Reddit mentions: The best sports nutrition soy protein powders

For what it's worth, I lift 6 days a week and have been vegan for a year. I'm 82kg (180lbs) and used to eat 1g protein per pound of bodyweight. So 180g per day. I have since cut that in half (and get around 100g/day) and have gained more strength, size, and dropped fat since going vegan. Right now you're eating over 1g per pound of bodyweight (you're ~140lbs). I would argue that isn't necessary, and encourage you to try dropping the protein and increasing the carbs/fat to compensate. Science shows the upper limit of 0.8g/lb of bodyweight is the max you need for absolute optimal mass, but like I said, I and a lot of others go way below that and do just as well as far as I can tell. Unless you're a professional athlete or something, I think trying to get a ton of protein in isn't as big of a deal as we think it is.

At 2000 calories a day, it's going to be really hard to get 150g protein via a whole foods vegan diet. Even if you ate nothing but beans all day, 2000 calories from black/pinto beans only has about 120g protein. If you ate soybeans, that would be better, but you're still only 190g protein. And you aren't going to eat nothing but beans all day.

If you absolutely must get 150g protein per day, you're going to need to eat processed foods. Tofu, seitan, protein powder, TVP, etc. "Vital Wheat Gluten" is the protein from wheat that seitan is made from, and you can buy that and use it like a protein powder. I'm not sure about Australia, but in the US, this is my favorite protein - https://truenutrition.com/p-1169-vegan-protein-optimizer-formula-1lb.aspx. It's about $10/lb, which seems to be a good deal on plant proteins. This is a similar deal - https://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Plant-Protein-Complex/dp/B00NIJ01FO. But protein powder is expensive compared to real food. If you don't buy a blend, they're cheaper. Like just soy, rice, or pea or something, like this one.

But I would recommend dropping your protein down to like 100g or so, and take it easy on the beans. Can you buy hemp seeds? They're great and high protein. Also flax seeds, chia seeds, peanuts, and peanut butter. Grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and oats have a fair amount of protein, too.

A couple powders I like to use are Rice and Soy proteins:
http://smile.amazon.com/Nutribiotic-Rice-Protein-Vanilla-Pound/dp/B00014DLC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1419615269&sr=1-1&keywords=rice+protein+powder

http://smile.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Iso-Rich-Soy-32/dp/B0013OQG64/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1D292V4DZCFSEY491YQA

Pea protein is also pretty good but the texture is God-awful in my opinion. The taste isn't awesome either, but I just mix it with other stuff in small quantities to finish the container.
All three of the above are generally cheaper than whey protein. Also many whey powders are not vegetarian because of their processing methods. So look into any whey brands you might get.

To help put on weight I like to add finely ground oats to my shakes. To grind them I just use a coffee grinder, but if you have a blender with a flat blade that should do the same. Oats are a great way to add complex carbs to your shake, and carbs are essential in putting on weight.

My weight gain shakes generally consist of a 2 cups of milk (depending if you are lacto-veg or not), a banana (chilled in the fridge for texture/temp), 2ish Tbsp Peanut butter, half cup of ground oats, 3-5 frozen strawberries, 2 servings of protein (mixed kinds but about 50ish g of protein), and a few grams of creatine.

These are shakes that help put on mass, and I drink them after getting home from the gym. If you aren't doing heavy lifting then these are probably too much, but its just an example. I recommend adding a few fruits to your shakes as it really improves the flavor.
Also to help put on mass I like to try and throw some fruit (usually a banana or apple) and a big glass of milk right before getting ready for bed

If anyone sees any issues or has some constructive criticism Id be glad to hear it, just thought Id give my two cents.

Everybody talks up vega but honestly the texture was atrocious and it overwhelmed the taste of anything I put it in. Mealy and overpriced :(

As long as you're not looking to try it on its own, I'd honestly recommend this stuff. The texture disappears very well in smoothies and oatmeal, and though the flavor is...not great, it's super easy to cover up because it isn't strong. Also? Very very very cheap, because it's not marketed specifically at vegans.

110 calories for 25g protein.

