# Garden of Life Protein Powder Review > Garden of Life protein powder review: Sport and Raw Organic label-checked, which NSF badge means sport testing, and cost per 25 g against Vega and Naked Pea. - **URL**: https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/ - **Updated**: 2026-11-02 - **Author**: [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) - **Publisher**: [Best Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/) --- Garden of Life sells several organic plant proteins that look alike on the shelf but differ in dose, sweeteners and testing. We checked the labels and certifications so you can tell the 30 g, NSF Certified for Sport tub from the rest. **How we rank:** We judge every powder on the label, not the marketing: protein per scoop, cost per 25 g of protein, the full ingredient list and third-party testing. No paid placements, and commission never sets a ranking. [Read our methodology](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/) Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein is the one to buy: 30 g of organic plant protein per serving with NSF Certified for Sport status, at a mid-tier cost per 25 g. The Raw Organic line is a gentler, lower-protein everyday option with sugar alcohol in the mix. Read which NSF badge is on the tub before you assume it is sport tested. ## Our Top Picks | Award | Product | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Best Garden of Life Protein | [Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#garden-of-life-sport-organic-plant-based-protein) | The organic plant protein to buy if you want a full dose and sport certification in one tub. | | Best Everyday Organic | [Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#garden-of-life-raw-organic-protein) | A pleasant organic everyday protein, but not the one to buy for training or testing. | | Best Meal-Style Shake | [Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#garden-of-life-raw-organic-meal) | A good high-fiber shake for light breakfasts, not a full meal or a training protein. | | Protein Plus Greens | [Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein & Greens](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#garden-of-life-raw-organic-protein-and-greens) | Worth it only if you want greens in your protein shake every day. | | Alternative: Certified Rival | [Vega Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#vega-sport-premium-protein) | Pick Vega over Garden of Life Sport if you prefer its flavors and do not need organic. | | Alternative: Budget, One Ingredient | [Naked Pea Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/garden-of-life-protein-powder-review/#naked-nutrition-naked-pea) | The cheapest honest plant protein, if you blend it and do not need certification. | ## 1. The Short Verdict Garden of Life is one of the few brands that can put USDA Organic and NSF Certified for Sport on the same plant protein tub. Its Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein lists 30 g of protein per two-scoop serving, from organic pea, navy bean, lentil and garbanzo bean protein, per the Amazon listing at the time of writing. That full 30 g dose closes most of the leucine gap that smaller plant servings leave against whey. The rest of the range is weaker as a protein source. Raw Organic Protein, the brand's long-running everyday tub, gives 22 g of protein in 130 calories and is sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia. Raw Organic Meal and Raw Organic Protein and Greens give 20 g each. None of those three carries the sport certification; their NSF badges are for gluten-free status and contents, which are different programs. So is Garden of Life any good? Sport is one of the best plant proteins you can buy, which is why it leads our [best plant-based protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/) ranking. Raw Organic is a reasonable organic protein for smoothies and light use, but it is not the better buy for anyone who trains hard or competes. The cost per 25 g is broadly similar across the range, so the Sport tub is usually the best value too. > **THE VERDICT** > > **Buy Sport. Treat Raw Organic as a lighter, everyday option.