Top 6 grab and go vegan protein options

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These days, we are increasingly told about the importance of protein in the diet. Particularly when we are doing a lot of exercise. Having recently started with a personal trainer to add in weights workouts to my exercise regime, I realised with her help that I was getting nowhere near enough protein. The knock on effect is not just that it takes longer to build muscle but that it is harder to lose weight. Why? Because the result of consuming insufficient protein is often hunger. If you are following a vegan diet, this can become even more difficult, but grab and go protein sources can help. I’ve given some information about the training I’ve been doing as well as the vegan protein options I’ve tried.

Personal training with Susie Jenkins

A few months ago, I started online personal training with Susie Jenkins. I’ve tried personal training in the past but always in person, and always with a man. Unsurprisingly, it has never worked with me. Fitting in training at the gym around my busy life was never particularly successful. And fantastic though the previous personal trainers were, they never really got me.

Susie is different. She sets me three weight sessions a week that I can do in my own time with weight equipment I have at home. She gives me lots of hints and tips around nutrition and initially helped me to track calories AND macros. Whilst calorie tracking was very effective, weight loss was not really a goal so I didn’t last long with the calorie tracking. However, I very quickly realised that the macros were important.

In general, adults need approximately 0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight per day. On average, this means round 55 grams a day for men and 45 for women. I wasn’t getting anywhere near that. As a result, I was hungry which caused me to turn to carbs and unhealthy snacks.

Whilst I’ve never really been one for protein bars or shakes, I realised that they could help me to up my protein intake and therefore stop reaching for the chocolate. So, it was time to try and find the right protein sources for me. As a vegetarian who also avoids a lot of dairy products, the natural solution was to give vegan protein a go.

Ultra Plant Protein Salted Caramel Peanut Flavour

Let’s start with the protein powders. This low sugar option is vegan and non-GMO and made from a blend of protein sources including pea protein and rice protein. It’s very easy to make up, with the pack containing a scoop. Two level scoops in 300 ml of water and shaken for 10 seconds makes up a shake that contains 34 grams of protein. It comes in at 169 calories and contains vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, magnesium and zinc.

And now for the bad news: I really didn’t like this flavour. I’m not saying not to try it, but it really wasn’t to my taste at all. I tried it on its own and mixed into overnight oats and I couldn’t manage to consume a whole serving in either format. I might try baking it into flapjacks as a last resort to make sure it gets used.

Available from: Sci-MX

Pro V-Gain Plant Based High Protein Blend

Having been completely put off by the flavour of the low sugar protein powder, I was a bit worried about trying this one which contains zero sugar. Fortunately, the chocolate flavour of this one is delicious. It’s not overly sweet and tastes like a more authentic cocoa flavour rather than sweetened chocolate. I will absolutely be buying this one again.

As well as the pleasant flavour, V-Gain provides 35 grams of protein per serving. It’s easy to make up, containing a scoop in the packet and you simply have to put two level scoops into 300 ml of water and shake. It comes in at 168 calories per serving and contains vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium and zinc.

Available from: Sci-MX

Perkier Crunchy Peanut Bar

These vegan bars are made from peanuts along with seeds, raisins, dates, soya and quinoa. Each bar contains 7 grams of plant protein and comes in at under 160 calories. They also contain chicory fibre which is a prebiotic and they are palm oil free. These taste pretty good although they are a little difficult to chew. They’re nice and easy to slip into a bag instead of a higher calorie chocolate bar or unhealthy snack.

Available from: Amazon (affiliate link)

Nakd Cocoa Halzelnut

Nakd protein bars are made with natural ingredients, predominantly peanuts and dates. They also contain chicory fibre. The flavour of these is really good and I have always been impressed with Nakd’s ability to make natural ingredients taste like a chocolate bar. These are not overly sweet and despite being chocolatey, they don’t melt so they’re another great snack to thow in a bag and eat on the go. Each bar contains 7 grams of plant protein and no added sugar. They are on the higher end in terms of calories, containing 190 per serving. As well as being vegan, these are gluten free, dairy free and Kosher.

Available from: Amazon (affiliate link)

Trek White Choc & Raspberry Protein Flapjacks

These came close to getting my vote for the best flavour but just fell short of the Biscoff flavoured bars. However, the white choc & raspberry flapjack is delicious and super easy to eat. If anything, my only complaint is that these are too tasty – it feels like having an unhealthy snack and as a result, my children wouldn’t let me get a look in. These ones contain 9.5 grams of protein and 234 calories per serving, which is really quite high for a protein snack.

Available from: Amazon (affiliate link)

Trek Power Biscoff Plant Based Protein Bars

These were my favourite out of all the options in terms of flavour. It felt indulgent to have a Biscoff bar and know that it was high in protein rather than just full of sugar. It contains soya as its main ingredient and other protein sources include nuts, seeds and pea protein. These contain 12 grams of protein and 191 calories.

Available from: Amazon (affiliate link).