Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
Looking for a great hemp based protein powder? With hemp being some of the cheapest and most nutritionally dense plant-based protein, it’s a great alternative to whey and other plant-based proteins. In this article, we’ll be covering the best hemp protein powders, as well as some other plant-based alternatives in case you decide hemp isn’t right for you.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder With BCAA.
Also, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a 100% hemp protein, instead, it is a blend made up of all organic hemp protein, pea protein, and goji berries. As Sunwarrior states, their protein has a similar amino acid composition to whey, making it a great alternative for those who are used to dairy-based proteins instead of plant-based.
Top 8 Best Hemp Protein Powders Reviewed
- Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder With BCAA – Top Pick
- Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Raw Hemp Seed Protein Powder – Runner-Up
- Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah!
- Just Hemp Foods Hemp Protein Powder
- Anthony's Organic Hemp Seed Protein
- Transparent Labs Vegan Rice & Brown Rice Protein – Best Organic Vegan Protein
- Naked Pea Protein – Best Pea Protein
- Plant Fusion Complete Protein – Best Tasting Plant-Based Protein
1. Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder with BCAA – Top Pick
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery, Cutting
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Protein Blend (Organic Hemp, Pea Protein, & Goji Berry)
- Item Weight: 4.96lb (1.65lb also available)
- Package Type: Plastic Tub
- Serving Size: 25g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.99
- Protein Percent of Calories: 68%
- Calories: 90-100
- Protein: 17-19g
- Carbohydrates: 0-3g
- Fat: 2.5g
- Sugar: 0g
- Company Founded: 2008
- Recommended by Athletes: Meghan Dizon, Fueled by Donuts, Don Reichelt
Kicking off our list, and the best overall hemp seed protein is Sunwarrior’s Vegan Protein Powder.
At 17g of protein per serving, Sunwarrior offers one of the most protein-packed supplements on our list. Made from organic ingredients, you can also be confident you’re getting a high quality product. This does come at a price, however, as it is the most expensive hemp-based protein on our list as well.
Also, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a 100% hemp protein, instead, it is a blend made up of all organic hemp protein, pea protein, and goji berries. As Sunwarrior states, their protein has a similar amino acid composition to whey, making it a great alternative for those who are used to dairy-based proteins instead of plant-based.
So, if you're looking for pure hemp protein, look at the options below. But we decided to choose this product for the top position because a mix of sources allows great amino acid balance unlikely to be achieved with mono sources.
Sunwarrior also has 6 great flavors to choose from. There’s the standard chocolate, vanilla, and unflavored, as well as the more interesting berry, maple toast, and mocha varieties. This is one of the only flavored options on our list, making it one of the best tasting hemp protein powders out there.
One minor downside is that the protein content Sunwarrior advertises on their packaging is actually for 1.5 scoops of their product instead of 1 scoop. This may be somewhat misleading, so keep that in mind before making a purchase.
Positives:
High protein content of 17g per serving
6 flavors to choose from
Similar amino acid composition to whey
Could be better:
Slightly misleading info on the packaging
Most expensive option on our list
Blend (for those looking for a pure hemp protein)
2. Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Raw Hemp Seed Protein Powder – Runner-Up
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Organic Hemp Seed
- Item Weight: 3lb (1.87lb and 1lb also available)
- Package Type: Plastic Bag
- Serving Size: 30g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.95
- Protein Percent of Calories: 55%
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Company Founded: 1999
- Recommended by Athletes: Stephen Curry, Ayesha Curry, Ed Harris
Next on our list is the fully hemp-based protein, which is Nutiva’s Organic, Cold-Pressed, Raw Hemp Seed Protein.
At 15g of protein per serving, there’s a similar, yet slightly smaller amount of protein to Sunwarrior. However, this is a much cheaper option at ~$0.95 per serving. Another major pro is Nutiva’s high fiber content, with 6g per serving compared to Sunwarrior’s 1g per serving.
