Vegan protein powder is a great addition to any fitness plan, and it’s richer in nutrients and more sustainable than many of its animal-derived counterparts. We’ll compare two leading brands: Ghost vegan protein powder and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
If you’re looking for a good source of protein to help you recover from strenuous workouts or live a healthier lifestyle, vegan protein powder would likely be the last thing on your list. However, vegan protein powder has come a long way in offering a protein source that can perform against historically favored animal sources.
You can get a lot of healthy proteins from plant sources, and in some cases, it can even be more beneficial for you, depending on what you’re looking for. Plant protein is also a good fiber source, promoting a healthy gut microbiome and assisting with digestion and satiety, making you feel fuller so you consume less food, which may lead to weight loss. Additionally, pea protein, a type of vegan protein, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Recent research on pea protein supports the idea that it can compete with animal protein in recovery from strength training. For example, a study pitting whey protein against pea protein showed the pea protein group gaining slightly more muscle mass. Note that this study analyzed people who were new to resistance training. But the research backs up the idea that plant protein can contend with the preferred animal protein for those purposes.
Protein is a crucial macronutrient. It is necessary for building muscles and many different processes in the human body, such as building and repairing cells. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right protein powder product.
There are a lot of vegan protein powders on the market today, so we’ll compare two popular brands: Ghost Vegan Protein Powder and Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, to help you make an informed purchase decision.
You May Also Like:
Jay Robb Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Finding the Best Protein Powder for Diabetics: 5 Top Brands Reviewed
Ghost Vegan Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Ghost Vegan Protein Powder
Describing themselves as the world’s first lifestyle sports nutrition brand, Ghost offers various protein powders and supplements promoting wellness, energy, recovery, weight management, and muscle building. While most of their products are animal-derived, they have a vegan protein powder.
“Ghost vegan protein combines a fully disclosed vegan protein blend (soy free!) with our legendary flavors to deliver one ridiculously epic plant-based protein product,” their website reads. “Easy to drink, easy to digest, easy to become obsessed with. Enjoy legends.”
You can buy Ghost Vegan Protein Powder for $44.99 for a one-time purchase or $33.74 if you sign up for a subscription.
Ghost Vegan Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Unlike Ghost, Nuzest is a company that focuses entirely on creating high-quality plant-based products. Their protein powder, called Clean Lean Protein, contains all nine essential amino acids and is a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals like iron.
Nuzest prides itself on being free of allergens, making this brand a viable option for every diet.
According to their website, they use a sustainable crop with sustainable processing, no fillers, no preservatives, and no GMOs.
“We’re probably one of the very first very clean label brands out there,” CEO and cofounder Trevor Bolland says. “So, we don’t use any manufacturer’s processing aids in our products. We don’t need to use gums or emulsifiers, to give it a good mouthfeel. Very, very good protein has a good mouthfeel already. It is already a very clean protein; it is gluten-free. We didn’t need to add anything to mask a terrible flavor.”
You can buy Nuzest Clean Lean Protein powder for $44.95 for a one-time purchase or get it for a discounted $36.96 when you sign up for a subscription.
Ghost Vegan Protein Powder vs Nuzest Clean Lean Protein:
Which is better?
Either of these protein powders would make an excellent addition to a healthy diet, plant-based or otherwise. However, we give Nuzest a slight edge due to its nutritional value.
Many protein powders on the market today have just that, protein and not much else in the way of vitamins and minerals. In comparison, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein includes 12 essential vitamins and minerals, while Ghost Vegan Protein Powder only contains three.
Furthermore, Nuzest’s protein is free of additives, while Ghost’s protein has a small number of additives, such as xanthan gum, a thickening agent that can cause digestive issues.
While Ghost Vegan Protein Powder is not unhealthy for you, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein is about the same price and has more nutritional value, making it the better choice for your money.
Beyond just the protein:
Vegan and plant-based living
Plant protein powder is not the only plant nutrient that offers benefits; plant-based diets can improve overall health. Research shows that a plant-based diet may help you manage weight and improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It may also assist with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Health benefits aside, there is also a financial incentive, as it is significantly cheaper than a diet containing animal products.
Going further and committing to a vegan diet has similar reported benefits. Additionally, a well-planned whole foods vegan diet may be higher in fiber and antioxidants as well as vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E. Vegan diets, however, may leave you deficient in vitamin b12, zinc, calcium, and selenium.
Vegan and plant-based living shows much promise in health and nutrition, but it may only be for some. If you want more information or are curious to see if this kind of diet might work for you, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a nutritionist.
For further research:
Well and Good: A Registered Dietitian Explains the Difference Between the Terms ‘Vegan’ and ‘Plant-Based’
Very Well: Why Pea Is the Future of Plant Protein
U.S. News: The Best Protein Sources for Vegans, Vegetarians and Plant-Forward Eaters
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.