Honorary mention
Photo: Boutayna Chokrane
sakara protein + green super powder for $90: Sakara’s protein + green protein has only 17 grams of plant-based protein, which is only worse than our target 20 grams benchmark. The mixture of pea, hemp and pumpkin protein is enhanced by a “super green” mixture of spirulina, wheatgrass, barleygrass and chlorella. Will it greatly change my gut health? Probably not. However, on days when my veggies and protein intake were low, a scoop of my smoothie (plus some Greek yogurt that adds 18 grams of protein), it made me feel a little less like the goblin surviving on iced coffee chord cheese.
Ghost Whey Protein Powder $50 (2.2 lbs): Ghost is a protein powder for those who want a post-workout snack, just like a dessert. With Oreo, Cinnabon and Chips Ahoy! With the taste, it can be said to be one of the longest whey proteins on the market. Each scoop provides 26 grams of protein (50% of daily value) and blend well in a milkshake, oatmeal and even DIY protein ice cream. The trade-off here is a longer list of ingredients that include gums, high fructose corn syrup and titanium dioxide, which are whitening pigments that Europe is banned as food additives.
Wavelength Vanilla Protein Powder, $55: In addition to 20 grams of pea protein per serving, the wavelength plant-based powder also has stylish adaptogens and nootropics such as MacA Root, Ashwagandha and Chaga mushroom extracts. The brand hasn’t disclosed how many of each brand, so it’s hard to say they’re doing more than just adding price tags. The flavor is deep, which makes it more suitable for baking. The wavelength is OK Little ripplesa protein powder formulated for children, but we have not tested it yet.
Aloha 12 oz chocolate sea salt protein drink (12 pieces) for $33: Aloha’s protein powder is still in my test case, but I tried the brand’s upcoming shakes. The chocolate sea salt is surprisingly delicious. It is creamy, but has a faint aftertaste. Sometimes I use vanilla flavor as a milk base for smoothies, and there is a coconut flavor that I haven’t gotten my hands yet. 20 grams of plant-based protein per edible bag.
BSN True-Mass Weight Loss, Muscle Mass Gain Protein Powder, Priced at $83: If you are trying to reach your calorie goal a lot or work hard, then BSN True Mass is worth considering. This mass gainer contains 1,200 calories per serving, and contains 50 grams of protein and 215 grams of carbohydrates. Its protein mixture includes whey concentrate, casein, milk protein isolates, whey protein isolates, hydrolyzed whey isolates and micelle casein, so you can mix together the fast and slow digested proteins. It also offers 450 mg of calcium and 880 mg of potassium, which is a bonus if you want to squeeze certain micronutrients. It tastes great – the strawberry smoothie tastes blob-but it’s 310g two spoons so you need to be happy with the giant service size. I can’t fully endorse the formula because it is rich in artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and potassium propionyl, as well as some additives that may not be friendly to everyone (including maltodextrin and gum mixtures) (cellulose, guar, arabinose and Xanthan). If your stomach is sensitive, you may need to pass. This takes protein farting to the next level.
Accessories to try
Photo: The Beast
The Beast Mega 1200, priced at $199: If you want to upgrade your smoothie game, the Mega’s 1,200-watt motor will easily make the personal mixer unable to match with frozen fruit, powder and fibrous food cuts. A button, timing cycle and consistent blockless results. Three of the tritan containers are designed with rib interiors that enhance turbulence for smooth smoothies. Plus, the drinking lid and straw system converts your blender into a travel cup without the need for extra dishes. It is available in five colors – white, carbon black, navy, sand, sage and charcoal, and comes with a two-year warranty.
Vitamix Ascent X5, priced at $750: The Vitamix Ascent X5 is expensive, but if you’re in the market for an all-around mixer, this is one that makes smoothies feel like art form. It has 10 preset programs (smoothie bowls, nut butter, non-dairy products, etc.), which means your protein recipes can get creativity as needed. It has the thickest shaking tampering, and the on-screen indicator tells you when to step in. Also, if your mixture needs more mixing, click the “Add 15 seconds” button. Self-cleaning mode is my favorite feature. This is not groundbreaking, but I’d rather use a dull chopstick to bite my eyes Instead of scrubing the blender after scrub level. Plus, it is backed by a 10-year warranty, which makes it a worthwhile investment.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender is priced at $53: Finally, for an affordable option, you might want to consider Ninja’s small portable mixer, which costs via USB-C. The motor is not super powerful, and the battery doesn’t last long (a single charge is enough to blend a yogurt smoothie with frozen berries), but this blender is affordable, the container and lid are dishwasher safe and tiny enough to have a permanent home on the editor Adrienne. She has used this every day for a year to make morning smoothies for Greek yogurt, milk, frozen berries and bananas without any problems.