One downside here is that if you prefer flavored protein, you’re out of luck, Nutiva only offers unflavored. This will, of course, make it more unpleasant to drink on its own, but if you’re planning on blending your protein into smoothies, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Overall, this is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a great, affordable organic hemp protein powder.
Positives:
Very high fiber content
Affordable price
Solid protein content for a pure hemp protein
Could be better:
Only comes in unflavored
Reviews suggest chalky texture and unpleasant taste
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Hemp Protein Concentrate
- Item Weight: 2lb (1lb also available)
- Package Type: Plastic Tub
- Serving Size: 32g
- Price per Serving: ~$1.06
- Protein Percent of Calories: 57%
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Sugar: 2g
- Company Founded: 1998
- Recommended by Athletes: Zachary Newman, Michele Leocadio, Lauren McNeill
Next on our list, we have one of the most recognizable brands in the hemp product space, creators of hemp hearts, Manitoba Harvest, and their Hemp Yeah protein powder.
Right off the bat, this is the product with the highest protein content on our list at a solid 20g per serving. At only ~$1.06 per serving, its also comes at a reasonable price.
A big downside here is that it doesn’t have the high fiber content of some of the other products on our list. With 3g per serving, it’s certainly much less than a lot of the other choices. This makes Hemp Yeah a great choice for those looking for primarily a post-workout recovery drink, instead of an all-around nutrition/digestive supplement.
Again, like many of the products on our list, Hemp Yeah is only offered as an unflavored powder, so concerns about flavor will apply to this product as well. Manitoba Harvest is aware of this, recommending you blend Hemp Yeah with bananas, peanut butter, cacao, and a plant-based milk.
Positives:
Highest protein content on our list
Relatively cheap option
Comes from a trustworthy, long-standing brand
Could be better:
Poor flavor
Relatively low fiber content
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Hemp Protein Powder
- Item Weight: 1lb
- Package Type: Plastic Tub
- Serving Size: 30g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.87
- Protein Percent of Calories: 40%
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fat: 2.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Company Founded: 2014
Up next we have another protein that is pure hemp from the aptly named brand, Just Hemp Foods.
Right off the bat, the biggest downside of this product is its protein content. At only 11g of protein per serving, it’s easily the lowest on our list. With 11g of fiber as well, it can almost be seen as more of a fiber supplement than a protein supplement! With that being said, this may be the perfect product for someone looking to incorporate more fiber and a moderate amount of protein in their diet.
Similar to Nutiva’s product, it appears like Just Hemp only offers an unflavored protein, meaning this will have the same downsides when it comes to taste. Reviews suggest an unpleasant taste and texture, as well as an odd color.
Finally, another downside is the package size. Because this is only offered in a 1lb container that has about 15 servings, you will go through it very quickly with daily use. However, at only ~$0.87 per serving, it may be worth stocking up on multiple containers at a time.
Positives:
Very high fiber content
Great value for money
Dense micronutrient profile
Could be better:
Reviews suggest a poor taste and texture
Very small package size
Low protein content
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Organic Hemp Seed
- Item Weight: 1lb
- Package Type: Paper Bag
- Serving Size: 30g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.92
- Protein Percent of Calories: 54%
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 3.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Company Founded: 2013
- Recommended by Athletes: The Balanced Plate, Hilda Solares, Rob Huerta
The final hemp-based choice we have on our list is Anthony’s Organic Hemp Seed Protein.
All things considered, this protein falls right around the average of most of the categories we’ve been looking at on our list. 15g of protein per serving is solid, falling right around the middle range. Same for the fiber content at 6g per serving, and the price per serving at ~$0.92.
Again, like many of the products on our list, it is completely unflavored, so concerns surrounding flavor are just as valid for this product as they are for the rest of our list.
Overall, this is a solid hemp protein choice, although it doesn’t have many unique characteristics that make it stand out from all the other vegan hemp protein powders we’ve covered on our list.
