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NOTE: This article is about taste ONLY. I'm writing separate comparisons for protein content, price, and heavy-metal testing. If taste matters most to you, you're in the right place!
When it comes to maintaining or building curves on a vegan diet, protein is key. For my 35+ plus ladies, we also know how crucial protein is for bone density and maintaining muscle mass. A good protein powder makes it easier to hit those daily protein goals. But you actually have to want to drink it.
So, because I love you all, I spent my own money to purchase 23 vanilla vegan protein powders and tasted them all. Let's just say I "made it rain" on protein powders.
No matter how good a protein powder looks on paper, if you don't like the taste, you won't consume it. And if you don't consume it, you won't get the consistent benefits of hitting your protein target.
How I Tested the Vegan Vanilla Protein Powders
- Blind Taste Test: I added one serving of protein powder (according to the brand's serving size), into small individual Ziploc bags. I then labeled those bags with a number and covered it up with sticky notes so I wouldn't see what I was testing. That number corresponded to each brand in which I kept a spreadsheet to track my progress.
- Real Time Taste Testing: I kept these packets in an airtight container and randomly pick one each day to test. Randomly chosen packets occurred throughout the month, one each day, as an actually post workout drink. I wrote or often recorded my thoughts and reactions on video.
- Water Only: Each one was tested in 12-ounce room temperature water with a shaker bottle, shaken for 30 seconds and drunken immediately. Testing each product in water let me evaluate what the powder itself brought to the shake vs masking the flavor or texture in a smoothie or plant milk. Plus, it's typically the most accessible way to consume protein powder right after a workout.
Scoring Criteria
I scored these on 2 main criteria:
- Texture: up to 5 points
- Flavor: up to 5 points
Making for a total of possible tase score of 10. See detailed score cards below.
Texture Scoring Guide
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | Very smooth, with no noticeable grit or chalkiness. |
| 4 | Mostly smooth, with slight grit or chalkiness that does not interfere with drinking. |
| 3 | Noticeably gritty or chalky, but still reasonably easy to drink. |
| 2 | Strong grit or chalkiness that makes the shake unpleasant to drink. |
| 1 | Extremely gritty or chalky and difficult to finish. |
| 0 | Undrinkable because of the texture. |
Flavor Scoring Guide
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | Tastes exactly like the claimed flavor, with natural and well-balanced sweetness. |
| 4 | Flavor is close and sweetness is mostly clean, with only minor deviation. |
| 3 | Flavor is vague or sweetness is somewhat off, but the shake is still drinkable. |
| 2 | Flavor is barely recognizable or sweetness is strongly artificial, overwhelming, or absent. |
| 1 | Does not taste like the claimed flavor, and the sweetness is either unpleasantly strong or nonexistent. |
| 0 | Undrinkable because of flavor or sweetness. |
Taste is personal so of course, these scores reflect my personal experience, and you may not agree (that is okay!). But every powder was judged the same way under the same conditions.
I also noted aroma, foam, and thickness, and when relevant, but those observations did not add separate points to the numerical Taste Score.
Top 7 Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder Reviews
| Texture score | 4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 5 / 5 |
| Total score | 9 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
This went number for a reason. It was so delicious, perfectly sweeten (no weird aftertaste) and creamy. Remember, I tested these blindly, but that creamy vanilla flavor stood out immediately.
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It would have been a perfect 10 in my book, but there was still some minor grit, so I did take a point off for texture. Honestly, though, the flavor was so good that the grit was barely noticeable.
It was also pretty filling which for me is a bonus. Protein shakes typically serve as post workout snack after my lunch workout at the office. And because I sit at a desk, I don't want to snack all day, so this shake kept that urge at bay!
Overall, this was very delicious and I was very happy with this purchase.
Who’s this for?
If you care about taste first and foremost and want a vegan protein powder that actually tastes good mixed with just water; this is the one to use. As a bonus it also has 3 grams of creatine and 5 grams of BCAA per scoop so it's a great powder to help support building vegan curves!
Specs
- Protein: 30 g per serving.
- Cost: A 2 lb tub (20 servings) costs around $50, or about $2.50 per serving.
- How many flavors?: Two flavors: Creamy Vanilla and Creamy Chocolate
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (manufacturer reported)
- Ingredients List: Other Ingredients (Vanilla): Plant Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Organic Brown Rice Protein), Organic Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil Powdered Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Starch), Natural Flavors, Stevia Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sea Salt, Rosemary Extract
| Texture score | 4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 5 / 5 |
| Total score | 9 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
The perfect amount of sweetness is what sold me on Orgain. It really helped the vanilla flavor come through nicely as it wasn't overly sweet and there was no artificial taste or aftertaste.
