LIFETIMELifes Basics Plant Based Protein Powder | Natural Vanilla, Vegan | Gluten Free, No Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors or Preservatives | 1.22lb

When I started exercising regularly around the end of 2009 in order to lose a significant amount of weight, I did research on supplements, vitamins, foods and other nutrients. The consensus seemed to be (and still seems to be) that a good quality protein is critical for weight loss, and overall good health. It's easy to run over to your local favorite supplement store and buy their brand, and this is just what I did, figuring protein is protein.This was fine as a good beginning, but eventually I either got tired of the same taste, or after further research was concerned about some of the fillers that go into protein supplements (notably soy, sugars and sodium). So I started scouting around for variety, with the combination needing to meet the following requirements:1. be a source of protein between 20-25 grams2. not be so calorie instensive that a scoop would make up 1/3 of my daily caloric needs3. must contain minimal to no soy4. must be low in sodium5. must contain no more than 5 grams of sugar per serving6. must taste good7. must mix well at least in a blender; bonus points if it mixes well in a shaker cup8. must not be prohibitively expensiveAs you can see from the list above, this is a tough list of requirements to meet, because many powders contain extra salt or sugar in order to taste good. After visiting various shops and ordering a number of products online, I believe I found the product to meet all the above requirements; and VEGETARIAN/VEGAN as a bonus!This stuff provides 22 grams of protein, only 48mg of sodium, and less than 3 grams of sugar in a single scoop, at only 129 calories. There is no soy in this product. I have not tried this product with just water, but toss in a banana and milk of your choice (I used almond milk) and you've got yourself a winning smoothie! I added some fiber powder to boost the fiber power of the smoothie. The taste is a wonderfully natural vanilla flavor with a hint of nuttiness.The granularity of the powder is fine, but not superfine. I have tried some powders that are so fine that breathing too closely will scatter the powder all over the place. This particular powder is not as fine as that.Now, mixability: I mix this powder in a blender, or with a blender stick. I found that when using a shaker cup, more water may be required to smooth out any clumping that may have occurred. I was must successful by first blending ingredients in a blender, then topping off with water in a shaker cup. There were no clumps, and the drink was very smooth.As one reviewer commented, I wish this product came in larger containers. At around $15 and containing about 15 servings, that runs about $1 a drink. This may not seem economical if you intend to use this once a day on a daily basis, but if you also incorporate whole foods into your diet, you could easily stretch this out to a month's supply by using it every other day. I've paid much more money for a lower quality product with added sugars, sodium and fillers that I ended up throwing out because I could barely choke it down.

I have had horrible eating habits, and saw a show explaining Dr Alejandro Junger's CLEAN program, which includes plant-based protein shakes. I was laughing at first then tuned in when 90% of everything I eat was on his "forbidden foods" list, with research showing they are the most irritating foods for the body and the digestive system. In my late 40's, I've already been diagnosed with irritable bowel, and had a precancerous polup removed during my very first colonoscopy. By far my worse symptom is severe acid reflux, with multiple medications including PPI's for years (already) which is a bad sign, since you are not supposed to take these "for life" once you start. I decided to begin substituting the "irritable foods" with more foods on his "best foods" list, and bought this protein powder. In general I like about half the protein powder drinks I try, but HATE them unless I mix them with milk. Since the CLEAN program says no DAIRY, it does allow coconut milk or almond milk. So I bought a half gallon of Almond/Coconut milk (sweetened, and yes I have to switch to unsweetened soon but for now baby steps), and mixed this plant based protein powder (used only 6 oz of milk with one full scoop so I would get the strong taste of this), and I was impressed immediately by the taste, as was my wife. I can tell it has fructose since it was a bit sweet, but I used milk, and only 6 oz, so if you mix this with water, or used unsweetened milk or more milk for one scoop, it can be toned down to your liking I am sure. I ordered one tub, and just got it today. I am writing this review, then going online and ordering 3 more. Me and the Mrs will be using this as our breakfast, so you get 15 servings per tub, so two of us will burn through 4 tubs a month, and at $13 current price, that's $52 for a month of breakfast foods for both of us, not bad. It's too early to tell what the health benefits are for me, as this is one of the FIRST foods I've started to eat on the CLEAN program, but I figure slow migration is better, and if this product is any indication of my future, so far so great! I read the other review stating this should be eaten within 2 months or it might go rancid, but I figure: Anyone who buys this isn't a "casual" drinker of plant based protein powder, but instead uses it every day, and one tub is a 15 day supply for one person, so I don't see that as a problem, and is why I am ordering 3 more today. The fact that it doesn't have a long shelf life (if true) will keep me motivated to drink it every day as I should!