If there’s one thing that really gets old, it’s non-vegans asking me, “Where do you get your protein?”
Most Americans have been so programmed to think that meat is the only source of protein that they’ve completely forgotten that humans survived (and thrived) off of a primarily plant-based diet for several thousand years.
Sure, early humans ate some meat. But the meat was hard to come by and was a rarely-eaten luxury. Most people survived primarily off of legumes, vegetables, nuts, and other plant-based foods.
While raw plants are an excellent source of protein, I’ve recently been experimenting with protein shakes. When used properly, they’re a great source of complete protein and are great if you’re in a rush.
Today, I’ll be giving you my no-holds-barred Ghost Vegan Protein review! It’s one of the latest vegan proteins I’ve tried and I have to say that I (mostly) love it. Here’s the inside “scoop.”
Is Ghost Vegan-Friendly?
When I first went vegan, soy protein was the only widely-available vegan protein powder. Don’t get me wrong, soy protein is great and all, but it’s not right for everybody (more on that later).
Today, vegan plant-based protein is all the rage. Ghost is one of the newest players in an ever-expanding market. Ghost Vegan Protein and several of the company’s other supplements are 100% vegan.
That being said, Ghost also sells some whey protein varieties. So if you’re shopping online or buying Ghost at the store, just make sure that you’re getting the vegan protein.
It’s easily distinguished by the giant word, “Vegan” on the front of the label, so you can’t miss it!
Here’s a quick background story if you want to learn more about Ghost’s start-up story and brand:
This distinguishes Ghost from mainstream protein supplements that use a whey protein base.
While it’s nutritious, whey protein is also animal-derived. It’s a by-product of cheese and is one of the key proteins that’s extracted after the hardened curds are processed to be turned into cheese.
Thankfully, there are tons of other great plant-based sources of protein that vegan bodybuilders and athletes can turn to. The only problem is that many of them don’t taste all that great.
Before I get into the rest of my review, I’ll start by saying that Ghost Vegan Protein is some of the best-tasting plant protein that I’ve EVER had. That being said, it does come at a relatively steep price.
Stay tuned to find out more…
What Is Ghost Vegan Protein Made With?
In this section, I’ll break down all of the key ingredients used to make Ghost Vegan Protein and why they’re important. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick snapshot of the ingredients list:
Proprietary Plant-Based Protein Blend
One of the things I appreciate the most about Ghost is their “full disclosure” policy in regards to their protein availability.
Unlike some plant-based protein supplements that only list the protein content under the nutrition facts, Ghost lists the exact percentage and bioavailability of each type of protein used in their formula.
You may be wondering, “Why does Ghost use three different types of plant protein?”
It’s not just a marketing gimmick.
Each type of plant-based protein offers different naturally-occurring amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
By combining three different sources of high-quality vegan protein, Ghost ensures that you’re getting the best “bang for your buck” by blending them together.
Now, I’ll take a couple of minutes to break down some of the key advantages of each one of these proteins.
Pea Protein
Aside from being protein-dense, pea protein is a rich source of BCAAs (Branch-Chain Amino Acids). BCAAs are very important for muscle recovery, especially if you’re trying to build muscle, recover from a hard workout, or increase your overall athletic endurance.
Overall, pea protein is one of the best sources of complete protein.
The one amino acid that pea protein lacks is methionine, which helps your body process toxins and prevents your organs from toxin-related damage.
Pumpkin Protein
Pumpkin protein is low in two amino acids; lysine and threonine, which promote proper nutrient distribution throughout your body and help your connective tissues heal. Other than that, pumpkin protein is a rich source of general BCAAs and has high levels of healthy fats and dietary fiber.
Watermelon Seed Protein
Before consuming Ghost Vegan Protein, I had no idea watermelon seed protein even existed!
Although watermelon seeds aren’t quite as high in BCAAs as pea and pumpkin protein, watermelon seed protein is incredibly rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals.
When all three of these plant-based protein sources are combined together, the resulting mixture provides a COMPLETE source of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
This makes Ghost Vegan Protein one of the most complex vegan protein supplements on the market.