Positives:
Decent protein and fiber content
Relatively affordable
Eco-friendly paper packaging
Could be better:
Unflavored protein, so it won’t taste great
Some reviews suggest stomach discomfort after eating this product
3 Best Alternative Plant-Based Proteins
Below we’ve covered 3 plant-based alternatives to hemp protein. Hemp may not be the best fit for your needs, so we’ve included these in case you’re looking to broaden your search. Regardless, these 3 alternatives will help you compare hemp protein to the rest of the vegan proteins on the market. This will help you make the most informed decision possible!
1. Transparent Labs Vegan Rice & Brown Rice Protein – Best Organic Vegan Protein
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery, Cutting
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Organic Rice protein & Organic Pea Protein Isolate
- Item Weight: 2.12lbs
- Package Type: Plstic Tuba
- Serving Size: 32.05g
- Price per Serving: ~$1.67
- Protein Percent of Calories: 74%
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fat: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by Athletes: Hafthor Bjornsson, Paul Sklar, Sean Harris
Starting off our list of plant-based hemp alternatives, we have one of the leaders in the supplement industry, Transparent Labs and their Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein blend.
With 24 grams of protein per serving, this has a solid 4 more grams of protein than any of the hemp options covered on our list. It also has the best protein concentration of any product we’ve covered so far on this list at a stellar 74% protein by calories. This is all not to mention that this protein contains no artificial ingredients whatsoever.
photo by @transparentlabs
Transparent Labs Organic protein also comes in 2 delicious, albeit standard, flavors – chocolate and vanilla. However, you will be paying a premium for this quality as it is easily the most expensive protein we’ve covered so far at ~$1.67 per serving.
Overall, this is a great, if not somewhat pricey, choice for anyone looking for a solid all-around plant-based protein.
Positives:
Delicious taste and texture
Very high protein content on our list
Completely organic with no artificial ingredients
Could be better:
Rather pricey
Does not have as much dietary fiber as the average hemp protein
2. Naked Pea Protein – Best Pea Protein
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery, Cutting
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Organic Brown Rice Protein
- Item Weight: 5lb
- Package Type: Plastic Tub
- Serving Size: 30g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.61
- Protein Percent of Calories: 90%
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sugar: 0g
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended by Athletes: Daniel Victor
Up next, we have another plant-based alternative from another industry leader – Naked’s pea protein.
At 25g of protein per serving, this is the overall leader for protein content on our list. It also has the highest protein concentration on our list at a whopping 90%. At well under a dollar per serving, it’s also right around the mid-range of prices on our list, making it a great affordable option.
photo by @base1969
While the macros listed above are for the unflavored option, Naked does also offer the product in vanilla and chocolate as well. Just keep in mind that the flavored options will have slightly higher calories and sugar content.
It’s worth noting that similar to hemp protein, pea protein doesn’t have the most appealing texture. Both hemp and protein have similarly gritty texture, so keep this in mind before making a purchase.
Positives:
Highest protein content on our list
Highest protein concentration as well
Relatively affordable
Could be better:
Variation in macros between flavors may be confusing
Texture won’t be too appealing
3. Plant Fusion Complete Protein – Best Tasting Plant-Based Protein
- Diet Type: Building Muscle, Improving Recovery, Cutting
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Plant Fusion Amino Acid Infused Protein Blend (Pea Protein Isolate, Sprouted Amaranth Powder, Sprouted Quinoa Powder, Whole Algae Protein)
- Package Weight: 5lb (2lb and 1lb also available)
- Package Type: Plastic Tub
- Serving Size: 30g
- Price per Serving: ~$1.53
- Protein Percent of Calories: 70%
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 3g
- Sugar: 0g
- Company Founded: 2009
- Recommended by Athletes: Gracie B Fit, Erin Brooks, Madeline Cait
Finally, we’re ending off our list with the best tasting vegan protein on the market, Plant Fusion’s complete protein.
