Best Vegan Protein Powder for Marathon Runners
Recover Faster and Get Stronger with Vegan Protein Powder
By Coach Chris Knighton
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Introduction
In this article, I will share with you the best vegan protein powders for marathon runners. Healthy plant-based and vegan protein powders can help you recover faster between your hard workouts and promote increased muscle growth.
Whether you are training for a 5K, half marathon, or marathon, these protein powders are a great way to increase the quality of your diet and make you a faster, stronger runner.
Distance running is a sport that requires very few pieces of equipment, and that is one of the things that makes it so great.
Having great gear will not make you a good runner.
So how do you become a good runner?
Well, there are three main factors that determine your level of performance success in running.
The first factor that determines how good of a runner you are is your genetics. Unfortunately you don’t have any control over this. Your genetics are what they are. Good or bad, you must deal with the lot you were dealt.
Second is your training. You have complete control over your training, and it’s one of the biggest levers you can modulate to become a better runner. Simply put, when you train better, you will run better.
Third is your diet. You also have complete control over your diet. Learning and following proper nutrition for distance runners will help you run faster as your body transforms gradually to reach its ideal body composition for performance.
While there are many ways to improve the quality of your diet, I’ve found one of the easier ways is by making a daily smoothie using plant-based and vegan protein powder.
The list below includes my top picks for the best vegan and plant-based protein powders for marathon runners.
Why I Prefer Vegan Protein Powders
I highly recommend using vegan protein powder to help you become a better marathon runner.
I’ve been vegan since 2008. Even since I learned about the unfortunate realities of modern day animal agriculture, it was the only choice that made sense to me.
Over time, I was thrilled to learn that a plant-based diet may very well be the healthiest diet you can have.
I have certainly enjoyed tremendous health over the past 15+ years.
I credit my vegan diet to helping me perform my best, recover quickly between hard workouts, rarely getting sick, and even staying injury free despite pursuing hard running training year after year.
Athletes need more protein than sedentary individuals, and adding a scoop or two of protein powder to a post-workout morning smoothie is a super easy way to improve the quality of your diet and ensure you are getting what you need to recover and grow stronger between hard workouts.
The protein powders I’ve listed below have been tested by me and I’ve enjoyed all of the products listed here.
You can trust they taste and work great.. at least for me, and I think you’ll like them too!
The Best Vegan Protein Powders for Runners
Complement Organic Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder
Protein Powder Description:
The Complement Organic Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder is my top pick for a plant-based protein powder.
They also make an unflavored version here.
Complement was founded by long standing leaders in the vegan community who strive to make products optimized for plant based eaters.
The supplement industry is one that is often tainted by dubious claims and suspicious products, but because of the great reputation and pro-vegan ethics of the founders, Complement is a brand that I fully trust.
Complement states that each batch is third-party tested and developed through their transparent product process.
Complement is made with simple whole foods. The ratios of the ingredients is printed on the bag: 57% Yellow Pea, 14% Pumpkin Seed, 12% Almond, 11% Sunflower Seed, and 6% chia seed.
Eating quality whole foods is a great way for runners to improve their diet, so I love that the recipe for Complement is transparent and the product is USDA Certified Organic.
For these reasons, Complement makes my list of best vegan protein powder for marathon runners.
Click Here to View “Complement Organic Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder” on Amazon.com
Momentous Essential Plant-Based Pea and Rice Protein Powder
Protein Powder Description:
Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Powder is another great option for those looking for a vegan protein powder for runners.
Momentous’s formula is made from a precise 70:30 blend of pea and rice proteins, which yields a complete amino acid profile they claim is perfect for rebuilding and repairing muscle after hard training sessions.
Momentous tastes great and has partnered with many top-performing professional distance runners including Emma Coburn, Emma Bates and Molly Seidel.
For these reasons, Momentous makes my list of best vegan protein powder for marathon runners.
Click Here to View “Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Powder” on Amazon.com
What About Homemade Vegan Protein Powder?
Inspired by Complement’s simple recipe for vegan protein powder, I designed my own recipe for plant-based protein powder to support my running.
Should you make your own or buy it? Well, both are good options!
I like to use both my home-made version and the pre-made products I listed above, and go back and forth between the two options. Making your own lets you be creative, but getting pre-bought powder can be more convenient.
Knighton Runs Vegan Protein Powder
Ingredients
**Use raw nuts and seeds when possible. Adjust ratios to taste**
1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
1/4 cup Almonds (Unsalted)
1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup Hemp Seeds
1/4 cup Chia Seeds
1/4 cup Flax Seeds
1/8 cup Cocoa Powder
Salt to Taste
How to Prepare
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. I recommend the NutriBullet Blender.
2. Blend until ingredients into a powder.
3. Stop blending before powder turns to paste (You aren’t looking to make protein nut-butter! .. or are you?)
4. Transfer powder to a jar and refrigerate until use.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shared with you the best vegan protein powders to support your marathon running. Healthy plant-based and vegan protein powders can help you recover faster between your hard workouts and promote increased muscle growth.
No matter if you are training for a 5K, half marathon, or marathon, these protein powders can be a fantastic way to increase the quality of your diet and make you a faster and stronger runner.
Whether you are vegan or are looking for a plant-based protein powder to improve the quality for your diet, these are the best vegan protein powders for marathon runners.
