Pea protein powders are quickly becoming one of the more popular options for protein powders. It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, and is one of the more easily digestible plant proteins.
It is also a good source of iron, making it an ideal choice for athletes who are prone to anemia.
However, it’s slightly lacking in methionine (an amino acid), so some of the listed products will feature a combination of two or more protein sources to balance out the amino profile. To help find the best pea protein powder, we have put together a list of our favorite products that use this wonderful protein source as a main ingredient.
Our Top Picks for Vegan Protein Powder
NAKED Nutritions pea isolate powder gets our top spot simply for its simplicity. Those looking for a single-ingredient pea protein powder that is fantastic value for money will love this product. You can enjoy the benefits of pea protein; its high-quality protein, easy digestibility, and iron content without any extra additives.
This protein powder will deliver 27g of protein for just 120g per serving. It is independently third-party tested for heavy metals. The powder is non-GMO and free of artificial flavors and sweeteners.
We have chosen their unflavored version for its versatility, with its neutral flavor allowing it to be an addition to other foods like protein smoothies or recipes that feature protein powders. This means that it does not taste great if mixed with water alone. However, NAKED Nutrition also offers flavored versions of their pea isolate and products that use pea protein alongside rice protein to balance the amino profile.
Now Sports’ offering is another pea isolate formula that comes considerably cheaper than other options. It is unflavored so it should be treated as an ingredient, as it will lack flavor when mixed with water alone.
It comes in at 24g of protein in 120 calories per portion. However, it is a bit higher in sodium than other luxury brands. This does not affect its effectiveness as a muscle builder but is something to look out for if your diet is already susceptible to a high protein intake.
It is Third-party tested for heavy metals, non-GMO, organic, and free of major allergens.
MyProtein’s Pea Protein Isolate is one of the tastiest available pea protein only powders available. Each serving contains 22g of protein for 122 calories in addition to all the natural benefits of pea protein.
The perfectly balanced flavors of the powder mean it only has to be mixed with water and you will have the perfect post-workout shake. They have a great variety of flavors available, so be sure to try them all to find your favorite
MyProtein ensures all their products are third-party tested. Their pea protein isolate is free of gluten, preservatives, refined sugar, and artificial flavors.
NorCal Organic Protein prioritizes the quality and the source of its ingredients. They work closely with farmers who practice and support organic and sustainable farming and animal welfare. They avoid any enzymes in the processing when producing their pea protein isolate which results in organic pea protein isolate with an unsurpassed amino acid profile.
The proof is in the results. NorCal delivers 22g of protein for only 100 kcal, making it one of the most calorie-efficient ways of supplementing protein.
All ingredients used in Transparent Lab’s rice and pea protein are organic. This makes it a great option for those who prefer the ingredients of their protein powder to be grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
They use a blend of pea protein and rice protein to ensure that you receive a balanced amino acid profile whilst enjoying the natural benefits of pea protein such as iron.
This product comes in two flavors, and only water is needed to make a shake that will give you 24g of protein, and taste great. This is all achieved without using any artificial ingredients such as sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives.
KOS Organic Vegan Protein Powder is made up of five different protein sources, including peas, flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa. This ensures that all 20g of protein in each serving delivers a complete and balanced amino acid profile.
Their protein powder also includes a digestive enzyme blend, fruit and veggie blend, and vitamins and minerals blend. It goes beyond a simple protein powder, as it supplements all aspects of your dietary health. This can be useful if you are looking for a one-and-done supplementation product.
One of KOS’ most notable features is its taste. It can be simply blended or mixed with water to get a fantastic-tasting shake, and with currently 7 varieties of flavor available, you are guaranteed to find one that you love.
Vega’s All-in-One Powder is designed to supplement all areas of your health, not just protein. The 20g of protein itself is sourced mainly from pea protein, and also organic sunflower seed and organic pumpkin seed to deliver a balanced amino profile.
They also pack 4g of fiber, 500mg of Omega-3 ALA, and Antioxidant vitamins A and C to support the immune system alongside Probiotics. All of these additional nutrients mean the product makes for a great meal replacement for on-the-go or otherwise, and sets you up perfectly to achieve all of your daily nutritional requirements
Vega uses no GMO ingredients and has no grains, no added sugar, and no artificial flavors.
8. Live Conscious Organic Pea Protein Powder – Cosmic Cacao Chocolate Flavor – Best Natural Flavor
VisitIf you are after entirely natural and organic ingredients in your protein powder, but you are still looking for a great taste, then this is the choice for you. Rather than fill what is supposed to be a health product with sweeteners and flavorings, Live Conscious has flavored its protein powder with blended organic cacao beans.
