I love drinking smoothies, and by adding protein powder to smoothies, you get both protein (surprise!) and staying power. However, most protein powders on the market are incredibly processed, filled with artificial sweeteners and flavours.

Convinced that there had to be a better option, I’ve been on the lookout for real food protein powders. I was then really excited when Prairie Naturals offered to send me some protein powder to try. The ingredient lists are simple (3-4 ingredients!) and the protein powders are free from dairy, eggs, corn, soy, preservatives, added sugars, artificial sweeteners and artificial colors – vegan, vegetarian and ethical eating friendly!

For review, I received the French Vanilla Organic Rice Protein, and Organic Dark Chocolate Hemp-Force Protein.

The ingredients for the Organic Dark Chocolate Hemp-Force Protein Powder are: Hemp Protein Powder, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Dark Chocolate Flavour and Stevia Extract. The hemp protein itself comes from raw, cold-milled hemp seeds.  In 2 tbsp, there are approximately:

• 110 calories
• 3.5 g fat (saturated 1 g)
• 5 g fibre
• 13 g protein

The ingredients for the French Vanilla Organic Rice protein are: Organic, Sprouted Whole-Grain Brown Rice, Organic Vanilla Flavour, Stevia Extract.

In 2 tbsp, there are approximately:

• 110 calories
• 0 g fat
• 2 g fibre
• 24 g protein

The hemp protein powder has less protein than the brown rice, but it also has more fibre and some healthy fats too! Both have pretty impressive nutrition stats, in my opinion.

(and I love those short ingredient lists!)

These protein powders are much more powdery than conventional/super-processed protein powders.

To compare texture: shown here is the French Vanilla Rice Protein (right) and a Whey-Isolate Protein Powder from GNC (left).The Whey-Isolate is much more crystalline, and the Rice Protein is more powdery. I also couldn’t believe how fake the GNC brand smelt compared to the Rice Protein.

The texture of these protein powders is similar to cocoa powder.

How do they taste? Excellent! My favourite is the Rice Protein Powder, I really like the flavour and the consistency – it blends really well. I’ll definitely buy this for myself! The hemp protein also tastes great, but it’s a bit more grainy – not a surprise with all that fibre!

I made one of my favourite smoothies with the Chocolate Hemp-Force:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Combine in a blender:

• 2 tbsp Organic Dark Chocolate Hemp-Force Protein
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk (also great in smoothies!)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tbsp natural peanut butter

{The Giveaway}

Two Eat Clean Live Green readers will a {full sized} container of Prairie Naturals Protein!

{how to enter}

Leave a comment telling me which Prairie Naturals Protein Powder you want to try!

{extra entries}

Leave another comment for each of the following (up to 4 chances to win!)

• Follow @EatCleanLiveGrn on twitter, and tweet about the giveaway: @EatCleanLiveGrn is giving away @PrairieNaturals Protein Powder! www.eatcleanlivegreen.com

• Link back to this giveaway on your blog

• Subscribe to Eat Clean Live Green

{details}

This giveaway will end Thursday, March 11 at 10 PM, MST. Winner will be drawn at random, selected from random.org. Contest open to those with Canadian shipping addresses only.

(sorry US readers! More giveaways coming soon!)

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Tagged as: giveaway, protein, real food, smoothie