While there are thousands of protein formulations across the world, many of them use questionable ingredients and artificial sweeteners. For vegetarians and consumers preferring plant-based supplements, this makes choosing a protein powder that works for them no simple task.
Where to find the best organic protein powder? We consulted qualified dietitians with fitness-nutrition expertise for this question. As a result, we’ve rounded up the top picks of vegan protein powders which give exceptional benefits and are safe for your health.
- Is Organic Better Than Plant-Based?
- Who Should Take Organic Protein Powder?
- Best Organic Protein Powder Overall: Sprout Living Organic Plant Protein + Superfoods
- Best Organic Protein Powder For Budget: True Nutrition Soy Protein Isolate
- Best Organic Protein Powder For Weight Loss: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein
- Best Organic Protein Powder For Athletes: Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein Chocolate
- Best Tasting Organic Protein Powder: Swolverine Plant-Based Protein
- Best Unflavored Organic Protein Powder: Orgain Organic Protein
- Best Organic Protein Powder For Women: Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
- Best Customizable Organic Protein Powder: Gainful
- Bottom Line
Is Organic Better Than Plant-Based?
From an environmental viewpoint, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations suggests that organic agriculture offers several advantages.
It reduces pollution, supports food sustainability, and decreases reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, organic farming fosters biodiversity, which refers to the wide range of living organisms from all origins.
Research from 2011 has highlighted the importance of biodiversity, considering it one of Earth’s most vital resources, while warning about the threats posed by human activities.
Examining the nutritional aspect, organic foods and crops seem to offer advantages over conventional products.
A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture suggests that organic crops generally contain lower levels of pesticide residues, nitrites, and nitrates, while often possessing higher amounts of total added sugars, essential amino acids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, and dry matter.
Additionally, organic crops tend to have more mineral compounds and demonstrate better long-term storage qualities.
Amidst the positive attributes, there is a notable downside: plants cultivated in organic systems typically yield about 20% less than conventionally produced crops.
This discrepancy in yield is the primary reason why organic products often come with a higher price tag. If your grocery budget is tight, it is advisable to prioritize nutrient-dense foods over splurging on organic products.
However, if you have some flexibility in your budget and prioritize the benefits of organic foods, we are excited to share our top organic protein powder recommendations with you!
Who Should Take Organic Protein Powder?
We’ve done some research on the topic “Is organic protein powder good for you?” It comes with undeniable health benefits, and the following specific groups will benefit the most from using those vegan protein blends:
- Those with high protein needs
Certain health conditions, such as injuries, burns, or a cancer diagnosis, may increase protein requirements. For those with increased needs, it’s crucial to seek guidance from a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate protein intake.
- Breastfeeding or pregnant women
During pregnancy and lactation, protein requirements increase. However, altered taste preferences and nausea can make it challenging to fulfill these needs through regular meals.
An organic protein powder for pregnancy can be a quick and convenient way to supplement protein intake, but remember to consult a healthcare professional before adding it to the diet.
Also, it’s essential to know when is the best time to take protein powder in pregnancy.
- Vegan athletes
Vegetarian sources of protein may not be as well-absorbed, leading plant-based athletes to have higher protein requirements. Organic plant-based protein powders offer a simple way to enhance their protein intake effectively.
- Active individuals
People who lead an active lifestyle require more protein than those who are sedentary. While the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 g/kg of body weight, athletes and highly active individuals can benefit from consuming higher amounts, ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg of body weight.
- Busy individuals
For those with limited time to cook meals, protein powders offer a convenient way to ensure a quality protein source after workouts or during hectic mornings. For a balanced meal or snack, it’s essential to combine the powder with sources of carbohydrates and healthy fats.
Best Organic Protein Powder Overall: Sprout Living Organic Plant Protein + Superfoods
Our top choice for organic protein powders is Sprout Living Epic Protein. This plant-based organic powder is a well-rounded option for post-workout nutrition, offering 13 grams of carbohydrates and 20 grams of protein per serving.
The protein blend includes cranberry seed, sacha inchi, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and yellow pea protein and provides a diverse range of nutrients.
These are essential nutrients, particularly for those following vegan diets, where obtaining sufficient amounts of protein can sometimes be challenging.
Beyond its nutrient profile, we appreciate the thoughtfully chosen blend of flavors in this protein powder. It incorporates a delightful mix of South American vanilla bean, baobab fruit, ginger root, cinnamon, coconut milk, and lacuma fruit.
The subtle sweetness from coconut sugar and stevia adds to the overall delicious vanilla and cinnamon flavor.
