The Best Tasting Protein Powder

If you know me, you know that I’m obsessed with my daily protein smoothies. And while I know I’m not alone in my obsession, I still hear a lot of people expressing reservations around protein powders, particularly when it comes to taste and texture – and that’s fair – no one wants a chalky, gritty smoothie. But after years of taste-testing the many, many options on the market, I’m confident that there is one particular brand that offers the best tasting protein powder, and it’s Sprout Living’s Epic Protein*. And not only is it delicious (and has zero chalkiness, seriously) but it also checks all of my boxes for quality, transparency, and nutrient-density. It’s truly the most clean protein powder on the market.

It took many years to find the best plant-based protein powder that I love enough to have virtually every single day, but once I found Sprout Living, there was no turning back – it’s just that good. I go to bed excited for breakfast, and these smoothies are what get me out of bed in the morning. Blending Epic Protein into my smoothies has been such a game-changer in helping me start my morning feeling nourished, sated, and perfectly fueled for work, workouts, and whatever the day throws my way. It also makes for an excellent bridge snack or post-workout powerhouse.

Use code VEGANANJ20 for 20% off your first order!

What makes a protein powder taste good?

Even my dad – who had never consumed protein powder in his life prior and is equally as picky as I am – said that this protein powder was “delicious.” That’s a pretty big deal.

A flavor for every palette, mood, or craving: I’ve tried each of Sprout Living’s eight Epic Protein flavors now and they’ve somehow perfected every single one; they really figured out how to make a vegan protein powder that tastes good across the board. And I am picky, so that’s saying a lot. Their phenomenal flavors include:

• Original Unflavored (26g protein): The Original Unflavored was my first Sprout Living love, and I still keep it on heavy rotation. It has a light, neutral flavor that blends seamlessly into smoothies or can simply be shaken with water (as with all of their flavors).
• Vanilla Lucuma (20g protein): A balanced, creamy vanilla flavor with subtle caramel-like sweetness. This is possibly my favorite of Sprout Living’s flavors, and could easily be the best tasting protein powder I’ve ever had in my life (though it’s really, really hard to choose between all eight of their flavors). I love blending it with frozen strawberries and almond milk for a ‘berries and cream’ smoothie.
• Chocolate Maca (20g protein): This one offers a rich chocolate and cacao flavor profile balanced with superfood maca and subtle spice from cinnamon. If you’re into chocolate shake vibes, you’ll love this one (it’s great as an afternoon protein boost or even a healthy dessert).
• Real Sport Banana (24g protein): A very subtle banana flavor balanced with slight cinnamon and turmeric notes, and superfood ingredients that are optimal for athletic performance and recovery. If you’re looking for a clean protein powder to fuel your workouts, this is an excellent option.
• Mindful Matcha (15g protein): Authentic Japanese matcha and ginger make this a delicious option for the many matcha lovers out there (myself included). I love blending this one with cashew butter, coconut flakes, spinach, and dates for a creamy treat that tastes indulgent but is actually mega healthy.
• Green Kingdom (20g protein): Earthy and citrusy flavors derived from land and sea greens/fruits, perfect for the green smoothie lovers out there.
• Pro-Collagen (15g protein): I included this in my monthly picks for January because it’s (another) one of the best tasting protein powder flavors I’ve ever tried. It has a delicious raspberry flavor that’s vibrant, naturally fruity, and so satisfying.
• Complete Coffee (20g protein): This flavor tastes like a healthy frapuccino thanks to real coffee, maca, and cinnamon. Blend it up with nut milk, dates, and banana for a delightful pick-me-up.

Zero chalkiness or texture.

Sprout Living has cracked the code on creating a perfectly smooth, creamy, blendable mouthfeel that adds delicious flavor and zero grittiness, all while packing a major nutritional punch. So it really is like you’re drinking a delicious smoothie or milkshake that just happens to have protein – plus a ton of awesome-for-you ingredients. And if you’re on-the-go and want to just shake it up with water, it’s delicious on its own, too.

A clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners.

A lot of the other brands out there use artificial sweeteners like erythritol or artificial flavors, but not Sprout Living – and this is one of the top reasons why they’re the best tasting protein powder. So if you’re wanting a protein powder without artificial sweeteners or flavors, Sprout Living’s Epic Protein is for you. They use a small amount of stevia in their plant-based protein which I actually find undetectable, personally; the natural flavors they use are what really shine and there is nothing artificial-tasting about their products because they’re completely whole food-derived. And there are zero added sugars or sugar alcohols, helping to keep your blood sugar levels stable (also thanks to the hefty amounts of protein – bonus points for throwing in a healthy fat like a nut butter and a handful of leafy greens in your smoothie).

Not only is it the best tasting, but it’s also the most nutrient-dense protein powder I’ve found.

Sprout Living is also unique in that their Epic Protein is made from exceptionally clean, whole food and health-boosting ingredients, including:

• Nutrient-dense and farm sourced whole foods
• Multi-source, clean protein powder derived from sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, chia seed, and yellow pea protein.
• USDA certified organic and non-GMO
• Functional, adaptogenic superfoods
• Exceptionally gut-healthy and digestible thanks to pre- and probiotics
• Antioxidant-rich ingredients like acerola, which is vitamin C-packed
• Zero gums, additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients
• Gluten-free and soy-free
• Third-party tested by accredited labs, so you can rest assured there are zero micros (bacterias, pathogens, molds, yeasts) or heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) in their products.

FAQs about plant-based protein powder

Q: Does plant-based protein powder taste chalky? 

A: It sometimes can, which is why I always recommend (and personally love) Sprout Living Epic Protein. The texture is smooth, blendable, and with zero chalkiness or grittiness; just clean, delicious nutrition with fantastic flavor options that make for a super enjoyable protein shake or smoothie experience. 

Q: What is the best plant-based protein powder for strength training and athletic performance? 

A: All of Sprout Living’s protein powders are excellent for helping you achieve your fitness goals, with functional ingredients to support muscle growth, endurance, and recovery. While you can’t go wrong with any one of their protein powders, their Original Unflavored provides a whopping 26g of protein if you’re aiming to max out your protein intake, and their Real Sport Banana has 24g of protein with extra superfoods to boost athletic performance and recovery. 

Q: What protein powder is third-party tested?

A: Sprout Living is deeply committed to third-party testing all of their protein powders in fully accredited labs, which is another reason why I trust them to make toxin-free, heavy-metal free, mold-free products.

Q: Can you use protein powder every day? 

A: Yes! However, it is extremely important to ensure you’re consuming a clean protein powder that’s made with third-party tested ingredients – particularly if you’re consuming it daily. I personally have Sprout Living’s Epic Protein nearly every day in my morning smoothie, and always feel sated but light enough to do a workout after. Plus, it’s easy on my digestive system thanks to pre- and probiotics. 

I hope you love Sprout Living’s Epic Protein as much as I do!

If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and what smoothie recipes you’re blending up. And if you have any questions about the best plant-based protein powders, please feel free to drop me a line in the comments section below! I

If you’re ready to try out Sprout Living, be sure to use code VEGANANJ20 for 20% off your first order.

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There are affiliate links and sponsored content elements in this article that will enable you to get a discount while I’ll earn compensation or a commission. I only accept content sponsorships from brands I’ve personally tried, vetted, and will vouch for. These collaborations allow me to run this blog and keep my in-depth content free of charge for readers like you who want to learn more about vegan living.