If the powdered Vega didn't work for you, you may want to try their pre-mixed shake:

• Vega protein shakes
  
  This is a pretty decent lactose-free shake mix, if you want to blend your own;
  
  
• Nature's Plus Spiru-tein shake
  
  If you're looking for more of a meal-replacement shake, Super Body Fuel has a dairy-free keto version available. The plain flavor tastes like cardboard, but if you're going for a no-sweetener-added version, it's available in the drop-down menu:
  
  
• https://superbodyfuel.com/shop/keto-fuel-sample/
  
  There are plenty of non-dairy protein powders out there; I'd suggest reading through the reviews in the links below to see how the graininess of each one is. Here's a starter list to check out:
  
  
• Brown rice protein powder
  
• Hemp protein (non-THC)
  
• Peanut butter powder
  
• Pumpkin seed protein powder
  
• Soy protein powder
  
• Spirulina powder
  
• Sunflower seed protein powder
  
• Yellow pea protein powder
  
• Watermelon seed protein powder
  
• Whole oat powder
  
  If you want to get rid of lumps on the go, you need a motorized blender bottle. Basically a portable blender, but just for powders. They run about $40 on Amazon:
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/PROMiXX-iX-R-Shaker-Bottle-Evolved/dp/B07HCM92SV
  
  It also depends on how you want to make it...if you want to mix it in a liquid like water or a milk alternative, then you'll be more sensitive to how grainy the product is. If you have a good plug-in blender, you can mix them up really well in that & store them in one of those double-walled, vacuum-insulated tumblers to stay cold. Or turn it into a shake, which will help hide the graininess, like with some frozen fruit or whatever. Or if you want to make protein-enhanced treats, check out Protein Pow:
  
  
• Pea protein recipes
  
• Hemp protein recipes
  
• Rice protein recipes
  
  Lots of options out there!

It's definitely a challenge doing this as a vegan! I'm new to it myself and it's been an adjustment period. Making seitan is actually more affordable and tasty. This site has a lot of amazing recipes: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-make-perfect-seitan/.

Also check out soy protein isolate. Nearly 0 carbs (it says ">1g" on the label): https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Protein-Isolate-Pound/dp/B0001TRT1I/ref=pd_lpo_121_tr_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YSGTRFCWEJK69AAWW8AK.

Tofu and tempeh are definitely great options too to second what thisveganlove said.

I myself have been seriously limiting my beans/legumes intake because the carb:protein ratio is so unbalanced. I did eat some black bean chili last night and it was wonderful :)

"Good" is subjective really. I cannot vouch for taste, however I can provide you however with very cheap soy protein powder which (I think at least?) is heat treated so shouldn't have the phytoestrogens or whatever:
https://www.amazon.com/Bulksupplemets-Protein-Isolate-Powder-kilogram/dp/B01K2UDXBK/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1520977724&sr=1-4&keywords=soy+protein

Any soy/pea protein powder is pretty good honestly (Except bulk supplement pea protein, unless you're an athlete, cause it has a LOT of salt). Again, cannot vouch for taste. Just find something you like. Maybe try a bunch of cheaper samples or something? Idk what your budget is like lol. Hope this helped :)

I buy a tub of TVP. It's a great source of fiber and protein. It's meant to be re hydrated and used as a meat substitute, but I mostly just put a couple of servings on my salads and mix it in my cottage cheese dry. It adds a nice crunch with the added benefit of protein and fiber.
1 serving (20g)
55 Cal
10g protein
7g carbs
3g fiber
5% calcium
20% iron


Harmony House Foods, Textured Soy Flour, 40 Ounce Gallon Size Jug by Harmony House Foods http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039QOR1A/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_hP.Vtb0JK2F03

Ninja edit: added carb, calcium, and iron

I also really like cottage cheese, low/no fat Greek yogurt, egg beaters/whites, nuts, pork rinds, low fat cheese sticks, whey, peas, fish, and dried squid for a little extra meatless protein.

I get straight soy protein from Winco. It has a very mild flavor that I like, and can be bought for $5.5-$6.5 / lb. Note that your caloric intake is a bigger factor than your protein intake. Since you're really skinny, you'll have to eat significantly more than you're used to in order to gain muscle.

I'd also recommend creatine, which is a pretty standard supplement. It's around $20 for 200 servings

Protein isolate and [cereal](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CS9ZUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_ueKQybD58BNE8 like Frosted Flakes). It's probably good to throw in some antioxidants like eating a handful of berries, spinach, or a cap of ALA.

If that's still too complicated, then just down a mix of maltodextrin and wazy maize. Also good to include some BCAAs, creatine, and antioxidants (e.g. ALA) into the mix as well.

My apologies if I came off as a dick-- I didn't realize you were honestly asking the question. I thought it was rhetorical (but I answered anyway, heh).

