When it comes to fitness and nutrition, a large component of that is protein. But how do we get in 100, 150, or 200 grams of protein a day from just normal food? The answer is you can't unless you really enjoy eating cans of tuna for breakfast, which is why many of us have turned towards one of the best gym supplements - or, Free Soul vegan protein.
As most of us consume protein in a shake form with milk (soy, oat, or other), it's pretty important that it tastes great! No one wants to be drinking or eating something they don't enjoy. With this in mind, Isabel Martins set out to try Free Soul's Vegan Protein and its apple cider vinegar gummy bears. She also tried out the protein steel shaker.
As someone who takes fitness pretty seriously, a protein shake is a pretty necessary routine.
I need several key things from a protein shake, such as helping improve my performance with resistance training as well as my recovery, and of course, it has to taste good. With this in mind, I've broken down my review to include those three key components.
Free Soulherfreesoul.com
Description
With a creamy texture and a chocolate-rich flavour, Free Soul have made this formulation with 20g of lean protein per 30g serving.
Pros
- Plant-based protein source
- High-quality ingredients like pea protein isolate and white hemp protein
- Chocolate flavour doesn't taste artificial
Cons
- Doesn't come with a scoop
Free Soulherfreesoul.com
Description
Some vanilla protein shakes taste artificial - but not this one. With enough goodness to support hormone balance, mood and energy, this vegan protein blend is definitely one to try.
Pros
- Vanilla flavour is nice and not too sweet
- Goes great with oat milk
- High-quality ingredients like pea protein isolate and white hemp protein
Cons
- Doesn't come with a scoop
Free Soulherfreesoul.com
Description
Gone are the days of choking down harsh shots of vinegar; these delectable gummies offer a delightful and easy way to reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Bursting with a strawberry flavour, each gummy makes it easier than ever for you to incorporate this age-old elixir into your daily routine.
Pros
- No tangy taste
- Delicious strawberry flavour
- Contains added B12 and Folic Acid
Cons
- Taking two a day can be difficult to remember for some
herfreesoul.com
Description
Whether you're mixing up your protein shake, making a smoothie post-workout, or simply sipping water throughout the day, this shaker blends convenience with flare (literally).
Pros
- Leak-proof silicone-sealed lid
- Built-in grill for a smooth shake
- Non-toxic, so it gives you a clean taste
Cons
- 700ml is a little large for some
Taste
Chocolate Vegan Protein Blend:
This was very delicious. I'm not a fan of those overly sweet artificial protein powders and this one tasted exactly like chocolate. Most of the protein powders I've had before were chocolate-flavoured, and I can confirm this one is definitely the best I've tried so far. What's especially great about this chocolate protein powder is it helps me satisfy any dessert cravings I have, as it feels like I'm drinking a standard chocolate milkshake.
If you're not a big chocolate fan, don't panic, Free Soul has several other flavours available, including Vanilla, Salted Caramel, as well as Strawberries and Cream.
The texture itself was also impressive, not too thick and not too thin either. Of course, this does depend on what liquid you choose to mix it with; I chose almond milk as that's my usual. The only issue I had with it was that it didn't come with a protein scoop, which you usually get with other protein powders.
Vanilla Vegan Protein Blend
I have to say I was pretty sceptical when it came to trying this blend, I'm not the biggest fan of meal replacement shakes, and vanilla is a pretty hit-or-miss flavour. I was pleasantly surprised by this blend. To me, it tasted exactly like a Horlicks drink, and it really didn't taste like an overly sweet vanilla shake.
I also really enjoyed the texture, and between mixing it with almond milk or oat milk, it definitely pairs best with oat milk.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Bears
These went down a treat (and they taste like a treat too). If you need to get your dose of Apple Cider Vinegar in, I'd highly recommend doing it through these gummies. They taste just like candy and are incredibly sweet.
Ingredients
Chocolate Vegan Protein Blend:
As it's vegan, not whey protein, there's no milk in it. Instead, this protein is pea-based, mixed with white hemp protein and reinforced with vitamins. Free Soul claims that this has been "formulated for women", and it's "specifically targeted for women".