** > > Sport gives 30 g of protein with NSF Certified for Sport status at a mid-tier price. The Raw Organic tubs give 20-22 g, contain erythritol and lack the sport certification. Garden of Life is owned by Nestlé Health Science, which also holds a majority stake in Orgain. That makes Garden of Life part of a large supplement group rather than an independent label, which is worth knowing if brand independence matters to you, though it has no effect on what is in the tub. ## 2. The Garden of Life Protein Range Garden of Life's plant protein range on Amazon at the time of writing included five tubs: Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein, Raw Organic Protein, Raw Organic Protein and Greens, Raw Organic Meal and a newer Creamy Protein with Oatmilk. The brand also sells collagen and a large catalog of vitamins and probiotics, but those are outside this review. Our [best collagen protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-collagen-protein-powder/) guide covers its collagen. | Product | Protein | Calories | Fiber | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sport Organic Plant-Based (2 scoops) | 30 g | 160 | 2 g | | Raw Organic Protein | 22 g | 130 | 5 g | | Raw Organic Protein and Greens | 20 g | 110 | 1 g | | Raw Organic Meal | 20 g | 150 | 7 g | | Creamy Protein with Oatmilk | 20 g | 160 | 5 g | Those figures come from the brand's own comparison chart on its Amazon listings and from the individual product pages, per serving and for the vanilla flavors where specified. Figures vary slightly by flavor. The pattern is clear, though: Sport is the only tub that delivers a full plant dose in one serving, while the others sit at 20-22 g, which is fine as a snack and short of ideal after a hard session. The tubs are sold by Amazon itself at the time of writing, and Garden of Life is also stocked widely in natural food stores, pharmacies and big-box retailers. That wide availability makes price checking easy. It also means you will see frequent discounts, so the cost figures later in this review should be read as typical rather than fixed. All five products are vegan, gluten-free and USDA Organic, per the listings, and all include probiotics. The differences are in protein dose, fiber, sweeteners and whether the tub is built as a protein supplement, a meal or a protein and greens hybrid. The rest of this review takes them in that order. ## 3. The Garden of Life Range and Two Alternatives These are Garden of Life's four main plant protein powders on Amazon, ranked for protein buyers, with the certified Sport tub first, plus two clearly labelled alternatives from other brands. Label figures are per the Amazon listings at the time of writing and can vary by flavor. ### 1. Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein **Award:** Best Garden of Life Protein | **Type:** Organic pea-based legume blend - **Protein per serving:** 30 g per 2 scoops (label) - **Calories:** About 160 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Certified for Sport (verify flavor) - **Best for:** Tested athletes, vegans Sport is Garden of Life's certified protein. Its listing states 30 g of organic protein per two-scoop serving from pea, navy bean, lentil and garbanzo bean, at about 160 calories, with over 5 g of BCAAs, 5 g of glutamine, a fruit and turmeric recovery blend and a probiotic. It is USDA Organic and NSF Certified for Sport, per the listing, with no artificial sweeteners. **Bottom line:** The organic plant protein to buy if you want a full dose and sport certification in one tub. **Pros:** - 30 g of protein per serving, a full plant dose - NSF Certified for Sport and USDA Organic, per the listing - Best cost per 25 g in the Garden of Life range - Sold by Amazon at the time of writing **Cons:** - Thick, earthy texture in water, per buyer reports - Some buyers report a price rise and a taste change [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DTD98?tag=sktiger-20) ### 2. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein **Award:** Best Everyday Organic | **Type:** Organic sprouted plant protein blend - **Protein per serving:** 22 g (label) - **Calories:** About 130 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Gluten-Free and Contents Certified - **Best for:** Smoothies, light everyday use Raw Organic Protein lists 22 g of protein, 4 g of BCAAs and 5 g of fiber in 130 calories per scoop, with 0 g of sugar, per the listing. The protein comes mainly from organic pea and sprouted brown rice protein, with a long list of sprouted grains and seeds. The vanilla is sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia and adds digestive enzymes and a probiotic. **Bottom line:** A pleasant organic everyday protein, but not the one to buy for training or testing. **Pros:** - 22 g of protein in 130 calories, per the label - USDA Organic, Non-GMO and NSF Contents Certified - 5 g of fiber and 0 g of sugar **Cons:** - No NSF Certified for Sport - Contains erythritol; highest cost per 25 g in the range [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SYT7LO?tag=sktiger-20) ### 3. Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal **Award:** Best Meal-Style Shake | **Type:** Organic plant meal replacement powder - **Protein per serving:** 20 g per 37.5 g scoop (label) - **Calories:** About 150 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Gluten-Free and Contents Certified - **Best for:** Light breakfasts, fiber Raw Organic Meal is a light meal shake. Its nutrition panel lists a 37.5 g scoop with 150 calories, 20 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrate, 7 g of fiber and 0 g of sugar. It uses a sprouted pea and brown rice protein blend with fiber, fruits and vegetables, sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia. It is one of the brand's best-rated listings on Amazon. **Bottom line:** A good high-fiber shake for light breakfasts, not a full meal or a training protein. **Pros:** - 7 g of fiber per serving for fullness - 20 g of protein in 150 calories, per the label - Available in a 28-serving tub that lowers the cost **Cons:** - Light for a true meal at 150 calories - Contains erythritol; no sport certification [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S6Y74O?tag=sktiger-20) ### 4. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein & Greens **Award:** Protein Plus Greens | **Type:** Organic plant protein and greens blend - **Protein per serving:** 20 g (label) - **Calories:** About 110 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Gluten-Free Certified - **Best for:** Protein-and-greens mornings Protein and Greens adds organic spinach, kale, broccoli, alfalfa grass, carrots and beets to a 20 g plant protein base from organic pea and sprouted grains and legumes, with probiotics and enzymes, per the listing. The brand's chart puts it at about 110 calories per serving. It is sweetened with organic stevia and carries USDA Organic, Non-GMO and NSF Gluten-Free certification. **Bottom line:** Worth it only if you want greens in your protein shake every day. **Pros:** - 20 g of protein plus organic greens, per the label - Lowest-calorie tub in the range, at about 110 - No erythritol listed in the vanilla **Cons:** - 20 g serving is short of ideal after training - No NSF Certified for Sport [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A9IFE8K?tag=sktiger-20) ### 5. Vega Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein) **Award:** Alternative: Certified Rival | **Type:** Pea, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed protein blend - **Protein per serving:** 30 g (label) - **Calories:** Check label by flavor - **Third-party testing:** NSF Certified for Sport - **Best for:** Athletes, post-workout Vega Protein + Recovery, still widely searched as Vega Sport, is the closest rival to Garden of Life Sport. Its listing states 30 g of plant protein per serving, 2 billion CFU of probiotics and NSF Certified for Sport status, in a 20-serving tub at the time of writing. It is not organic, but it lands at a similar cost per 25 g and many buyers prefer its texture. **Bottom line:** Pick Vega over Garden of Life Sport if you prefer its flavors and do not need organic. **Pros:** - 30 g of plant protein per serving, per the label - NSF Certified for Sport, per the listing - Similar cost per 25 g to Garden of Life Sport **Cons:** - Not USDA Organic - Stevia aftertaste is a common buyer complaint [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016D9IGRA?tag=sktiger-20) ### 6. Naked Pea Protein **Award:** Alternative: Budget, One Ingredient | **Type:** Single-source yellow pea protein isolate - **Protein per serving:** About 27 g (label) - **Calories:** About 120 - **Third-party testing:** No sport certification confirmed - **Best for:** Smoothies, baking, budgets Naked Pea is the budget alternative to the whole Garden of Life range. It has one ingredient, yellow pea protein, and delivers about 27 g of protein in roughly 120 calories per serving, per the label at the time of writing, with no sweeteners, gums or flavorings. It is not organic and has no sport certification we could confirm, but its cost per 25 g is far lower. **Bottom line:** The cheapest honest plant protein, if you blend it and do not need certification. **Pros:** - About 27 g of protein per serving, per the label - One ingredient, no erythritol or stevia - Budget-tier cost per 25 g of protein **Cons:** - Earthy taste on its own, per buyer reports - Not organic; no sport certification confirmed [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NBIUGA2?