Mushroom protein powder – a good alternative for vegans?

Not everyone enjoys the taste and texture of mushrooms, but no-one can deny that this humble fungus is packed full of nutrients and vitamins.

In fact, there are numerous benefits of mushrooms, such as being high in potassium and rich in vitamin B.

One of their key benefits is their antioxidant properties . Thanks to this, mushrooms have been used for thousands of years.

They are also a vegan diet staple, helping non-meat eaters increase their vitamin and mineral intake in order to remain healthy.

Whether they’re used as meat alternatives or as protein powder, we’re here to explore the power of the mushroom.

So, is mushroom protein powder the next best thing, or just the latest fad?

Mushroom protein powder is made with organic plant protein, making it one of the best vegan protein powders available.

Mushroom protein powder has a subtle nutty taste and has been specifically formulated to be palatable. It also has a very fine texture, making it easy to drink in a protein shake form.

This means it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians who don't particularly enjoy the taste of mushrooms but are looking for a way to increase their protein intake.

However, most traditional protein powders are added to milk to further increase protein and fat intake.

While mushrooms are used to create a non-dairy protein powder, vegans will need to use water or plant-based milk (such as almond or coconut) to ensure it remains free from animal products.

Although we now know that mushroom protein powder is vegan, bodybuilders or avid gym-goers may be wondering how much protein is in mushroom powders?

Mushrooms on their own do not contain a substantial amount of protein (around 3g per 100g ³), especially when compared to high sources of vegan protein such as soya (tofu/tempeh), which contains around 8g per 100g⁴.

Due to this, they are not equivalent in protein content to meat, meaning that as a vegan sourcing high-protein foods, mushroom meat alternatives probably aren’t the most protein packed option.

However, when combined with organic plant protein in mushroom protein powder, this makes them a much higher protein option for those looking to build muscle on a plant-based diet.

Mushrooms are well known as a superfood because of their vast range of health benefits, which include:

You don’t just have to limit your use of protein powder to a mushroom protein shake – there are so many other ways to serve it, too.

For example, if you love coffee, add a sprinkle to your morning cup of Joe.

You can also add it to your pancake batter to create delicious and healthy protein pancakes.

The possibilities are endless with a little culinary imagination!

If your vegan diet is already rich in protein or you do not work out with heavy weights, you may not need the additional protein that this plant-based protein powder provides.

However, if you know your protein levels are lower than they should be because of your meat-free diet, fungi protein powder is an excellent way to keep your body topped up with this all-important nutrient.

If mushroom protein powder really isn’t for you, there are plenty of other vegan protein powder options for you to try.

Alternatives to mushroom protein powders include hemp, rice, soy or pea. 

As a vegan, it’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough protein through your diet, too.

Check out the best sources of vegan protein from our helpful blog for more vegan diet tips!