****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
So, I've been drinking this stuff on and off for a number of years. I was a big fan of the old formula, and I have mixed feelings about the new formula, but yet I keep drinking it. I'll share some of those mixed thoughts here. First, I'll say, I'm super picky about protein powders for a few reasons. I'm pretty digestively sensitive to a lot of things and I have some allergies. I can't digest whey, I'm allergic to nuts and soy, and I struggle to digest fillers sometimes. Rice-based protein supplementation are my best bet, and I've tried a few different kinds. I do some strength training so I prioritize a higher protein diet, but I mostly save protein drinks for when I don't have the appetite for a meal.Positive:-I think this new formula tastes better than the old, less chalky. I usually hate stevia but the flavors here blend well enough. It's the only formula I will drink straight into lactose-free milk or oatmilk or hemp milk, instead of needing to do a smoothie with things like fruit and peanut butter to make it palatable, which also means its easier to squeeze into my macros when I want a protein boost but not much else.-I love the multivitamin fortification in this formula. I try to get most of my micronutrients from "real food" but I definitely notice a boost in my hair and nail strength when drinking this regularly.-Packaging became more sensible- smaller bottle to fit the content. I hate when these giant bottles are half air, it doesn't work for my counter space or in the waste of materials.Cons-Protein content has significantly reduced with this new formula. I use a double serving each time to get a higher protein drink, which means I'm going through more of this stuff faster, which also makes it more expensive.-Expense isn't a great value and has gotten more expensive in this new formula with less protein content, so I save my usages.-Again, with how sweet it is on its own from stevia, I don't know that I'd put this powder into any fruit-based smoothie, and I haven't experimented with blends outside of plain milk. So, less versatile in its use, at least for my tastes.Overall: A good-enough option to keep using regularly.Misleading size - fill it up the entire way.I've tried only a few plant based protein powders but prefer the flavor of this one. Pea protein tends to have a more chalky and legume-y taste, and more fat per serving. This brown rice protein delivers a little less protein per serving but significantly less fat and calories than the others I have tried, which were rice based with other plant proteinsources added. The taste of this vanilla in particular is less bitter and chalky than the other ones I tried. This was the only thing I could keep down in the morning during pregnancy and was a lifesaver later while I was awaiting gallbladder surgery and avoiding fats at all costs. I recommend blending with a banana, a bit of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and lots of ice to further diminish that chalky taste you just can't escape with protein powder ? And a great value when you compare the cost per serving to others, too.As someone who can't handle a large amount of whey protein powder that are in almost every other brand this has been the best choice for me!I am apparently one of the rare few who can't consume whey without killing my bowels so I stood very far away from protein mixes since then, but just a few months back I decided to bring it back up again to boost my protein intake and I was not disappointed by this! I considered pea protein as well, but I believe I'll still get sensitive of it.Sure, it doesn't have as much as what the usual well known branded powders have, but it does cover enough of the right amino acids to help with my workout.So far I've gotten great results in just a few months and I get happier every week.The only con about this is that it is definitely more powdery and grainy compared to other powders. You can taste and feel the powder if it hasn't dissolved that quickly. I just use either water or almond/soy milk and shake it in a sealed container for a minute or two, which helps with that grainy feel.However, it isn't horrible either. I can manage this (mostly because I have to) for the most part and I find that blending it in a fruit smoothie is the best!I also tried the chocolate flavored one, but I didn't really enjoy that as much as I did with the vanilla flavor.I highly recommend this to anyone who also needs to stay away from Whey protein.Man, oh, man! Do not, I repeat, DO NOT get this stuff for the taste. Excellent macronutrient profile, and especially for a vegan protein supplement (high protein, low carb). No, it isn't "gritty" like some other rice protein powders I have tried, but the flavor, in my honest opinion, is horrendous at best. Mixed only with water, this stuff has that lovely, blatant artificial sweetener aftertaste (yuck!) that kicks in right after this slightly bitter, almost fruity flavor. I could not find the "Vanilla Blast" flavor in it at all. They should have called it "Confusion Paste" flavor. It might be okay if it was completely hidden in a fruit smoothie, and you couldn't really taste it anymore. I doubt that that would be too difficult to accomplish, as the powder does actually blend well. I will give it that. If you need a vegan protein powder that you're getting strictly for the nutritional value, this stuff is fantastic. All of these people that are saying that they actually like the flavor of this stuff are either lying to themselves, or just have very strange palates. For flavor, I've very much enjoyed some of the smooth, creamy whey proteins I have tried in the past. The vanilla flavor in those was unmistakeable. At the time I purchased this, I was wanting to try cutting dairy from my diet. This was one of the only vegan proteins that had a similar macronutrient profile to the whey protein I was using before. I liked that part, but the taste of this stuff... oh, boy, is it hideous.This is the best protein powder I have found in a while.Things I love about it:Gluten freeVeganThough its flavored it doesn't have a significant amount of sugarDigests easilyTastes deliciousBeat rice protein out there
