The days of only being able to find whey protein powder — with vegans and vegetarians getting left out in the cold – are long gone. In the past couple of years, we’ve seen various types of powders released as different diet regimens and dietary restrictions have arisen. We’ve seen vegan powders, animal-based powders, even keto proteins, and we love the variety — as do the thousands of consumers who were neglected even a decade ago!
EVLution Nutrition has finally released a plant-based-diet-friendly protein named, Stacked Plant Protein, and it’s sweetened with honey!
Even better, these”alternative” kinds of powders have come a long way. When they first hit the market, they were largely inferior to their whey counterparts. The tastes and consistencies were far less than what consumers wanted (they’re not milkshakes, after all). However, we’ve reached a point in the industry where some vegetable-based protein powders can hang with many of the milk-derived types.
Stacked Protein Goes Plant-Based (but not 100% vegan)
The latest of these exceptional dairy-free protein powders is Stacked Plant Protein from EVL Nutrition. This protein powder is 100% plant-based, yet it doesn’t lack the nutritional profile or taste that most of its vegetable-based predecessors did. Due to some added healthy ingredients, it also functions a bit differently than a standard protein powder. For example, there’s an additional greens blend and probiotics for some extra wellness and digestion support!
EVL’s been busy in the protein powder game, adding EVL 100% Isolate to its arsenal in 2018, on top of the recent dairy-based weight gainer (Stacked Protein Gainer). On top of 100% Isolate, their original protein was Stacked Protein (Whey, Casein, and Egg White), but still no dairy-free or plant-based options. Look no further, as EVL has now got you covered with Stacked Plant Protein. If their track record is any indication, then you can bet on a great-tasting, nutritious product!
Worth noting, however, is that it’s honey-sweetened, which is apparently not 100% “vegan”.
Before we dive into the label, be sure to sign up for EVL Nutrition news and price alerts, and check out PricePlow’s price comparison:
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Protein and…Inulin?
The amount of inulin shows that this is mostly pea protein. We like the idea of some honey to sweeten!
EVL Stacked Plant Protein utilizes a bit of a protein blend, as both pea and rice protein are found on the label, but it seems very pea protein dominant. While it’s worth noting pea protein is slow-digesting[2] and rice protein is intermediate-digesting,[3] this product is presumably drawing most of its protein from pea protein.
We’re not exactly sure by how much, but due to the order of listing on the ingredients list, pea protein is most likely the dominant ingredient. The same can be said for the lower listing of alfalfa protein. That’s just fine with us, as rice protein can be notoriously gritty, and the alfalfa protein has some other nutritional benefits.[4]
Why Inulin?
As previously stated, EVL wanted to make this powder into a bit more of a versatile supplement. Yes, they wanted to give plant-based-dieters and dairy-sensitive people a quality protein powder, but they wanted to provide additional nutrition. This is made obvious by the inclusion of inulin as the second ingredient on the label.
Inulin, or chicory root, is a soluble fiber found in most plants.[5] It’s a “fructan”, meaning it’s a unique arrangement of fructose molecules that cannot be digested by the small intestine.[5] Instead, it travels to the gut, where it functions as a prebiotic. Inulin helps keep you full, cleans the colon, and provides additional gut health benefits.[6]
Not only is EVL giving you a quality plant protein source (or two), but they’re helping you out in the digestion of it, as well!
Check out Mike’s review here:
EVL Stacked Plant Protein – Calories and Macros
Stacked Plant Protein comes in two basic flavors – Vanilla and Chocolate. Based on how EVL has handled those flavors in other formulas, we’re confident we’ll be getting a great-tasting powder here!
The nutrition labels for each flavor are almost identical, with chocolate having an extra 0.5g of fat. This can be expected, as the inclusion of cocoa powder for flavor almost always carries a small amount of additional calories. In each scoop of EVL Stacked Plant Protein, you’ll be getting the following:
EVL’s Plant Protein is finally here!
- 130 calories
- 20g protein
- 11g carbs
- 4g fiber
- Only 2g sugar!
- 2 – 2.5g fat (depending on flavor)
Due to the addition of cocoa in the chocolate flavor, it has a heavier serving size (38g) than the vanilla (36g). Thus, vanilla yields about 56% protein, while chocolate yields 53%. These numbers are about par for the course with a plant protein — we’ve seen higher, but we’ve also seen lower.
This also affects the total serving sizes per container. Both tubs have the same weight, so vanilla gives you 19 servings, where chocolate has only 18.
That being said, if you’re a chocolate lover, don’t get too hung up on losing that one serving. The cocoa is usually worth it, and most reviewers said so with EVL’s 100% Isolate, where chocolate reviewed better!
Natural sweeteners and thickeners
So many supplements, including protein powders, use artificial flavoring – but those aren’t plant-based. So for those of you that want to stick to more natural foods, you’re in luck! EVL uses cane sugar, honey powder, and stevia for taste. In line with the “clean ingredients” and gluten-free advertising, these natural sweeteners are, anecdotally, the best of the bunch. Most companies aren’t willing to mess with honey powder, so we’re extremely excited to see how this shakes out and if it’ll be worth the added sugar.
A bit of honey for sweetening? This we have to try
Meanwhile, xanthan gum is used to thicken the powder, giving it a better texture once mixed. Being a polysaccharide gum manufactured from corn fermentation, some people do find digestion issues with it, but several prefer it to guar gum (including one picky individual in the PricePlow family). Because it’s relatively low on the label, and this product in particular is packed with digestion aids, you shouldn’t even notice.
Give us some enzymes and greens!
Looking at this label, you can’t help but notice the inclusions of LactoSporeⓇ bacillus coagulans, papain, protease, and amylase. These probiotics weren’t thrown in here randomly, in fact, each one serves a specific purpose.
LactoSporeⓇ is a probiotic solution containing bacillus coagulans, which aid with general gut health.[7] Papain and protease are both enzymes that help break down proteins,[8,9] and amylase is an enzyme essential for proper breakdown and digestion of carbohydrates.[10] EVL packs each scoop with enzymes to help you digest its product.
We always like showing how subjects with higher amylase levels in their saliva had lower blood glucose levels after eating 50g starches!
Last but certainly not least, Stacked Plant Protein has some greens powder mixed in. Apple, kale, spinach, and alfalfa are all “superfoods”, each containing different nutrients. Anytime we can get some more greens in our diet, especially if in a delicious protein shake, we’re all for it.
Conclusion: EVL Goes Plant-Based, and Brings Honey with It
EVL has built a strong reputation by consistently releasing excellent-tasting products. Don’t get Mike started on the fruit punch BCAA Energy, which he brings up every time he sees EVL. With Stacked Plant Protein, they stay true to form. The ingredients are quality, the nutrition is excellent, and it tastes great.
Don’t need a vegetable protein? Then check out EVL’s Stacked Protein instead!
If you’re eating plant-based, are dairy sensitive, or just want to stay away from milk-based products, this powder’s the next one for you! Not only will you get easily-digestible protein, but you’ll get some additional gut health benefits and nutrients.
This protein powder knows just the market it’s meant for – clean, gluten-free, overall health. If these words stand out to you, pick up a tub of EVL Nutrition Stacked Plant Protein for a great-tasting, versatile plant-based protein powder!
And if you do take the plunge, be sure to use PricePlow to save:
EVLution Nutrition Stacked Plant Protein – Deals and Price Drop Alerts
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Disclosure: PricePlow relies on pricing from stores with which we have a business relationship. We work hard to keep pricing current, but you may find a better offer.
Posts are sponsored in part by the retailers and/or brands listed on this page.
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