At 21g of protein, Plant Fusion is on the higher end of our list in terms of protein content, although it’s noticeably lower than Naked and Transparent Labs. However, at ~$1.53 it’s right up there with Transparent Labs with the most expensive protein on our list.
photo by @sararose08
Where Plant Fusion truly stands out is its flavor. Winning the distinction of the “Best Tasting” protein from Bon Appetit, you can be confident that this protein is absolutely delicious. With 5 flavors to choose from – unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, and cookies and cream – you can be confident there will be at least 1 flavor you love.
If less concerned with macros, and more worried about how enjoyable a protein is to drink, then Plant Fusion is the protein for you.
Positives:
Best tasting protein powder
5 flavors to choose from
Rich, creamy texture
Could be better:
Macros aren’t exceptional, especially for the price
One of the most expensive options on our list
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What is Hemp Protein and How is it Made?
Hemp protein is protein powder made out of hemp seeds, and is one of the most common and affordable forms of plant-based protein on the market. Nutritionally, it’s remarkable for its high fiber content, and dense amino acid profile.
Hemp is desirable as a plant-based protein because of its classification as a complete protein. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a ‘complete protein’ is a food source that contains all 9 essential amino acids. There are 20 total amino acids – essentially the building blocks of protein molecules – but only 9 are considered essential because they can’t be synthesized by your body, and must be found through diet instead.
Hemp protein is made through processing hemp seeds. This is usually done through using either aqueous alcohol acid, or water washes, which remove soluble components in the hemp seed (sugars, and soluble fiber), which results in a concentrated protein powder. These concentrates usually lead to a hemp protein product with 70% or less protein concentration.
Nutritional Profile of Hemp Protein Powder
Hemp protein has a slightly different nutritional profile compared to other plant-based protein powders, let’s break it down. To give you a full picture of hemp protein’s nutrition, we’ll be showing the range of all the proteins covered on our list.
First, with calories you can expect anywhere from 90-140 calories per serving. For carbs, anywhere from 0-11g per serving. Fiber, from 1-11g. Fats, anywhere from 2.5-6g. And finally, for protein, anywhere from 11-20g.
If you’re familiar with other kinds of protein, you’ll notice hemp stands out for its relatively low protein content, and high fiber, and fat content when compared to supplements like whey.
Benefits of Hemp Protein Powder
1. High Fiber Content
As you can see on our list, hemp protein often has very high dietary fiber content. Fiber has numerous health benefits including improving bowel health, helping weight regulation, and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, very few people in western countries meet the recommendations for dietary fiber intake. With some of the proteins on our list having over 20% of your daily recommended fiber intake, drinking hemp protein shakes is a great and easy way to get more fiber in your diet.
2. Complete Protein
As mentioned above, hemp protein contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Especially for vegans, getting all of these amino acids in can be a major concern, so having a complete source of protein in your diet is very helpful.
Another example of a complete plant-based protein source is soy. Although peas are technically also a complete protein, they are low in the essential amino acid methionine, which is much more plentiful in hemp protein. While there are other complete plant proteins out there, hemp is another great option.
3. Affordable
On average, hemp protein is one of the cheapest types of protein available on the market. With the cheapest option on our list being just around ~$0.50 per serving, you’ll have a tough time finding a whey or plant-based blend as cheap as hemp protein. If you’re looking for the most affordable form of protein possible, then hemp should certainly be considered.
Hemp Protein Powder Vs. Whey
There are a few key characteristics that separate pea protein from whey, and should influence your decision on which one to purchase. Aside from the obvious fact that hemp protein is suitable for vegans and whey is not, here are a few other factors to consider when deciding between hemp and whey protein.
1. Price
Overall, whey and hemp proteins aren’t too different in price. You can easily find great whey and hemp supplements each for under a dollar a serving. On average, however, hemp tends to be quite a bit cheaper. The cheapest hemp protein on our list is ~$0.50 per serving, and you would be hard-pressed to find a whey supplement for anywhere near that price!
