Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
We’ve all been there before. A few days of poor eating and we start weighing our options of losing the weight that’s been bothering us for so long. Nowadays people are looking for quick and easy ways to lose weight which includes diet pills, prescription medication and other fad products. One such product is protein shakes. Protein shakes are high in nutrients which allows us to obtain calories from food that provide more nutrients than those eaten in “junk food”.
Another factor that can matter is making sure you’re eating too. If you are trying to gain muscle, don’t just drink your protein, add some calories to your diet.
Lactose Free Protein Shakes For Weight Gain
Whether your days consist of trips to the gym, early commutes, or taking care of little ones, it’s good to have a couple of options for refueling on the go. So we taste-tested the best dairy-free protein shakes, each one with about 15 grams or more of plant-based protein and fewer carbs, sugars, and artificial flavorings.
Of course, shakes have traditionally had a terrible reputation as being full of sugar, low in fiber and protein, and about as healthy as a candy bar.
The latest crop of vegan and plant-based protein shakes is a new, healthier generation, made with dairy-free milk such as almond, oat, and coconut. So we went in search of the tastiest, healthiest plant-based shakes that we could find.
These portable dairy-free shakes come in resealable bottles, and many don’t have to be refrigerated until after opening — so they’re also great to pack for commuting.
Editor’s Note: Many of these shakes contain MCT oil and if you are following a keto diet it can help you get your calories from fat – not carbs – because it’s a naturally occurring fat from coconut oil. If you’re avoiding oils, we suggest you look out for MCT oil as something to avoid. And The Beet always encourages you to eat a diet of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, but when you don’t have that option, plant-based protein shakes can help tide you over until your next healthy meal.
The Best Dairy-Free Protein Shakes
During a taste test, we were pleasantly surprised at how full these plant-based protein shakes kept us feeling. Consuming one with a light lunch kept us satiated until dinner, and the coffee-flavored varieties easily took the place of a morning latte (with more nutrition, to boot).
While serving vegan protein shakes chilled is recommended, you can experiment with how you consume these, too. For example, try pouring a vanilla shake over your cereal in lieu of your normal milk, or drink a chocolate shake hot (heating gently in the microwave) for a sweet post-dinner treat that tastes like — you guessed it — hot chocolate.
The Healthiest Vegan Protein Shakes
1. Happy Viking Triple Chocolate Protein Shake
Happy Viking was launched by Venus Williams when she couldn’t find a workout recovery drink that she liked enough to make it a regular ritual. With plant-based protein and a rich chocolaty taste, HV satisfies every craving while delivering a blend of clean, pea and brown rice protein along with nutrients like potassium and iron to your body.
While we can’t all hit a forehand like Wiliams, now we can replenish our muscles after a workout the way she does. Keep these at your desk or bring one in your bag for those moments when you want chocolate but also something healthy.
Happy Viking was launched by Venus Williams when she couldn’t find a workout recovery drink that she liked enough to make it a regular ritual. With plant-based protein and a rich chocolaty taste, HV satisfies every craving while delivering a blend of clean, pea and brown rice protein along with nutrients like potassium and iron to your body. While we can’t all hit a forehand like Wiliams, now we can replenish our muscles after a workout the way she does. Keep these at your desk or bring one in your bag for those moments when you want chocolate but also something healthy.
2. Ripple Vegan Protein Shakes
Ripple is making waves and is popular among shakes because its pea formula is clean and protein-packed. Creamy and almost milkshake-like in texture when chilled, the Salted Caramel variety is divine and a solid stand-in for a sweet snack or dessert any day. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate also earned high marks, with the only downside being the high sodium content in these shakes.
This was hands-down our favorite protein shake, flavor-wise. Creamy and almost milkshake-like in texture when chilled, the Salted Caramel variety is divine and a great stand-in for dessert any day. The Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate flavors also earned high marks, with the only downside being the high sodium content in these shakes.
At first, this bottle was slightly annoying to open, as it not only has a plastic seal but a foil seal covering the top that was tricky to remove. However, both the Cold Brew Coffee (perfect for a morning commute) and vanilla flavors were delicious enough to make up for it. We loved how this drink is free of the top eight allergens, stevia, and sugar alcohols; is high in fiber, and it comes in more outside-the-box flavors like Cookies N Cream and Turmeric Golden.
