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Plant-based protein powder is on the rise, and for good reason. People are taking control of what they put in their bodies, and turning to vegan protein powder as a cleaner option. I’m here to break down what kinds protein bases are the best (and worst)… as well as explain why hemp protein powder won’t make you high.
You might also like my Homemade Protein Powder recipe, which I add to most of my smoothie recipes to turn them into a meal replacement or post-workout recovery drink. If you’d rather buy a plant-based protein powder, I suggest Ritual Protein or Complement Essential.
The Importance of Protein
Protein is used to build and repair tissue (like muscle). It also helps the body create hormones, enzymes and other essential chemicals, and, bottom line: makes your hair, skin, and fingernails look great. Basically your whole body needs protein to function properly.
Yet the body also needs carbs + healthy fat to help break down the protein you just ingested. So when you are looking for a great plant-based protein powder, look for one that also has fat as well as fiber to help break down that protein.
Who Should Use Protein in Smoothies?
Let me be clear: bodybuilders don’t own the rights to protein powders (vegan or otherwise). Any active athlete looking for an easier way to increase their protein intake should consider using a protein powder. Those who regularly work out need double the amount of protein over those with a more sedate lifestyle. It’s also helpful for people looking to…
- Increase muscle mass
- Lose weight
- Lower cholesterol or blood pressure
- Strengthen the immune system
- Make quick healthy meals
If you said yes to any of the above, then a protein powder supplement might be right for you. Protein boosted smoothies can help you:
- Gain Muscle. This is probably the most widely known benefit of protein powders. Added protein helps muscles rebuild faster after a workout. Because of the direct ways protein affects the muscles, the best time to consume protein powders are after a workout.
- Lose weight. Protein is also a great way to stop any unwanted snacking. You stay full longer after that green smoothie when you boost it with plant-based protein powder. It also boosts the metabolism, burning fat and keeping cholesterol and blood pressure levels low.
- Protect the Immune System. Protein doesn’t just strengthen muscles, it also strengthens every cell in the body. This makes them less likely to be infected- keeping you strong and healthy.
- Commit to a healthy diet. Using a protein powder with healthy fats can turn a daily smoothie into a meal replacement. This is truly the healthiest “fast food” there is as well as an easy habit to embrace daily.
Shakes and smoothies are the best way to consume protein powders. I love adding hemp protein powder to my daily smoothie, workout or not. It helps me stay full longer and be more productive with my day, as well as help me recover faster from a workout.
Best Protein for Smoothies
After years of trying to find a powder that I enjoyed adding to my smoothies, I gave up. It didn’t exist. There was either too much junk in it, or not enough of the right stuff. I went on a quest to create my own powder that I could use every day and love how it tasted, what was in it and the results I got. And I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
I really do love my homemade protein powder recipe. It isn’t gritty, tastes good in a fruit smoothie and contains all 9 essential amino acids. I think you’ll be pretty impressed with it.
If you’re looking to buy a plant-based protein powder to add to your smoothies, I suggest Ritual Protein or Complement Essential.
What Makes Protein Powder Vegan?
Protein powders most commonly start from whey protein, casein, or soy. Whey protein as well as casein comes from dairy. If you have any kind of dairy intolerance, then be sure to check the label on your protein powder! These are not naturally occurring ingredients, so I lean toward plant-based protein powder.
Vegan Protein Options
Soy based protein powders are the number one vegan protein powder option. Soy is a complete protein, yet is a bit controversial in terms of helping or harming the body. I take an even more natural route in using hemp protein powder.
Hemp protein is also a complete protein, yet it ranks even higher than soy in terms of quality. It not only contains all 9 essential amino acids, it also contains healthy fat and fiber, as well as other essential minerals. Hemp protein powder starts out with a slightly nutty flavor, so no need to cover up the taste like you do with whey, casein, or soy based powders.
A side note: while hemp is part of the same plant family as marijuana, it contains little to no THC and therefore does not have any mind-altering effects.
Heavy Metals in Plant-Based Protein Powder
Protein powders can also contain heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium that easily build up in the body. These known carcinogens are harmful to the immune system. These elements are found in our soil (which in turn grow in plants that cows eat or plants grow into). You cannot completely avoid it, yet you can be aware and use brands that test their levels and are conscious of this.
Oftentimes, heavy metals go unnoticed because protein powders are considered a supplement and do not need to be approved by the FDA. Your protein powder brand should pay for “heavy metal testing” as well as easily disclose the results to you when asked. As you can see, it’s not easy to find a vegan protein powder for smoothies that you can feel really good about!
By grinding up the plants, the nutrients are pre-digested and ready for your body to absorb immediately. The vitamins, amino acids, and minerals become easily accessible to the body. Plant-based protein powders can give you the same results that other powders do. They just leave out all the antibiotics, toxins, and lactose.
Now, time for you to spill all your protein secrets with me! Please share in the comments your fav protein to add to smoothies, or what you’re looking for (and not finding) in a vegan protein powder.
first smoothie tonight; it’s not green though! i used rainbow swiss chard, half a banana, a cup of frozen peaches, and a cup of frozen mixed berries. it’s kind of, um, dark gray? like when you mix all the paint colors together? tastes pretty good tho!
Hi Patty!
Not every green smoothie will turn out looking green, depending on the fruit used.
Simple Green Smoothies. Thank you so much for these awesome information. I love smoothies. I have been making smoothies for years but never occurred to me to make green smoothies until my daughter told me about the 30 day challenge( She started making them after she was diagnosed with breast cancer) Now I am on W2D1 from the FreshStart21Cleanse Program and love all the recipes. Thank you again. by the way since I started the cleansing program I lost 5 pounds. God bless you!
