Best vegan protein powder: Guide, comparison & tips

On the lookout for the best vegan protein powder in the UK? If you’ve been sifting your way through ingredients labels wondering why most read more like a science lesson than something you’re actually happy to eat, we get it. From pea to rice, and hemp to soy, finding a clean, high-quality vegan protein shake can be tricky.

But don’t go running back to the tofu aisle just yet! Our guide to the best vegan protein powder will give you the complete scoop on plant-powered proteins; what to look for, what suspicious ingredients to avoid and why natural blends are the best option for your health.

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What we’ll cover….

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Do vegans need protein powder?

Unless you’re a plant-powered athlete or bodybuilder, vegan protein powder is by no means essential.

The myth that vegans can’t get enough protein from real food is long gone. With a bit of planning, you can get more than enough protein within your everyday meals from nutrient-dense vegan protein sources. If you’re getting plenty of the following protein-rich foods into your diet, there’s probably no need to start gulping down vegan protein shakes like a gym-bro:

For more delicious vegan protein whole foods, check out our vegan shopping list for beginners.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a packed day and need a quick, easy, high-quality dose of protein, vegan protein powder can prove handy. Plus, if you’re looking to build muscle or lose weight, gaining an extra daily dose of protein will help you to reach your goals without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

Ultimately, vegan protein shakes are a useful dietary tool, but real food should always be your first port of call.

How to know if you’re getting enough protein

The British Nutrition Foundation suggests that most adults need at least 0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight per day.

However, if you’re eating for muscle gain or weight loss, we’d recommend working towards a high-protein diet. Doubling your ideal body weight in grams of protein per day is a good aim—for example, if you want to weigh 62kg, aim to take in 124g of plant protein a day.

Use a free nutrition app to track your meals for a week or so and see how your average daily protein intake stacks up against the recommendations above. At that point, you’ll have a better idea if a vegan protein powder will be a worthwhile addition to your routine.

Are vegan protein powders complete?

Unlike whey protein, not at all vegan protein powders are complete, but you should look for one that is.

All proteins are classified as either complete or incomplete, based on the amino acids (or lack of) that they contain. There are around 20 amino acids in total, but only 9 of them are ‘essential’ to your diet, because your body cannot make them by itself. A complete vegan protein powder contains all 9 of the essential amino acids, whilst an incomplete one lacks in one or more.

If you’re lacking any of the essential amino acids, the first thing your body will do is break down muscle tissue. Over time, amino acid deficiency could lead to more serious health issues, like decreased immunity and depression.

Moral of the story? If you’re going to invest in a vegan protein powder, it’s in your best interests to go for one that’s complete such as Purition Vegan.

Types of vegan protein powder

Pea what, hemp who, soy what-on-earth-is-the-difference? When it comes to choosing the best vegan protein powder, breaking down the pros and cons of each plant protein type is a good place to start.

1. Soy protein

Soy protein isolate is a highly-processed vegan protein powder made from dehydrated, ground and chemically-treated soybeans. It contains all 9 essential amino acids and is typically one of the most inexpensive protein powders on the market.

But it’s fair to say that soy is a controversial food. It contains a naturally-occurring plant compound called phytoestrogen, which can mimic the effect of estrogen in the body. A few observational studies have linked phytoestrogen to an increased risk of some types of cancers, but the science surrounding soy is still generally inconclusive.

It’s also one of the most 14 common food allergens and can be hard to digest.

2. Pea protein

Pea protein is made from peas, but not the green ones you’re expecting. The protein is extracted from dried yellow split peas—weird, we know. Pea protein is normally relatively inexpensive, but contains all essential amino acids and is high in fibre and iron. On the flip-side, it’s on the low-side of the essential amino acid methionine.

3. Rice protein

Never thought of rice as a protein-packed food? Rice protein powder is made by grinding down brown rice, which is then treated with an enzyme to separate carbohydrates from the protein. Clever, huh? Rice protein powder is an incomplete protein source as it does not contain sufficient amounts of the essential amino acid lysine to qualify.

4. Hemp protein

Hemp protein is essentially cold-pressed raw, peeled hemp seeds. As well as boasting a complete protein source and a powerhouse of nutrients, hemp is a highly sustainable product. Hemp plants capture carbon dioxide to purify the air, replenish the soil they’re grown in and do not require pesticides to grow.

