When I first went vegetarian the question I got the most was, “so where do you get your protein?” All my veggie friends know what I mean, and I’ll spare you the boring details, but I do want to say that when I was a 17 year old-brand new vegetarian, my idea of good protein was dairy, dairy, dairy, and more dairy.
Truth!
Now that I don’t eat dairy, I still get the question, but my answers are a bit more refined.
Proteins I eat anytime, and anywhere. Usually daily.
- Beans
- Nuts (and nut butters..lots of nut butters.)
- Quinoa
- Legumes
- Spinach
- Hemp Seeds
Proteins I limit, and consume in moderation.
- Sprouted Tofu
- Field Roast Vegan Sausage
- Vital Wheat Gluten/Breads *
- Tempeh/Seitan
- Protein Powders
*I have noticed when I eat too much bread (ie. bagels, large sandwiches) I feel like a total bag of ass, so I have cut out A LOT of my bread intake. I’m eating as close to the earth as possible, with the exception of baked goods of course. Let’s not get too crazy.
Protein powders have always been on my “in moderation” list simply because I want to get my main nutrients from real food. However, along with cutting down my wheat/gluten intake..I have been trying to up my protein intake, and I can only eat so many beans.
Insert Sunwarrior Protein. Some of you have heard of them, some of you may have not. Before I tried Sunwarrior I used a basic rice protein. I still use the rice protein, but on the occasion that I don’t want to feel like I’m licking the inside of a cardboard box I use Sunwarrior..or Vega..but this post is about Sunwarrior. 🙂
With an array of products listed aside from protein, you’re bound to find a product you love. My go to is the Warrior Blend. There are three different flavors, & I love chocolate. The Warrior Blend is a complete protein, which is vital for those of us that don’t consume meat. It also helps calcium absorption, boosts immune system, and helps build muscle.
Chocolate is good in a smoothie with an orange, banana, and spinach. Vanilla is good with blueberry banana oats, and natural is good in anything, with minimal flavor detection.
For a raw, natural vegan protein with excellent nutritional stats, Sunwarrior is definitely my go to choice over the rest. The flavor is great, and the benefits are greater. Fuel your body right, and it will last you a lifetime. No pun intended..well, maybe a little.
Q: What’s your favorite protein powder?
Blissfulbritt 
41 thoughts on “Sunwarrior Protein Powder”
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Interesting! I tend to forget about some of your primary sources of protein being so full of protein. Thanks for the reminder. I have never used a protein powder, but if I ever decide to try one, I’ll definitely be looking to you for recommendations.
kathy @ vodka and soda
i’m a meat eater but i stick to organic grain fed white meats. if i do have protein powder, i like Vegas sport because it’s plant based.
Brittany
AGREED!
Alex @ therunwithin
lately I have just been eating fish and eggs as my protein sources. sadly protein powder I can’t have too much, messes up my insides big time. same with tofu/fake meat products. found out through the whole 30 and how reliable I used to be on those and how much my body just doesn’t like them!
Brittany
I’m with you on too much of the “fake” stuff. I can’t really handle the soy based “meats” and def just consume the field roast in moderation with the tofu for an extra kick of protein here and there. Frankly I think it’s great your body says no to the fake shit!
Alex @ therunwithin
so true, i think they keeping coming out with more fake shit so I am like oh well I might as well try it. and then of course I am like why did I try that.. lesson learned. and there is my ramble for the day
Kristina at damntenpounds
I’ve tried Sunwarrior before. I wasn’t a huge fan, but as a non-vegetarian, I have more options available, so I’m probably just being an elitist. Ha ha. I’ve been using GNC’s Total Lean line because the nutritional stats are great, but I’m phasing it out after this tub. I’d rather throw Greek yogurt in my smoothies than processed powders (ain’t no secret that GNC is allll chemicals.) I’d rather save the my junk intake for those cupcakes 😉
Brittany
I also tend to enjoy bland, grassy, cardboard flavors so…I may not be the best judge here hahaha.
Ashlee@HisnHers
Even now that I’m not 100% vegan all of the time, I still stick with most of my old habits and buying vegan protein powder is one of them. I love Warrior and Vega too!
