The Best Vegan Protein Powders
Build Muscle & Lean Down Faster

"How much protein I need for muscle building?" is a common question I get asked all the time.

You need between 1.6g and 2.2g of protein per kilogram of weight (0.73 to 1 gram per pound) if you want to maximize your muscle gains.

Soy based foods are some of the best foods you can eat on the planet. Soy provides a plant based protein source; a slew of vitamins and minerals crucial for reducing risk of chronic disease; and fiber that helps you fill up and feel satisfied.

-International Olympic Committee Consensus on Sports Nutrition

With this in mind, I recommend going with the upper end of the protein range, which is suggested by the scientific literature to be optimal [1]. This is essential because protein made from plants (i.e. soy protein) is generally less anabolic and not as easily digested than whey protein.

For example, a vegan athlete weighing 80 kg or 176 lbs would need around 128 to 176 grams of protein per day.

That's 1.6 to 2.2g x 80 kgs.

With these numbers in mind, and taking into account the general lifestyle of a vegan athlete, here's why I believe plant-based protein powders to be so invaluable.

Here are 4 things to look for in a vegan protein powder:

When purchasing a pea, flaxseed or hemp protein powder, you should look for a high percentage of plant proteins above everything else on the ingredients list.

The higher the percentage of protein in a product, the less space is taken up by carbs, fats, sugar, and other nutrients that you may (or may not) want. The only time you would want these other macros would be when you're bulking and trying to consume a ton of calories.

If you're bulking and need that extra help in getting more calories, you may want to consider taking a vegan mass gainer.

There are many vegan products that offer lots of benefits from a nutritional perspective, such as a complete essential amino acid profile and vitamins and minerals.

Take time to find which vegan source of protein is best for your diet and fitness goals. For example, peas are known to be rich in amino acid components with the added benefit of BCAAs. Hemp, on the other hand, is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids for better cardiac health.

Apart from BCAAs, omega-3s, and other added nutrients for certain health purposes, the protein source is also a crucial thing to consider if you're suffering from certain allergies or diet restrictions.

While all the plant-based proteins on this list provide the necessary protein requirements of a pure plant-eater, I recommend Transparent Labs Organic Vegan as one of the best vegan protein powders on the market.

Its low-carbohydrate and low-fat formula might be best for keeping any extra pounds off, while the 24 grams of protein per serving is essential to your plant-based diet and overall health.

People on restricted diets might consider it helpful too, as it's gluten-free, soy-free, contains non-GMO ingredients, and no preservatives. With its price and nutritional content, it also wins on a dollar per gram value among all the protein powders on this list.

What is the best vegan protein powder for you? And which of these protein powders have you tried?

Share your experience with us!