So you’re eating vegan or plant-based and you want to increase your protein? Is this you? If so, you’ll love the product we’re reviewing today. And if you’re new around here…by we I mean myself (a vegan registered dietitian) and my omnivore but always-willing-to-try-foods husband.
Today, we’re reviewing Orgain’s Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Shake with a whopping 21 grams of plant-based protein! Every Orgain product is soy free, gluten free, and non-GMO. The company prides themselves on providing clean nutrition protein products whether you eat animal products or not; there is a vegan product line and a grass-fed whey product line. The plant-based protein shake is available in either Smooth Chocolate or Vanilla Bean flavors.
Taste Experience
I poured some of Orgain’s Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Shake in Smooth Chocolate into a glass to get a better feel for the color, consistency, and viscosity. I was surprised to see it look more watery than creamy but I suppose unlike most protein shakes that rely on milk based ingredients, the Orgain vegan shake is pea protein based.
It tastes like watery hot chocolate that’s cold or room temperature with added protein. I actually find the taste to be better than the Orgain All-In-One shakes – likely because these vegan protein shakes do not have a ton of added vitamins, minerals, and fruit/vegetable blends. It’s pretty much pure protein but tastes richer and chocolately. The protein powder is not gritty or chalky but overall I would like the plant-based protein shake to be creamier. There isn’t an aftertaste like with other vegan protein drinks and I love that the lid is resealable so I can either drink a little or a lot. If you want to take a drink of your own, order Orgain’s Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Shake in Smooth Chocolate today.
Nutrition
The non-GMO, gluten free, soy free Smooth Chocolate Orgain Plant-Based Vegan Protein Shake has minimal calories, 150 calories in a large 14 oz bottle. This makes the shake portable and perfect for a post workout recovery drink or mid afternoon nutrition boost.
With only 5 grams of fat from the sunflower oil, it doesn’t have trans fat and only has 1 gram of saturated fat.
In order to offset the substantial protein amount, there is quite a bit of sodium (360mg of sodium per serving). The salt helps to improve the taste when working with so much protein powder but this is a considerable amount for sure. If you are an avid athlete, endurance runner, or sweating a ton, this is an appropriate amount as a recovery drink. However, for many people, I find this may be more sodium than needed. So if you feel thirsty after drinking this protein shake, keep in mind it’s likely the sodium content and drink some water with it.
The vegan protein shake has 25 grams of total carbohydrate with 2 grams of fiber and 9 grams of sugar. This makes it a great choice to give you an energy boost without spiking your blood sugar significantly. The protein and fiber will also help stabilize your blood sugar in this vegan protein shake.
One bottle of Smooth Chocolate Orgain Plant-Based Vegan Protein Shake has a whopping 21 grams of protein! Holy smokes, aimirite?? That’s the same amount of protein that’s in 3oz of meat but you don’t have to eat an animal, cook anything, or worry about an impact on your health. If anyone ever worried about not getting enough plant-based protein, this is your shake. I especially see athletes or those individuals with higher protein needs benefiting from the Orgain Plant-Based Vegan Protein Shake in Smooth Chocolate.
The protein shake does not add vitamins and minerals but the whole food ingredients like pea protein help the plant-based shake provide 15% of iron needs for the day and 15% calcium needs for the day. Quite the powerhouse those little peas are! But again, if you’re looking for portable and/or liquid sources of high plant-based protein, definitely consider the Orgain Vegan Protein Shake in Smooth Chocolate available.
The Non-Vegan Review
What I loved about the Smooth Chocolate Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Vegan Shake: it’s in a sealable container and is super easy to take wherever I am headed or reseal it if I’m not done drinking it. It tastes like a watery hot chocolate that’s cold and not hot.
What I didn’t care for about the Smooth Chocolate Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Vegan Shake: it’s watery and I like my smoothies and shakes to have more creaminess to them. Sure, you could pour in milk, but by that point you’ll be floating away because the smoothie is already a large amount.
Would I still buy the Smooth Chocolate Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Vegan Shake? Probably so. Mostly because it has 21 grams of plant-based protein for post workout drinks but comes in a portable package annnd isn’t super gritty or awful. Pick up your stock of Smooth Chocolate Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Vegan Shake HERE.
Parting Thoughts
If you are looking for portable plant-based protein that’s low in calories and high in protein, Smooth Chocolate Orgain Plant-Based Vegan Protein Shake can be a great option. With only 150 calories and 21 grams of non-GMO, soy free plant-based protein, it makes a great option for anyone looking to increase their protein intake. Whether you’re on-the-go or just looking for convenient options, you’ll love the single serving size resealable bottle that makes it easy to drink on the run. Find your next low calorie, high protein plant-based shake with the Smooth Chocolate Orgain Plant-Based Vegan Protein Shake.