How to Choose the Best Plant Protein Powder: 3 Things to Look For

It seems like it should be pretty straightforward, but honestly, why is walking down the protein powder aisle so overwhelming!? Dozens of tubs promising the moon, ingredient lists that require a chemistry degree to decode, and that nagging question of whether you’re about to drop your hard-earned cash on something that will make your pre-workout smoothie taste like chalk (no thank you!). 

But truthfully, once you know the handful of things that actually matter, it’s pretty easy to confidently pick a protein powder you’ll love and use in way more than just blended beverages.

For everything you need to know before heading to the store, here's your quick three-step guide to choosing a plant protein powder that supports your wellness goals—plus plenty of delicious ways to put it to work!

1. Look Beyond the Protein Grams Per Serving

It's tempting to grab whatever boasts the highest protein count, but there's more nuance to it than that. What really matters is the quality and source of that protein. The best plant protein powders combine complementary protein sources—like peanuts and brown rice—to create a complete amino acid profile, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids your body can't produce on its own. This is especially important for plant-based eaters, since many single-source plant proteins are missing one or more of these building blocks. PB2 Performance does exactly this, pairing peanut protein with brown rice protein to deliver 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving. So you can build muscle, recover after a workout, or simply stay full and energized throughout the day.

2. Check the Sugar Content

This one's non-negotiable: keep an eye on added sugar. A protein powder loaded with sugar can spike your blood sugar and pile on unnecessary calories, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of reaching for a "healthy" dietary supplement in the first place. As a general rule, anything over 3-5 grams of sugar should give you pause—so always flip the tub around and actually read the nutrition facts label before you buy. Pro tip: It's easy to be fooled by big bold claims on the front of the package, but the real story is always on the back! PB2 Performance keeps things low-sugar, so you can feel good about reaching for it daily without worrying about hidden ingredients that might sabotage your efforts.

3. Mind the Fillers

If you've ever experienced bloating or GI discomfort after a protein shake, the culprit might be fillers, gums, or artificial sweeteners rather than the protein itself. To improve texture and shelf life, some powders rely on ingredients like xanthan gum, guar gum, and maltodextrin, while others use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, or acesulfame potassium. These aren't universally harmful, but they can cause real digestive issues for people who are sensitive to them. If that sounds like you, seeking out a clean, simple ingredient list, like the one on the back of every container of PB2 Performance, is always worth the effort—your stomach will thank you! A good general rule of thumb is: The fewer mystery ingredients you can't pronounce, the better.

Now that you know what to look for, here’s where the fun begins! A great plant protein powder should taste good AND work in more than just shakes—because the best protein powder is the one you’ll actually use. PB2 Performance shines here with 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving, available in Peanut Protein with Vanilla, Cocoa and Almond Protein with Vanilla—all of which bake, blend, and stir beautifully into a wide variety of recipes, so you can put PB2 to work for you all day long!

Beneficial Breakfasts 

Mornings are where protein matters most, and these recipes make it easy. Brownie Batter Protein Oatmeal, made with PB2 Performance Peanut Protein with Cocoa, tastes exactly like its name promises—rich, chocolatey, and somehow will still help you reach your protein goals. If you’re more of a grab-and-go fan, our Protein Peanut Butter Yogurt Parfaits layer creamy yogurt with chocolate-peanut goodness from that same Peanut Protein with Cocoa (and did we mention they only take minutes to make?). And for the meal preppers, a big batch of Chunky Monkey Granola, powered by PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla, means protein-packed breakfasts (and snacks) are ready whenever hunger strikes.

Blend It Into Your Smoothies

Smoothies and protein powder are a match made in heaven. There are so many options out there and everyone has a favorite blend, but our ultimate recommendation is to start with this Raspberry, Banana, & Chocolate recipe, which uses PB2 Performance with Cocoa to balance tart berries with rich cocoa for a sippable treat. For a delicious spin on this classic workout beverage, throw together a quick Strawberry Almond Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla—thick, spoonable, and endlessly toppable, a perfect option for when you want your smoothie to feel more like a meal.