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Now the texture? Well once again it would have been perfect score but there was some grit. That is to be expected with most plant-based proteins though. But considering, it wasn't bad or enough to make it difficult for me to drink. It was minimal and I still enjoyed drinking it as a shake. Overall, the powder mixed well in water and produced only a small amount of foam.
There was a slight pea protein smell when I first smelled the shake, but it wasn’t strong enough to bother me or affect the flavor.
Overall, I liked this one a lot. Between the vanilla flavor, just-right sweetness, minimal grit, and lack of an aftertaste, it was one of the easiest shakes in my test to simply mix with water and enjoy.
Who’s this for?
This is a great tasting protein powder for those who travel a lot. Because you it's widely available, you can purchase on any business or personal trip and most retail grocery stores without having to worry about packing your tub with you.
Specs
- Protein: 21 g per serving
- Cost: A 2 lb tub (20 servings) costs around $38, or about $1.90 per serving.
- How many flavors?: 15 flavors: Vanilla Bean, Birthday Cake, Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies 'n Cream, Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Fruity Cereal, Horchata, Iced Coffee, Natural Unsweetened, Peanut Butter, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Pumpkin Spice, Strawberries & Cream
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (manufacturer reported)
-
Ingredients List:
Orgain Organic Protein Blend™ (organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic mung bean protein, organic chia seed), organic natural flavors, Orgain Creamer Base™ (organic acacia, organic high oleic sunflower oil, organic rice dextrin, sunflower lecithin, organic rosemary extract), organic agave inulin fiber, organic Reb A (stevia extract), sea salt, organic acacia, organic guar gum, xanthan gum
| Texture score | 5 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 3 / 5 |
| Total score | 8 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
My first reaction to this one wasn't great. There was a lot of foam, and I could immediately smell the pea protein so initially I thought I was in for disappointment. However, upon trying this powder my first reaction was how smooth it was! No grit!
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I was honestly shocked by how smooth it was, especially considering how much it foamed when I mixed it. As I was drinking it, I kept waiting for that gritty plant-protein texture to show up as I got toward the bottom. It never did. It stayed smooth right down to the last sip. I don't think I've ever experienced that with a vegan protein powder before. Vegan protein powders, step your game up! 😂
Flavor-wise, this wasn't really my preference. It was meh okay but not nasty. Definitely drinkable. For me, I'm more biased toward a creamy, sweeter vanilla, while this tasted more like vanilla bean which makes sense being that's its claim on the package. You could really taste that “bean” flavor, but there wasn't much sweetness to balance it out and that is why it gets a 3 in the flavor profile. Overall, the flavor was pretty mild, and there wasn't any noticeable aftertaste.
But I can deal with a lack of flavor when the texture is this phenomenal. The smoothness genuinely impressed me. Easily the smoothest vegan protein powder in my entire test. You can read my full in-depth review here.
Who’s this for?
This gets a green light if texture is one of your biggest complaints about vegan protein powder. I wouldn't choose it if you're looking for a sweet, creamy vanilla shake with a lot of flavor. But if you prefer a milder vanilla and want an exceptionally smooth protein shake, RISE311 delivers.
Specs
- Protein: 30 g per serving.
- Cost: A 1.39 lb bag (15 servings) costs around $58.50, or about $3.90 per serving.
- How many flavors?: Two flavors: Madagascar Vanilla and Dark Chocolate
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (lab results accessible)
- Ingredients List: Pea Protein, Barley Rice Protein, Natural Flavors, L-Leucine, ProHydrolase® (protease enzyme blend), Sunflower lecithin, Utah Pink Mineral Sea Salt, Reb-M Stevia, Madagascar Red Bourbon Vanilla Bean, Acacia Gum (fiber)
| Texture score | 4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 3 / 5 |
| Total score | 7 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
For this powder, the vanilla flavor definitely came through, but it leaned heavily toward vanilla bean, which isn't really my preference. It almost reminded me of straight vanilla extract without much sugar or sweetness added. So while it definitely tasted like vanilla, the flavor itself was pretty average for me.
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Where this one did much better was texture and mixability. There was no foam, and it mixed incredibly well. Even when I poured the powder out of the packet, I noticed how fine and soluble it looked. Once mixed, it was so smooth and light that it almost drank like flavored water rather than a traditional creamy protein shake. It actually made me think this is probably similar to what those "clear" protein powders taste like.
