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Vega Essentials protein powder might be a convenient way to increase one’s protein and vitamin intake. It contains 20 grams of plant-based pea protein per serving, along with several key vitamins and minerals. However, it’s relatively expensive compared to similar products, it’s not third-party laboratory tested, and it may not be suitable for those with severe food allergies, according to a company representative.
Vega was co-founded in 2001 by Charles Chang and Brendan Brazier, a vegan triathlete who decided to develop his own brand of sports supplements due to the lack of high-quality options available, according to the company’s website. Vega produces a wide assortment of plant-based products, including protein powders, pre-workouts and post-workout blends. The company also prioritizes sustainability and aims to reduce its manufacturing emissions by 50%, eliminate waste from landfills and packaging and become nature positive by 2030, meaning they aim to help halt and reverse nature loss. To achieve this goal, Vega recently partnered with Veritree, an organization that plants a tree for each online order received.
Vega Essentials protein powder contains pea protein, flaxseed powder and a variety of fruit and vegetable extracts. The product comes in two sizes, with either 17 to 18 servings or 30 servings per container, and three different flavors, including mocha, vanilla and chocolate.
A single 36-gram scoop serving has the following nutritional profile:
In addition to the nutrients listed above, each serving also contains vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin A and potassium.
Vega Essentials protein powder is vegan-friendly, gluten-free and verified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project, which is a non-profit organization that aims to empower consumers to decide whether or not they want to consume genetically modified organisms.
The price of Vega Essentials protein powder varies depending on which size you purchase. The medium size, which contains 17 to 18 servings per container, costs $42.49, or about $2.50 per serving. Vega also offers an extra-large container with 30 servings for $59.89, or about $2 per serving.
All purchases from the company’s website include free standard shipping within the U.S. and Canada. Some third-party retailers, such as Amazon, Target and CVS, sell Vega Essentials protein powder. However, prices vary depending on the specific retailer, size and flavor.
Vega Essentials features protein derived from plant-based sources, such as pea protein. It also contains a blend of fruit and vegetable extracts, with ingredients including:
It’s also sweetened with stevia and contains natural flavors. Some varieties, including mocha and chocolate, are flavored with cocoa powder as well.
The company recommends blending a scoop into your favorite smoothie recipe or mixing a serving into water or a non-dairy beverage using a shaker cup.
Vega’s vegan-friendly protein powder may not be absorbed as efficiently as animal-based products. “Plant-based proteins are not typically absorbed as well as animal-based protein, so you may need to take more of it to [absorb] the same amount [of protein],” explains Jesse Feder, a Miami-based registered dietitian and contributor to My Crohn’s and Colitis Team, an online community for those with Crohn’s disease or colitis. Feder notes that while the difference is not extremely significant, it can still affect the total amount of protein you absorb.
Vega Essentials also contains some ingredients and additives that may be linked to negative effects on health, including xanthan gum. “This [substance] is used as a thickener and makes ingredients stick together,” says Alyssa Wilson, a Memphis-based registered dietitian and metabolic success coach at Signos, a weight loss program and digital app. Xanthan gum may contribute to certain gut issues, including bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to Wilson, but more research is needed.
Wilson also points out that the product contains “natural flavors.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) loosely defines what ingredients natural flavors can contain, but many aren’t necessarily studied nor approved by the FDA, according to Wilson, who adds that food manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the ingredients in the natural flavors they use.
This missing information may be a concern for people with food allergies or certain dietary restrictions. It’s also important to note that the product is manufactured in a facility that also processes allergens like milk, soy, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts and sesame, which may not make it a good fit for those with severe food allergies.
At around $2 to $2.50 per serving, the price of Vega Essentials protein powder might be a significant drawback, especially for shoppers on a strict budget. Furthermore, unlike some other Vega products, it’s not third-party tested or certified organic, which may be important considerations for consumers.
“Vega Essentials is a great plant-based protein powder that has a ton of added nutrients,” says Wilson. “It has about 25% of the minimum daily required [value] of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like vitamins C and K, which support a healthy immune system. It also has about 20 grams of protein per scoop and added fiber, both of which help support stable blood sugar, weight management and overall health.”
Feder also mentions that the product’s amino acid profile could be beneficial. In fact, according to Feder, this product contains all nine essential amino acids, which are needed for optimal protein absorption and muscle building.
“Unlike the typical animal-based whey protein powder, this powder contains a good amount of dietary fiber, greens and added vitamins,” adds Feder, noting that these nutrients can help support digestion and multiple aspects of health.
Vega Essentials contains several nutritious ingredients, including flax, quinoa, vegetables and algae, says Dana Ellis Hunnes, Ph.D., senior clinical dietitian at UCLA Health and author of Recipe for Survival. However, she also cautions that the powder might not offer the same health benefits as whole foods. “It has so many isolated ingredients (as do all protein powders), and isolates don’t necessarily act the same way in our bodies as a whole food might,” she explains. “I’d prefer people just eat these ingredients rather than isolate them in a powder, but as far as protein powders [go], this one seems pretty good.”
I purchased one medium container of Vega Essentials protein powder in the mocha flavor, and it arrived within three days of me placing my order.
Smoothies are a staple in my diet, so I was excited to see how Vega compared to the other plant-based protein powders I’ve tried. I whipped up my usual smoothie with spinach, blueberries, strawberries and almond milk and added a heaping scoop of Vega Essentials to give it a try.
I was impressed by how easily it blended and the smoothness of the resulting texture since many other plant-based protein powders remain chalky or gritty. It also had a slightly sweet and somewhat earthy flavor that didn’t overpower the other ingredients in the smoothie.
Some people find that stevia sweeteners have a bitter aftertaste. Though I didn’t find that to be the case for this product, it might be an issue for those who dislike stevia and prefer other natural sweeteners.
Ultimately, while I likely won’t swap Vega Essentials with my go-to protein powder in my daily smoothie due to its high price point, I think it’s a tasty way to bump up the nutritional value and protein content of beverages and baked goods alike.
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Rachael Link is a registered dietitian and health writer based in San Francisco. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Missouri and holds a master’s degree from New York University. She enjoys balancing her time between the kitchen and the gym and is passionate about all things related to food, sustainability and plant-based nutrition.
Pea Starch Powder Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.