Plant protein is all the same, right? Wrong. After doing a deep dive into plant protein sources – the good, the bad, and the ugly, I made the conscious decision to switch to OWYN, a plant based protein company which stands for ‘Only What You Need’. Here’s what I found in my research to find the best plant based protein.
1. Unlike most plant proteins, OWYN products are a Complete Protein.
A food is considered a complete protein when it contains the nine essential amino acids that our body cannot produce on its own. Amino Acids are organic compounds known as the “building blocks” of protein. Most plant based protein shakes are incomplete; some experts argue that to build and maintain muscle, complete protein sources are superior.
2. Most plant protein shakes have a gritty texture, OWYN shakes have a smooth taste.
We’re not here to sugarcoat the reality - most vegan protein options tend to have a grittier taste when compared to dairy or animal-based proteins, but OWYN is different. Out of all of the vegan shakes I’ve tried, OWYN has the smoothest texture and the best-tasting flavor profile, and I’ve tried plenty of options!
3. OWYN products are Top-8 Allergen Friendly.
It’s estimated that roughly 32 million people in the U.S. live with food allergies. OWYN makes products that are free of the most common food allergens and their products never contain gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, nuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or fish. Through smart sourcing of supply, documented storage movement, and 3rd party laboratory testing before manufacturing runs, OWYN is able to ensure the safety of their products unlike most plant-based brands.
4. OWYN does not use sugar alcohols to sweeten their products.
You might be surprised when you find out just how many ‘healthy foods’ use sugar alcohols to make their products taste sweet without the calories. While sugar alcohols are considered ‘natural alternatives’ to artificial sweeteners, they can cause gastrointestinal distress like bloating, constipation, and exacerbate symptoms for people who live with IBS. Instead, OWYN only uses Monk Fruit Extract and Organic Cane Sugar to sweeten their products which tends to be easier on the gut. Many customers note that OWYN is easy to digest and enjoy on a daily basis. OWYN’s new Pro Elite line contains zero added sugar and is keto-friendly.
5. OWYN steers clear of artificial sweeteners and other artificial ingredients.
Even worse than sugar alcohols are artificial versions of zero calorie sweeteners. Commonly used artificial sweeteners like sucralose, are known to damage gut health. Artificial colors and other artificial food additives can cause health issues, like respiratory problems and irritability. No thanks.
6. OWYN Products are low in sugar.
You might assume all products marketed as “vegan” are low in sugar but that’s sadly not the case! Many plant based alternatives contain high sugar content to aid in a better flavor profile. OWYN stands out by ensuring all protein shakes hover around the 4-5g of sugar and they even offer products with 0g of sugar, like their Pro Elite High Protein Shakes. Pretty cool for vegans looking to adopt a keto or “keto-tarian” lifestyle.
7. They have products suitable for all goals.
I first discovered OWYN at my local Whole Foods where I picked up their best-selling 20g Protein Shake. The label is super clever and very clearly notes, “this is a snack”. After looking to purchase more online, I saw that OWYN also offers Meal Replacement Shakes for those looking to manage their weight and replace a full meal. The Pro Elite Shakes are great for a post-workout High Protein Shake, and lastly, OWYN offers Plant Based Protein Powders if you prefer to blend at home with your own fruit and vegetables. I like that OWYN is thoughtful about different lifestyle needs, and doesn’t pitch a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
In pursuit of finding the best plant based protein, I learned to look beyond the labels and I’m glad I did! If you’re ready to take a cleaner approach to plant protein, I highly recommend looking into OWYN!