It wasn't completely grit-free, though. I noticed a little grit toward the very end, so I had to knock it down slightly on texture. Still, compared with a lot of plant-based protein powders, the overall drinking experience was very smooth.
One thing that stood out to me during the blind test was that I actually wrote down that this powder tasted "clean." I didn't know what protein powder I was drinking at the time, which makes that observation even more interesting considering the name is literally So Lean, So Clean. It was also surprisingly satiating for something that drank so lightly.
You can read my full in-depth review here.Who’s this for?
Just like RISE311, this would be good for anyone who wants a more smoother plant protein and doesn't really care too much about flavor or sweetness. Also, if "natural clean" ingredients in a protein powder is your thing, this one holds up well. And if transparency about heavy metal testing is the upmost important to you while still having a powder that taste good, Ora So Lean & So Clean is the powder for you. (It's important to note I tried this protein when the packaging looked different from how it looks now. So it is possible that formulas might have changed and impacted the taste).
Specs
- Protein: 23 g per serving
- Cost: A 1.33 lb tub (20 servings) costs around $60, or about $3.00 per serving.
- How many flavors?: Six flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Vanilla, Vanilla Chai, Unsweetened & Unflavored, Dark Chocolate Unsweetened
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (lab results accessible)
-
Ingredients List:
Ora Protein, Superfood & Greens Blend (29.4 g): Organic pea protein, organic coconut milk, organic rice protein, organic cranberry, organic sacha inchi, organic amaranth, organic sprouted quinoa, organic acai, organic acerola extract, organic apple, organic blackberry, organic blueberry, organic broccoli, organic Jerusalem artichoke inulin, organic kale, organic pomegranate, organic strawberry, organic turmeric Ora Enzyme Blend (100 mg): Amylase, neutral protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase.Other ingredients:Natural vanilla flavor, organic monk fruit extract
| Texture score | 3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 4 / 5 |
| Total score | 7 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
This one looked promising before I even tasted it. It mixed well with just a few shakes and had a creamy appearance. Like several of the other plant-based proteins I tested, I could smell the pea protein, but there was at least a noticeable vanilla aroma along with it. Then I tasted it, and my initial reaction was literally, “Mmmmm.”.
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I really liked the flavor of this one. It was sweet, creamy, and almost reminded me of a vanilla caramel candy. It was definitely one of the sweeter protein powders in my test, which worked for me because I have a sweet tooth. There was a slight aftertaste that reminded me of stevia or another alternative sweetener. I'm not particularly sensitive to that taste and actually like alternative sweeteners, so it didn't bother me much. But if you're sensitive to that distinct aftertaste, you may notice it more than I did.
Texture wise, there was some grit of course. But it was relatively minor and wasn't enough to take away from how much I enjoyed the flavor.
Overall, the taste was definitely the star here. Sweet, creamy, vanilla caramel flavor with just a little grit and a slight lingering aftertaste.
You can read my full in-depth review here.Who’s this for?
I'd recommend this one if you like your protein shakes on the sweeter side and you looking for a powder that has the highest protein per calorie ratio. Form Performance Protein gives you 30 grams of protein for only 150 calories. That means that 80% of the calories come from protein which is phenomenal for a flavored plant-based protein.
Specs
- Protein: 30 g per serving
- Cost: A 1.1 lb tub (13 servings) costs around $40, or about $3.08 per serving.
- How many flavors?: Four flavors: Vanilla, Creamy Hazelnut, Chocolate Peanut, Tiramisu
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (lab results accessible)
- Ingredients List: Organic Pea Protein Isolate, Natural Flavouring, Brown Rice Protein, Pumpkin Seed Protein, Sea Salt, DigeZyme® (Amylase, Protease, Lactase, Lipase, Cellulase), Sweetener (Stevia, Thaumatin), Turmeric Extract, BioPerine® (Black Pepper Extract)
| Texture score | 3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 4 / 5 |
| Total score | 7 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
Now this one is really sweet. But not a sickly sweet. For me, it was just right. There is a slight aftertaste but not overpowering. The vanilla came through well with a nice vanilla cream undertone.
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It looked really smooth when I first mixed it and produced very little foam. The pea protein smell was pretty strong, though, and I noticed some grit almost immediately, especially when it hit the back of my throat, but it wasn't noticeable. The flavor made up for some texture issues. But as I continued drinking it, I actually noticed the grit less and less. It never completely disappeared, but it became pretty tolerable by the end.
