Best Pea Protein Powders for Weight Loss, Muscle Building, and More (2024)

Have you shied away from pea protein powders because you think they won’t support your fitness goals? As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I often recommend that my clients incorporate more plant-based proteins into their diets. They can absolutely help you build muscle, recover quicker after the gym, and possibly decrease the likelihood of developing a chronic disease. 

In this review, we will investigate the ingredients and health-promoting benefits behind our top picks for the best pea protein powder supplements. Whether you are hoping to increase muscle mass, manage your weight, boost your immune system, or decrease post-workout recovery time, we are sure to have a pea protein powder for you.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

How We Chose the Best Pea Protein Powder

Here at Breaking Muscle, our mission is to help you achieve your goals by recommending the best protein powders and other supplements that will reinforce all the hard work you do in the gym. Not only have we personally tested over 75 protein powders (including at least a dozen pea protein powders), we thoroughly researched each product below so that you can choose the best pea protein powder for you. 

We also reviewed each brand’s macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein content), total calories per serving, affordability, flavor profiles, and third-party verification so you can save time and money while making an informed decision. 

Our Top Picks for the Best Pea Protein Powders

• Best Pea Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein
• Best Pea Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Nutrition Pea Protein
• Best Pea Protein Powder for Muscle Building: Ladder Plant Protein
• Best Vanilla Pea Protein Powder: Vega Sport Premium
• Best Pea and Rice Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein
• Best Organic Pea Protein Powder: Gainful Vegan Protein Powder

Best Pea Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein

We don’t hand out the title for best overall to just any pea protein powder supplement. Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein powder sits atop our list because it’s third-party tested to ensure it’s free of toxic ingredients, offers an impressive 24 grams of protein per serving, and has excellent solubility.

This organic yellow pea and rice protein powder has 2,060 milligrams of naturally occurring flavor, 310 milligrams of Himalayan rock salt, and 270 milligrams of organic stevia. Himalayan rock salt is where most of the sodium from this product derives from. There are 260 milligrams of sodium per scoop, which is high compared to other pea protein powders that have closer to 110 milligrams of sodium per scoop. However, most healthy individuals can safely consume up to 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. Plus, Himalayan rock salt functions as a natural preservative and may offer some other benefits as well.

The pink color that Himalayan rock salt is known for comes from a combination of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. (1) These minerals function as electrolytes, which can help prevent and treat dehydration. Magnesium helps to control whole-body inflammation after working out, delay the onset of fatigue during exercise, and possibly increase muscle mass. (2) 

Transparent Labs uses stevia as a naturally occurring, plant-based sweetener. Researchers have found that stevia can help facilitate weight loss and assist with the management of high blood pressure. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and can help improve heart contraction and blood flow. (3)

We had a Breaking Muscle staff member try the French Vanilla flavor, and she only rated it 2 stars out of 5. She found that it tasted artificial despite containing only natural ingredients, which she thinks may be due to the stevia. 

However, reviewers on the Transparent Labs website report that they keep coming back to this pea protein powder because of its consistency in ingredient quality. They are particularly pleased with the taste, especially the chocolate-flavored option.

Regarding solubility, our product tester gave it 3.75 stars out of 5 because it foamed a lot. She also noted that it had a gritty texture, though it wasn’t too off-putting.

Again, other users’ experiences seem to vary. When it comes to mixability, customer reviews on the website say that it blends perfectly in both beverages and foods like pancake mix. 

We did give the Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein 4 out of 5 stars for its overall macronutrient profile and high marks for its clean ingredients and label transparency. If you’re looking for a pea protein powder that doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, tells you exactly what’s in its formula, and delivers a high amount of protein per serving, this is one worth trying.

