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Best Pea Protein Powders

Updated May 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Sprout Living Organic Pea Protein
Sprout Living
Organic Pea Protein
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Versatile organic pea protein powder made from a trusted name in healthy living. Our nutrition expert notes that yellow pea protein powder is the only ingredient.

Pros

Ideal for all diets; vegan, kosher, keto, and paleo friendly. Made simply from organic, yellow, North American peas. Mixes quickly and easily with most food and beverages, including a glass of water. Slightly sweet taste. Enjoy any time of day.

Cons

Expensive. Only 19 servings per container.

Best Bang for the Buck
NOW Sports Pea Protein Powder
NOW Sports
Pea Protein Powder
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Bargain Pick
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The best budget option for a vegan friendly protein powder. Our nutrition expert points out that it contains branched chain amino acids, which have shown potential to increase muscle growth and decrease muscle soreness.

Pros

Each scoop contains more than 4,400 mg of acids. Completely soy, FMO, and dairy-free. Comes as an unflavored mixture to include into a wide variety of dishes and beverages. Fine, granular mixture is easy to dissolve with just a single teaspoon in most beverages.

Cons

Some find the gritty texture and taste undesirable.

Naturade Vegan Pea Protein Powder
Naturade
Vegan Pea Protein Powder
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Best for Large Households
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A larger supply of protein powder that uses a strict plant-based protein formula.

Pros

Protein powder is derived from split peas, making it more hypoallergenic and easily soluble in many different types of drinks and dishes. Does not leave any kind of aftertaste after dissolving. Provides around 15 servings. Certified vegan.

Cons

Chocolate flavoring may take some time to get used to.

Nature's Plus Organic Pea Protein Powder
Nature's Plus
Organic Pea Protein Powder
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

High-quality pea powder that packs a protein punch and is compatible with a variety of diets.

Pros

High-energy protein powder free of common allergens and suitable for popular diet types, including vegan. Easily integrates with a variety of meals and drinks; mixes quickly. Made from organic pea protein and quinoa.

Cons

Pricey investment.

Paradise Herbs Pea Protein
Paradise Herbs
Pea Protein
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Pea protein and enzyme formula designed to boost energy, aid in digestion, and better absorb amino acids.

Pros

Made of of 80% pea protein; vegan-friendly energy source that acts fast. Aminogen enzyme added to enhance amino acids. May relieve bloating and constipation and aid in muscle recovery. Decent value for 18 servings.

Cons

Lacks flavor. May not mix easily with all food and drinks.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
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We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best pea protein powders

Protein is a necessary component in each of your body’s cells and a building block of a healthy diet. Adequate exercise, combined with adequate protein consumption, is a sure recipe for gaining muscle mass. Pea protein powder includes a majority of the amino acids that your body cannot make on its own, and it’s an excellent protein source for those prone to allergies — as well as those who simply want to add more protein to their diet.

Pea protein powder contains protein from green and yellow split peas. You can add it to food and drinks for an extra dose of protein, but like anything you put in your body, you’ll want to inspect it first for quality ingredients. Taste, solubility, and the inclusion of other nutrients are additional features to consider before investing in a particular brand of pea protein powder.

If you’d like to learn more about this wonder protein before adding it to your diet, keep reading for additional information.

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Pea protein powder will help keep you full, so it’s a great addition to your diet if you’re aiming for weight loss.

Key considerations

Peas, like all legumes, are naturally rich in protein. A quarter-cup of uncooked whole yellow peas offers 11 grams of protein. Peas are also quite allergy-safe, unlike other protein sources such as eggs, milk, peanuts, and soy. Not only is pea protein powder a good choice for vegetarians and vegans, it also has been proven to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. It supports kidney health and promotes satiety and the growth of muscle mass, too.

Flavor and texture

An unflavored pea powder protein can be added to all kinds of food or even plain water. Unflavored pea protein powder is mild in taste and easily palatable. If you’re interested in integrating pea powder protein into baked goods, sweets, milkshakes, or oatmeal, consider a powder that has been flavored with chocolate or vanilla.