2. Protein Content
One aspect where whey protein clearly has hemp protein beat is overall protein content. Although both hemp and whey are complete proteins, a scoop of whey will typically have upwards of 20-25g of protein, while hemp is usually in the 15-20g range at the most. If you’re looking for a supplement that will provide the most protein possible in each serving, then whey is clearly the better option.
3. Overall Nutrition
Finally, we have the question of overall nutrition. This is where hemp wins a few points back over whey, namely for its high fiber content. While whey undeniably has a higher average protein content, it usually contains 0g of fiber in each serving. With hemp protein having anywhere from 1-11g of fiber in each serving, it’s the clear winner in this category. Aside from fiber and protein content, these proteins tend to be fairly similar in their macronutrient breakdowns.
Hemp Protein Powder Vs. Other Plant-Based Protein Sources
Now that we’ve compared whey and hemp, let’s see how this protein source stacks up against other plant-based proteins. We’ll be comparing it to pea, brown rice, and other protein blends!
1. Price
In terms of price, hemp protein will usually be cheaper than other plant-based proteins – especially blends like Plant Fusion. When you compare hemp to single-source proteins like Naked’s Pea protein, you can see that the prices are a bit closer. With that being said, hemp is still one of the cheapest protein sources out there, so on average it will usually be more affordable than things like pea, or brown rice protein, as well as different blends.
2. Protein Content
Protein content is where hemp tends to lose points as a competitive alternative to things like pea protein or plant-based blends. As you can see from our list, even the hemp protein with the highest protein content (20g per serving) is lower in protein than all three of our plant-based alternatives (21-27g per serving). On average, most other plant-based proteins will have a much higher protein content than pure hemp protein.
3. Overall Nutrition
Finally, in terms of all-around nutrition, hemp and plant-based proteins are very similar. While hemp does have more fiber per serving on average, there are plenty of plant-based blends out there with high-fiber content as well. Plant-based blends often include a dense list of ‘superfood’ ingredients which help boost the overall nutrition of the supplement. Overall, this comes down to the individual supplements being compared, but on average, hemp proteins and other plant-based blends have fairly similar nutritional profiles.
FAQ
Is Hemp Powder Good Protein?
Absolutely. Because hemp is a complete protein, it’s one of the best types of vegan protein you can implement in your diet. Because it also contains high amounts of fiber in each serving, it is one of the all-around healthiest protein supplements you can consume.
Does Hemp Protein Get You High?
No, this is conflating hemp with marijuana, a drug that can get you high when consumed. The psychoactive component that gets you “high” from marijuana is called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. While hemp and marijuana are harvested from the same species, hemp has 0.3% or less THC content, meaning it will not get you high when it is consumed.
Does Hemp Protein affect Testosterone?
No, there is no evidence to suggest that consuming hemp protein will have any real effect on your testosterone levels. There’s no reason to be concerned that implementing hemp into your diet will seriously affect your testosterone – either positively or negatively.
Conclusion
Overall, hemp protein is a great alternative to whey, and other plant-based sources of protein. Our top choice for a great hemp supplement is Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder with BCAA, but all of the other options on our list are great choices as well. We’ve also included 3 other plant-based alternatives to hemp in case you decide that hemp protein isn’t right for your needs. We hope our hemp protein powder reviews were able to help you make an informed choice!
Let us know if you’ve tried any of the products on our list! We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Also read:
References:
- Hemp Protein As A Food Source? // VCE: https://www.ext.vsu.edu/news-1/2022/7/1/hemp-protein-as-a-food-source
- Biology // The Chemistry of Amino Acids: http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/aa.html
- Optimization of Hemp // Conservancy: https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/226626/Eckhardt_umn_0130M_23081.pdf
- Nutrition and healthy eating // Mayoclinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
- Fibre intake for optimal health // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9298262/
- CBD, marijuana and hemp // MSUToday: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2021/cbd-marijuana-and-hemp
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Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
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