RELATED: Best Organic Protein Powder

Best Pea Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Nutrition Pea Protein

For a mere 120 calories, you will get 27 grams of protein for only two grams of carbs and 0.5 grams of total fat per serving of Naked Pea Protein, which is why it wins our award for the best pea protein powder for weight loss. To sweeten the deal, Naked Pea Protein also uses no artificial ingredients. Rest assured that this pea protein powder is here to help you attain the level of fitness you seek. 

Yellow pea protein isolate — the only ingredient listed on the supplement label — has been strongly correlated with reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. These three disease states are the major contributors for developing chronic kidney disease. (5) As a Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, I heavily encourage plant-based eating as a way to preserve remaining kidney function. 

The nutrition facts label provides insight into the wide array of specific nutrients you will get nine essential amino acids, three high-quality branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and seven non-essential amino acids. Supplementing with branched-chain amino acids has been identified as a novel way to increase the likelihood of losing weight. This is because they may improve the way our bodies absorb carbohydrates and metabolize them effectively for weight loss. (6)

A serving size of Naked Pea Protein will provide you with 16 percent of your recommended daily value of iron. Having adequate stores of iron is associated with controlling inflammation throughout your body, which can help reduce obesity. (7) Iron that comes from plant-based sources versus whey or other animal-based sources is referred to as “non-heme iron” and is not as easily absorbed as animal-based iron (or “heme iron”). However, pairing iron with vitamin C can help increase iron absorption. 

To get the most from your Naked Pea Protein, consider pairing your protein shake with a low-calorie, nutrient-dense fruit or vegetable snack on the side: oranges, mangoes, red bell peppers, broccoli, legumes, kiwi, spinach, strawberries, or tomatoes.

Many users report that this powder doesn’t have a lingering metal after-taste like other protein powders. It blends really well without any leftover clumpy residue.

A Breaking Muscle product tester also gives Naked Pea Protein high marks for solubility, rating it 4 out of 5 stars. She especially likes mixing it with oats because it gives them a rich, creamy texture.

However, she only gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars for taste. It is unflavored, so scoring low in this category isn’t surprising. She recommends starting with one scoop instead of the recommended two scoops if you aren’t used to pea protein powders; otherwise, you’ll need to use some sweeteners or add it to another flavored beverage to make it more palatable.

RELATED: Best Creatine Supplements

Best Pea Protein Powder for Muscle Building: Ladder Plant Protein

Co-founders LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up to create the Ladder brand, and their vegan amino acid blend can help support your performance and build lean muscle mass. In fact, research shows that supplementing with pea-based protein powder is just as effective as the best whey protein powder for muscle mass growth. (8)

With every scoop of Ladder Plant-Based Protein, you will get 1,000 milligrams of the amino acids l-leucine, l-methionine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are classified as high-quality branched-chain amino acids. These BCAAs, especially leucine, may play a significant role in protein synthesis and increasing lean muscle mass. (9)

This product has a whopping 530 milligrams of sodium per serving. A good rule of thumb is to choose products with less than 200 milligrams of sodium per serving to promote heart health. Sodium is also an electrolyte and therefore needed for post-workout recovery. However, Ladder Plant-Based Protein may not be ideal for those limiting sodium intake and/or those who have a heart condition. (10)

On the Ladder website, users report some issues with the solubility of this product. Many report that using shaker bottles is not enough to completely dissolve the powder. There are also mixed reviews about the flavor.

However, Breaking Muscle Reviews Editor Amanda Dvorak uses Ladder’s plant-based protein regularly and enjoys it. She gives Ladder Plant-Based Protein 4 out 5 stars for taste and texture and 4.5 out of 5 stars for solubility.

“I usually opt for whey protein, but I like having some plant-based protein powder in my pantry because too much dairy can sometimes make my rosacea and other skin issues worse,” she says. “It’s hard for me to find a plant-based protein powder that I truly like, but I honestly love Ladder. I get a slight earthy taste with the Vanilla flavor, but it’s not as bad as other vegan protein powders I’ve had. It’s also one of the smoothest plant-based protein powders I’ve ever tried. It’s not super grainy and leaves virtually no clumps behind.”

RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain

Best Vanilla Pea Protein Powder: Vega Sport Premium

Ironically, our favorite protein powder for vanilla flavor is the supplement that offers the most flavors in this review: Vega Sport Premium. Users seem to be happy with all flavors offered, but most reviewers who bought the vanilla flavor harp on how excellently it blended into smoothies with berries without leaving a gritty texture. 

Speaking of good, Vega Sport Premium plants a tree for every order they receive. If that doesn’t make you want to read more about them, allow me to introduce you to tart cherries. 

Tart cherries have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent major chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. For post-workout, tart cherries may allow for a faster recovery time in returning to your peak form and lead to less muscle fatigue. (11)

The combination of protein sources used in Vega Sport Premium is special. In addition to the humble pea, you will also get pumpkin seeds, alfalfa, and organic sunflower seeds. This protein blend leads to you getting an awesome 30 percent of your recommended daily amount of iron in every 41-gram scoop of Vega Sport Premium. Iron is an essential mineral, meaning that we can only get it from dietary means. It is important to ensure we get enough of it every day to prevent anemia, support the nervous system, and help with metabolic processes. (12)

The Vega Sport Premium website recommends that you mix this product with cold water or a non-dairy beverage, such as plant-based milk, for best results. However, adding this protein powder to a smoothie or a favorite recipe is also recommended. The brand’s website even offers suggestions for creative ways to use their yummy pea-based protein powder, such as pumpkin spice protein pancakes. 

Best Pea and Rice Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein

Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein uses a 2:1 protein ratio of 20,000 milligrams of organic rice protein and 9,411 milligrams of organic pea protein isolate. 

Research studies have demonstrated that the use of rice protein is appropriate after resistance exercise due to its ability to improve overall body composition and increase sports performance. Studies have also found that there are no major differences worth noting between the participants who received whey versus brown rice protein. This means that this form of protein can help facilitate muscle mass build while simultaneously improving endurance. (13)

Pea protein is often mechanically split during manufacturing, whereas soy-based and whey-based proteins have to be chemically split. This translates into the pea protein source remaining intact and therefore being more naturally nutrient-dense, particularly when it comes to soluble fiber. This form of fiber is really beneficial for preventing heart damage and promoting the health of your digestive system. (5)

Tip: Many reviewers report that Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein powder mixes very easily with oatmeal and blends well into smoothies. According to reviews, all flavors offered are delicious and blend well without clumping. Users appreciate that this product is cruelty-free and uses clean ingredients that can be incorporated into a variety of things: water, soy milk, banana bread, and smoothies.

Best Organic Pea Protein Powder: Gainful Vegan Protein Powder

If you are looking for an organic-certified pea protein, Gainful Vegan Protein Powder is our top pick. You have the choice of organic brown rice protein, organic pea protein, or a combination of both of these plant-based protein sources.

Gainful Vegan Protein Powder is unlike any other supplement we have reviewed. With most protein powders, you simply add them to your online (or literal) shopping cart, and off you go. However, to add this product to your online cart, you will be prompted to take a quiz that analyzes nutrient-influencing factors that are specific to you. 

They have a team of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) on board to expertly tailor the Gainful Vegan Protein Powder to your body type and fitness goals. Your nutrition goals, the type of exercise you routinely do, your age, height, weight, goal body weight, top three health goals, dietary restrictions, and dietary patterns are all evaluated to make a protein supplement that best supports you. To make things effortless, you will receive 14 to 28 pre-packaged servings so that you can add them to the beverage or food option of your choice with ease. 

This supplement checks a lot of boxes and should be easier for you to absorb and digest when compared to other products on the market. This is due to Gainful using ingredients that are gluten-free, soy-free, vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, and free of most major allergens.

