This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
This post is brought to you by GNC and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
I have been waiting for a good vegan protein powder for a long time.
Since my daughter follows a vegan diet, getting enough protein is always something that is on my mind and being able to give her a daily protein boost with a delicious shake makes us both really happy! Plant-based proteins can be a great option if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet or simply want to support lean muscle and total body health. Plus, they can be added as an ingredient to your favorite recipes you’re already eating at every meal!
The big question is where do plant based proteins come from and how do they taste?
GNC PUREDGE™ Complete Vegan plant-based protein sources include brown rice, pea, hemp and soy. It is GNC’s first 20g plant-based protein with powerful whole-food-based blends that target vital core body systems with nature’s best ingredients for optimum health and exercise performance with 10g of aminos from five plant-based sources and it includes no soy, gluten or dairy.
It also contains no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners which is very important to me.
As I learned more about GNC PUREDGE™ Complete Vegan plant-based protein I discovered more about the protein used.
I never considered how beneficial a protein powder that has a blend of proteins could be and I was pretty intrigued to learn more. Here is what stood out to me… Brown Rice Protein is not a complete or whole protein, it is most commonly paired with pea protein to complete the essential amino acid profile. Pea proteins are commonly high in the amino acids lysine and arginine. Soy protein provides essential amino acids our bodies need for growth and repair of muscles and it also contains no cholesterol and very little fat. Hemp protein has essential fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6 and is low in saturated fat. It is often higher in fiber compared to other protein powders and it provides essential amino acids our bodies need for growth and repair of muscles.
With all of these put together you have a very good complete protein powder.
After I did my research it was time to taste it because taste is important too!
GNC PUREDGE™ Complete Vegan plant-based protein is available in two flavors: Natural Chocolate (using real cocoa) and Vanilla. I decided to use the vanilla to make our favorite 50/50 protein shake.
It was delicious. The blend of proteins made all the difference in the flavor and texture.
We vary the ingredients, but this time of year it’s normally half banana and half pumpkin. I add all sorts of extras to the shake depending on what I have on hand that day, but the base always stays the same. Just add the ingredients to your blender one shake at a time and then put the heavier (pumpkin) shake at the bottom of your cup when you serve it.
Banana half
- 1 scoop GNC PUREDGE™ Complete Vegan plant-based protein, vanilla
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 tbs peanut butter (optional)
- 4-6 oz. water
- 2 ice cubes
Pumpkin half
- 1 scoop GNC PUREDGE™ Complete Vegan plant-based protein, vanilla
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 ice cubes
- 4-6 oz water
- 2 ice cubes
Discover the power of plant-based proteins at GNC. Learn more at gnclivewell.com/plantprotein/.
Oh yum that sounds great! I have never tried that mixture together before.
As of recent… I’ve been incorporating more pumpkin and banana into my recipes. I need to make this 🙂 Thanks!
I love using bananas (especially frozen) and pumpkin in my smoothies. Makes them nice and thick, too.
This looks really yummy and pumpkin is one of my favorite flavors (and is also really good for you)!
i love pumpkin. I love bananas. Why have I never thought of marrying them to make something so yummy!? I have pinned this so I can remember to get the party started!
I love pumpkin drinks not crazy about bananas though, but I’m willing to try this, it does look good!
It looks amazing. I would never think of joining these two together but I am tempted to try it
I am trying to find healthier options to my typical meals, treats, and drinks. I will have to try this shake.
This sounds pretty cool. I didn’t know you could get complete protein from vegetable sources.
I had never thought of combining bananas and pumpkin. this sounds interesting to try out and healthy!
Love pumpkin and banana, never thought of them together. This sounds like a great product to add into lots of smoothies!
I give my elderly mother a protein shake everyday after day care. She’s a terrible eater, suffers from dementia so sometimes her refusal to eat is based solely on what’s going on at the time. Some of the protein powders smell terrible but it seems you might have found a good one here. I’m definitely going to try this powder. Thanks
I’ve never mixed pumpkin and banana before – interesting combo!
As a hypoglycemic, I need new ways to incorporate protein into my diet. This is such a great option!
Yum! I bet this is as tasty as it looks in your photos!
This sounds like it would be a really yummy protein shake. I’m not a big fan of pumpkin, but I wonder if I might like it in a shake.
I love protein shakes for breakfast because they help me feel full! I will have to check this brand out.
