Veganism is growing in popularity. Whether it’s for health reasons, for ethical reasons, or for environmental reasons, many scientific studies are now indicating that Vegan diets are beneficial. But one of the main drawbacks of many vegan diets is protein deficiency.
The average vegan usually limits his/her protein sources to legumes, hence protein deficiency is common amongst the Vegan community, and this can lead to health complications. Fortunately, there are many plant-based supplements that vegans can use to boost their protein intake.
Vegan protein powders derived from soy, pea, hemp, etc. tend to be easier to digest than their dairy counterparts. The best quality vegan supplements have organically-farmed ingredients and they are free from artificial additives. One must also avoid supplements with a lot of sugar and/or artificial sweeteners, as these can lead to several health complications in the long run.
A good protein supplement should contain the complete amino acid profile (20 essential and non-essential amino acids) and it will be fortified with nutrients that are not easily available in plant-based foods.
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Based on these criteria, here are the top 5 vegan protein supplements available on the market today:
1
The Plant Era Organic Vegan Protein Powder
$58.00
The Plant Era offers an organic and vegan protein supplement that has been scientifically formulated to support muscle recovery, enhance energy levels, and reduce fatigue. Sweetened with organic stevia, this zero-sugar protein supplement is made using rice and pea protein.
Containing all 20 essential and non-essential amino acids, it’s also fortified with iron and vitamin B-12. This supplement is available in a refreshing strawberry-basil flavor and a decadent dark chocolate flavor, both of which dissolve well in cold water, as well as almond or soy milk. A perfect accompaniment for every workout.
2
Women’s Best Protein Powder
$44.99
As the name suggests, this supplement is designed for females. The sources of protein in this product are pea, rice, and carob. Sweetened with Sucralose and Stevia-derivatives, this supplement contains the complete amino acid profile and is available in chocolate, vanilla, and cookies-and-cream flavors.
3
Ora Organic Vegan Protein Powder
$32.29
This organic supplement contains the complete amino acid profile, and it’s fortified with digestive enzymes for better absorption. Flavors include Vanilla-Chai, Vanilla, and Chocolate.
4
Kos Organic Plant Protein
$29.99
This organic blend of pea, quinoa, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds is designed for weight-loss. Containing the complete amino acid profile, this supplement is available in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Choc-Mint flavors.
5
Orgain Plant Based Protein Powder
$29.99
This organic blend of pea-protein, rice-protein, chia seeds, and peanut flour contains 20 essential and non-essential amino acids, and it is sweetened with Stevia. This supplement comes in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut.
The most important thing to remember is that even though many supplements are certified organic, their ‘organic’ ingredients are heavily processed. This impacts their quality and makes it difficult to digest. It’s best to choose a supplement that mainly contains natural ingredients and concentrates that are not heavily processed.
A rule of thumb is that if an ingredient sounds like a complex chemical compound, in most cases it has no health benefits and it’s only there to act as a preservative. Always check the ingredient labels carefully before purchasing any supplement.
