Sprouted Brown Rice Protein Powder: Health Benefits, Tips and Product Picks!

I am a passionate vegan cook and raw food recipe developer so I live and breathe meals that balance a wide variety of nut, seed & legume proteins, but sometimes my super active lifestyle calls for a little extra oomph.  I like to think of my daily protein smoothie as a wee bit of an insurance policy.  My post-workout drink has few requirements, but those few are non-negotiable:  it must be high in protein, tasty, and quick and easy to prepare.

So when I went on the search to find a plant-based protein powder, I was both intrigued by all the possibilities out there, but also skeptical.  Having once been a beef & egg loving carnivorous gym-rat, I was doubtful that I would be able to seek out a vegan protein source that fit the bill.  Boy, was I wrong!

There are a ton of plant based proteins on the market, but today I am choosing to focus specifically on sprouted brown rice powders.  Why?  Well these supplementary mixes have a handful of benefits that other types don’t, and in my experience, they taste the best!  First off, rice powders tend to be much less chalky in texture than others, and blend smoothly into any drink.  Second, most brown rice formulas are hypo-allergenic and completely dairy free, and are easily digested by most. Third, often times, rice protein is derived from white rice, but when organic whole grain brown rice is processed with the bran and the endosperm layers, it increases the amino acid profile to make a complete protein.   When this rice is bio-fermented with natural enzymes (no heat), a lot more bio-available protein is left in final product.  Plus it’s full of fiber!  Here, some awesome recipes (Pink Powerhouse Smoothie and Strawberry Mango Protein Smoothie) and product options to get you started:

1. Organic Rice Protein by NutriBiotic

This rice protein is organic, kosher, gluten free and vegan, and is made without pesticides, herbicides GMOs or PCBs.  In their low temperature processing, NutriBiotic Vegan Organic Rice Protein uses a proprietary blend of organic plant enzymes to separate the fiber and carbohydrates from the protein portion of the organic, whole grain, sprouted brown rice, prevent denaturing of the amino acids.

2. Growing Naturals Rice Protein Isolate Powder

Growing Naturals creates allergen free products, and works closely with organizations dedicated to the Support and nourishment of groups with specific needs like the Celiac Disease Foundation and Vitamin Angels.  This vegan complete plant protein powder is created via Growing Naturals own proprietary process creating a non-chalky, silky texture, with a whoppping 24 grams protein per raw, vegan, organic non-GMO serving.

3. Sun Warrior BROWN RICE Protein Powder

Sunwarrior Classic Protein is non-GMO, gluten, soy and dairy free.  They use an old world, process to create this product, combining the endosperm and bran from raw sprouted whole grain brown rice, creating complete and balanced protein.  They claim to have the highest amount of (non-soy) raw, whole-grain sprouted, vegan protein of any product available.

4. VegLife – Peaceful Planet Rice Protein Powder

This vegan product boasts 16 grams of easily digested protein per serving, with only 5 grams of carbs and no additional sugar.  Peaceful Planet prides itself as being a clean alternative, using only water and enzymes in the separation of protein from carbohydrate in their US grown, non-GMO rice.

5. Ojio Sport Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein

This product from Ojio is raw, certified organic, and kosher.  The company behind this sports-focused protein works in partnerships and alliances with their suppliers insure a dependable supply of quality ingredients, and they pride themselves on developing relationships with their suppliers, assisting them with their organic certification when necessary.

If you loved these recommendations, you can browse through some more amazing product recommendations here!