The protein powder mixes smoothly in plain water, offering a pleasing texture. It can also be easily blended into fruit smoothies, making it a versatile option for consumption.
| Pros | Cons |
| – A tasty blend of vanilla bean, ginger root, cinnamon, and coconut milk. – A great source of essential nutrients like iron | Contain stevia – may not please everyone’s taste |
Best Organic Protein Powder For Budget: True Nutrition Soy Protein Isolate
True Nutrition offers a range of budget-friendly options for vegan protein powder, with their Soy Protein Isolate being the most affordable at just $7.29 per pound.
One major advantage is that you don’t have to purchase a large container to enjoy a good price, as they maintain the same cost per pound even for their 1lb package. Additionally, if you become a loyal customer, you can avail an extra 5% discount when ordering 7lbs or more.
Derived from non-GMO soybeans using cold-water microfiltration to preserve the protein’s integrity, their Soy Isolate protein boasts a very mild flavor and smooth texture, making it an excellent choice for those without soy allergies or intolerances.
True Nutrition stands out not only for their affordable protein options but also for their protein customizer feature. For a small additional cost of $0.30 per pound, you can add the flavor of your choice without compromising on the price or taste.
Though Soy Isolate is their most budget-friendly vegan protein, they offer various alternatives such as pea, hemp, pumpkin, and rice protein.
What’s even better is that you can create your own blend, combining any of these protein sources to suit your preferences.
It’s worth noting that these prices are exclusive to their website. Interestingly, prices for the exact same products on Amazon are nearly twice as high, so purchasing directly from their website ensures you get the best deal.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Gluten-free and GMO-free – Low prices even for mini containers – Personalized options available | That low price is only for purchases directly on their site |
Best Organic Protein Powder For Weight Loss: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein
Should you be searching for an organic protein powder for muscle building, Transparent Labs has just the product for you. Their Organic Vegan powder utilizes protein-rich plant sources, specifically organic yellow pea protein isolate and organic rice protein.
These carefully chosen sources not only offer high protein content but also provide essential amino acids necessary for muscle maintenance. This ensures that you get a quality protein supplement without any compromise on nutrition.
Transparent Labs excludes artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or any other unwanted components, offering you a clean and natural protein option. Each serving provides a wholesome 24 grams of non-GMO, organic protein.
Concerning the nutritional content, the French Vanilla flavor comes in at 130 calories per serving, with 2 grams of sugar, 3 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of fat.
If you opt for the Chocolate flavor, it contains 150 calories, 2 grams of sugar, 7 grams of carbs, and 2.5 grams of fat. These nutrient profiles allow you to choose the flavor that best fits your dietary preferences and requirements.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and plant-based – Organic protein of 24 grams/serving – Protein of 24 grams/serving | Not many flavors available (only 2) |
Best Organic Protein Powder For Athletes: Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein Chocolate
Our Garden Of Life protein review brought up some of the most popular plant-based protein blends, including this one.
It caught our attention as it is tailored specifically for athletes, offering a generous 30 grams of protein per serving, along with 2.5 grams of leucine—an essential branched-chain amino acid crucial for muscle growth and recovery.
This protein powder goes beyond a standard protein blend derived from vegan sources. It includes goji berry, blueberry, turmeric, tart cherry, and apple, providing antioxidant-rich ingredients to aid in post-exercise recovery.
While the specific amounts of these ingredients are not listed, the product also contains significant levels of important minerals like manganese, selenium, zinc and iron. We tested the chocolate flavor, but it’s also available in vanilla.
An additional advantage of this protein powder is its adherence to rigorous third-party certifications. It is Informed Choice certified and NSF Certified for Sport, ensuring accurate ingredient amounts and a lack of harmful contaminants.
For competitive athletes, these certifications are crucial to avoid any banned substances in their supplements.
However, it’s important to consider that this protein powder is sweetened with stevia, which might not suit everyone’s taste preferences.
Furthermore, it includes an added probiotic, which may not be necessary for some individuals and could cause discomfort for those with underlying gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, especially if they are already taking other probiotic supplements.
| Pros | Cons |
| – High in protein – specifically designed for athletes – A large source of minerals | – Some may find it artificial-tasting or too sweet – Contain added probiotic |
Best Tasting Organic Protein Powder: Swolverine Plant-Based Protein
Plant-based protein powders often receive criticism for their gritty texture and potential to cause uncomfortable bloating.
However, Swolverine Plant Protein has garnered rave reviews from users who praise its exceptional taste, smooth texture, and how it leaves them feeling.