Gah I get so annoyed with the protein question but only when I can tell they are asking me only to counter with somethig to prove me wrong. Trainers/owners/Crossfitters at the gym are the worst! And I’m pretty sure my Dad thnks I’m just going to shrivel up and die haha. I actually overheard him tell my sister, “As long as she is happy I guess” (about me being veg), like I was about to quit my job and take out a $100,000 loan to sail around the world or something haha
Davida @The Healthy Maven
I’m on the hunt for a good plant-based protein powder. I haven’t loved every kind of sunwarrior I’ve tasted but some are really good. Currently trying out a new product and I’ll keep you posted 😉
Change of Pace
I’m with you- greens, beans and nuts are my primary protein choices (and I’m not vegan or even full vegetarian!)
However, I still use protein powders when I’m doing lots of endurance or strength. I don’t remember what kind I use, but it’s good! We’ve tried various Vega kinds and don’t love any of them. I’ll have to give Sun Warrior a try!
Missy
I’m not a protein powder girl… for the same reasons as you BUT i have been considering trying it out because SO many people swear by them and also because I am having trouble with protein since going gluten free (bye bye veggie meats). But I at least still have eggs and now fish.
Bunny Eats Design
Haha. That some ecard cracks me up. It’s so true though. I might not voice it but I do think it everytime someone says they’re vegetarian or vegan. I like that you try and get your nutrition from real food. I know people who take a crapton of vitamins every morning so they don’t have to think about nutrition. That grosses me out. I think it’s better to eat real than to tick all the boxes.
The flipside of that card might be:
“How do you know someone is a Vegan?…Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.”
Kim
Ok, first of all those cupcakes look amazing!! Second of all, I am a vegetarian and people always ask me about protein too. I do eat a good bit of dairy (mainly cheese and cottage cheese), but I also do nuts, peanut butters, and soooo many protein bars! I don’t really like protein powder, I would rather eat something than drink it. I do sometimes mix some vanilla whey protein powder in my oatmeal 🙂
brickhousechick
That is so true about nobody caring about your protein ’till you announce you are a vegetarian or a vegan – that’s pretty funny. You should really get commission on these products you rave about! You are a good sales person cuz now I want them all!!! As to my protein, turkey, chicken, nuts and beans. You are one heck of a warrior!!!!
Amy
Your post came at the PERFECT time!! I’ve been looking into Sunwarrior protein powders for a few days but didn’t know if I should pull the trigger. No stores in my town currently sell it — I’d need to drive 20 minutes to Sacramento to find a supplier! — but I really, really, really do NOT like the taste of whey protein. And other rice protein powders don’t quite have as much protein. Since you gave it a positive review, I’m totally up for the trek to buy some!
P.S. SO true about beans. I had a Chipotle burrito bowl this weekend, and when I asked them to leave out the rice, they generously added an extra scoop of black beans. You know what that means… 😉
Brittany
This stuff has a legit protein count, but still doesn’t beat the Chipotle bean burrito!! HAHA! If you end up buying some I do hope you like it!
Amy
That was only my second time at Chipotle, but I’m seriously addicted. I kind of want to go there for dinner again tonight! 😉
DistrictSweats
Thanks for the tip! I can’t bare to choke down any more “Trader Darwin Soy Protein.” Woof. Will try Sunwarrior!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Oh yes, the where do you get your protein from question. Insert eye roll and exaggerated sigh here. Did you know you can actually consume too much protein? Not to mention the fact you don’t here about people getting sick from a protein deficiency, although dehydration and nutritional deficiencies are certainly issues. Alright I’m stepping off my box now.
Brittany
YES YES YES, in fact I often counteract the question by telling people that you can indeed get TOO much protein!! Also I like to tell people that there is protein in EVERYTHING and your body does a damn good job of making proteins from other shit you eat!
apartmentwife
oh brit, you’re such an inspiration. i eat.. well.. probably pretty terrible! i didn’t even know what a protein powder was before this post.. time to educate myself??
katalysthealth
I adore Life’s Basic protein powders. SO TASTY. And I may not be a vegetarian or a vegan, but I actually am NOT a big meat lover, so I often come across the same question. I simply throw up my biceps and show them that I, clearly, get enough protein 😉
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Sunwarrior is good! I use SFH whey protein.
itsthecookiemonster
i may be a bit biased cuz im a nutrition student, but i personally haaaaate protein supps and powders. Inspired by michael pollen (greatest author in the world), i believe in REAL food.
you got your protein down! as a future dietitian, i would say that your protein intake is pretty complete. carbs are totally fine and in fact necessary, your brain needs it! im not sure how your folic intake is, but if you want you can do some research and make sure youre getting enough. folic is suuuuper important!
