I think quite a few Kind Diet followers are adding protein powder to their diet and would like some help figuring out which brand is best for the vegan food plan.   I presently take a calcium supplement, fish oil (omega 3) and just bought the Flax Seed Oil.  I think the Flax Seed Oil is to replace the fish oil (vegan choice) but want to make sure I don't need both.  I'm not supposed to have any added iron other than what I get in food so I don't want any supplement with added iron.  I want to be as close to vegan as possible but also want to get all the protein and vitamins I need to be in the best of health.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

for protein powder i suggest Vega. i've been a lover for years, its delicious, vegan, and incredibly healthy. 

check it out!

Chia seeds are a good source of Omega-3, too, and, yes, flax seed oil is a replacement for fish oil to get Omega-3.  I've hear that you should use the kind that is high in lignan. 

Vega is a good vegan protein powder.  If you don't want too much soy in your diet, there are vegan protein powders made from Hemp seeds and pea protein, too (unfortunately, I can't remember the brand of one that I have now).

Regarding getting enough protein, there are several threads in this forum that address that.  Just go to the main page and search for "protein".  I couldn't find it right away, but there was a kind-lifer offering to calculate how much protein you need and I think she provided a formula to do it yourself, too.  You probably don't need as much as you think.  Also, getting too much protein can cause your body to leach calcium from your bones (one of the major causes of osteoporosis in America). 

There's a really good vegan calcium supplement called Green Calcium.  It's made from an algae and it's much more bio-absorbable (is that a word?) than the supplements made from limestone or shells.

Disclaimer - I'm not a doctor or nutritionist. This is just what I've learned from research and talking with people.

I am JUST getting started reading the book and this site .. so I am not sure what I currently us/take is all vegan, but for ME that is ok if they are not ...

My supplements are by Andrew Lessman. His products are all manufactured in a plant that he built & owns and he is VERY proud of the fact that his products are manufactured using solar energy. He does not use fillers or artificial ingredients .. his integrity is amazing. I would take ANYTHING he produces without question if I felt it is something that I need for my system.

You can find his products on HSN (please don't discount them because they are on a shopping network). You can learn more about the individual products by watching the videos on HSN of the presentation. Whenever he visits for a Todays Special Value, Andrew is VERY knowledgeable. His website:  www.procapslabs.com

He does have a soy protein powder .. coffee is MY favorite. However, I can no longer have soy or whey .. and I've found a pea protein powder on Vitacost.com.

 Research is suggesting that obtaining our nutrients from whole foods  is superior. Our understanding of the functions of the various vitamins and micronutrients is in its infancy. It is likely that a simple multivitamin could upset the body's balance of nutrients by providing too many of specific forms of micronutrients and preventing the body from using the other forms that have become crowded out.

 For instance, beta-carotene was shown to reduce the ability of the body to utilize alpha carotene. There also may exist delta carotene and gamma carotene. These nutrients are not well understood but we do know that excessive amounts of beta-carotene will upset the balance of carratinoids in the body and have been shown clinically to increase the capacity for degenerative disease.

 The vast majority of Americans consume too much protein. Protein is essential but excessive amounts are quite deleterious. Plant-based protein is far superior than animal-based protein for human health but it is possible to over do protein from any source. Protein is a nutrient that is best utilized to replace or repair our own tissues and chemical messengers. Protein used as an energy source is associated with negative side effects including taxing the  detoxification capacity of the liver and kidney.

 Protein is yummy and fills us up and it makes us feel good, like fat, our bodies want more protein than is good for it. That is one of the reasons why the superhero approach is so much superior to flirting or vegan. The ancient Asian system of macrobiotics has  revealed the proper proportions of macronutrients that tend to support health and longevity. ( Macronutrients are protein, fat and carbohydrate) ( micronutrients are  vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals)

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice.  Chipsnitcher, I already have Andrew's Secure shake protein powder which has 7 g of protein so I think I will use what I have now before trying anything new as long as it's considered at least to be vegetarian.  I will then try the Vega.

I do know too much protein is not good but I also don't eat cheese or vegan cheese because I just don't care for cheese.  I don't like tofu (I think it's the texture that I don't care for) and am just trying to figure out what I can use instead for protein.  I love all beans, quinoa, and all grains and know I'll get quite a bit of protein from those.

