Do you get enough protein in your diet… or maybe too much?

Getting enough protein is important for your overall health. It helps the body repair cells and make new ones. It is especially important for children, teenagers, pregnant women and athletes. The recommended daily intake of protein is 55g for the average man and 45-50g for the average woman. This will vary over your lifetime and depend on your individual circumstance (athletes will require more protein than someone living a sedentary lifestyle).

Getting too much protein can be, in extreme cases, equally unhealthy. It’s recommended to avoid consuming more than twice the recommended protein intake. Consuming too much protein in the long term might lead to worsening of existing health problems.

There are 2 types of proteins: animal proteins and vegetable proteins.

Animal proteins, such as eggs, fish, meat, and milk, are complete proteins – they provide all the essential amino acids the body needs.

Fruits and vegetables contain protein, but the amounts are usually small.

Vegetables with the most protein include sprouted grains, blue-green algae, broccoli, hemp, pea, oats, chia seeds, rice, spirulina, asparagus, artichokes, spinach, potatoes, soy, beans, legumes, nuts, grains, and Brussels sprouts. They have about 4–5 grams of protein per cooked cup.

Fresh fruits generally have a lower protein intake than vegetables. These include nectarines, peaches, oranges, berries and bananas, which have about 2–4 grams of protein per cup.

 

Protein powder is an easy and efficient way to boost protein intake for people who aren’t getting enough protein from their diet. While many protein powders are often derived from animal products like whey, there are also vegan protein powders made from plant-based protein sources. They are the preferred protein powder choice for people who maintain an animal product-free diet and cannot supply all the protein they need simply by eating fruits and vegetables alone.

“In general, people who eat a wide variety of foods are meeting their protein needs,” Brooklyn-based registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller previously told Health. However, according to your age and activity level, you might need to increase your protein intake – which is something you should discuss with your doctor.

 

Read also: Best Nutrition Supplement Brands You Can Trust + Supplements Selection Guide

 

Deciding which vegan protein powder to try can be overwhelming. To cut through the clutter, here are the best plant-based proteins that experts recommend in 2022:

 

Best Plant-Based Proteins that Experts Recommend in 2022

 

Forbes Health Pick: Orgain Protein and Superfoods Plant-Based Protein Powder

 

Orgain Organic Sweet Vanilla Bean Protein Powder is certified USDA organic, gluten free, with 21 grams of organic protein and 5 grams fiber per serving.

 

 

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Forbes Health Pick: KOS Organic Plant Protein

 

KOS Organic Plant Protein is an USDA organic protein powder infused with organic Peruvian cacao, Himalayan salt, organic coconut milk, stevia and monk fruit. This award-winning protein blend is delicious and good for weight loss. With 5 protein blend of pea, flax seed, quinoa, pumpkin seed and chia seed, essential vitamins and minerals, this drink will fuel your performance.

 

 

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Forbes Health Pick: NOW® Sports Plant Protein Complex

 

NOW® Sports Plant Protein Complex is specifically designed to address your needs with a non-GMO vegan protein blend from pea, hemp and quinoa. Each scoop offers 22 grams of protein, about 3,900 mg of branched-chain amino acids and 1,800 mg of arginine.

 

 

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Forbes Health Pick: Vega Protein and Greens

 

Vega protein and greens contains 20 grams of plant-based protein from a multi-source blend of pea protein, brown rice protein, sacha inchi protein, and powerful greens isuch as organic alfalfa powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder, and organic kale powder.

 

 

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Forbes Health Pick: Vega Sport Vegan Protein Powder

 

This protein powder has 30 grams protein with 5 gram BCAA amino acids and 5 gram glutamic acid. The amino acid profile contains 9 essential amino acids: pea protein powder, pumpkin seed, and organic sunflower seed. This supplement helps build muscle and support the post-workout recovery with ingredients like turmeric extract, tart cherry, and 2 billion CFU probiotics (bacillus coagulans). Made for athletes – NSF Certified for Sport, certified vegan protein powder.

 

 

 

 

Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder with BCAAs 

 

This high performance protein powder contains electrolytes and a mixture of pea protein, super antioxidants, legumes, hemp, and ground coconut, goji berries, MCTs.

Certified USDA Organic, it promotes lean muscle growth, a boost in metabolic rates, and optimum recovery.

 

 

 

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein 

 

Certified USDA Organic, this plant-based protein powder helps you refuel and repair muscles after a hard workout with 30g of complete protein and over 5g BCAA amino acids, glutamine and glutamic acid. Also NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice for Sport Certified.

 

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Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder by Four Sigmatic

 

This nutritionally-dense superfood packed protein powder contains plant-based protein, functional mushrooms (reishi extract, turkey tail extract, cordyceps extract, chaga extract, and lion’s mane extract), plus adaptogens (ashwagandha and eleuthero). This supplement blend provide a plethora of immune boosting, brain balancing, and stress support benefits.

 

 

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Amazing Grass Greens Blend Superfood

This blend combines alkalizing farm fresh greens and wholesome fruits and vegetables with nutrient-rich superfoods, to support overall health and immunity.  Equivalent of 2 full servings of fruits and vegetables. Certified Organic by CCOF, Gluten Free, No Sugar Added, Plant Based, Non GMO, Kosher.

 

 

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Sprout Living Organic Pea Protein Powder

 

Certified USDA Organic, this plant-based protein powder contains organic pea protein powder without artificial sweeteners from 100% pure, North American yellow peas. It’s packed with a full array of essential amino acids, including lysine, and contains 20 grams per serving of complete vegan protein.

 

 

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MyProtein US – Impact Whey Protein

MyProtein US Impact Whey is a perfect source of everyday protein with over 80% protein content and naturally occurring BCAAs to help build and repair new muscle. With essential amino acids including 4.5g of BCAAs and delicious flavors to help build and maintain muscle mass.

 

Take 45% OFF with code TAKE45

 

 

 

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