We loved how this drink is free of the top eight allergens, free of stevia and free of sugar alcohols. It has just 180 calories and 5 grams of fiber. For those looking for an interesting flavor, this one delivers: it comes in more outside-the-box options like Cookies N Cream and Turmeric Golden.
4. Oath Organic Oat Milk + Plant Protein
Three cheers to Oath for incorporating oat milk in vegan protein shakes. The creative flavors of this organic drink enticed us to want to try them all. While we didn’t love Matcha Chai, the others—including Golden Turmeric, Indian Rose, and Double Chocolate — made for smooth sipping. With 210-260 calories apiece, these are heartier than some other shakes, thanks to the addition of both almond and pumpkin seed protein (and MCT oil in the Turmeric variety).
Three cheers to Oath for incorporating oat milk in vegan protein shakes. While we didn’t love Matcha Chai, the other flavors were delicious. We tried Golden Turmeric, Indian Rose and Double Chocolate, and all made for smooth sipping. With 210-260 calories a serving, these are heartier than some other shakes, thanks to the addition of both almond and pumpkin seed protein. Avoiding fat? Stay away from the Tumeric flavor which contains MCT oil, high in sat fat.
5. Soylent Complete Protein
A protein drink called Soylent Complete Protein is the latest product from this company, known for its meal-replacement products. More than just a protein shake, Soylent includes nootropics said to boost energy and focus. This bottle, like OWYN, features the pesky double seal, but the reward is inside: The chocolate drink is velvety and luscious (you could have fooled us that this was actually chocolate milk), and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including 100 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamins B6 and B12.
More than just a protein shake, Stacked includes “nootropics” which are substances believed to boost energy and focus. The chocolate drink is velvety and luscious (you could have fooled us that this was actually chocolate milk), and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including 100% of the daily recommendation for vitamins B6 and B12.
6. Aloha Protein Drink
Known for its protein bars and protein powder, Aloha recently added plant-based protein drinks to its lineup. Made with a blend of pea and brown rice protein, coconut milk, and MCT oil, these are free of any artificial ingredients and only contain 5 grams of sugar. The angled top on the cardboard container is slightly awkward to drink from, but the silky shake makes up for it. We like the vanilla flavor best, beating out chocolate sea salt (we missed the salt here) and coconut.
Made with a blend of pea and brown rice protein, coconut milk, these are free of any artificial ingredients and only contain 5 grams of sugar. We like the vanilla flavor best, beating out chocolate sea salt (we missed the salt here) and coconut. If you are staying away from sat fat know that these contain MCT oil which gives this shake a slightly oily aftertaste.
Your Guide to The Best Plant-Based Protein Powders: We Tasted 9 Bestsellers
1. Vega Protein & Greens
The base of Vega is pea protein, brown rice protein, and sacha inchi (a seed eaten like a nut) protein. One serving of Vega has only 80 calories and 15g of protein. Vega’s protein powder is a great choice for anyone who struggles to get enough greens in their diet. The proteins are combined with alfalfa powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder, and organic kale powder giving you 2 servings of veggies in one scoop. The taste of this protein was described as “artificial” whereas others thought it tasted like birthday cake. We recommend adding this into a smoothie, but luckily all you have to add is fruit since Vega has the greens covered. This low-cal powder won’t break the bank at $1.20 a scoop.
2. TB12 Vanilla Plant-Based Protein
Tom Brady’s TB12 pea protein powder consists of simple ingredients with no additives. For anyone who is allergic to soy or nuts, TB12’s pea protein-based powder is a great option. It’s hard to say no to this powder with 24 grams of protein. Don’t hide this powder in a smoothie, mix it with water and you will immediately see a thick consistency resembling a vanilla milkshake. Not only does it look like a milkshake, but it tastes like it too. TB12 recommends drinking this powder up to 20 minutes after a workout for the best recovery. You have to order this powder on the TB12 website since it isn’t available in stores or on Amazon. Less than $2 per serving!