We love hemp; it’s a protein-powerhouse whilst also being a bit of an eco-warrior!

5. Sunflower protein

Sunflower protein isn’t as well-known as the likes of soy, pea and hemp, but does pack a mighty protein punch. Made via the same cold-pressing method as hemp protein, sunflower protein offers a complete protein source, alongside a wide range of naturally-occurring essential vitamins & minerals. The only downside here is that sunflower protein is fairly low in the essential amino acid lysine, making it best as part of a protein blend.

6. Pumpkin seed protein

Like sunflower and hemp, pumpkin seed protein powder is made by cold-pressing pumpkin seeds, which are then dried finely ground in a mill to create a powder. Pumpkin protein powder is highly nutritious; packing in high amounts of magnesium, zinc, iron and other essential minerals. However, it’s low in the essential amino acids threonine and lysine and is therefore incomplete.

What to look for in a vegan protein powder

So you’ve got the lowdown on the different types of vegan protein powder, but what should you actually look for in the search for the perfect scoop? When it comes to finding the best vegan protein powder for your long-term health and wellbeing, we’d tout the following 4 qualities as non-negotiable must-haves…

1. Complete protein source

We won’t start the amino-acid talk again (yawn), but remember that a complete protein source will give you the most value for your money. A complete powder will help to ensure that you’re gaining sufficient amounts of the essential amino acids required to build and repair protein tissues in your body, which is pretty damn important—especially if you’re trying to build muscle.

As you read earlier, not all vegan proteins are complete, so take a good look at the ingredients list before purchasing. With the exception of soy (which is already complete), look out for two or more plant proteins, as this typically creates a well-rounded amino acid profile. Purition’s premium protein blend, for example, contains European pea, pumpkin, sunflower & hemp to provide all 9 essential amino acids in a single serving.

New to Purition?
Start with a Vegan Discovery Box
6 flavours for £13.50 with free delivery

2. Whole food ingredients

Many (if not most) vegan protein powders are packed with artificial ingredients, additives, artificial sweeteners and unnatural flavourings to make the product less ‘earthy’ and more palatable. These sorts of ingredients might seem like no biggie, but they’re no good for your long-term health. Plus, in the short-term, they could cause stomach upset and bloating, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Boo.

Natural, whole food ingredients are easier for your body to break down and are far, far better for your long-term health. With that said, during your search for the best vegan protein powder in the UK, the ingredients label is everything. Give it a ready and, ideally, you should recognise all of the ingredients. If the ingredients look less like food and more like a science lesson, move on.

At Purition, we refuse to dabble with any grubby gums, artificial ingredients, emulsifiers, additives or preservatives. Our whole food alternative to protein powder provides vegan protein from nutritious seeds, nuts and European grown plant protein. As such, Purition is good or your health, gentle on the stomach and will not cause bloating.

3. Nutrient-density

Your health and fitness is about your diet as a whole, not just protein. While protein might be your priority, opting for a nutrient-rich blend will help you to reach your health and fitness goals faster than glugging down a protein-only shake.

The best vegan protein powders will contain a nutrient-packed combination of protein, fibre and healthy fats. This type of formula will drip feed nutrients into your body over a longer period of time than protein alone, which will keep you feeling fuller and more energised for longer, as well as helping to replenish lost nutrients after workouts.

Purition vegan, the real food alternative to vegan protein powder, contains a balanced blend of plant protein, fibre, healthy fats and naturally-occurring vitamins & minerals from real food sources. Unlike ultra-processed protein-only shakes, a glass of Purition is genuinely good for you and will give your body the nutrients it needs to progress and thrive in the short and long-term.

4. Low sugar

Like it or lump it, vegan proteins have a natural earthy taste—they come from plants, after all! All too often, this leads manufacturers to add in excessive amounts of sugar in a bid to mask natural flavours and improve taste.

You already know that eating too much sugar is bad for your health (think weight gain, diabetes, rotting teeth and inflammation), so make sure to check the sugar quantity before buying into a vegan protein powder. Ideally, get one with low sugar—under 4g, but ideally lower. You can always sweeten it yourself with fruit, maple syrup or agave.

Keep an eye out for artificial sweeteners, too. While they negate the need for added sugar, they can wreak havoc on your digestive system and can have harmful effects on the body long-term. Avoid these artificial sweeteners if possible:

At Purition, we use a tiny amount of stevia to balance out the authentic flavours in our real food protein blends. Stevia is a natural, plant-based sweetener which has no effect on blood sugar.