I don’t know how u feel about frozen fruit but Dole has a bag of mixed fruit. Inside he large bag are 6 one pound bags. With the greens and fruit it come to 4 cups in my lg measuring cup. This particular blend has strawberries, mango, peaches and pineapple. Although not organic it is picked fresh and frozen. I use organic greens and mixed berries. Will try a source of protein. Love smoothies but as others have noted, no weight loss.
Hi!
We love using frozen fruit! As long as they don’t add sugar to the fruit when freezing, then we’re fans.
I use flaxseed in my smoothies, would adding hemp powder be beneficial or too much? I am running in a half marathon in 2 weeks and need to up my intake of carbohydrates the hemp powder has more than the flaxseed, should I use both or drop the flaxseed for the time being?
Thanks
Hi Mhari!
We try to stick to adding just one “superfood” to a green smoothie, though sometimes we do two. I’d recommend using either hemp powder or flaxseed in a green smoothie. No need for both! You can switch back and forth between smoothies, though.
If a have a smoothie for breakfast and smoothie for lunch can I still have snacks in between ? And wich kind of snack ? I don’t want to over eat, I have been drinking smoothies for more than a month and I feel great but no changes in my weight. Thank you
Sure, you can still have a snack! We recommend healthy things, like:
Hard-boiled egg, handful of almonds, raw veggies (carrots, celery, etc), a piece of fruit.
You pick!
so excited…new green smoothie gal…
so excited…Im a new green smoothie gal…
Hi. I’m trying to sign up to your challenge but I can’t. I think its a problem with my phone. Help pls! Also, I’m interested in why you don’t like whey powder. What is a goodalternative? Thanks x
Hi Emily!
Contact us through the link below so we can help you sign up:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/contact
Any of the items above on this page are good alternatives to whey protein powder! We try to stay away from processed powders in our green smoothies, which is why we aren’t a big fan of whey.
Hi. I’m trying to sign up to your challenge but I can’t. I think its a problem with my phone. Help pls! Also, I’m interested in why you don’t like whey powder. What is a good alternative? Thanks x
I love these green smoothies, I use it as a breakfast replacement and add 0% fat greek yogurt as my protein. I also sometimes add hemp heart. I also try and use fresh fruit and love the idea of using the large mason jars and adding all smoothie ingredients and freezing them. I made 11 of these last weekend. I found it eliminates wastage as your fresh ingredients don’t have a chance to go bad if they are made then frozen. Thanks
Hi, I was wondering if the consistency of the smoothie changes and gets weird after you freeze it? I like the idea of pre-making and eliminating the waste of fresh ingredients.
Hi, I am doing smoothies and juicing for my health and to hopefully loose weight. I had my proteins to my smoothies, I get all the great benefits and Energy. But still in the last two months I lost very little weight. What can I add to my smoothies to Boost my Metabolism? ???
Everything has been checked. I’m healthy and all is Great across the board. Can’t Boost Metabolism, Help!
Hi, I am doing smoothies and Love it. I add Almolds, Pumpkin seeds and Flax seeds to my smoothies. I also just bought Chia seeds and Hemp hearts to try. I snack on walnuts and sunflower and cashews when i get hungry.
Is there any Herbs that i may add to boost weight loss or Metabolism? I drink a smoothie when I want something sweet instead of a soda.
Can’t Boost Metabolism, Help!
Hi Sue!
Are you drinking green smoothies in place of a meal or snack, or are you adding them to your normal eating habits? Also, how much green smoothie do you drink at once? We recommend drinking a 16-20 ounce green smoothie in place of a meal when trying to lose weight.
Hi, I have a smoothie after I drink my cup of Green tea in the morning. My smoothies replace Breakfast and Lunch. I eat one solid meal a day. My smoothies are always 16 oz or more. I Love them. I get great energy from them. A snack consists of a handful of wheat of crackers or a granola bar or fig bars with something I juiced. Usually consists of Apple’s, Carrots, Celery and Beets. I add Flaxseed to it. They want my calorie intake between 1500 to 2000. It’s extremely hard for me to intake so much. I added juicing to replace Soda intake or just a snack. Does Cayenne boost Metabolism or Cinnamon? ?
Cayenne and cinnamon are both great options for metabolism boost!
Thank you for that help. One more question , when adding either item to my smoothies approximately how much to add? I need to get my Metabolism to start working again. I Love the smoothies but I need to add an added kick. I was thinking 1 to 2 tsp or tablespoons. Thanks
Start with a teaspoon of each, and adjust from there!
Thank you, I will do that.
I believe there is a typo here as protein will not spike blood pressure but the author is referring to blood sugar…..
Thanks for catching that, Chris! Making the change now.
What about Bee Pollen? I’ve heard that is nice protein booster as well? Curious on your thoughts!
We have heard that, too, but haven’t quite experimented with it, yet, K!
Hi! How do I add the chia seeds? Do I add them last or with everything else?
Hi!
You can add them on top after blending, blend them with the rest of ingredients, or soak them for about 10 minutes and blend them with everything.
It’s all just personal preference 🙂 Hope this helps!
Green smoothies are simply the best! And I adore my Vitamix. For those with digestive issues such as IBS, which I have, there are days when you may have to back off but for the most part my system does well. The best IBS soothing discovery has been the hemp powder.
Thank you for a great and informative website!
Yay, Barbara! We love Vitamix, too!! So glad you love the site. 🙂
I have had weightloss surgery and I am required to taken in atleast 70 grams of protein a day. I have to drink protein shakes in order to get that much protein in. Can I add whey protein isolate to your green smoothies and still get the Same effects, or should I just drink a green smoothie in between my protein shakes?
Hi Melanie!
If you’re already planning on using whey then you can use it in your green smoothies. We aren’t the biggest fans of whey, but if it’s your preference then feel free to use it!