3. PlantFusion Complete Protein
PlantFusion is a blend of peas, artichokes, algae, and superfoods. The deep yellow-gold coloring of PlantFusion’s protein powder set this brand apart from the rest. Some testers found the flavor wasn’t overwhelming, making it a great addition to a smoothie, whereas others felt the powder was sweet. For those of you who aren’t a fan of Stevia, buy the natural, no-stevia blend. This protein powder is low in fat, and carbs, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lose weight while still getting enough protein (21g a serving). PlantFusion’s powder has a sweetness not everyone enjoyed since Stevia is an ingredient. $1.20 a scoop, makes this a deal!
4.Vivo Perform
Vivo Perform is the most superfood-packed protein powder of this bunch. Athletes will appreciate this protein powder made of pea protein, hemp protein, plant-based BCAA (branched-chain amino acids), reishi mushrooms, acai berries, lucuma fruit powder, maca powder, and turmeric extract. Vivo Perform is $59 on Amazon so go straight to their website for a cheaper price at $51 for the pouch pictured below. With 25g of protein and complete amino acid profile helps athletes to build, perform, recover, and absorb. If you want a quick protein drink after a workout, use a shaker bottle when mixing or this powder will stick to the sides of the cup. In the mood for a protein-filled breakfast? Add to your oatmeal or smoothie bowl with this recipe.
5. Elevate Plant-Based Performance Protein
Elevate is a pea and hemp protein-based powder that also is made with sweet potato powder. For anyone looking to convert from whey protein powders, Elevate is the plant-based protein for you. This powder is meant to be used in beverages such as smoothies. The thin consistency doesn’t mix well with water and becomes chalky. If you aren’t in the mood for a protein smoothie, add a scoop to your pancake batter. For a complete recipe check out Elevate’s Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes. This powder is another affordable choice at $1.60 a scoop.
6. Momentous Absolute Zero
Momentous protein powder is a combination of pea and rice protein concentrate. Testers liked the initial scent of mint and thought it was refreshing. This powder is perfect for anyone who likes sweeter drinks. Momentous powders are NSF International Certified for Sport, which means the product label is 100% accurate and there are no banned substances present in this powder. This is one of the pricier protein powders at $60 a tub but is worth it for athletes looking for a clean and effective post-workout powder. We recommend either mixing with water or adding to a smoothie for a more nutrient-dense drink. The priciest powder of the bunch at $3 per serving.
7. Garden of Life
Garden of Life is made of pea, buckwheat, amaranth sprout, and brown rice. We didn’t love the green color of the powder or the way it smelled but once we mixed it with water, it tasted surprisingly good. Garden of Life is the easiest to mix with water, plan-based milk or in a smoothie. The vanilla flavor isn’t overpowering so you can add this to any combination of smoothies and not be overwhelmed by the taste of vanilla. And it’s only $1.20 per scoop!
8. Tone It Up Plant-Based Protein Vanilla
Tone It Up protein powder is a blend of sunflower seeds and pea protein. The minute we opened the container, everyone loved the smell of this powder. Tone It Up is known to be a great addition to baked goods. The next time you make your protein muffins, add Tone It Up to the mix. We don’t suggest adding this powder with just water but instead a smoothie with fruits and veggies.
9. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
The name of this powder says it all. Nuzest is the cleanest protein powder since it is made out of only 3 simple ingredients: Pea protein isolate, natural vanilla flavor, and thaumatin (a low-calorie sweetener). For $45, you are supposed to get 20 servings out of one container, but at a glance that didn’t seem accurate. This high protein, low carb powder is perfect to blend with plant-based milk and ice. The consistency is smooth and adds thickness to any protein shake.
The Best Non-Dairy Cream Cheeses That Taste As Good As The Real Thing
We all have our Achilles heel food — a comforting dish, snack, or dessert that we love dearly and eat so regularly, that it becomes inseparable from our daily routine. Mine has always been bagels: A toasted everything bagel slathered in a generous (and boy do I mean generous) helping of scallion cream cheese, cut in two (a crucial step bagel shops often miss: there’s just something about seeing the cream cheese cross-section that is particularly satisfying).
When you go plant-based, you may wonder, Where could I wake up on Sunday and grab a delicious, fluffy, bagel, slathered in dairy-free vegan cream cheese? Bagel shop owners may look at you quizzically when asked if they carry any non-dairy cream cheese (although many shops in New Jersey and New York carry tofu cream cheese), so if you’re searching for a delicious non-dairy schmear, we’ve tasted the best dairy-free cream cheeses on the market to find the very best vegan cream cheese, ranked for health and taste.