As for the protein powder, GNC probably sells way more whey protein than soy. If you're really interested in protein powder, though, here's 2lbs of soy protein powder that's way cheaper than either of the GNC links: http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Iso-Rich-Soy-32/dp/B0013OQG64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371059605&sr=8-1&keywords=soy+protein+powder

A few other things:

1. Low-income America is rife with processed foods. Our food system and government subsidies make it so that foods like Froot Loops and Cheetos are artificially cheap and thus makes "real food" like bananas and lettuce appear more expensive. Nevertheless, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are still affordable even on a super low budget. Vegan on a budget is not especially difficult or unheard of, for example: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470472243 or http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Vegan-4-00-Day-Conscious/dp/1570672571
   
   
2. There is no need to combine foods at the same meal to get all the essential amino acids in one go. This is an old myth that started in the 1980s but is not backed up by science.
   
   
3. There is way more than 2.1g of protein in a serving of beans. Heck, even English green peas have more protein than that per serving. If you look on any can of beans (e.g., garbanzos, black beans, pintos, etc.) one serving usually has between 7-10g protein. Each can is usually ~3.5 servings (so at least 24.5g protein per can), and you can buy a 15.5oz can of cooked beans all day long for 70-80 cents.
   
   Further, one pound of dry beans is about 12 servings. So one pound of beans has 12 servings x 8g protein = 96g protein for one pound of beans. Finally, the price you quoted is far more expensive than most canned beans, which are more expensive than bagged (dry) beans (see http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=0d2d3ebc-1ee5-4734-a34a-53ad26b5e3e7).
   
   See this info sheet for nutrition facts on pinto beans: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/facts/hhpfacts/New_HHPFacts/Beans/HHFS_BEANS_PINTO_DRY_A914_Final.pdf
   

There are a lot of soy powders! I really like Jarrow's Formula

total soy is good, i like the chocolate a lot

My best advice is to get "pure" protein powder - not the ones with all that added sugar, etc (check the ingredients). I'm vegetarian and am trying minimize dairy intake, so lately I've been using soy and pea. Personally I would not suggest rice protein, it had an awful grainy texture and made me gaseous (gross!)

I get NOW Foods soy protein powder. It's unflavored and has 20 grams protein per scoop with 37 servings per container. Only $20 for 2 lbs which is extremely affordable in my book compared to other brands. I get mine from Amazon. NOW Foods Soy Protein, 2 Pounds by Now Foods http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013OSS4M/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_r6dTtb0JH2FDE

I use soy protein powder, it is really cheap compared to other vegan proteins and has a higher protein content. I can't digest dairy either and I haven't had any problems with the soy.

I recenlty picked up Soy Protein Isolate (https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Soy-Protein-Pounds/dp/B0013OSS4M) because it was on sale at my local Trader Joe's. I seem to like it so far, anyone else take soy protein? I've taken whey in the past to hit my protein goals but never soy protein.

Bone Broth Protein Powder -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XXXN719?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Here is a larger jar of soy protein for a third of the price

This one, EAS Soy Chocolate Powder

http://www.amazon.com/EAS-Advantedge-Protein-Powder-Chocolate/dp/B0009EW1KO

Without getting into the rest of your question, I can tell you that the protein powder I use (Pulsin' Unflavoured Soya Protein Powder 1kg |Gluten Free | Vegan https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003V1WWGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cEUmzbDVFTG52) is 90% protein. Leaves all the other shit for dust!

Pulsin Soya isolate

Cheep

90% protein ( 90g protein per 100g )

proven to increase longevity.

Loads of Isoflavones

Loads of amino acids

no taste.

Can add to most liquid meals.

£12.48 for 1kg

does not need to be refrigerated

Mix this into a leafy green smoothies

I use Jarrow Iso-rich soy protein powder, unflavored. It has a smooth texture and doesn't taste like anything, so I just throw it in things when I need to: pudding, oatmeal, even some soups. Whey can be used, but in my experience there's a milk-like taste, even to the unflavored varieties, that I don't care for and haven't been able to sufficiently mask.

There is a considerable difference in the types of proteins used.

I was only using Whey at first and my weight plateaued after 6 months losing 70 lbs total.

In October I switched from Whey + oils to Soy + flax and I am now taking less protein over all and staying full. I have also lost an additional 10 lbs since then. At this rate I plan to review macros after I lose another 25 lbs putting me around 140 lbs.

I buy the following. It is cheap, bland and blends with anything, and mixes very well into just water.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OQG64?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

I also add a Spiru-Tein Strawberry into my shake during the workweek for Flavor and because my macro's can afford the extra carbs now.