One thing interesting about the flavor, and I hope I can describe this right, is that I could still taste some of that vanilla bean and pea protein underneath the vanilla creaminess. It almost tasted like the formula was designed to smooth those flavors out as much as possible which I greatly appreciated.
Overall, though, I liked this protein powder. The balanced sweetness and creamy vanilla flavor were enough to outweigh the texture issues for me.
You can read my full in-depth review here.Who’s this for?
I'd recommend this as a solid option tasty option that's friendly to your pocket. It will go a long way in other recipes without you needing to add to much additional sugar.
Specs
- Protein: 30 g per serving
- Cost: A 1.75 lb tub (27 servings) costs around $45, or about $1.67 per serving.
- How many flavors?: Five flavors: Vegan Vanilla Indulgence, Vegan Chocolate Bliss, Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vegan Cinnamon Delight, Vegan Peanut Butter Delight
- Third-Party Tested?: Yes (lab results accessible)
- Ingredients List: Pea Protein Concentrate, Brown Rice Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Stevia Extract, Salt, Guar Gum
| Texture score | 4 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Flavor score | 3 / 5 |
| Total score | 7 / 10 |
Vegan With Curves Review
This one had very minimal grit and was overall pretty smooth and pleasant to drink. The flavor was good, but the tart cherry really stood out and ended up overpowering the vanilla for me.
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I felt like the tart cherry and vanilla competed with each other instead of blending together. It gave the shake a slightly bitter, tart finish that kept me from rating the flavor higher. I wanted more of the vanilla to come through.
That said, I don't necessarily think the tart cherry flavor is a bad thing. I actually think it could work really well in a fruit smoothie, where the tartness would complement berries or other fruit instead of competing with the vanilla.
Overall, the texture was one of its stronger points. There was very little grit, and while I wouldn't choose it specifically for the vanilla flavor, I enjoyed it enough to see myself using it differently.
You can read my full in-depth review here.Who’s this for?
I'd recommend this one if you're looking for a post-workout protein powder and don't mind a noticeable tart cherry flavor. It could be especially good if you normally blend your protein powder into fruit smoothies rather than drinking it with water. If you're specifically looking for a classic creamy vanilla shake, though, I'd choose another option from this list. The tart cherry is simply too prominent for me to consider this a true vanilla-forward protein powder.
Specs
Protein: 30 g per serving.
Creatine: 3 g per serving, which is a nice bonus even if you already supplement with creatine.
Cost: A typical 2 lb tub contains 20 servings and costs around $50, or about $2.50 per serving.
How many flavors?: Two flavors: Creamy Vanilla and Creamy Chocolate
What About the Other Powders I Tested?
Out of the 23 vanilla powders 16 didn't reach my 7/10
cutoff for the top list. Here is every one of them, with my score and a
quick note on why it missed.
Okay, Just Not My Pick (Scores 5 to 6)
These powders were fine to drink, but something held them back:
texture, sweetness, or not enough vanilla.
So essentially a 5 to 6 does not mean a "bad powder." Some of these can be worth buying for other reasons, like price, protein content, ingredients, or availability. They can also potentially work well in other recipes besides just plain water.
| Protein Powder | Texture Score | Flavor Score | Total Score | Why It Missed the Top 7 | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual Daily Shake Pregnancy Postpartum | 4 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 6 / 10 | The smooth, milky texture had minimal grit and no noticeable aftertaste. I would have preferred a thinner consistency and more flavor, as it stayed quite thick even in 12 ounces of water. | Read Review |
| Canadian Protein Powder | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 5 / 10 | The texture was middle-of-the-road for me, with some noticeable grit. The artificial flavor was stronger than I prefer, which kept it from being a personal favorite. | Read Review |
| Optimum Nutrition Plant Protein | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 5 / 10 | It had a pronounced vanilla flavor, mixed well with hardly any foam, and was very filling. The sweetness leaned slightly artificial for my taste, and while still drinkable, the noticeable grit kept it from being a favorite. | Read Review |
| Promix Protein Powder | 1 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 10 | Nice, subtly sweet vanilla flavor with minimal aftertaste. Unfortunately, the texture is extremely gritty and produces a lot of foam, making it difficult to finish in water. I’d use this one in smoothies or overnight oats instead. | Read Review |
| Plant Fusion Complete Protein | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 5 / 10 | It was pleasant and filling, with a smooth texture, minimal grit, and no aftertaste. The lightly sweet vanilla bean notes were subtle, and I would have preferred less froth and a little more vanilla flavor. | Read Review |
| Sprouts Vanilla Vegan Protein | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 5 / 10 | It mixed smoothly with minimal foam and only a little grit, offering plenty of sweetness and a hint of creamy vanilla. For my taste, the sweetness and noticeable pea protein aroma and flavor overshadowed the vanilla. | Read Review |
Not Worth Your Time, Skip It (Scores Below 5)
Okay now these, well they didn't work for me in water whatsoever and I personally won't be spending my money on them again.
