Garden of Life Protein Powder, Vegan Protein Powder, BCAA, Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes, Gluten & Lactose Free, Vanilla, 1.5 LBUSDA Organic

I’ve been using Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein for years. I get the vanilla, and if I want chocolate, I just add cocoa powder. It is not sickening sweet. Low sugar and carb. When I’m in a hurry, I can blend it in a blender ball cup with a few ice cubes, and no lumps. I have tried dozens of protein powders. I have never found one that isn’t at least a little bit gritty and they all have a certain protein powder-y taste. The vanilla Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein can be mixed in oatmeal, baked goods, plain Greek yogurt as well as smoothies, and doesn’t have an over-powering flavor. I find all chocolate protein powders taste weird, and if they don’t, there is too much sugar. That’s why I add cocoa powder if I want chocolate (favorite cocoa powder is Guittard in the little red canister. Worth the money. Compare the taste, straight, with cheaper brands. No bitterness). I like the chai, also, but less versatile than the vanilla. I can add my own chai spices to the vanilla….so I get vanilla, chocolate and chai and only have to buy and store one canister. (Best price is on vitacost website when there is a sale. )

After having tremendous problems with immune system issues, particularly in the gut with IBS, I had a doctor that thought I had gluten issues. I was tested for this during upper GI endoscopy and the test showed negative. The only thing I know for certain is that I cannot digest meat very well. I am not a vegan, but my body has moved me more and more in that direction because I cannot digest meat without massive stomach issues and I felt hungry and tired all the time. On the quest for a protein supplement that doesn't come from animals, I discovered this product.First and foremost, this is not the best tasting thing you ever tried, but the taste will grow on you. Make sure you are mixing it properly and with COLD water. I have the Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome and this is what I use to mix mine. It's so easy! I add about 8 oz water, instead of the recommended 6 oz and this gives me a better blend. By the way, while people are going on and on about how bad this is. It is not that bad. As I said, the taste will grow on you, but if you're not mixing it fully, it can be quite chalky. BTW, I use the chocolate flavor and if you're mixing right, it DOES taste like a chocolate shake. In the beginning, I didn't mix mine well using a standard blender and it tastes bad if you don't get it fully mixed. I switched to the hand blender, which does a marvelous job and so much easier to clean up afterward.All of that aside, the real question is, does it work? Do you have more protein? Do you feel differently while taking this supplement. The answer to all of those for me is absolutely YES! Not only do I feel more energized (I have two shakes a day now), my IBS is practically a thing of the past. The great thing about this product is that it contains probiotics and these are different than the usual kind you see in pill form. I never noticed any difference with the probiotic pills, but with this, I am more "normal" than I've ever been. Perhaps it's the combination of the raw protein and the probiotics and the amino acids? I have no idea, but it's rare I can say this: It has changed my life!I have never felt this good in my life, no really, never. I noticed it just after two days of use, so I discontinued using it to see if it was just placebo effect. Within 3 days, all my old gut issues came back, so I went back on this supplement and now I'm never going off. Even my mood is so much better and when people notice and say how happy you seem and what are you doing different - then you know you're onto something. It's amazing how much happier I am when I'm not malnourished and sick to my stomach all the time. I never thought I would feel well enough again to live life fully, but I am now. I have been telling everyone that if people knew how much better this stuff could make them feel, they couldn't keep it on the store shelves. Maybe I was just that bad off, but I can't believe this powder has made all that difference, but it has. Even my seasonal allergies have improved since taking this product. What in the world is in this stuff? I don't know, but I hope they never stop making it. I'm on the subscription plan now. I call this my prescription because it works better than all the stomach pills the doctors had me on and this has given me no side effects.If you are having digestion issues, please give this a try. You might be as lucky as me and see a huge difference in the way you feel. I feel awful for people that are suffering, like I was. This might do the trick for you, too.

This is fine, tastes good. The chocolate tastes pretty bad. I actually like the vanilla flavor.

So far I have really enjoyed this vegan protein powder. It mixes easily and has a silky smooth texture. The taste is delicious and I feel good knowing it's USDA Organic. Plus, the probiotics and enzymes make my digestion better. The best sugar-free option I've found. I use it every morning, and it keeps me energized.

I love Garden of Life products. Their protein powder is my absolute favorite. Some protein powders have an odd flavor, but Garden of Life Protein Powder is delicious. It's great in shakes, yogurt bowls, oatmeal, etc.

I am so disgusted and appalled by the findings of extremely HIGH AND DANGEROUS levels of heavy metals in the Garden of Life products. I literally clicked purchase on a canister of the chocolate raw protein powder yesterday...and I noticed an increase in 1 star reviews- I started reading and did some research and within an hour CANCELLED my order! I have been a dedicated consumer of Garden of Life products for 3 years. Having an autoimmune disease, I have gone to great lengths to eat as healthy and clean as possible and have used their powders as supplements in the morning and when traveling (nearly daily for 3 years)...and to think they could be contributing to my condition is leveling.What is worse is the original research findings, article and related links have nearly all been taken down or changed. This move to me completely puts Natural News (who originally reported the data) and Garden of Life's credibility in poor light. They are now reporting a "collaboration on stricter standards and practices.."..blah..blah. Praising them for their amazing "PR" move is wearisome. An agreement for better standards is great..if it even happens (which is now the only thing being reported even by the original "watch dog" who broke the research for the public)...but having been a part of similar "agreements" in various industries as a marketing and strategy partnership professional...it is actually quite laughable. They need to pull their products off shelves, do a recall for the ones out there with refunds, apologize and take true responsibility. Shame on them also for "not knowing their farmers" as well as they should.If this were another industry (auto, oil, airline, toy industry)..the mainstream media and public would be carrying pitchforks and torches...it baffles me how big and deep the cover-ups go in the food industry and Garden of Life should fall from grace because of this. Shame on Amazon as well for continuing to support and sell their products. If this were a child's toy covered in heavy metals- everyone would be crying for blood from this company. I am as disappointed as everyone else who loved their products..and I desperately didn't want to believe it..as I was drinking my protein shake yesterday and hitting "buy" on Amazon...and noticed this information. Thank you other reviewers for pointing this out.I hope Garden of Life gets sued.....and they lose marked business from this...they have lost me and I will do ALL I can to let others know not to buy their products.Thank you.