For the most scientific test possible, we set out to a favorite bagel shop and ordered half a dozen bagels to test different vegan spreads: Two everything, two jalapeño, and two cinnamon raisin bagels (all vegan — make sure to double-check your local spot doesn’t add milk or eggs to any recipe)
The Best Dairy-Free and Vegan Cream Cheese Alternatives
Daiya Plain Cream Cheese
Daiya Plain Cream Cheese Spread
This one was a pleasant surprise; a tangy, creamy spread that did a pretty good job of mimicking the original dairy spread. Surprisingly sweet, as if it had a dash of vanilla in it, this cream cheese is a perfect companion for a cinnamon raisin bagel or anything you want to add a hint of sweetness to.
Calories 60
Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 4.5g
Protein 0g
Kite Hill Dairy-Free Everything Cream Cheese
Kite Hill Everything Cream Cheese
The texture, while pleasantly whipped and spreadable, is grainy, and the everything seasoning got lost within the tub. The taste wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t taste like cream cheese; the texture is more reminiscent of creamy hummus. I still finished this tub by dipping various crackers and bread into it, but it didn’t serve the original purpose on a bagel, although it was quite delicious as a spread on crackers or sandwiches.
Calories 70
Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 0g
Protein 2g
Miyoko’s Creamery Scallion Cashewmilk Creame Cheese
Miyoko’s Sensational Scallion Vegan Cream Cheese
While this formula was a little heavier and harder to spread than the others, it was the taste that left something to be desired. Strangely, the most overpowering flavor was a lemony citrus taste, masking even the divine savoriness of the scallions. When I mixed equal parts of Miyoko’s Sensational Scallion with another plain cream cheese it evened out this zingy, acidic taste and was far more pleasant. Next time, I might try to mix chopped scallions into my favorite cream cheese instead of buying this pre-made option.
Calories 90
Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 2.5g
Protein 3g
Tofutti Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese
Tofutti is probably the most widely available cream cheese, so it’s likely the non-dairy cream cheese served in most bagel spots that actually carry non-dairy options. This spread is muted beige and slightly grainy, and its tofu roots definitely don’t go unnoticed. While this spread is by no means bad, and I would use it in a pinch, there is something about the aftertaste that I’m not sold on. Almost playdough-y, there’s a distinct bitterness that comes through after the bite.
Calories 90
Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 4g
Protein 1g
Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese
Trader Joe’s has recently updated its vegan cream cheese formulation this year, and it’s made quite an improvement to the taste of this spread. Thick, creamy, and reminiscent of a block of Philadelphia cream cheese, this dairy-free schmear is a great, affordable vegan cream cheese option. It has a mild flavor and doesn’t come across as too tofu-y. It spreads nicely on a bagel or toast, and benefits from mix-ins like scallions or TJ’s everything bagel seasoning.
Calories 90
Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 8g
Protein 0g
Treeline Dairy-Free Herb Garlic Soft French-Style
This is not your average plant-based cheese, or in fact, any cheese. This kind of cashew-based creation elevates any meal and could fool cheese lovers into believing that it’s real dairy cheese. When I gave my friend a slice of a baguette and Treeline cheese, she couldn’t believe it was vegan and we basically finished the entire container in one sitting. This option is one of the best for shoppers looking for a heart-healthy option with only 1 gram of saturated fat per serving.
Calories 90
Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g
Protein 3g
Violife Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Violife Just Like Cream Cheese
Wow. This stuff is the real deal: texture, appearance, taste, and slight inclination to melt. Violife’s Just Like Cream Cheese Original leaves almost nothing to be desired, besides maybe a larger tub. Creamy, smooth, and spreadable, this has none of the grainy texture or watery formulas that other non-dairy cream cheeses often have. Mix in sriracha hot sauce or scallions and this easily becomes flavored cream cheese, or try Violife’s garlic & herbs flavor.
Calories 70
Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 6g
Protein 0g
The Bottom Line: When it comes to comfort foods, it can be hard to find plant-based options that feel like they fill the void left after eliminating animal products. Luckily, our taste buds adapt to a plant-based lifestyle, and things that may have tasted far from similar to their animal-product predecessors end up tasting nearly identical to the “real thing” after 1-2 months of going entirely plant-based.