The best protein powders, ranked by taste

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I’m a 36-year-old woman, which means, according to my naturopath, I should be consuming a minimum of 75 grams of protein per day. Considering I know I consistently miss that mark, I set out to find the perfect plant-based protein supplement. I wanted to find something with active ingredients (chemical compounds in products that make them work) to support my health journey, provide a boost in energy, have clean ingredients and most of all, taste good. We’ve covered top whey protein powder and plant-based protein powders before, but those lists focussed on popular products for a variety of budgets, and I wanted to find the perfect taste and texture. Read on for my findings.

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Cacao-banana plant-based protein. Photo by KromaKroma — Flavour ranking: 10/10

The cacao-banana plant-based protein is hands down the best-tasting protein powder I’ve tried. I’m not a huge chocolate fan but this mix is delicious and tastes more like cinnamon than chocolate. The powder produces a fairly thin smoothie when used with just liquid (I use almond or coconut milk) but it’s delectable. It’s packed with all nine essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fibre and digestive enzymes.

I’m a huge fan of their high-protein super ramen (it’s full of turmeric, so be careful not to stain your clothes — I learned this the hard way). It’s spicy, flavourful and filling. Try the OMG Cookie Butter for a nutty and delicious treat with some apple slices or on top of your morning oatmeal.

Many dessert-worthy flavours. Photo by Good ProteinGood Protein – Flavour ranking: 8/10

This Canadian brand offers vegan protein powders with dessert-worthy flavours like Gingerbread Cookie and Mint Chocolate Chip.  Each comes packed with 21 grams of protein, seven milligrams of iron and seven grams of fibre. One of our editors ranked the top 10 flavours, however my favourite ended up fairly low on her list. The Chai Latte is sweet but not overpowering (I tend to prefer less sweet) with a great consistency.

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French Vanilla vegan protein powder. Photo by PromixPromix — Flavour ranking: 8/10

This brand claims to be “the world’s cleanest supplements and snacks” and the ingredient list on its French Vanilla vegan protein powder really impressed me. It clocked in at only four ingredients (less is definitely more): organic Canadian yellow pea protein isolate, organic vanilla extractives, monk fruit and vitamin B12. Not only is this list ultra clean, the powder tastes great, is highly bioavailable and easy to digest. It’s only 200 per cent of your daily value of B12 — can you ever have too much B12?

My other favourites include the Vegan French Toast Cereal Bars which are essentially grown-up rice crispy treats with 10 grams of protein and the chocolate Whey Protein Puffs. I like to add a scoop to Greek yogurt for a delectable crunch.

Chocolate protein powder. Photo by MomentousMomentous – Flavour ranking: 7/10

The smell of the Vanilla Chai is slightly aggressive (if you know, you know) but if you can get past it, this plant-based blend of pea and rice protein is super creamy and delicious. I love the complete amino acid profile (the building blocks of proteins and essential for everyday bodily functions) and the addition of MCT oil powder (to help boost energy and digestion). Momentous allows you to shop by goal — sleep, athletic performance, cognitive function, hormone support — making it simple to find the right products for your lifestyle.

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Vanilla-flavoured vegan plant protein. Photo by Future KindFuture Kind — Flavour ranking: 6/10

The Vanilla-flavoured vegan plant protein is super-clean, with only four ingredients — all organic.  On its own (when tested with almond milk) it’s not my favourite taste but the texture is perfect. It has an almost earthy flavour profile — one that’s commonly found in pea proteins. It produces a very thick shake, which is my preference. The brand stands out for its use of organic non-GMO ingredients, clean formulas and compostable packaging.

The a long list of active ingredients to support your health, from antioxidants to multivitamins and multi-mineral support. Photo by ThorneThorne – Flavour ranking:  5/10

This one doesn’t really fit the ranking scale, since the MediClear Plus is a flavourless formula. While it certainly lacks a distinct flavour profile, it’s not something I’d want to drink on its own — I recommend blending it with some milk or plant-based milk and frozen fruit. This product has a long list of active ingredients to support your health, from antioxidants to multivitamins and multi-mineral support. If you’re looking for a one-stop product for overall wellness, this blend ticks a lot of boxes. Thorne topped our list of the best prenatal vitamins on the market and offers just about everything you need to support a health and wellness journey.

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Fermented organic vegan proteins+ – vanilla. Photo by Genuine HealthGenuine Health – Flavour ranking: 4/10 

The fermented organic vegan proteins+ – vanilla is at the bottom of my list as far as flavour goes. It smells and tastes a bit too nature-forward to me, but people love this stuff! I can only assume it’s because of its list of great ingredients — the blend boasts an extensive amino acid profile, and seven out of eight of its ingredients are organic. It’s the first complete fermented product on the market, making it optimal for digestion and sensitive stomachs. 

A few extra to help with your wellness journey. Photo by Leigh Taveroff/PostmediaA few extras I’ve found to support my wellness journey

Neuro Health & Vitality Mints — A source of Vitamin A, B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, E and folate that I keep in my car to freshen my breath when I forget to take my multivitamin.

Great Lakes Wellness Collagen Peptides Powder — A flavourless smoothie or water enhancer that supports the aging process. A healthy skin, hair, nails, joints and digestion boost I add to my protein shake in the morning.

HumanN SuperBeets Energy Plus — a blend of French grape seed extract, green tea extract and non-GMO beetroot powder to boost energy and support heart health, blood flow and healthy blood pressure. Another great option if you’re on the go, is the Beet-It Sport Nitrate 400 beetroot shot, which can be thrown into a gym bag or kept in the car.

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RXBAR Variety Pack — My go-to protein bars for a mid-day boost. A great source of simple ingredients (you can see the list of three or four ingredients displayed proudly on the front of each wrapper) offering 12 grams of protein per bar. 

Osmo Active Hydration — Developed to quickly rehydrate during exercise, these single-serve packets have the optimal blend of carbohydrates and electrolytes to keep you hydrated and strong through your workouts.

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