The Best Vegan Protein Powder For Weight Loss
Losing weight is a lot of work. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can be difficult to sustain over long periods of time. However, adding a Vegan protein powder could help.
By replacing calories that usually consist of all fat and carbs with a good protein, you reduce the hunger hormone and boost several satiety hormones. On top of that, protein has a higher thermic effect. This means that your body uses more energy to digest it, which in turn can help you lose weight.
In this blog post we will go over why vegan protein powders are the best option for your weight loss journey, and what to look for in a good vegan protein powder.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Vegan Protein Powder?
Vegan Proteins have a multitude of benefits when it comes to losing weight.
1) Vegan protein powders are plant based and contain no animal products. This means they are lower in fat and cholesterol.
2) Reduced risk of allergy, since most vegan proteins are free of allergens.
3) More environmentally friendly than animal-based proteins.
4) Plant-based protein offers a wider variety of vitamins and minerals due to the fact that animal proteins are limited in the number of nutrients they offer.
5) Plant-based protein is more alkaline, meaning it does not cause an acidic environment in the body. This can be beneficial for preventing inflammation and disease.
6) Calorie Control: Not only do Vegan protein powders keep you fuller longer, but they also are usually less calorie dense which is a huge plus for weight loss.
7) Less harmful bacteria: When you consume animal protein, there's more of a chance of consuming harmful bacteria. Vegan protein powders, on the other hand, contain much less risk.
It's important to keep in mind that although these powders have a lot of benefits when it comes to losing weight, and health in general, it's only one piece of the puzzle. You need to make sure the rest of your day is filled with nutritious foods, and that you're in a calorie deficit on a daily basis.
Now that we've been over the benefits of Vegan protein powders, let's go over the best Vegan proteins for weight loss.
#1 Green Vibrance + Protein & Maximum Vibrance
When it comes to the number one spot, we have Green Vibrance + Protein and Maximum Vibrance. Let's dive into both of them and explain why we chose both, and how they differ.
Green Vibrance + Protein
Green Vibrance + Protein is a version of Vibrant Health's flagship product Green Vibrance, but with the added benefit of vegan protein. This powder offers 20 grams of plant-based protein, made up of Yellow Pea protein powder, Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder, Spirulina Protein Powder, and Vegan L-Lysine (which is an essential amino acid).
On top of the protein, Green Vibrance + Protein has many other categories of ingredients that help your overall health. Those categories include cereal grasses, plant-based micro-nutrition, antioxidant life preservers, immune support, adaptogens, skeletal support, fiber, liver support, enzymes and tonics, and last but not least probiotics. Let's dive into how a few of these categories could aid in your weight loss journey.
Cereal Grasses: Cereal grasses are some of the most nutrient-dense superfoods available, and it is important to note that they are not the same as grains. Cereal grasses are high in fiber and can aid in digestion, help you feel full faster, and reduce calorie intake by making you eat less throughout the day.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants may play a role by reducing inflammation. When your body has a lot of inflammation it makes it difficult to metabolize carbohydrates. This could slow down your body's ability to shed fat.
Adaptogens: Green Vibrance + Protein contains adaptogens. In short, adaptogens are herbs that help the body cope with stress. This can be great for weight loss because when we're stressed out our bodies will produce a hormone called cortisol, which is known to store fat in the abdominal area. If you've ever wondered why you want to eat more when you're stressed, it's because the cortisol encourages you to. Adaptogens work to keep this under control.
Fiber: Fiber has many benefits. One of the biggest benefits Fiber has to offer when it comes to weight loss is its ability to keep you full for a longer period of time. It keeps you full for longer because it slows down the speed of digestion. If you're someone that usually reaches for that after-dinner snack, you may think twice once you start consuming more fiber.
Probiotics: Probiotics may reduce the number of calories that are absorbed from a meal. This can be huge for weight loss since you will essentially be consuming fewer calories without even having to try. Probiotics may also release appetite-regulating hormones which make you feel full sooner, and for longer.
Liver Support: A healthy liver is important when it comes to weight loss. The liver breaks down fats and produces energy. If you don't have a healthy liver, your body won't be able to process fat as efficiently, which could hurt your ability to burn fat and lose weight.
Maximum Vibrance
Maximum Vibrance is very similar to Green Vibrance + Protein, but with a couple of added benefits. It includes all the same ingredients and benefits mentioned above with an added organic multi-vitamin, and additional antioxidants.
It's made to be the singular product people could take to replace all their other supplements, making it quicker and easier for people to get the nutrients they need.