The cacao beans themselves have health benefits as well as tasting great. This includes improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. The protein source is pea protein mixed with rice, sacha inchi & pumpkin Seed protein powders to deliver a full and balanced amino profile.
Each serving delivers 15g of protein for 70 kcal. However, this is around half both in calories and in protein than other entries on our list. If you were to use enough for 25 g of protein, the serving would be 115kcal.
What is Pea Protein?
Pea protein is derived from yellow split peas. The peas are ground into a powder. Starch and fiber are removed, leaving you with a protein isolate.
Pea protein is one of the more popular choices for vegan protein powders. It is a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids, that are used to build and repair muscle tissue
Benefits of pea protein powder
Peas, and pea protein powders, have long been established as a fantastic source of protein. They contain all 9 essential dietary amino acids and are high in BCAA’s (branched-chain amino acids). BCAA’s are amino acids most commonly associated with building new muscle tissue.
Studies have observed that pea protein can promote similar levels of muscle building as the widely popular animal-derived whey protein powder. This means that no ethics have to be compromised in the name of gains.
Pea Protein is naturally low in both fat and carbohydrates which means each serving, depending on a product’s additives, can be low in calories, making it perfect for those trying to lose weight.
It is also an excellent natural source of Iron, making it perfect for athletes who are susceptible to anemia.
Who should use pea protein powder?
Most people following a balanced whole food, plant-based diet will be able to achieve their daily requirements for protein in their regular diet. However, athletes or anyone serious about building muscle may find a protein supplement useful to boost their protein intake without consuming too many calories or an entire extra meal.
Pea protein supplements may also be useful for those with increased protein requirements, such as pregnant or lactating women or older adults who are at a higher risk of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass).
Pea Protein Powder is also hypoallergenic, meaning it does not contain any common allergens and most people will be able to tolerate it.
Pea Protein – What to look for
Ingredient Quality
You will often see protein powders labeled as third-party tested. It does not mean it has been tested for effectiveness, it simply means that a product has been sent to a lab to test for any unwanted contaminants. There is a chance that protein powders will contain amounts of heavy metals such as lead, and third-party testing ensures the safety of the protein powder.
Some protein powders advertise that they are organic, meaning their ingredients are grown without using synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Nutrient Profile
Most protein powders come in at around 20-30g of protein per serving. However, the calories can differ more drastically due to different amounts of carbohydrates and fats found in different pea protein sources. Be sure to align your choice with your goals, for example, if you are trying to lose weight you would not want to pick a calorie-dense pea protein.
Some protein powders will also include additional vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients to help supplement other aspects of your health. These can be useful if you are looking for a product that can support your wider health, but make sure that the product does not conflict with your existing diet and supplement routine, as taking too much of certain vitamins and minerals can have adverse effects.
Certain protein powders can also include sodium, sugars, and other additives. Whilst this is not necessarily a bad thing, you should take specific care not to go over your daily requirements if your products contains these ingredients.
Taste
Taste is slightly more trivial in terms of how a pea protein powder can affect your performance. However, it is important to find a product that either tastes great or works well as an additive to other foods such as a protein smoothie. To establish a routine of taking protein supplements you must make sure it is a product you can enjoy.
Price and Brand
It is important to find a protein powder that can fit into your budget. However, cheaper pea protein products can sometimes use inferior ingredients and may include high levels of potentially unwanted ingredients, such as sodium.
It is not always the case, but it is a good idea to choose a brand that has a reputation for its quality, such as MyProtein. This ensures that you can trust what the company has listed in its ingredients and be assured of its quality.
Summary
You should always aim to achieve your daily nutrient needs through whole foods. But for a variety of reasons, you may require additional protein supplementation. Pea protein powder is an excellent option for vegans to increase their daily protein intake. This could be for athletic performance or medical reasons. Pea protein has been observed as a highly effective supplement for muscle building, making it a great option for all athletes who are looking to increase their strength and muscle.
The best pea protein powder available is NAKED Nutritions Pea Protein Isolate. It delivers 27g of protein for each 120kcal serving and uses high-quality ingredients to do so. It is a single ingredient, making it perfect for those looking to only supplement with pea protein powder.
The amino acid profile is complete but is considered unbalanced as it slightly lacks methionine. However, if the rest of your diet is balanced and you consume a diverse range of protein from different sources, this will not be an issue. You should never rely solely on protein supplements for your daily protein requirements and only use them to supplement your wider diet.