Review of: Everlast Nutrition Vegan Protein, Vanilla, 2 Pound

Over the past year, I've moved entirely to vegan protein powders. These beat diary-based ones in several important ways, such as:

• Easier assimilation.
• Really good amino profile, when blended.
• Micronutrients typically included.
• Typical dairy toxins (in all but the highest-end dairy-based powders) not present. These include some pretty nasty, endocrine-modifying stuff and at least one neurotoxin.
• Nice absorption rate, unlike whey. This is critical. Whey hits your bloodstream fast, and you can absorb maybe 20g of it. Most people using whey powders consume more than 20g at a time, and the leftover is converted to fat or eliminated.
• And (as I understand it) vegan sources mean less work on the kidneys and less nitrogen loss because bioavailability is higher; this might be marginally less. To me what's important is it's not more.
• No lactose intolerance issues!

Cost is always a consideration, and the vegan powders typically cost less than their dairy counterparts. I've tested about a dozen different vegan proteins, and they typically mix well (only a couple require much beyond vigorous shaking of a carafe).

So basically, I am finding you can't go wrong with a vegan protein powder. Especially if it is a blend.

The ingredients panels on the vegan proteins are real eye-poppers. Read and compare the amino profile of any vegan blend to that of any diary-based, and you will want vegan every time. It's like you're taking a BCAA supplement along with your protein, plus getting aminos that aren't branch-chained.

The real test of these is how a body builder does on them. I've been using vegan powders for over a year, and have gained muscle mass during that time. I do not eat meat, wheat, corn, or soy; those ingredients make up about 80% of the typical American diet and meat is the primary protein source.

So do I get enough protein? I recently had an "age 55" photoshoot, and I was at about 3.5% body fat (it is very hard to measure body fat in that range; body fat scales stop at 5%). Yet really strong; I'm doing flyes with 10lbs more than 2/3 of my body weight (counting both dumbbells) and I do them slowly. This takes great strength relative to body weight; normal is less than 1/3 of a man's body weight.

So what about Everlast VP? It's a blend of pea protein, rice protein, and hemp protein. All three of these are outstanding sources. Blending them gives you a wider absorption band (meaning you can eat more protein at one sitting and have it available for muscle cell building over a longer time) and a more powerful amino profile (each one fills in the low spots of the other two). You also get a new and interesting flavor, versus eating just one type of plant protein.

It's low in calories (110 per serving that gives you 22g of protein) and very high in both the BCAAs and glutamine. Serious trainers know to supplement with glutamine. If you want a recovery protein, this is the ticket (and not just because of the high glutamine).

Everlast VP is not at the top for mixability, but mixing it isn't a big chore either. It just takes a little more shaking if using a carafe or a little more stirring if using a spoon and cup (making a smoothie with just the powder and the water).

I really like the taste. It tastes good by itself, but also when mixed with oats (I use raw organic oats from Natural Grocers). I bake my own "protein cookies" and Everlast VP works well in those also.

It's hard to say which vegan protein is my favorite. But Everlast is certainly high on the list.

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