To increase the provided health benefits and decrease gut sensitivity, this pea protein powder is also naturally sweetened with organic monk fruit and organic stevia leaf extract.

We haven’t tried the vegan protein option from Gainful, but one of our product testers has received a custom blend of whey concentrate, whey isolate, and casein protein powder. She rated the company 5 out of 5 stars for customer service and 5 out of 5 stars for its overall formula due to how personalized it is to her unique needs (she chose recovery and satiety as her main concerns).

It is sure to fit into your lifestyle because it is made for all forms of exercise, whether you do CrossFit, run, practice yoga, dance, or engage in any other kind of physical activity. 

RELATED: Best Protein Shakes for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, Diabetes, and More

Benefits of Pea Protein Powder 

Protein is a fundamental macronutrient that plays an extremely important role in your diet. Pea protein powder will provide you with many health benefits. Most notable are: 

• Promote weight gain via increased muscle mass or weight loss via decreased fat mass (5)
• Potentially decrease your risk of chronic illness development (5)
• Increase post-workout recovery time and strength (8)
• Improve overall muscle mass (8)(18)

How Much Pea Protein Powder Should You Have Per Day?

When determining the amount of pea protein powder you should have per day, keep in mind that it should supplement your overall daily protein intake goal. You should still prioritize whole-food sources instead of replacing them.

Generally speaking, protein should compose 10 to 35 percent of your daily intake of calories. However, the amount of protein you need per day is based on several factors, including age, sex, level of physical activity, and your fitness goals. (14)

If you are interested in a quick calculation, open the calculator app on your phone. To keep things simple and determine your recommended dietary allowance of protein, multiply 0.8 grams of protein by your weight in kilograms. If you are an avid exerciser, want to add muscle mass, or are even just starting out at the gym, you will need more protein to help with the recovery of muscle micro-tears, improve mass, and increase muscle strength. You may need to increase this number to anywhere from 1.0 to 1.6.

Essential amino acids are the fundamental building blocks for protein that we have to get from dietary sources. Pea protein is almost a complete protein source. However, it is not an adequate source of the essential amino acid methionine. That being said, you can have pea protein powder every day, but it is very important that it is not your only source of protein throughout the day. To follow a more plant-based diet, consider pairing your pea protein powder with good sources of methionine, such as soybeans, nuts, navy beans, wild rice, or kidney beans. 

What To Consider When Buying Pea Protein Powder

Deciding to add dietary supplements to your diet can open you up to a world of benefits. However, in order to optimize your health, it is vital to choose a product that contains ingredients (and specific ingredients in appropriate amounts) that contribute to accomplishing your goals. Try to avoid picking just any powder because it has pea protein in it. Choose a pea protein powder that is designed with your health and fitness goals in mind. To make things easier on you, let the guide below be a resource for what to look for in a pea protein supplement. 

Macronutrients

Knowing the recommended amount of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) you should consume in a day goes hand in hand with accomplishing your health and physical activity goals. 

For example, if you are prepping for a marathon and have worked out for a long period of time, it is important to replenish the amount of glucose stored in your muscles. This will help your body adapt to longer exercise times and repair tissue damage. Therefore, choosing a pea protein powder with a high amount of carbohydrates will be extremely useful.

It is also important to replenish muscle glycogen when working out to fuel your muscles. Carbs help with endurance during your workout and recovery after your workout. For moderate exercise that lasts longer than 30 minutes, multiplying 1.2 grams of carbohydrates for every kilogram of your body weight will help with replenishing glucose levels. (15)

The amount of fat you desire in your pea protein powder will be highly dependent upon your individualized goal. If your goal is to gain weight, a higher fat and higher calorie product would be appropriate. Lean towards the higher end of that percentage range — 30 to 35 percent of your total daily calories. (16) Otherwise, limit total fat intake to 20 to 35 percent of your total daily calorie intake. 