| Protein Powder | Texture Score | Flavor Score | Total Score | What Went Wrong | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUFYX Protein Powder | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 4 / 10 | Heavy foam and grit that worsened toward the end made it difficult to enjoy. The flavor was mostly sweet peas with little vanilla, though the sweetness left no aftertaste. | Read Review |
| Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 3 / 10 | The grit intensified as I drank, leaving heavy residue at the bottom and making it difficult to finish. The flavor was watery with barely any sweetness or vanilla, although a faint vanilla aftertaste lingered. | Read Review |
| Mikuna Plant Protein | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 | 3 / 10 | The grit worsened as I drank, leaving heavy residue at the bottom and making it difficult to finish. The flavor was watery with little sweetness or vanilla, though a faint vanilla aftertaste lingered. | Read Review |
| OM Master Blend Plant Protein | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 | 3 / 10 | It mixed with little froth but had noticeable grit and an immediate, strong aftertaste. The flavor was sickly sweet and bitter, reminding me of an unpleasant caramel rather than vanilla. | Read Review |
| Pinnacle Protein Powder | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 3 / 10 | Very gritty with a strong aftertaste that persisted even in oats. I finished the tub, but the lingering aftertaste would keep me from buying it again. | Read Review |
| Nuzest Clean Lean Protein | 2 / 5 | 0 / 5 | 2 / 10 | Excessive foam needed scooping out, and the initially low grit became more noticeable toward the end. A strong pea smell and little vanilla flavor made it difficult to finish. | Read Review |
| Truvani Plant Based Protein Powder | 0 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 2 / 10 | Heavy foam and grit that worsened toward the end made it difficult to finish. The flavor was overly sweet with a slight stevia-like aftertaste and no distinct vanilla bean or cream notes. | Read Review |
| True Nutrition Pea Protein Isolate (Stevia) | 0 / 5 | 1 / 5 | 1 / 10 | The flavor had some sweetness and vanilla, but tasted strongly of peas with a lingering beany aftertaste. Excessive foam and an unpleasant texture made it undrinkable for me. | Read Review |
| True Nutrition Pea Protein Isolate (Sucralose) | 0 / 5 | 1 / 5 | 1 / 10 | Excessive foam and grit made it undrinkable for me, with a strong pea protein smell. I could detect only a faint hint of vanilla before discarding it, so I couldn’t fully assess the flavor in water. | Read Review |
| True Nutrition Pea Protein Isolate (Monkfruit) | 0 / 5 | 0 / 5 | 0 / 10 | The unpleasant texture and strong chickpea-like smell made it too difficult to drink or properly assess the flavor. I noticed no lingering aftertaste, but that wasn’t enough to make it enjoyable. | Read Review |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a good tasting vanilla vegan protein powder?
Flavor and texture!
Mixability is important to and looking back, I wish I would have gave it a separate sub score. However, how it tastes and how it goes down your throat (major pause) are the ultimate factors.
Vega Performance Protein + Creatine was the best tasting because it had a very pleasant vanilla flavor that wasn't overpowering. The sweetness didn't leave any weird aftertaste. And though not perfect, the texture was pretty smooth for a plant-based powder.
Where can I buy these vegan protein powders?
Most of these you can find on Amazon, but I recommend comparing prices with the brands' official websites before purchasing.
Sometimes you'll find better deals directly from the website not available on Amazon like exclusive discounts (if you sign up to their free newsletter), better subscription savings, and rewards programs. Some brands also offer additional flavors or limited-edition products that might not be available through Amazon.
Can I buy these vegan protein powders in stores?
Yes, some of them!
Orgain Organic Protein is one of the most widely available options from my taste test. You can find it at many major retailers.
Vega protein powders are also available at many retailers, although specific products, such as Vega Performance Protein + Creatine, may be harder to find locally.Are all vegan protein powders gritty?
Honestly many can be BUT, not all.