This sounds delicious. I’ve always heard that you couldn’t get a complete protein profile without the addition of some animal protein. I’m glad to see that’s not so!
I know some vegans who get more protein than meat eaters; believe it or not. There are so many ways to get protein!
I love that this is completely animal free! And it looks tasty to boot
I’m allergic to bananas but love pumpkin. Because most protein shakes contain banana I tend not to make or drink them! Maybe I should do some research and see what can be used besides the dreaded banana (talk massive stomach ache!)
Ohh what an interesting sounding drink – I’ve never thought of using pumpkin in a shake 🙂 x
This is a great combination. Looks real tasty.
That sounds like a delicious shake! I love pumpkin, and have been on a major shake kick lately.
That looks really yummy! I like fresh fruits in my shakes! Yum!
I am not a pumpkin fan but my daughter and husband are and they would love this. I do like starting my day with a protein shake.
I would not have guessed to pair pumpkin & banana together. That sounds interesting!
This looks like a good combination of yummy and healthy!
At first I thought the flavor of the protein was going to be pumpkin banana.. I wasn’t so sure about that.. But all of this together does sound good.
My husband has been looking for a good protein powder. I am going to send him this link to read the review. I think it is something he would like, as well as the shakes!
This sounds like a great combination. I’m not a huge fan of smoothies.
I love bananas and pumpkins, but I never thought they’d go together; this is something i have to try!
I have never thought of bananas and pumpkins, but it sounds really interesting!
Many people would think this combo would be weird, but I’m willing to bet it tastes super good!
I use protine powder daily do to my stomach issues it’s one of the ways I can have extra calories that I need to get to my calorie goal.
I had no idea that GNC makes a vegan shake like this!! Protein shakes are a great way to start the day off.
Oh wow – pumpkin and banana protein shake!?! I’m going to have to take a trip to GNC with my husband. I had no idea they had fun flavors 🙂
I really love banana, so I’m gonna try this out! Pumpkin also sounds quite delicious!
I’m going to have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
I love bananas! This looks like a yummy and healthy breakfast option. 🙂
This sounds delicious. Not only is it healthy, but I’m sure it’s filling. Must try it!
This is awesome! I only use vegan protein powder so I love hearing about different brands.
That combo sounds delicious. I’d love to try this protein shake.
Pumpkin is one of my favorites. I make pumpkin pies so often, I recently decided to try other foods with it and they have been divine. I’d like to try your pumpkin and banana vegan protein shake as well.
Never tried such a mix before but looks really yummy, I need to get back to doing smoothies I am missing out
I have been looking for a vegan protein powder to try after I finish the whey I have. It’s harder for me to drink smoothies in the winter even though I love them. I am slowly leaning towards meatless options for my meals. I’m hoping to get back to my vegetarianism days. But, not sure how thats going to work in a house of meat eaters. I saw this powder on the GNC site, but I was worried about the soy. I have PCOS and all the peer reviewed journals I read said that soy causes some hormonal problems. Doesn’t go so well with PCOS. But, this sounded like the perfect powder until I saw that.
This sounds healthy! Also something to get off to a great start in the morning.
That’s a great way to get your protein. I am a vegetarian, and have been for as long as I can remember (even when my mom tried to make me eat meat at the table) so finding new ways to get protein for me is important and fun!
I have not heard of GNC Puredge products before but I will have to try this to make this shake. It sounds amazing and I love pumpkins and bananas. Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea! This looks yummy. I’ve never tried this line before.
This looks yummy, but I can never, ever get a smoothie how I like it. I just stopped trying and stick to juicing these days. Thanks for the review.
I am vegan, and it’s always nice to see vegan recipes on these blogs. I also really like banana and pumpkin. I have a friend who recently went vegan who has been looking for good protein powders so I am going to share this with her.
That said, it’s important to note that vegans get plenty of protein simply by eating a variety of plant foods. There is truly no need to supplement for the vast majority of people. Beans and rice create a complete protein. Beans and seeds create a complete protein (hummus). Chia seeds are a complete protein all by themselves and also have lots of omega 3s and fiber. So I frequently add chia seeds to my vegan chili or my smoothies.
Many people are reluctant to become vegan because they have been given a lot of misinformation about protein. The truth is most people eat way more protein than they actually need. And it is easy to get plenty of protein eating nuts, beans, seeds, and whole grains.
Thanks for the recipe 🙂