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ## 4. Sport Organic Plant-Based, Label-Checked The Sport tub lists 30 g of organic protein per two-scoop serving, from peas, navy beans, lentils and garbanzo beans, at about 160 calories with 2 g of fiber and under 1 g of sugar, per Garden of Life's Amazon listing and comparison chart. It also lists over 5 g of BCAAs and 5 g of glutamine per serving, and a 19-serving tub weighs about 2 lb. Garden of Life adds an organic recovery blend of tart cherries, apples, turmeric, blueberries and goji berries, plus 2 billion CFU of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111. The amounts in the recovery blend are small, so treat it as a minor extra rather than a reason to buy. The probiotic is a nice inclusion but not something most people need in their protein shake. The important line is the certification. The listing states USDA Organic, NSF Certified for Sport and Non-GMO Project Verified, and says the powder is tested for banned substances. NSF Certified for Sport is the program drug-tested athletes rely on, because it screens batches for prohibited substances and checks that the label matches the contents. Very few organic plant proteins carry it. Buyer feedback is solid but not glowing. The vanilla listing sat at about 4.2 out of 5 stars across nearly 9,000 ratings, with texture the most common complaint and some buyers reporting a recent price rise and a change in taste. As with most plant proteins, it is thicker and earthier than whey. Mixing it with plant milk or blending it into a smoothie is the usual fix. > **Sport, per Two-Scoop Serving** > > - **30 g**: Protein > - **160**: Calories > - **5 g**: BCAAs > - **NSF**: Certified for Sport ## 5. Raw Organic Protein, and What Raw Means Raw Organic Protein is the tub many people mean when they search for Garden of Life raw protein. Its listing states 22 g of protein, 4 g of BCAAs and 5 g of fiber in 130 calories per scoop, with 0 g of sugar and about 1 g of net carbohydrate. A tub holds 20 servings, and the vanilla listing carried about 4.2 out of 5 stars across more than 13,000 ratings at the time of writing. The protein comes from a long sprouted blend: organic pea protein, sprouted brown rice protein and a list of sprouted grains, seeds and legumes including amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, chia, lentil, garbanzo, flax, pumpkin and sesame, plus chlorella. Pea and rice do most of the work. The long list of sprouts is a marketing strength more than a nutritional one, since each contributes a small amount. Raw refers to Garden of Life's claim that the powder is made at low temperatures. There is no good evidence that this improves the quality of the protein your body absorbs, since cooking and digestion break proteins down anyway. It is a reasonable preference if you like minimally processed foods, but not a reason to choose Raw Organic over Sport if your goal is muscle. The flavor system matters more. The vanilla ingredient list includes organic erythritol and organic stevia leaf extract, with guar gum for texture. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that most people tolerate in small amounts but that can cause bloating in sensitive people. The tub also adds digestive enzymes, including lipase, lactase and papain, and the Bacillus subtilis DE111 probiotic. Raw Organic Protein's certifications are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, kosher, NSF Certified Gluten-Free and NSF Contents Certified, per the listing. That is a respectable set, but it does not include NSF Certified for Sport, and the difference is explained in the certifications section below. If you compete in a tested sport, Raw Organic is not the right tub. ## 6. Raw Organic Meal and Protein and Greens Raw Organic Meal is a meal replacement rather than a protein supplement. Its nutrition panel lists a 37.5 g scoop with 150 calories, 20 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrate, 7 g of fiber, 2 g of fat, 0 g of sugar and 190 mg of sodium. It is sold in 14 and 28 serving sizes and was one of the brand's best-rated listings, at about 4.3 out of 5 stars across more than 15,000 ratings. At 150 calories, Raw Organic Meal is light for a meal. Garden of Life positions it as an all-in-one shake with fiber and superfoods, and the high fiber helps with fullness. But most people would need to add fruit, nut butter or oats to make it a real meal. If you want a more substantial plant meal shake, our [Huel protein powder review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/huel-protein-powder-review/) covers a 400-calorie option with 40 g of protein. Raw Organic Protein and Greens adds organic vegetables and greens, including spinach, kale, broccoli, alfalfa grass, carrots and beets, to a 20 g protein base, with probiotics and enzymes, per the listing. The comparison chart puts it at about 110 calories and 1 g of fiber per serving. It is sweetened with organic stevia. It suits people who want one morning shake that covers protein and some greens. Neither is the best choice if protein is the priority. A 20 g plant serving is fine between meals but short of ideal after training, and both tubs cost more per 25 g of protein than they first appear because of the smaller dose. They make sense if you specifically want the fiber or the greens. Otherwise, Sport or a plain pea isolate gives you more protein for the