How to use vegan protein powder

For the most part, all you need to do is mix your vegan protein powder with nut milk and you’re good to go. As the best quality vegan protein powders can be seedy (real food doesn’t dissolve), it’s best to give the mix a blitz in the blender for the smoothest experience.

But vegan protein powders aren’t just for shakes and healthy smoothies! They’re actually incredibly versatile and make a great way to add a protein boost to your everyday meals. Give these protein-packed ideas a try…

When to use vegan protein powder

After years of rushing to drink protein shakes straight after the gym, it turns out that the ‘anabolic window’ (the 30-minute ‘magic window’ pre or post-exercise for drinking protein shakes) doesn’t actually matter.

The most up-to-date research now claims that the anabolic window is far longer than 30 minutes; and that total protein intake is the strongest predictor of muscle strength and size, regardless of when you drink a protein shake.

In simple terms, it doesn’t matter when you get your protein. You just need to get enough of it, every day.

What is the best vegan protein powder in the UK?

We believe that Purition is the best vegan protein powder alternative in the UK today. Our natural alternative to vegan protein powder is packed with nourishing, natural ingredients that your body knows and loves; namely seeds, nuts and premium plant proteins.

We say no to anything unnatural—from synthetic preservatives and gums to unnatural flavourings and artificial sweeteners—because we know that consuming these ingredients every day isn’t good for you.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for other UK vegan protein powders. Here are just a few reasons to choose Purition:

UK vegan protein powder comparison

Criteria	Purition Vegan Dairy-free	Other popular UK vegan protein powders
Ingredient quality	100% whole food ingredients from seeds, nuts and premium plant protein for easily-digestible, high-quality whole food nutrition.	In most cases, full of low-quality, artificial ingredients, sweeteners, gums, powered oils and thickeners that are not good for your long-term health.
Nutrition	Purition contains 15–20g protein per serving, plus unrefined healthy fats and fibre to provide energy, naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals and drip feed nutrients into your body over a longer period of time.	Token (often unnecessary) amounts of protein to make them look good, but with little else to offer. Recovery from sport and exercise is not just about protein—it’s about your whole diet.
Natural ingredients?	Yes, as this is the best way to get nutrients—we do not assume that we know better than Mother Nature!	In most cases, synthetic vitamin and mineral blends are used in a bid to replicate whole foods.
Easy to digest?	Yes, Purition is gentle on the stomach and will not cause bloating.	Those with gums, flavourings, sweeteners and require synthetic vitamins and minerals can be hard-to-digest.
Flavour range	14+ vegan flavours & regular Limited Editions.	As little as 3 flavours.
Ingredient origin	Our European sourcing policy ensures the lowest possible food miles.	In most cases, the origin of ingredients is not disclosed.
Sweetener type	Small amounts of the natural sweetener stevia.	In most cases, artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
Flavourings	Natural flavours from real food, like freeze-dried strawberries and cocoa powder.	In most cases, artificial colouring & flavourings.
Samples available?	Yes. 1 sample for £2.50, 6 for £13.50 or 12 for £12 with free UK delivery >> Shop Vegan Discovery Box.	Typically no. This can lead to a waste of your time and money—plus food waste—if you do not enjoy the product.
Sustainability	Trialling paper packaging and aiming to be plastic-free by August 2021. We only buy renewable energy, our HQ uses sunlight to heat our water and our entire business creates less waste than the average UK household. Carbon neutral delivery.	Most make huge sustainability claims but still pack their products in non-recyclable plastic film (because it’s cheaper) and use millions of single-use plastic bottles to pack their ready-to-drink bottles.

Choosing the best vegan protein powder

Finding the best UK vegan protein powder can feel like an absolute minefield, but hopefully, you’ve now got a clearer idea of what to look out for. Ultimately, opting for a clean, natural protein powder made from real food ingredients and putting ultra-processed fake shakes firmly back on the shelf is the best option for optimal health.

If you’re a new vegan struggling to meet your daily nutritional requirements, Purition could be just what you need. Try it as a quick and filling vegan breakfast, a protein boost to fuel your workouts or a high-protein snack to curb your hunger pangs. Get started below with any 6 flavours for just £13.50…

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