Not all pea protein powder flavors are equal. A high-quality pea protein powder should easily dissolve into liquids and foods with little to no graininess. Some formulas have a strange aftertaste, flavored or not. And flavored pea protein powders usually contain extra sugar, so you may want to steer clear of flavored varieties if you’re dieting.

Organically certified ingredients

Organically grown peas won’t have unhealthy pesticides that can be found in more conventional vegetables. Organically grown produce is also better for the environment. If consuming organic products is important to you, look for the USDA organic label and a GMO-free designation on the pea protein powder of your choice.

In general, pea protein powder will be vegan unless it’s been processed in a plant that also processes eggs or dairy products. To be sure, look for a certified vegan label.

Other ingredients

It’s not uncommon to find a pea protein powder in a blend with other ingredients. Chia seeds, cacao powder, Himalayan salt, and flax seeds are a few of the extras you may find in a pea protein blend. Since pea protein is low in fiber, the added ingredients usually compensate. They may also bring additional flavor to an otherwise bland powder.

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Expert tip
Pea milk has around 8 grams of protein per cup, which is comparable to other milks, like cow milk and soy milk. These three milks have the most protein compared to other milk types, such as almond, coconut, flax, oat, and rice. 
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Pea protein powder prices

You should expect to pay anywhere between $10 and $50 for a container of pea protein powder. Price largely depends on the size of the supplement, whether or not it’s flavored, and the quality of the ingredients.

In the $10 to $20 price range, you’ll find packages that contain 10 to 20 ounces of pea protein powder. The powder will likely be unflavored at this low price. However, you can find some low-cost pea protein powders that are GMO-certified and organic.

A package costing $20 to $35 will be of higher quality and much more likely to be GMO-certified and organic. You may come across more flavor options in this price range, and the powder is more likely to have a smooth texture. Expect to find containers holding two to three pounds in this middle range. That may seem like a lot, but buying in bulk can be a good value.

Pea protein powders that cost $35 and above are usually bulk purchases. Some powders include additional ingredients like flax seeds, chia seeds, and natural sugars. If you know that you and/or the members of your household will be consuming lots of the powder, this could be an efficient buy.

Expert tip
This is a great choice for vegans who are trying to increase their protein intake. 
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Tips

  • Even though pea protein powders contain the essential amino acids that your body doesn’t make, it is low in methionine. You can easily remedy this by adding more poultry, fish, beef, or brown rice to your diet.
  • If you’re mixing pea protein powder with a savory meal, you can try adding curry powder to offset any unpleasant taste.
  • To preserve your pea protein powder for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place like a cupboard or pantry.
Content Image
If you’re an avid consumer of energy bars or veggie meat and burgers, chances are you’ve already encountered pea protein. It’s popular among manufacturers due to its hypoallergenic nature and low cost.

FAQ

Q. Is pea protein powder better than whey powder?

A. Both are suitable sources of protein, but your choice comes down to what you’re looking for. Whey powder is derived from milk, so it’s animal-based rather than plant-based. Whey is digested quickly and easily, so it’s great for stimulating muscle growth. Pea protein digests slower, which also means it’s filling. This is a decent choice if weight loss is your main goal.

One benefit of whey is that it’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all the amino acids your body needs. Pea protein is not complete, but it’s relatively easy to supplement the missing amino acids with other foods in your diet.

Expert tip
I like to use pea protein, but sometimes it can taste chalky. 
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Q. What foods can I mix with pea protein powder?

A. Pea protein powder, like most powder supplements, is meant to go with almost any food. Unflavored powders are more versatile and can mix with food, drink, and even dessert. Flavored pea protein powders lend themselves well to shakes and baked goods.

Q. Does pea protein powder have any side effects?

A. Pea protein side effects are pretty minimal. Since it’s low in fiber, it’s easy on the stomach and less likely to cause bloating, a common issue for most protein supplements.

Q. Is pea protein paleo-friendly?

A. Since the paleo-diet excludes legumes, pea protein would not be considered paleo-friendly. Some dieters modify the diet to suit their needs, however. Since pea protein is low in carbs, it’s considered keto-friendly.

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