money. Garden of Life's newer Creamy Protein with Oatmilk sits alongside these, with 20 g of protein in 160 calories per scoop, per the brand's comparison chart. It targets people who find standard plant protein thin or gritty. We have not included it as a pick because it is newer, with far fewer buyer ratings, but it is worth a look if texture is your main complaint. ## 7. Cost per 25 g of Protein At the Amazon prices we saw at the time of writing, Sport worked out at roughly 2.20 dollars per 30 g serving, or about 1.85 dollars per 25 g of protein. That is the best value in the Garden of Life range per gram of protein, which surprises many buyers because the tub has fewer servings than the Raw Organic tubs at a similar price. | Product | Protein per serving | Approx. cost per 25 g | | --- | --- | --- | | Sport Organic Plant-Based | 30 g | About 1.85 dollars | | Raw Organic Meal (28 servings) | 20 g | About 1.85 dollars | | Raw Organic Protein and Greens | 20 g | About 2.25 dollars | | Raw Organic Protein | 22 g | About 2.35 dollars | | Vega Protein + Recovery (alternative) | 30 g | About 1.85-1.90 dollars | | Naked Pea (alternative) | About 27 g | Budget tier | Raw Organic Protein is the most expensive per gram, at roughly 2.35 dollars per 25 g, because its 22 g serving is smaller and its tub price is similar to Sport's. Raw Organic Meal looks competitive at about 1.85 dollars per 25 g in the 28-serving size, but that is because the tub holds more servings of a lighter shake, and you may use more of it if you treat it as a meal. Against other brands, Sport sits in the mid tier. Vega Protein + Recovery, its closest certified rival, lands at a similar cost per 25 g. Single-ingredient pea isolates such as Naked Pea are much cheaper per gram but carry no sport certification and no sweetener or flavor. Our [best pea protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-pea-protein-powder/) guide lists the cheapest honest plant protein if price matters most. Garden of Life discounts often, both on Amazon and at retailers, and Subscribe and Save can cut the price further. Some buyers have complained about a recent price increase on Sport, so it is worth checking the per-serving price before you reorder rather than assuming it has stayed the same. Divide the price by servings, divide by protein per serving, and multiply by 25. ## 8. Organic, NSF and the Badge That Matters Garden of Life tubs carry a lot of badges, and they do not mean the same thing. USDA Organic means the ingredients are grown and processed to the USDA's organic standard. Non-GMO Project Verified covers genetically modified ingredients. Neither tests for banned substances or heavy metals. They are farming and sourcing standards, which are worthwhile but answer a different question from safety testing. NSF runs several programs. NSF Certified for Sport, which the Sport tub carries per its listing, screens batches for a long list of banned substances and checks that the label matches the contents. NSF Certified Gluten-Free, which appears on the Raw Organic tubs, only checks gluten. NSF Contents Certified checks that the product contains what the label says. Only the first is the sport certification athletes need. > **THE RULE** > > **Look for the words Certified for Sport.** > > An NSF logo on a Garden of Life tub does not by itself mean sport testing. Only the Sport tub claims NSF Certified for Sport. Check the exact product and flavor on NSF's database before relying on it. Heavy metals are the other concern with plant proteins, because legumes, rice and greens can take up lead and cadmium from soil. Organic farming does not prevent that. A sport certification includes contaminant checks, which is another reason the Sport tub is the safer pick within the range. Our [is protein powder safe](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/is-protein-powder-safe/) guide explains how to read testing claims across brands. If you are pregnant, buying for a teenager or simply want the most cautious option, choose a product with a sport certification you can look up, and check with a doctor or registered dietitian before adding a supplement. Our [best organic protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-organic-protein-powder/) guide compares organic tubs that also carry independent testing. ## 9. Sweeteners, Probiotics and Digestion The Raw Organic tubs list organic erythritol and organic stevia in their vanilla flavors, and Protein and Greens lists organic stevia. The Sport listing says it has no artificial sweeteners, and buyer reviews attribute its sweetness to stevia; check the ingredient panel on your flavor. If stevia's aftertaste bothers you, Garden of Life is a hard brand to love, since most of its flavored tubs rely on it. Erythritol is the