Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powders [Product Review]

Note: I received a sample of this product for review purposes. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

I am not a breakfast person. Before I went gluten-free, I’d grab a cereal bar on my way out the door in the morning and eat it on my way to work. More recently, a cup of Greek yogurt and a handful of gluten-free granola has been my go-to meal. But I’m always on the lookout for new (and easy) options.

Bob’s Red Mill is a company I worked with frequently when I was writing a food blog. (I developed this recipe for lemon bars using their organic coconut flour.) When I received a box filled with sample packets of their new protein powders, I was excited to give them a try. The package I received included vanilla, chocolate, and chai-flavored powders, along with their unflavored protein booster and a sample of Pacific Foods’ almond milk .

These protein powders are full of natural ingredients like chia seeds, psyllium fiber, and pea protein powder. (Peas are full of iron, too–nutritional bonus points.) The powders also contain monk fruit extract, which adds no calories but acts as a sweetener. Best of all, they’re gluten-free! I was particularly excited about the chai flavored powder, since a chai latte is my customary order at Starbucks. I figured I could have the best of both words all in one glass–the spicy flavors of chai along with a good dose of protein to start my day.

Each sample packet contained 1/3 cup of protein powder, which is the recommended serving size. Blend it with 8 ounces of milk or juice, whatever kind you prefer. (If you use almond milk or another non-dairy alternative, your smoothie will be vegan as well as gluten-free.) Mike wanted to try the chocolate protein powder first, so we blended it with a cup of almond milk and a handful of ice. Both of us were surprised by how thick and filling the smoothie turned out to be. I’m guessing that’s the magic of the chia seeds at work.

I’ve tried several different combinations of ingredients as I worked my way through my samples. The chai protein powder was actually my least favorite; the cinnamon flavor was really overpowering. I much preferred the vanilla protein powder, which I blended with low-fat milk and some frozen peaches. (In spite of the fact that most smoothie recipes call for using ice, I’m actually not a fan of ice in smoothies; I think it makes them taste watered down. Frozen fruit serves the same purpose of making your smoothie cold and frothy, so I use that instead. Also, frozen banana give your smoothies the consistency of ice cream–always a plus. Just make sure your fruit is cut up in small pieces, and use a blender with some chopping power so you don’t wind up with chunks of fruit in your drink.)

I also discovered that I preferred to use slightly less than the recommended 1/3 cup of the powder. Using 1/4 cup means I got less of a nutritional boost from this product, but it was easier on my stomach (the powder is also very high in fiber) and my smoothies didn’t have a gritty texture.

These protein powders are a little pricey, but so are all similar products. I like the fact that the Bob’s Red Mill powders make use of plant-based proteins. They’re not full of sugar, and they don’t leave you with that weird chemical aftertaste that some protein powders do. Also, keep in mind that you’ll only be using the powder 1/3 cup (or less) at a time, so a package will last quite a while.

If you’re looking for a healthy, high-protein breakfast you can enjoy on the go, these nutritional boosters are definitely an option worth checking out.