Brittany
No no, please be biased! I actually fully agree with you, and only consume protein powders that are completely plant based and made from REAL food..AND ONLY in moderation I promise!! Like we’re talking once every month or so. Thanks for the tips and tricks, I love your nutrition knowledge and cannot wait to start learning all the stuff you are!!
Katy @ iFuckingLoveFitness
My favorite PP is Giant Sports Delicious Whey in Vanilla. It’s not Vegan but it’s awesome, has extra BCAA’s, super creamy and delicious!
jessielovestorun
This is going to come as a shocker, but I’m currently sick of protein powder… and haven’t been as excited for my daily smoothies. I know – it’s almost like the world is coming to an end. Actually come to think of it, any form of dairy has been making me queezy. However, I’ve been downing eggs, seafood, bread, fruits/veggies & nut butter like their going out of style lately.
sincerelylily
I feel like our palates are so opposite… I never eat protein powder. Should I!? It sounds like to be you are super aware of how to get your nutrition and stayed balanced 🙂 all good things.
Brittany
I don’t think you need to eat any protein powder!! I only have it once in a blue moon when I feel like I need a boost, but I also don’t eat meat and all that jazz so I think you’re fine!!
An Unrefined Vegan
I’ve tried quite a few protein powders. Vega is probably my favorite (haven’t tried Sun Warrior), but I don’t really want to take out a loan every time I need a new supply. So, I’m pretty much sticking to getting my protein from whole foods.
Ashley @MilesonOats
Haha ” I feel like a total bag of ass” love it ! Also, my favorite protein powder is About Time Whey (since it’s made with Stevia and minimal ingredients) I’ve always been curious about Vega but I get too cheap with powders. Plus I only use it about once a month if I’m in a bind with time or groceries.
Britta
I LOVE Sunwarrior as well.. and Vega, only because Vega is also delicious and welp, its from Vancouver.. and its a little cheaper.. like, $5 so not that big of a deal. I always just buy the Vanilla kind because its more versatile.. for some reason I hate the chocolate+berry combo in smoothies and I always add berries in smoothies.
I like that you call it “eating as close to the earth as possible” because that is so simple if you think about it! Eat what comes from the earth and regardless of what your diet consists of.. you will be so much healthier! You da best. ❤
jessiebearwhat
That e-card is TOO true!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
I’ve always wanted to try Sun Warrior! It looks so good and I feel like it won’t hurt my stomach the way my whey protein powder sometimes does. I know you’re used to it and all, but props on cutting out dairy! That’d be next to impossible for me haha I just love it too much
Life's a Bowl
I had the crazy idea of becoming a vegetarian in middle school because I was babysitting for a family who were vegetarians. My mom thought I was literally insane. No meat? How would I survive, especially since I was in school all day, playing sports at night, and weekends were spent traveling for tournaments. Somehow I managed to properly fuel my body, but I eventually caved… Nowadays my protein comes mostly from eggs, greek yogurt, beans, protein bars, nuts and nut butters, and legumes. I have yet to try a protein powder that I really like
Rach @ This Italian Family
It’s so true that people don’t care about protein until someone says they are a vegetarian/vegan. Cracks me up. I imagine the average person doesn’t get the appropriate amount of protein either! You are probably way more aware of what is going into your body and proper nutrition than most people who ask you about protein intake.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I prefer protein of the…….. white/clear variety. OMG NO NO NO NO NO I DO NOTTTTTT!!!! You know how I like my protein! 😉
Brittany
NOOOOOOO, where’s the green puke face emoji when you need it!
Ashley
I do the natural raw vegan protein powders too now that I’ve cut out most soy and mostly eat beans and nuts for protein. I like Sunwarrior and Garden of Life especially their new Whole Foods exclusive coffee-flavored protein powder. I just wish they weren’t so expensive! Guess that’s why it’s best to rely on the Earth’s plant based proteins!
Megan
I don’t love protein powders. They always seem to have a yucky taste to them. I have tried but just can’t get on board! If I could live off nuts I probably would enjoy it. Damn the high fat levels!