Each scoop of this powder contains 22 grams of protein derived from pumpkin seed protein and pea protein isolate, complemented by the added benefits of prebiotic fiber, inulin. Research shows that inulin can promote gut biome repair, reduce bloating, and alleviate constipation.
Furthermore, both pumpkin and pea protein offer numerous health advantages, supporting heart health, boosting the immune system, and serving as a good source of iron.
The plant-based protein is awesome – not too sweet. It mixes well with water and doesn’t have that chalky taste that other chocolate plant-based proteins have.
We have tried soooo many plant-based protein powders, and this is the only one that tastes amazing AND makes a creamy shake.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Tested by third party – Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan – Tasty & blend well with drinks | – Two flavors only – Quite costly |
Best Unflavored Organic Protein Powder: Orgain Organic Protein
Orgain Organic Protein Powder stands out as our top choice for a flavorless protein powder that is sourced organically. Orgain’s protein blend is a combination of three plant-based proteins:
- Brown rice
While being an incomplete protein in terms of essential amino acids, brown rice provides a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and essential minerals, including manganese, selenium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
It also contains B vitamins such as vitamin B6, niacin, and thiamine.
- Organic Pea
Peas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall health. Pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids, although it is relatively low in the amino acid methionine.
- Chia
Chia seeds, tiny seeds from the Salvia hispanica plant, are used to make vegan protein powder. Apart from being a valuable protein source, chia seeds also provide omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
A serving of this protein powder provides a total of 21 grams of vegan protein, along with 15 grams of carbohydrates (relatively high) and only 1 gram of sugar.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Plant-based protein source – Combination of chia protein, organic pea, and brown rice 21 gr of sugar/serving | Fairly high amount of carbs |
Best Organic Protein Powder For Women: Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
For women seeking the best gut-friendly protein powder, Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder appears as an excellent choice.
It features a blend of 22 raw and organic sprouts, providing a complete protein source that includes all the essential amino acids so that you can build muscle more effectively.
What values the most is its inclusion of gut-friendly probiotics and digestive enzymes. These components play a significant role in breaking down food into essential nutrients, facilitating better absorption by the body.
As a result, this protein powder becomes an ideal option for women dealing with IBS or gut-related issues.
During our testing, we tried the vanilla chai flavor. The powder has a dense texture, which is understandable considering its plant-based protein sources.
Mixing it into a morning bowl of oatmeal was a delightful experience, although it does thicken the consistency significantly, so it’s best to add it before the oatmeal becomes too thick on its own.
When preparing a liquid shake, it’s crucial to mix it thoroughly to avoid any chalky texture. Having a high-quality protein shaker on hand is recommended for optimal results.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Filled with digestive enzymes and gut-friendly probiotics – Vegan-friendly, certified organic, and non-GMO | – Limited flavors – Quite costly |
Best Customizable Organic Protein Powder: Gainful
If you’ve struggled to find a protein powder that doesn’t upset your gut, meets your specific protein needs, and complements your favorite smoothie, consider giving personalized powder a try – all at a comparable price to other options.
Gainful offers a unique approach by tailoring a formula just for you, determined through a quick 5-minute quiz that takes into account various factors like weight goals, gender, age, exercise habits, and dietary restrictions.
With this information, Gainful creates a blend with specific types and proportions of protein, along with a personalized serving size to suit your individual requirements.
No preservatives, thickening agents, binders, fillers, colorings, sweeteners, or artificial flavorings are used in Gainful’s formulas.
You have the option to add a “flavor boost” if you prefer, which uses organic stevia and monk fruit as sweeteners. Furthermore, with each delivery, you can choose two flavors, with the chocolate peanut butter being a favorite among customers.
An added benefit of ordering from Gainful is that it grants access to a registered dietitian.
This expert is available for 1:1 consultations, providing advice on how to consume your protein, guidance on weight management, and suggestions for incorporating other healthy foods into your diet.
While they are in the process of publishing third-party testing results, Gainful already ensures product safety and verification by requiring manufacturers to provide COAs for each ingredient and conducting their own QA testing.
Additionally, they use non-GMO, organic ingredients for everything except the casein and whey protein powders.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Carbon-neutral – Designed as per your preferences, allergies, and fitness goals – Meet your precise dietary needs | – Quite expensive – Subscription required – Some may not like stevia |
Bottom Line
After all, it is best to consume nutrients and protein from whole foods. But supplementing your daily diet with high-quality protein powder will help you achieve your fitness goals, quicker and easier.
Who says protein powders are not for vegetarians or picky eaters? There’s always the best organic protein powder that fits your taste and personalized sports-nutrition diet.
You can be a vegan and stay fit at the same time!