Compared to other protein blends and powders, this one has micros (vitamins and nutrients) others simply don't, including iron, vitamin B6, and B12 - this is where it is specifically designed for women. They are all vitamins we need more than men as we are more prone to having iron deficiencies, amongst other things, due to menstruation cycles etc.
These nutrients are incredibly important and Free Soul has done an excellent job by including high quantities of them in the protein blends.
Calorie-wise, it's roughly the same as other protein powders, however, it does have slightly more fat content than other proteins (17%, whereas Myprotein has 8%). Another downside is that it has less protein per scoop or serving size than others, this has 68% whereas Bulk Protein has 78% and Myprotein has 82%.
Vanilla Vegan Protein Blend:
Comparatively, this protein meal replacement blend is pretty standard in terms of nutritional value, calories, macros, and micros. The only thing that was slightly annoying was that all of the nutritional value was calculated with the addition of 250ml of oat milk. However, FreeSoul is on MyFitnessPal, so that's a quick workaround for anyone wanting more exact measurements.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Bears:
These definitely stand out from the competitors, as most gummies just have vitamin A, but these have added B12 and folic acid, which is crucial for many women.
Performance and recovery
Chocolate Vegan Protein Blend:
Personally, I found that this blend gave me an added boost at the gym, similar to other protein blends, although I will say I found myself less sore after the gym. The nutritional aspects truly impressed me and I think that definitely helped with my rest and recovery, as well as my added boost.
As someone who is prone to iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, I usually need to take added vitamin supplements, so this is an excellent way to help me implement that in my diet without additional supplements.
Vanilla Vegan Protein Blend:
Naturally, meal replacements aren't meant to help repair your muscles, but they are excellent for anyone on the go. Out of all the meal replacements I have previously tried, this one definitely takes the cake! Aside from being tasty, I found it fairly light to consume (as many can be pretty heavy) and it kept me full for quite a while, unlike others.
Price
Chocolate Vegan Protein Blend:
The vegan protein is a bit more expensive than usual, especially if you compare it to the competitors. The vegan protein blend is priced at £21.40 (if you subscribe), and that's for 600g, whereas Myprotein has a 500g vegan blend for £16.99, and Bulk has another 500g option for £15.99.
However, this difference is only a couple of pounds, and I am more than happy to pay that, considering how much better the texture and flavour are, not to mention the added vitamins and nutrients I will be getting. It's fairly priced, considering what an excellent product it is.
Vanilla Vegan Protein Blend:
This one is pretty averagely priced. I love that it gives you the option to choose between different sizes as when it comes to vegan meal replacements, choices are pretty limited. I was also over the moon in terms of taste, as in my experience I haven't found flavourful vegan meal replacements.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies:
These are incredible value for price and are one of the cheapest I've seen around; with Myprotein for the same serving, you'd pay £17.99. They're also by far the tastiest gummies I've ever had. I genuinely felt as if I were eating candy which is pretty great considering the health benefits they have.
Steel Shaker:
This is, again, pretty averagely priced, and considering how easy I managed to blend the protein in it and how cool it keeps the contents, I'd say it's good value for money.
Verdict
Truly loved all of these products! If any are slightly more expensive than usual, they more than make up for it in their taste and nutrients. I have struggled for months to find a tasty plant-based protein product and I am so excited to have found it.
One of my pet peeves with protein is that it often can taste quite artificial and processed, but the vegan protein blend tasted very natural. They also blend well and have a great texture. The only small issue I had is that neither product came with a scoop (the usual 30g serving size) which comes with most other protein powders.
I'm especially pleased with the added vitamin 6, B12, and iron to the protein blend as this is a must for me. You don't need to use the steel shaker exclusively for protein, it's excellent for water, too, as the steel keeps it nice and cold.
How we tested it:
I tested each product over a period of two weeks drinking them either pre or post-workouts. I used the steel shaker for my meal replacements as well as protein shakes and water.
Isabel Martins is a former Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology. She is an expert in all things tech, from essential computer components such as graphics cards, to iPads and smartphones.
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