Bake It Right In

This is where PB2 Performance really flexes its muscles (pun intended!). High Protein Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins takes an ordinary muffin to the next level by incorporating two full scoops of PB2 Peanut Protein with Cocoa for an additional 20g of plant protein added into the batter. Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread also uses that same awesome cocoa blend to sneak veggies and protein into every chocolatey slice. Short on time? An Apple Spice Protein Mug Cake, made with PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla, truly delivers on all the warm and cozy dessert vibes in literal minutes.

Better-For-You-Treats

At PB2, we believe that you can hit your protein goals while still enjoying sweet treats! Low Sugar Protein Brownies, made with PB2 Performance with Cocoa, are fudgy, cravable proof that “healthy” can still be indulgent. Grab your gym buddy and dig into a gooey, shareable Protein Cookie Skillet, made with Almond Protein with Vanilla—no judgement if you’d rather save the other servings for yourself instead! And you can even sneak a scoop straight from the bowl, in a safe way, with edible Protein Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, which also uses Almond Protein with Vanilla—no baking (or guilt) required.

The right plant protein powder checks all the boxes: quality protein source, low sugar, clean ingredients, great taste, and enough versatility to fit into your everyday meals. PB2 Performance delivers on every front—and with recipes spanning breakfast, smoothies, baked goods, and desserts, you’ll never get bored. 

So, here’s to picking a protein powder you’ll actually reach for—again and again and again!

	High-Protein Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins Moist, bakery-style muffins that swap empty calories for a protein boost, thanks to PB2 Performance Peanut Protein with Cocoa. Ripe bananas keep them tender and naturally sweet—so all that’s left is to grab and go!
	Brownie Batter Protein Oatmeal This warm bowl tastes shockingly like licking the brownie spoon, courtesy of PB2 Performance Peanut Protein with Cocoa. It’s the rare breakfast that feels like a splurge, but fuels like a champion.
	Low Sugar Protein Brownies Proof that dessert and nutrition can coexist—these brownies are rich, fudgy, and refreshingly low in sugar. It’s no secret that PB2 Performance with Cocoa does the heavy lifting on both flavor and added protein.
	Apple Spice Protein Mug Cake Warm apple and cozy spices come together in a single-serve  PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla cake that’s ready in minutes, no oven required.
	Protein Cookie Skillet A giant cookie baked right in the skillet and built for sharing (or not)! PB2 Performance sneaks an extra protein punch into every gooey, melty scoop.
	Protein Peanut Butter Cookie Dough All the joy of raw cookie dough, made safe to eat by the spoonful and boosted with PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla. Keep a bowl in the fridge for whenever a craving strikes.
	Protein Peanut Butter Yogurt Parfait Stack yogurt, granola, and a generous swirl of PB2 Performance Peanut Protein with Cocoa in a jar for a parfait that pulls triple duty as breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack!
	Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread Here's a neat little trick: this rich, chocolatey bread hides a full serving of veggies in every loaf. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, PB2 Performance with Cocoa adds protein to the mix, so no one will guess this recipe is better for you than any store-bought version.
	Raspberry, Banana, & Chocolate Smoothie Equal parts fruity and chocolatey, look no further than this recipe for an easy way to start the morning or refuel after a workout, especially since PB2 Performance Peanut Protein with Cocoa adds in 20 grams of plant-based protein per blend.
	Chunky Monkey Granola Crunchy clusters studded with banana, chocolate, and peanut flavor make this granola dangerously tasty. Leave it to PB2 Performance Almond Protein with Vanilla to turn a snacking staple into a protein-rich one.
	Strawberry Almond Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl Pressed for time? This PB2 Performance strawberry-almond bowl comes together in a flash. Got a few extra minutes? Pile on the toppings and really make it your own!