For anyone who has tried to find a decent vegan protein powder, I’m sure you know where this is going. They’re just not that great. I recall a time where I purchased and returned multiple powders because I just couldn’t stand the taste.
While I was breastfeeding, I tried to limit my dairy consumption after finding out that my baby wasn’t taking too well to heavy use of dairy products. And, since I’m often an extremest, I eliminated cow’s milk protein all together. So began the hunt, as I wanted to continue having an occasional protein shake.
Beware of Added Vitamins & Minerals
I am quick to advise away from products that have extra vitamins and minerals added to their formulas, especially while pregnant or lactating. Fat-soluble vitamins don’t get excreted from the body, but are stored in the fatty tissue and the liver for later use. High levels of vitamins A, D, E and K can be toxic to your health and even fatal to a developing fetus or infant. And super high levels of water-soluble vitamins can still be quite detrimental to a baby. For instance there are “home remedy abortions” that instruct to take high doses of vitamin C. Extremely disturbing, yes, but it drives home the point that too much of a good thing can be really bad.
What to Look For in a Protein Powder (Vegan or Not):
- There’s not an extreme amount of protein. The body doesn’t need that much protein. Look for a protein powder that has somewhere around 15-20g protein per serving.
- Like said above, there’s not an outrageous amount of added vitamins and minerals.
- The ingredient list is fairly short and you know what most of the ingredients are.
- Opt for organic. Especially when something is concentrated, you want to make sure it’s the safest option.
- No non-nutritive sweeteners: acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, neotame, etc. Especially if pregnant or breastfeeding, chemical sweeteners just aren’t the way to go. There’s not enough data to prove long-term safety, especially when talking about kids.
Nature’s Food Organic Protein Powder
I was gifted the chocolate and vanilla flavors of Nature’s Food Organic Protein Powder to do some product testing. Skeptical due to my prior experience, I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike many of the others I had tasted, this one was not too bad! Now, to be completely honest, dairy-based protein powders taste the best, hands down. But sometimes it’s just not an option. Plus, from a health perspective, most anything plant-based is a usually a healthier option (if it’s not weighed down with sodium, sugar and preservatives).
But what really impressed me was the ingredient list. The biggie for me was that it contains probiotics and prebiotics. This fact is what won me over. Taken directly from my latest post about treating diarrhea, probiotics and prebiotics have emerged as incredible ways to modulate the immune system. Probiotics, simply put, are the good bacteria in your gut that make your life go round. They allow you to process the food you eat and are the foundation of your health.
Not to be confused with probiotics, prebiotics are food for probiotics. Essentially, they are a non-digestible fiber found in vegetables, cereals and fruits. The most widely studied prebiotics are inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). (1) They are resistant to the acid in the stomach and easily travel, undigested to the colon where they are fermented by beneficial bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. (2)
So if you’re in the market for a vegan protein powder, it’s worth a try! Here’s a vegan protein shake recipe that I love to have after a workout. It supplies my brain with the right amount of carbs from the fruit, a perfect amount of muscle-repairing protein from the powder and a good deal of omega-3s and antioxidants from the alfalfa, spinach and flax. Plus, it’s vegan! Can’t get any better than that!
In order to make this recipe, you’ll need a high-speed blender. I’m more than satisfied with our Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System. And if you love this recipe, be sure to try a lighter version Superfood Blueberry Juice.
Blueberry Almond Vegan Protein Shake
- 1 cup Almond Milk
- 1/2 cup Blueberries
- 1/2 scoop Nature's Food Chocolate Organic Protein Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Almonds
- 1 Tablespoon Cocoa, unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
- Small handful of ice
- Add everything into your high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Kcal 268 | Fat 13g | Sat Fat 1g | Chol 0mg | Sodium 182mg | Carb 27g | Fiber 9g | Sugar 12g | Pro 16g
Disclosure: Any links to Amazon products are affiliate links and I may be marginally compensated if purchased. Don’t worry though, I’d never promote something I dislike or wouldn’t purchase myself.
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