I cannot afford to throw away food in my home so I've given myself up to August 31 to eat what's already here and then just replace what I need with only vegan items.  I have already given away a grocery bag of "junk" like pudding mix, microwave popcorn, barbecue sauces etc.

I aready stopped white sugar, foods containing corn syrup, and white processed flour and butter.  I'm afraid to jump in too fast or will find it's to hard stick with this and I really want to do it.  I'm buying and reading many vegan cookbooks and surfing online for ideas for meals to replace what I've been cooking for 30+ years.

I look forward to using this site to keep me headed in the right direction!

http://www.mytrainerbob.com/bob%e2%80%99s-recommendations/meals-recommendations/pea-protein

Bob Harper of the Biggest Loser has suggested a Pea Protein powder on his blog.  I've never used a protein powder, but I know that he is vegan, and this looks promising to those who do use protein powders...

Justin, I have heard this too about vitamins and have stopped taking them, instead trying to get my nutrients from a varied vegan diet.  The only supplement we take is B12.

B-12 would be indicated on a vegan diet.

Justin, what's your take on the omega 3s that Amy is trying to get by replacing Fish Oil?  The folks at my WF told me that Flaxseed oil doesn't come in plant based capsules because they don't stand up to the oil.. or something like that.  I've been taking Chia Seed oil which does come in a plant based capsule. I sprinkle ground flaxseed on some dishes and use flaxseed oil in the Ume Plum Vinaigrette from TKD, but I don't use those often enough to really get much.  I quit taking my old multi-vit after reading The China Study but still wonder about the Omega 3s.  Plus, of course, I take B12.  

There is controversy surrounding Omega-3 supplementation. Dr. Fuhrman makes a very strong case for supplementation and has come up with his own algae derived product. Dr. Essylstien  advises ground flax seed. I have read about the very positive nutritional profile of Chia seed and also some good things about hemp seed.

 The theory is that leafy green vegetables have ALA. The body converts this into the essential fatty acids. Some people cannot convert enough and so for those people supplementation is indicated. For most of us, supplementation might be unnecessary.

 I haven't seen strong enough evidence in order to form an opinion about this theory but it is widely held.

We use ground flax seen and also hemp seed in our diets . . . we love the taste of hemp seeds!

Thanks Justin and catconserv!  I'll keep on with the ground flax seed.  I forgot about hemp seeds though.  I get a lot of leafy greens so maybe shouldn't be too worried.  Still, I might spring for some hemp seeds for a tasty addition to my routine.  Thanks again!

Thanks for the info on ground hemp seed.  I started "flirting" today and have had great food and feel less "sleepy" this afternoon than usual...maybe it's all in my head but I'm hoping I really do feel more alert eating this way.  We were camping this past week and I didn't get to shop upon my return home so, I made do today with oatmeal for breakfast with currants and a tablespoon of ground flax seed.  I had a protein shake for lunch, a big portion of fresh cauliflower for snack and lots of water.  I shopped after work and then came home and made a HUGE salad with avacado, mandarin orange slices, dried cranberries and lots of veggies...yummy!!!  I figured I was low on veggies earlier so could have a monster salad.  I'm just now getting to have dinner and I plan on a bowl of organic soup and some sliced deli turkey breast. 

For now I am avoiding all meats except chicken/turkey and may decide to eat eggs since I get them from my local organic store where they guarantee the health and care of the farms and the animals they get their products from.

Once I learn more vegan recipes I plan to wean off the meat entirely.

Thanks for all the info and advice!!

I got some hemp powder to use as a supplement because I read it made a good recovery drink after a hard workout (I was in the middle of doing P90X when I first went vegan).  I think I read it in Brendan Brazier's book that the hemp protein mixed with a little grape juice was good.  I'm sure it is great for me, but it tastes HORRIBLE!  The texture is super gritty and disgusting; I choke it down only when I feel I really need it.  Blech. 

As many people say, have you ever heard of someone (who is not starving, literally) being sick from a protein deficiency?  I haven't!  If you are getting enough food, you are likely getting enough protein.