The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them.
The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
Orgain protein powder is a nutrient-rich supplement with a formula that’s conscientious of dietary restrictions. It has 18 ingredients, including an organic protein blend, natural flavors and organic alkalized cocoa. Before taking protein (or any dietary supplement), make sure to consult with a registered dietician or trusted health care professional.
Founded in 2009 by Andrew Abraham, M.D., a cancer survivor and integrative medicine specialist, Orgain prioritizes clean nutrition, delicious taste and high-quality ingredients, according to the company. It offers powders, drinks and bars and is sold through the Orgain website, Amazon and retailers nationwide. This review specifically focuses on Orgain’s Organic Protein Powder.
Orgain Organic Protein Powder is a vegan, plant-based protein powder. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle (among other bodily functions), and protein powders are dietary supplements that give users a generous amount of protein in just a few scoops. The Orgain Organic Protein Powder is made without gluten, soy, lactose or dairy, and is non-GMO.
Orgain’s protein powder comes with a plastic scooper, and the suggested usage instructs you to mix two scoops with 12 ounces of water or almond milk. Then, shake vigorously in a shaker bottle or blender. It comes in a variety of flavors—such as pumpkin spice, cookies n’ cream and strawberries and cream—as well as numerous sizes, ranging from 1 to 2 pounds. Orgain Organic Protein Powder offers 21 grams of protein per serving.
In addition to the Orgain Organic Protein Powder, other types of protein powder sold by this company include:
The company also offers other powders—such as collagen—protein shakes, meal replacement shakes, almond milk, children shakes, protein bars, protein pancake mix and more.
Below, you’ll find a snapshot of prices for Orgain’s Organic Protein Powder in different sizes and flavors currently listed on Amazon (note these are subject to change).
For this review, I ordered the 2.03-pound canister of Orgain Organic Protein Powder in the chocolate coconut flavor. Aside from 21 grams of protein per serving derived from the organic protein blend of rice, peas and chia seeds, its nutrients include:
Additionally, the company notes that this product is certified organic, certified plant-based, kosher and contains no added sugar.
“If someone is looking for a vegetarian/vegan protein powder, then Orgain Plant Based Protein Powder is a good choice,” says registered dietitian and Forbes Health Advisory Board member Toby Amidor. “The protein comes from peas and rice, which provide a nice amino acid profile. It should be noted, however, that it is not third-party verified, which means that the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate supplements, and what is listed in the ingredient list isn’t ‘fact-checked’ by a third-party to know what is truly in there. This also means that I wouldn’t recommend it for athletes.”
She highlights this product’s inclusion of chia seeds—a source of ALA omega-3s—adding that it’s also an excellent source of iron, with 35% of the recommended daily amount.
“But plant-based iron tends to be poorly absorbed,” she says, adding that she recommends pairing Orgain with a beverage or side that has vitamin C, like in a smoothie with 100% orange juice, to better absorb the non-heme iron.
In regard to the symptoms that others have experienced (via reviews of the product on Amazon), Amidor warns that the powder, “has erythritol, which may cause GI distress in some folks. So, try it first in a smaller amount to check if you tolerate it okay.”
You May Also Be Interested In Proteins From Our Featured Partner
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+
Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake Pregnancy & Postpartum
Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly
(Note: Product details and prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
I ordered the Organic Protein Plant Based Protein Powder in the chocolate coconut flavor. The protein, upon first glance, smelled like boxed brownie mix. I used 12 ounces of almond milk and two scoops of powder each time I consumed the product, putting it in a shaker bottle until it was well-incorporated. Despite this, I was never able to get the product fully incorporated, which created a poor drinking experience for me.
I didn’t experience any side effects as a result of drinking Orgain, and felt fuller for longer periods of time. I took this product for two weeks—in the morning, after my first cup of coffee and as a breakfast substitute, on top of my normal fitness routine—but did not notice any specific changes in muscle development or maintenance. It did, however, give me energy and reduced my urge for snacking periodically throughout the day.
This product would be ideal for someone who might not want added protein for muscle or bulking reasons, and is instead more concerned about maintaining a clean, organic diet or for someone who is lactose-intolerant (like me). The protein tasted delicious (though, this is subjective) and was authentic to the flavor. Orgain Organic Protein Powder (in the chocolate coconut flavor) only has 1 gram of sugar per serving, and the ingredients are high-quality—there also are no artificial flavors.
I would order Orgain protein powder again because of the taste and ease of use. If I were more physically-inclined in terms of fitness, I would pair this with a higher-concentration protein product. But overall, I enjoyed my experience with Orgain and would recommend others to try it, especially if they are vegan, vegetarian or lactose-intolerant.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Jennifer Lagemann is a former family caregiver, as well as a professional caregiver and administrator at home care agencies. She works as a writer and researcher, helping care providers create patient- and family-friendly websites, articles and more.
Shawn is a dedicated news person who's produced content for print and online. He's worked in reporting, writing and editing roles across newsrooms like CNBC and Fox Digital, but he kicked off his career reporting on health for Healio.com. When Shawn isn't doing the news, he's probably deleting app notifications from his phone.