Sunflower Creamer
If you’ve ever tried a cheap vegan protein supplement, then the first thing you probably noticed was the awful consistency. It just clumps together in your water or plant milk mixture and floats around.
What gives Ghost Vegan Protein such a smooth, rich, and creamy texture is the added sunflower creamer.
Sunflower creamer is made from a few simple ingredients: sunflower oil, tapioca starch, tapioca dextrin, natural flavors, and vitamin E-derived alcohol.
The sunflower creamer helps the protein blend well and distributes the flavor and protein throughout the drink, so you can enjoy a great-tasting protein shake from start to finish.
Natural & Artificial Flavors
Last but not least, Ghost Vegan Protein contains natural and artificial flavors. Don’t worry, though, they’re all 100% vegan-friendly.
Ghost Vegan Protein: Nutrition Facts
Thanks to the presence of three different plant-based protein sources, Ghost Vegan Protein is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
As I mentioned, it also has a complete BCAA profile designed to help your muscles build and recover.
A single one-scoop serving (32.5 grams) of Ghost Protein contains 110 calories. The nutritional makeup of those calories is as follows:
- Total Fat: 1.5 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Total Carbs: 5 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
As you may have also noticed, Ghost Vegan Protein is a low-carb protein supplement! So, if you’re trying to cut carbs and shred a little bit, then this is a good option.
Here’s a snapshot of the nutrition facts if you want to take a closer look:
Ghost is a decent source of both potassium and iron, which are both connected to your body’s physical endurance!
Ghost Vegan Protein Flavors: Listed
Ghost Vegan Protein is available in several different flavors, all of which taste great. I’m currently signed up for Ghost’s monthly subscription service, so I’ve had a chance to taste all three. Here are my thoughts on each flavor…
1) Pancake Batter (link)
Of the three flavors, I’d say that pancake batter is the most mild-tasting. It tastes remarkably similar to real pancake batter, despite the fact that it’s 100% egg and dairy-free.
You can taste the mild blend of plant protein with hints of vanilla and maple syrup.
If you’re the type who prefers their smoothie in the morning or as a breakfast replacement, then this is a good option. It’s also good for those looking for a milder taste that’s not so overpowering.
Fun Fact: By combining mashed bananas, protein powder, and a little bit of plant-based milk, you can make your own vegan protein pancakes! Trust me, they’re AWESOME.
2) Peanut Butter Cereal Milk (link)
If you’re a peanut butter lover, then peanut butter cereal milk is amazing. Of the three flavors, this is easily my favorite. Even though it doesn’t have real peanut butter, the flavor is incredible and reminds me a little bit of Reese’s!
3) Chocolate Cereal Milk (link)
The chocolate cereal milk is a little bit sweeter than the peanut butter cereal milk and has notes of raw cacao in it.
I still prefer the peanut butter flavor, but I often switch between chocolate and peanut butter just so I don’t get bored of drinking the same flavor every month.
What Is The Best Ghost Vegan Protein Flavor?
Of the three flavors, I’d have to say that the peanut butter cereal milk is my favorite. Peanut butter has always been one of my favorite foods and vegan peanut butter cereal is one of my favorite breakfast foods. So, it’s right up my alley.
That being said, all of the flavors taste good. If you’re looking for something mild-tasting, go for the pancake batter. If you’re looking for something sweet, go for the chocolate cereal milk.
And if you’re a peanut butter addict like me, go for the peanut butter cereal milk.
Conclusion – Should I Try Ghost Vegan Protein?
Although Ghost Vegan Protein is one of the most expensive vegan protein supplements that I’ve ever tried, it also happens to be one of my favorites.
The flavors and consistency are out of this world and I love that it’s a complete source of plant-based protein. In my opinion, it’s well worth the higher-than-average ticket.
If you prefer to eat your protein instead of drinking it, then tempeh is one of the most nutrient-dense, protein-rich foods on the market. To learn more about tempeh, continue reading here!
