtained from brown rice. White rice already has around 9 g of protein, but if brown, sprouted rice is used instead, it is already around 85 g of protein per 100 g of rice. This makes vegan rice protein a very good alternative to animal protein products. Other positive aspects of this protein source include a low carbohydrate content and good micronutrients. The fat content is also reasonable.
In 2013, a study was conducted (https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-12-86) to compare how regular and rice protein affect the body. Both the traditional and the vegan showed similar good effects.
What are the characteristics of pea-based vegan protein powder and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Pea proteins are extracted from the yellow hull peas and concentrated during the manufacturing process. Pea-based vegan protein powder has a very high protein content and is therefore well suited as a food supplement. Furthermore, the pea-based vegan protein powder has very good amino acids, especially lysine and arginine. These help to strengthen the muscle build-up and are therefore well suited in combination with athletic goals.
Since this vegan protein powder contains neither lactose nor gluten, it is well suited for people who are allergic or intolerant to them.
A better value is achieved with a combination of pea and rice protein.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of soy-based vegan protein powder?
Soy protein is the most commonly used protein source for vegan protein powders. Soybeans contain a lot of protein, fibre and amino acids, which are important for high-quality protein powders, for example, to support muscle building.
Soy does have some disadvantages, however, unlike the other vegan protein sources. For one thing, a discussion arose about the effect of the “phytoestrogen” contained in soy-based protein powders. This could possibly lower testosterone levels. Secondly, the cultivation and production of soy is not always sustainable and/or free of genetic engineering.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate vegan protein powder
In order to buy the right vegan protein powder for you, you should consider the following criteria:
- Flavours
- Nutritional values / protein content
- Ingredients
- Allergies / Intolerances
In the following sections, we will go into more detail about the individual buying criteria and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
Flavours
Vegan protein powders are often available in many different quantities and flavours. From Madagascar vanilla to Amarena cream cherry and the perennial favourite chocolate/cocoa. When it comes to flavours, it is also important how the powder behaves in combination with liquids. If you like to drink shakes, you should pay attention to whether the powder dissolves well in milk (soy, oat, rice,…) or water.
The same applies if you prefer to use the protein powder to make vegan brownies or muffins.
Nutritional values / protein content
Depending on the variety, brand and purpose, vegan protein powders contain different nutritional values. If you have several products to choose from, it is best to orientate yourself on the nutritional values and make sure which protein powder supports you in your goal. The following table lists some protein sources and their nutritional values, but ranges are given per 100 grams, as the exact values vary from product to product. The table is intended as an overview and therefore excludes strong outliers.
| Protein source | Protein | Calories | Carbohydrates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemp | ~ 45 – 50 g | ~ 300 – 400 kcal | ~2 – 25 g |
| Rice | ~ 75 – 90 g | ~ 350 – 450 kcal | ~ 1 – 10 g |
| Peas | ~ 75 – 85 g | ~ 350 – 450 kcal | ~ 0.5 – 5 g |
| Soy | ~ 80 – 90 g | ~ 350 – 400 kcal | ~ 1 – 5 g |
| Lupien | ~ 25 – 45 g | ~ 250 – 400 kcal | ~ 10 – 20 g |
| Pumpkin seeds | ~ 55 – 60 g | ~ 350 – 400 kcal | ~ 2 – 10 g |
| Sunflower seeds | ~ 40 – 55 g | ~ 300 – 400 kcal | ~ 5 – 10 g |
Many manufacturers also mix different protein sources to improve the biological value.
Ingredients
Basically, the fewer ingredients the better. Vegan protein powder often does not need many ingredients to work well. This already happens through the selected protein sources. Depending on the protein source, a vegan protein powder can then contain many fibres, different amino acid complexes and so on. However, it is advisable to decide according to your goals and to read the nutrient tables carefully.
The trend is also towards combinations of protein sources, e.g. a mixture of rice and pea protein, which results in multi-component proteins.
Allergies / Intolerances
If you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods, you can choose from many vegan protein sources. Generally, there are different groups from which vegan protein powder can be made:
- Cereals
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Legumes
This allows you to narrow down what you can and cannot eat. If you are gluten intolerant, for example, the description of the products always states whether they are gluten-free (and often already in the title).
Facts worth knowing about vegan protein powder
What is the shelf life of vegan protein powder?
As with any other product, there is an expiry date on the packaging of vegan protein powder. This date tells you how long the powder will remain the same quality in its original packaging as when you bought it. How long your powder will last after opening depends on the quality of the product and how it is stored. If you are not sure if your vegan protein powder is still good, as with many things, try it. Just taste a small amount and see if you still like the product.
In most cases, after the expiry date, the powder will not taste as good as before. But you will rarely have any real health problems. Vegan protein powder is extremely dry and free of egg or whey products, which has an even better effect on shelf life. It may not be as soluble as it was in the beginning, or the taste may change, or you may get diarrhoea or a stomach ache.
The most common is that the protein powder loses its effectiveness.
Can vegan protein powder be taken during pregnancy?
If you want to continue to eat a vegan diet during your pregnancy, you should find out what nutrients you need and how much of them. In principle, it is possible to get all the important micro- and macronutrients during pregnancy. In general, you can meet your protein needs through your diet even during pregnancy.
You can include protein sources such as nuts, grains and pulses in meals or as a snack between meals. Vegan protein powder can help to meet your increased protein needs, as it provides you with plant-based proteins. However, if you are not completely sure, it is best to ask your doctor or a nutritionist. They can help you determine your exact requirements and recommend products that are adapted to your needs.
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