Last week I ventured off to the Natural Products Expo East.  It was an amazing experience with countless products displayed.  I will be posting a Top Ten list of favorite products from that weekend in the near future.  In between endless samples of kombucha and coffee I headed over to the supplements section to scope out the vegan protein situation – because you know, where do vegan get their protein?

So I will be doing a series of blog posts reporting my take on all the samples given to me at the Expo .  Not looking to change my daily breakfast smoothie, but enhance it with a protein boost, I will be adding the supplements to my standard smoothie recipe below. Also of note is that I use a high speed Vitamix blender – which can help in some instances of powders being considered ‘grainy’.

• Cashew Milk
• Spinach
• Amalaki Powder
• Ground Flax Meal
• Beet Power
• Medjool Dates
• Frozen Bananas
• Organic Frozen Blueberries
• Organic Frozen Berry Mix (Costco) Or Organic Frozen Tropical Fruit Mix (Costco)

So first up I mixed the above with a packet of All-In-One Nutritional Shake Mix – Vanilla from Vegan Smart.  The powder mixed well and dissolved completely without a noticeable grainy taste or texture.   It delivers 160 calories with 20 grams of protein. It added a decent vanilla flavor. However to me the smoothie had that ‘I’ve added a protein powder’ taste.  I don’t eat stuff with Stevia usually, so maybe there is a taste from that sweetener that is coming through.  This is OK but not one I’d rush out and get again or use regularly. I’ve heard that the vanilla isn’t as good as their other flavors, so I’m looking forward to trying some of their other protein powders.

For our second test run we used Amazing Grass Protein Superfood – Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor.  In full disclosure, chocolate and peanut butter are two of my favorite foods – EVER.  So maybe it doesn’t come as a complete surprise when I tasted this and really liked it.  It mixed in very well with no chalky or grainy feel to it.  The added peanut butter and chocolate flavor added well to my standard mix and it made the smoothie a bit ‘richer’ and creamier tasting.  While this also is sweetened with Stevia, I don’t get an after taste or even a typical protein powder taste here.  Adding 190 calories and 20 grams of protein to the mix, I’d happily use this in the future!

I’ll be posting about different brands and flavors in upcoming blog posts. Let me know your favorite protein powders, and what you think of the ones I’ve tested.