Plant Protein Powder: A Plain Guide

Plant protein powder is protein extracted from a plant source — beans, peas, rice or, in our case, fava beans plus a fermented yeast protein — dried and sold as a scoopable powder. There's no single "best" one; only a checklist to run any label against, including protein per serving, what else is in the tub, and price per serving.

What plant protein powder actually is, and how ours is made

Manufacturers extract and concentrate protein from a plant source, then dry it into a powder. Our tub uses two sources rather than one: Fava Bean Protein Isolate (protein separated from fava beans and concentrated to a high percentage by weight) and YESTEIN™ Fermented Nutritional Yeast Protein (a protein derived from fermented yeast, not an animal or dairy source). Blending two plant sources is common in the category, since a single plant protein often runs short on one or two of the nine essential amino acids the body can't make on its own — see what is plant protein? for how that "complete protein" question actually works, and why our label doesn't use that term.

Powder vs. ready-to-drink: what's actually different

A ready-to-drink (RTD) shake is the same basic idea, pre-mixed with liquid, pasteurized and packaged to sit on a shelf unrefrigerated until opened. It typically costs more per gram of protein, since you're paying for the liquid, the packaging and the shelf-stability process; a powder costs less per serving but needs a shaker, a scoop and your own liquid. We sell the powder format only — Electric Tiger doesn't currently offer a ready-to-drink plant protein.

"Which plant protein powder is best?"

There's no single best one, because "best" depends on what you're checking for. The honest way to compare any two products is a checklist, not a brand name: protein grams per serving, whether the blend is disclosed ingredient-by-ingredient, how the dose compares to trial doses, what else is in the tub, price per serving, and whether an independent lab has verified any of it. See how to choose a good plant protein for the full breakdown, run against our own label the same way it would be run against any other.

How much plant protein powder per day

There isn't a research-set "correct" daily amount of plant protein specifically — the trials that exist look at total daily protein intake, not one source in isolation. A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 49 randomized trials (1,863 participants, 6 or more weeks of resistance training) found protein supplementation added about 0.3 kg of lean mass and 2.5 kg of strength beyond training alone, with no further lean-mass benefit above roughly 1.6 g of total protein per kilogram of body weight per day, from all dietary sources combined. Our label directs one two-scoop serving daily; see how much plant protein should you take a day? for what that number covers and doesn't.

Does plant protein powder go bad?

It's a dry, shelf-stable good, not a perishable one — it doesn't spoil the way a fresh food does as long as it stays dry and sealed. Moisture is the main threat: humidity or a damp scoop can cause clumping and, over time, mold, which is a reason to discard it regardless of the printed date. Heat and direct sunlight can degrade flavor faster, which is why "store in a cool, dry place" is standard label language. Following the printed date and keeping the container sealed and dry covers the ordinary case.

Is plant protein powder vegan and gluten-free?

By definition, a plant protein contains no animal or dairy source, so it's vegan — unlike whey, this isn't a per-brand judgment call. Electric Tiger Plant Protein (Chocolate) carries Vegan, Gluten-free and Lactose-free badges as listed by our supplier. It does not carry an organic certification or claim.

Does plant protein powder contain lead or other heavy metals?

We hold no third-party heavy-metal test on file for this product. A 2026 risk-modeling study tested 30 commercial sports protein supplements and found plant-derived products averaged higher lead and cadmium than dairy-derived ones, though modeled exposure at typical serving sizes stayed below the level linked to health risk; an earlier 2020 analysis of a different set of tested protein powders reached a similar conclusion, with whey scoring lowest and mass-gainer products highest among the categories it compared. Neither study measured our specific tub — see plant protein without fillers for the fuller breakdown of what that research does and doesn't tell you.

Is plant protein powder bad for kidneys?

Not based on the research in people with normal kidney function — a 2018 meta-analysis of 28 trials in 1,358 healthy adults found higher-protein diets didn't worsen kidney function compared with lower-protein diets. Existing kidney disease is a different situation and a reason to talk to a doctor before adding any protein supplement; see who should not take plant protein? for the full research, including a separate finding on plant-protein intake and kidney function specifically.

Our plant protein

Electric Tiger Plant Protein (Chocolate): 21 g of protein per two-scoop serving (34.7 g), from fava bean protein isolate and YESTEIN™ fermented nutritional yeast protein, 110 calories, 1 g of sugar, 24 servings per tub. Directions: mix two scoops with 6–8 oz of water or your favorite beverage, once daily. As low as $54.47 on subscription ($2.27 a serving).

Questions people ask

What is plant protein powder?

A dried, concentrated protein made from a plant source. See what is plant protein? a plain guide for the full explanation.

How do I use plant protein powder?

Our label directs mixing two scoops with 6–8 oz of water or your favorite beverage, once daily — a shaker bottle or blender both work.

Are plant protein powders safe?

For most healthy adults, yes. Specific safety questions — who shouldn't take it, medication interactions and side effects — are covered in who should not take plant protein?, plant protein and medications: what to check, and plant protein side effects.

Are plant protein powders effective?

That depends on the outcome and the comparison. Plant protein benefits: what the research does and doesn't show covers the muscle-building research in full, including a result that doesn't flatter plant protein.

Can plant protein powder cause gas or bloating?

It can, depending on the source and how it's processed — see plant protein: what the research does and doesn't show for what's behind that and what the research does and doesn't establish for this type of blend.

Is there a ready-to-drink plant protein shake?

Not from us — we sell the powder only. See the format comparison above for how the two differ.

Related reading: how to choose a good plant protein, plant protein benefits: what the research does and doesn't show, and how much plant protein should you take a day?.