RISE 311 had the smoothest texture, earning a perfect 5/5 in my texture rating. It was the only protein powder in my vanilla taste test to receive that score. For me, this is a good sign that the formulation of vegan protein powders will improve in texture overtime.
I heard that vegan protein powders are high in heavy metals. Is that true?
I talked about this on my Instagram post. But let me put on Quality Assurance hat for a second to summarize it here.
Plant-based protein powders can contain heavy metals because plants naturally absorb them from soil. However, that doesn't mean every vegan protein powder contains unsafe levels.
That viral 2025 Clean Label Project article raised concerns about heavy metals in protein powders, but understand those findings relied heavily on California's Proposition 65 limits, which are stricter than federal food safety limits.
Prop 65 is a warning-label regulation, not a federal food safety standard. You've probably seen those warnings on everyday products, including foods, because their estimated exposure levels exceed California's thresholds, but exceeding a Prop 65 threshold doesn't automatically mean a product is unsafe.
My advice? Look for brands that are transparent about their heavy metal testing and make their results accessible to consumers. Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean has a great vanilla taste and the best testing transparency out of all the ones I tried.
Which vanilla protein powder should I use to grow my glutes?
Well to be honest, there is no one protein powder that can grow your glutes. Maintaining or gaining vegan curves comes down to consistent workouts and consistently eating a high protein plant-based diet.
That being said there are 3 protein powders from this taste test that stood out for its muscle building benefits:
- Form Performance Protein: My top choice for protein density, providing 30 grams of protein per serving without a lot of extra calories.
- Vega Performance Protein + Creatine: Provides 30 grams of protein plus 3 grams of creatine. Creatine can help improve strength and performance during resistance training, potentially supporting greater muscle growth over time.
- RISE 311: Provides 30 grams of protein and 3 grams of leucine, an essential amino acid that plays an important role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
Are these protein powders expensive?
To be honest, vegan protein powders do have a reputation for being more expensive. But when comparing protein powders, I recommend looking beyond the price on the container and checking the cost per serving.
A $25 container might seem like a bargain compared to one that costs $45, but if you're getting fewer servings, it might not actually be the better deal.
You should also consider how often you use protein powder. A container with 30 servings could last you one month if you use it daily or two months if you use it every other day. That makes a difference when budgeting.
If you're looking for an affordable option that also tastes good, PEScience Select Vegan earned my Best Budget pick in this vanilla taste test.
What else can I use vegan protein powder in besides water?
Other than mixing it with water, I typically use protein powder in smoothies, overnight oats, or steel cut oats. For me, they're the most convenient ways to add extra protein to my daily routine.
If you love smoothies, Vega Protein + Recovery is one option I'd recommend trying. Its tart cherry notes complement fruit smoothies in particularly really well.
Baking is another option, but keep in mind that protein powder is usually divided among several servings. Adding it to a batch of muffins can boost their protein content without necessarily providing a full scoop's worth of protein in each muffin.
I already bought a protein powder that ranked low on your taste test list. Should I stop using it?
In this economy!? Throwing out expensive protein powder? Absolutely not! What I dislike, you might love, and vice versa.
Keep in mind that I tested these protein powders mixed with plain water. I chose this method because it allows me to evaluate the flavor and texture without other ingredients masking them.
But not everyone drinks protein powder with water. You might prefer yours blended into smoothies or incorporated into other recipes and it might work beautifully. So instead of throwing it away try using it in different ways and see what works for you.
How can I make my vegan protein powder less gritty?
Try mixing it with plant-based milk instead of water, or use a personal blender to help create a smoother shake. You can also blend it into smoothies with fruit and other ingredients to make the grittiness less noticeable.
Another option is mixing it into overnight oats or oatmeal, where the texture may be less distracting. Baking with protein powder can also work well, depending on the recipe.
Conclusion
Lawd this was a lot of work but well worth it! Months of testing, tasting, and occasionally wondering how some of these powders made it onto the market in the first place. (No shade!)
Some protein powders genuinely surprised me, while others were a struggle to finish. Some have great flavor but disappointing textures, while others are incredibly smooth but lack that delicious vanilla taste I was looking for.
Vega Performance Protein + Creatine earned my Best Overall pick is my number one recommendation for a good tasting vegan vanilla protein powder. But keep in mind taste is personal, and other options on the list you might like better. What matters most is finding a protein powder that you will use consistently.
You don't need protein powder, but it is a convenient tool to help you meet your protein needs while maintaining and building those curves. I hope my months of taste testing help make your search a little easier and save you from spending money on something you won't enjoy.
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