Cost and Flavors Of Green Vibrance + Protein and Maximum Vibrance
Supplement |
Flavors |
One-Time Purchase (Price per Serving) |
Subscribe & Save + Free Shipping (Price per Serving) |
Maximum Vibrance |
Chocolate, Vanilla |
$94 ($3.13 per serving) |
$65.80 ($2.19 per serving) |
Green Vibrance + Protein |
Vanilla Bean |
$69 ($2.30 per serving) |
$48.30 ($1.61 per serving) |
#2 Orgain Protein Powder
Beneifts Of Orgain Protein Powder |
Cons Of Orgain Protein Powder |
Complete source of protein (contain all 9 essential amino acids) |
Contain artificial sweeteners which people aren’t always a fan of |
Keeps you full longer |
Proprietary blends makes it hard to understand exactly what you’re getting ingredients wise |
No Added Sugars |
No proof of third party testing |
Comes in a variety of flavors |
Orgain Protein Powder is one of the best vegan protein powders available. It has 21 Grams of plant-based protein, the protein blend is made up of organic pea protein, organic brown rice, and organic chia seeds.
The great part about Orgain is that it comes in a bunch of different flavors including creamy chocolate fudge, chocolate coconut, chocolate caramel sea salt, chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter, natural unsweetened, Vanilla bean, iced coffee, cookie n' cream, and last but not least strawberries and cream.
A Look Into The Ingredients Of Orgain Protein Powder
Organic Pea Protein: Organic Pea Protein is a complete source of protein, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids that the body requires for optimal function. Another great thing about pea protein is it's allergen-free and easily digestible.
Brown Rice Protein: Rice protein paired with a protein like pea protein (one that has all the amino acids) could be a nice combination for a plant-based protein powder.
Organic Chia Seeds: Next up are organic chia seeds. Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, and last but not least a good amount of protein.
Orgain Creamer Base: The blend is made up of brown rice extract, acacia, high oleic sunflower oil, and rosemary extract. This mixture is made to make the powder taste creamier and even more delicious.
Benefits Of Orgain Protein Powder
The protein in Orgain helps keep you full for longer, especially since rice tends to be higher in fiber and takes longer to digest.
Because of the pea protein, Orgain protein powder has all the essential amino acids.
They don't use any added sugars, which is great for those looking to avoid added sugar.
Downsides To Orgain Protein Powder
There are a few downsides when it comes to Orgain protein powder.
Artificial Sweeteners
The first one is that although it doesn't contain sugar, they have artificial sweeteners in it, which aren't great for you.
Transparency
Next up are two issues when it comes to transparency. The first one is the ingredients list. Each section of the ingredients list are proprietary blends, making it difficult to know exactly what you are consuming. Not only do they not show the amounts per individual ingredient, but they also don't show the MG's within the blend as a whole either.
The next aspect of transparency is third party testing. There's no proof that Orgain Protein Powder is third party tested, so it's tough to know if what they say is true or not.
Not Every Single Flavor Excludes Sugar
Their Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor includes sugar, 11 grams to be exact.
Cost
For 20 servings, a subscription of Orgain Protein Powder can cost $25.49, which is $1.27 per serving. Without a subscription, a one-time purchase will be around $33.99 which is $1.69 per serving.
The cost is pretty good for a plant-based protein powder with all of the essential amino acids.
Overall Consensus
Orgain Protein Powder is a great vegan protein powder that is loaded with lots of benefits. However, the downsides may outweigh the benefits if you're looking for a protein powder without artificial sweeteners and one that is fully transparent.
#3 KOS Protein Powder
Pros |
Cons |
Certified Organic |
Contain 4 Grams Of Saturated Fat |
Made In The US |
Contain Sugar In The Form Of Organic Coconut Sugar |
Multiple Flavor Options |
Contains Tree Nuts - Could Be An Allergen Concern for some |
Made Without artificial ingredients |
High in sodium |
Contains a digestive enzyme blend that could help with nutrient absorption and help with losing weight |
Transparency: Ingredient amounts aren’t provided. |
Complete protein source made from a combination of organic pea,, flax seed, quinoa, and pumpkin seed proteins |
Take a look below to see a more in depth review of KOS Protein Powder
KOS Protein Powder, famous for its taste, is another great option. KOS is a great brand that is dedicated strictly to plant-based proteins and other health foods.
The great part about KOS is that their products are all certified organic, made in the US, and made without the use of artificial ingredients.
KOS Organic Plant Protein comes in multiple flavors including Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Mint, Salted Caramel Coffee, and Vanilla.
Now that we went over the basics of KOS, let's go over the ingredients.
Digestive Enzyme Blend: The digestive enzymes included in KOS protein powder will help assist in your weight loss journey by breaking down food and nutrients into usable forms. This means that your body will be able to absorb nutrients more efficiently.
KOS Protein Sources: Organic pea protein (probably the most popular source for vegan protein powders), Organic Flax Seed Protein, Organic Quinoa Protein, and Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein will all help aid in weight loss by increasing satiety and fullness while consuming fewer calories.
