Are you a vegan body builder looking for a vegan protein powder to add into your routine? There are many vegan protein powders out there, but some are going to be a better fit for a body builder’s specific needs. As a plant-based registered dietitian, I want to provide you with some options for vegan protein powders that I think would be a good fit for body builders (and why). Keep reading below to find out which six made the list.

6. Vega Sport Premium Protein

What we love: Vega Sport Premium Protein has 170 calories and 30 grams of protein that will help add muscle mass with 5g BCAAs. vega Sport Premium Protein also contains turmeric and tart cherry for optimal recovery after those heavy lifting sessions. Depending on how many calories you need, you could mix the Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder into water, plant-based milk, or into a smoothie with other wholesome foods.  Find Vega Sport Premium Protein HERE. 

Considerations: This protein powder will be a bit chalkier but you will find that with many of the vegan protein powders on this list that are higher in the protein needed to repair muscles after body building.

5. PROMIX Vegan Protein Powder

What we love: PROMix vegan protein powder has 5.3grams of BCAAs and is straightforward and a simple way to add protein to your day or to your post-workout recovery with only 3 ingredients (pea protein, brown rice protein, and vitamin B12). The B 12 is a great addition to give you energy before or after a workout and is something that vegans need to pay special attention to. If you’re looking to add protein into your day post lifting workout, PROMIX Vegan Protein Powder is a great option!

Considerations: On the other side of the spectrum, if you are not supplementing protein multiple times per day after lifting and you’re looking for a more well rounded vegan protein powder that is made with whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, PROMIX would not be the best option because of the simple ingredient list.

4. Garden Of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein

What we love: Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder has 160 calories and 30 grams of vegan protein in 2 scoops with all essential amino acids and even a bit more BCAAs (5.5 grams per serving) so you can be sure that the protein you’re consuming is bioavailable and easily digestible. Also with a whopping 5 grams of glutamin and glutamic acid, your body can best utilize the energy that you’re taking in. This becomes increasingly important as you are trying to gain muscle mass  without gaining additional weight. You want to be sure that what you’re ingesting is actually getting absorbed. Because Garden of Life Sport is targeted for post recovery, you’ll see specific post workout recovery ingredients like tart cherry and turmeric that provide an added bonus. Find Garden of Life Sport Protein Powder HERE. 

Considerations: Out of all the protein powders out there, it nutritionally stacks up superbly but doesn’t have as creamy smooth of a taste as some other vegan protein powders. If you are solely focused on the nutrition content though, Garden of Life Sport Organic is still a great option.

3. Elevate Nutrition Plant-Based Vegan Protein Powder

What we love: Elevate Nutrition Plant-Based Vegan Protein Powder is another straightforward option with BCAAs and glutamine to help support those post workout recovery modes. The Chocolate Brownie flavor is a bit more on the unique side if you’re burnt out on the usual vegan protein powder flavors. Find Elevate Nutrition’s Vegan Protein Powder HERE. 

Considerations: The only sweetener is the monk fruit sweetener and so this vegan protein powder is not the sweetest of the bunch but that also means that it doesn’t have an artificial sugar alcohol taste or a stevia taste.

2. Peak Performance Organic Grain-Free Plant-Based Vegan Protein Powder 

What we love: Peak Performance Organic Plant-Based Vegan Protein Powder is organic, grain-free, soy-free, and dairy free. The Organic protein powder is 3rd party tested so if you’re putting a lot of protein powders into your body after vegan body building, you can rest assured knowing that you’re ingesting cleaner ingredients. Find Peak Performance Vegan Protein Powder HERE. 

Considerations: Peak Performance vegan protein powder doesn’t contain as many BCAAs or specific post-workout ingredients like the Vega Sport or Garden of Life Sport Vegan Protein Powders.

1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant-Based Protein Powder

What we love: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant-Based Protein Powder comes from a company who has been making performance based protein powders for a while now. While most of them are whey based, their plant-based chocolate option could be helpful for you post heavy lifting sessions in body building. With 4g BCAAs, glutamine, and a complete amino acid profile to help support recovery, Optimum Nutrition is a great option with 24 grams of total protein per serving. The gluten-free, soy-free protein powder does not contain anything artificial but instead has ancient grains like quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and amaranth. Check out more details on Optimum Nutrition’s Plant-Based Protein Powder HERE.

Considerations: As mentioned, Optimum Nutrition produces other non-vegan products and if you wanted to choose a vegan protein powder from a 100% vegan company, this would not be the best vegan protein powder for you even though it’s a great option for vegan body building in general.

There you have it, 6 great vegan protein powder options for body building. These protein powders are higher in protein with many of them containing glutamine, BCAAs, tart cherry, and turmeric to support maximum muscle recovery. If we missed a vegan protein powder you’d add to the list for body building, comment below and let us know!

6 Vegan Protein Powders for Bodybuilding

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