Name: The Nutrition Store
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A customer walks into our Barcelona store and asks: “What’s your best vegan protein?”

Our answer is usually another question: “What are you looking for?”

High protein? Clean ingredients? A good amino acid profile? No soy? Unflavoured? Something that actually tastes good?. Because despite what the front of the tub might suggest, not all vegan proteins are the same.

It’s not just about grams of vegan protein

Plant proteins can come from pea, rice, soy, hemp and other sources, and their amino acid profiles differ. For sports nutrition, the essential amino acids — particularly leucine — matter, which is why intelligently combining protein sources can be useful.

Pea + rice is a classic complementary combination. Soy isolate is particularly interesting because it provides all nine essential amino acids and has a strong overall amino acid profile. Combining soy and pea therefore makes a very convincing vegan sports protein.

But we also look at how much of the tub is actually protein.

Two chocolate vegan proteins might look similar, yet one can contain around 82% protein while another contains considerably less because more of the formula is taken up by other ingredients.

What does “clean” mean?

There is no scientific definition of a “clean” protein. For us, it means high protein content, quality protein sources, a good amino acid profile and a relatively straightforward ingredient list without unnecessary additions.

We don’t automatically consider a flavoured protein less clean. Products sweetened with stevia, for example, can provide flavour without added sugar. On the other hand, if you want absolutely no flavour or sweetener, a minimalist unflavoured protein may suit you better.

That brings us to four of our top vegan proteins: iO.GENIX MVP Vegan, Peak Vegan Protein Isolate, B-Maximum Pure Essential and Extrifit Vegan 80. Here’s how we see them for someone looking specifically for a clean, high-protein vegan protein.

iO.GENIX MVP Vegan

Soy Isolate + Pea Isolate

Our favourite all-rounder. At approximately 82% protein, it combines a high protein concentration with an excellent plant amino acid profile. It’s flavoured and sweetened with stevia, making it a strong choice for someone who wants high protein without having to settle for an unflavoured shake.

Best overall: high protein + amino acid profile + flavour.

Peak Vegan Protein Isolate

Pea Isolate + Rice Isolate

A very good complementary protein blend and another flavoured option using stevia. Its big advantage is being soy-free, making it one of our preferred alternatives for customers who want a serious vegan sports protein without soy.

Best flavoured option without soy.

B-Maximum Pure Essential

Pea + Rice + Spirulina

Approximately 82% protein with a particularly minimalist ingredient list. If your definition of clean means unflavoured, unsweetened and as few ingredients as possible, this could actually be your number-one choice.

Best minimalist/unflavoured option

Extrifit Vegan 80

Pea + Rice

Another solid complementary plant-protein combination, with the addition of bromelain and papain digestive enzymes. A good sports-oriented vegan protein, although the options above edge ahead when our priorities are maximum protein concentration and simplicity.

Best for those who value added digestive enzymes.

The Best Vegan Protein

If you want our best overall balance, we’d choose iO.GENIX MVP Vegan. If you want a flavoured, soy-free alternative, look at Peak. If you want the most minimalist, unflavoured formula, B-Maximum becomes particularly interesting. And Extrifit remains a solid option if digestive enzymes appeal to you.

So next time you pick up a tub of vegan protein, don’t stop at the word “vegan” on the front. Turn it around. Check the protein percentage, protein sources and ingredient list. Those few seconds will tell you far more about what you’re actually buying.

The Nutrition Store Barcelona

Our recommendations are intended for customers prioritising high protein content, protein-source quality and relatively clean formulations. Product formulations and nutritional values can vary by flavour and may change, so always check the current label.