Organic Fruit and Veggie Blend: To top things off, the KOS protein powder includes a blend of fruits and vegetables which are loaded with nutrients and will provide you with a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Benefits Of KOS Protein Powder
- It's a complete protein source
- Contains Digestive Enzymes which helps with gut health
- Contains more fruits and vegetables than most protein powders
Cons of KOS Protein Powder
Now that we went over the benefits of KOS, let's take a dive into some of the downsides.
- The first downside is that it contains 4 grams of saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat could increase your bad cholesterol which can increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
- The next one is that it contains sugar in the form of organic coconut sugar, which isn't suitable for people looking for a vegan protein powder for the purpose of following a low sugar diet.
- High In Sodium: KOS is actually pretty high in sodium. It contains 330 mg of sodium which is 14% of the daily recommended intake. If your diet consists of too much sodium, it could raise your blood pressure.
- Contain Allergens: Many people run to vegan protein powders because many of them don't contain any allergens, however KOS contains tree nuts (coconut), which can be a major allergen for some people.
- Transparency: Last but not least, much like Orgain, KOS doesn't show exactly how much of each ingredient is within the product. Also like Orgain, each blend doesn't even contain the overall amount of MG or grams contained in each blend.
Kos Protein Cost
The price for KOS protein is 42.49 for 30 servings which comes out to $1.41 per serving. This is a great price for the ingredients you get.
Overall Consensus
KOS Protein Powder is a great vegan protein powder that is loaded with lots of health benefits, however the cons may outweigh the pros when it comes to people watching their sugar and sodium intake.
#4 Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein
Pros |
Cons |
30g of protein per serving |
Transparency: amount of each ingredient is not specified |
Available in vanilla and chocolate |
Low number of servings per container (19) |
Contains all essential amino acids |
Some people may find the taste unbearable |
High in antioxidants |
Relatively expensive compared to other options on the list ($2.52/serving) |
Contains probiotics for gut health |
|
Non-GMO and gluten-free |
|
No added sugars, soy, or tree nuts |
Garden of life is known for its high-quality plant-based products. Their Sport plant-based protein is one of their best products, especially in the protein department.
With 30 Grams of protein per serving (the highest on this list), Garden of Life provides you with the ability to hit your daily goals.
When it comes to flavors, Garden of Life comes in Vanilla and Chocolate which is great for those who are looking for a familiar flavor.
Now that we know the basics, let's take a look at the ingredients which makes this powder one of the best.
Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein Ingredients
Organic Performance Protein Blend: This blend contains Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sprouted Navy Bean, Organic Sprouted Lentil Bean,Organic Sprouted Garbanzo Bean, and Organic Cranberry Protein (seed) which provides a complete source of protein.
Organic Flavor Blend: Adds a natural taste to the powder and contains things like Organic Cacao, Organic Carob, Organic Chocolate Flavors, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Sea Salt, Organic Stevia extract.
Organic Muscle Recovery Blend: Contains fruits and fruits that are known for their high amount of antioxidants. As stated above, antioxidants could help with weight loss, reduce inflammation and even lower your risk of disease.
2 Billion CFUs Of Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04
The 2 Billions CFUs of Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 is a probiotic that helps with overall gut health and aid in weight loss.
Benefits Of Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein
- Contains probiotics which is the only one on this list other than Maximum Vibrance and Green Vibrance
- Third Party tested which is very important
- Contains all the essential amino acids
- High in antioxidants
- Non-GMO and Gluten Free
- No added sugars, soy or tree nuts
Cons Of Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein
- Transparency: Just like the others (besides maximum vibrance and green vibrance), Garden Of Life doesn't show exactly how much of each ingredient is within the product.
- The serving size is 2 scoops, which equates to 19 servings which is the lowest amount of servings per container on this list.
- Many people have said that the taste is unbearable, so this makes it not ideal for people who don't like the taste of protein powders.
Cost Of Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein
The cost for this one is $47.99 for 19 servings which comes out to $2.52 per serving which is high for the amount of ingredients included.
Overall Consensus
Garden Of Life Sport Plant-Based Protein is a great vegan protein powder with high amounts of protein and other health benefits, however, the cost per serving may outweigh its pros. The taste may also be a turn-off for some people.
Conclusion
The best Vegan protein powder may be based on your individual needs and preferences. However, by considering the ingredients, transparency, and other factors it's apparent that Green Vibrance and Maximum Vibrance are the best in terms of overall health and wellness.
Green Vibrance and Maximum Vibrance are just two of many supplements that Vibrant Health has to offer. If you’d like to see more, take a look at the shop.
There also is a blog that goes over different health-related information you may find interesting!