Always assess the type of fat in the ingredients label prior to purchase. Ingredients that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, will offer a wide array of health benefits and are therefore encouraged. They help to decrease your likelihood of developing a chronic illness, may improve cognitive function, and are likely to be able to improve blood lipid panels (lab work that looks at fat in the blood). (17)

Protein is essential for repairing the muscles post-workout and increasing muscle mass. It is also a very satiating macronutrient — meaning that it helps to fight hunger and manage weight more easily. The amount of protein you will need in a day will vary greatly by age, sex, and physical activity level. Aiming for at least 20 grams of protein per serving when choosing a pea protein powder is a good general rule. In order to make sure that you are meeting macronutrient goals that best support your health journey, consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist!  

Other Ingredients

Some pea protein powders are made with artificial sweeteners such as sucrose and may cause gastrointestinal irritation. For those who are sensitive to it, it would be better to choose a product made with plant-based sugars like stevia. 

Depending on what you hope to achieve with the addition of pea protein powder to your diet, choose a product that will help you accomplish those goals. For example, those working out routinely would benefit from branched-chain amino acids being in their supplement’s formulation. Those who sweat heavily during exercise and/or are working out outside routinely would benefit from having a higher volume of electrolytes in their pea protein powder. 

Flavors

Like many other factors, flavor plays a huge role in the decision-making process. Before jumping into using a product, consider how you want to use your pea protein powder. Many people opt for the traditional shaker bottle and water. So it will be important for you to choose a pea protein powder that is a flavor that you like. However, smoothies and smoothie bowls are also a popular way to incorporate pea protein powder into your daily routine. 

If you are looking for ways to bulk up your nutrient intake, try adding pea protein powder to steel-cut oatmeal, overnight oats, whole-grain cereal, pancake or waffle batter, cake or muffin batter, or even your coffee. The supplement you choose will influence the flavor profile you are trying to achieve. 

Vanilla pea protein powder added to dark chocolate chips and banana muffin batter is a go-to in my household. It’s also a good choice for mixing with any of your favorite bodybuilding supplements. Really, vanilla flavor works well in just about everything. You can use pea protein powder to make a more nutrient-dense and healthier version of the dessert of your choosing. Try adding chocolate peanut butter flavored pea protein to cookie batter or cafe mocha flavored pea protein to coffee. 

Third-Party Testing

Dietary supplements are not regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). So in order to establish brand credibility and trust, manufacturers use third-party testing. Independent third-party testing essentially verifies that the ingredients used by the manufacturer are pure, free of contamination, and in the quantities represented on the supplement’s label. Contamination can come in many forms and different third-party testing looks for different specifications — microbial life, heavy metals, and toxins are just some examples.

Price

The pea protein powders found in this review will vary from $0.76 to $3.24 a serving. The more affordable options are not necessarily manufactured with ingredients that are cheaply sourced. In the case of the products above, products on the higher end of the price range simply have more ingredients, to increase the amount of benefits you are exposed to. 

For example, the most expensive product (Vega Sport Premium) offers what other products do not: 2 billion CFUs of probiotics to help with gut nutrient digestion and absorption. The second most expensive powder (Gainful Vegan Protein Powder) is quite literally individualized to you and therefore specially formulated to meet your needs. 

Final Thoughts

Pea-based protein powder is an easy way to incorporate beneficial vegetable nutrients and help you to keep up your health and wellness desires. Before you add just any pea protein powder to your Amazon cart, rely on this review as a guide for the best protein powders, made from premium pea protein blends. We do the hard work for you of analyzing the many plant-based pea protein powders out there to consolidate them down into our top picks. 

Pea protein powder is a great product to help you build muscle, manage body weight, decrease your post-workout recovery time, and ensure that you are consuming enough daily protein to support your fitness goal. This guide was researched by a nutrition expert to give you peace of mind and confidence in your dietary supplement choice. 

Best Pea Protein Powder: Side-by-Side Comparison

FAQs

Research

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