ingredient to watch if you have a sensitive stomach. It is a sugar alcohol that is better tolerated than most, but in larger amounts it can cause bloating or a laxative effect. Some buyers on the Sport listing also report stomach upset they attribute to stevia. If you have had trouble with protein shakes before, try a half serving for the first week. Every tub in the range includes probiotics, usually Bacillus subtilis DE111, and the Raw Organic tubs add digestive enzymes. Some people find enzyme blends help them tolerate plant protein, but the evidence for adding them to a shake is limited. Treat them as a bonus rather than a reason to buy, and do not rely on a protein powder as your probiotic if you have a digestive condition. Texture is the most common complaint across the range, as it is for plant proteins in general. Buyers frequently describe Sport as thick and slightly gritty in water, and Raw Organic as smoother but thinner. Blending with ice and plant milk helps both. If you want ideas, our [best protein powder for smoothies](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-powder-for-smoothies/) guide covers how to mask plant protein textures. ## 10. Who Should Buy It, and the Alternatives Buy Garden of Life Sport if you want organic plant protein with a full 30 g dose and a sport certification you can check. It suits vegans, people with dairy allergies, plant-based athletes who are drug tested, and cautious buyers who want contaminant screening along with organic sourcing. It is the strongest product in the range and usually the best value per gram too. Buy Raw Organic Protein if you want a lighter, organic protein for smoothies and do not need sport testing, and you tolerate erythritol. Buy Raw Organic Meal if you want a high-fiber, low-calorie meal-style shake. Skip the Raw Organic line if you train hard, because the 20-22 g serving is short of ideal, or if you compete, because it lacks the sport certification. The closest alternative is Vega Protein + Recovery, formerly Vega Sport, with 30 g of protein and NSF Certified for Sport status at a similar cost per 25 g. It uses pea and seed proteins rather than organic legumes, so choose it if you prefer its flavors or texture. Our [Vega protein powder review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/vega-protein-powder-review/) covers that range, and our [Orgain protein powder review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/orgain-protein-powder-review/) covers Garden of Life's sister brand. The budget alternative is Naked Pea, a single-ingredient pea isolate with no sweeteners that costs far less per gram. It suits people who blend their shakes and do not need certification. Whatever you choose, anyone who is pregnant, managing kidney disease or taking medication should check with a doctor or registered dietitian first; this review is not medical advice. ## 11. Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Assuming any NSF logo means sport tested Garden of Life's Raw Organic tubs carry NSF Certified Gluten-Free and NSF Contents Certified badges, not NSF Certified for Sport. Only the Sport tub claims the sport program. If you are drug tested, check the exact product and flavor in NSF's Certified for Sport database before you buy. ### Buying Raw Organic for post-workout shakes Raw Organic Protein gives 22 g of plant protein per scoop, and the Meal and Greens tubs give 20 g. After hard training, a plant serving closer to 30 g is a better target to cover leucine. Sport delivers that in one serving, often at a lower cost per 25 g. ### Ignoring erythritol in the Raw tubs The Raw Organic vanilla flavors list organic erythritol along with stevia. Most people tolerate it, but some get bloating or loose stools from sugar alcohols. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with a half serving, or choose Protein and Greens or Sport, which do not list erythritol. ### Treating organic as a safety guarantee USDA Organic covers how ingredients are grown, not heavy metals or banned substances. Plant proteins can take up lead and cadmium from soil whatever the farming method. For contaminant screening, look for a sport certification, which within this range means the Sport tub. ### Using Raw Organic Meal as a full meal At 150 calories per scoop, Raw Organic Meal is closer to a snack than a meal for most adults. Drinking it alone at lunch can leave you hungry and reaching for food later. Add fruit, oats or nut butter, or choose a higher-calorie meal shake if you need a real replacement. ## 12. Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Garden of Life protein powder good? The Sport tub is one of the best plant proteins available, with 30 g of organic protein per serving and NSF Certified for Sport status, per its listing. The Raw Organic line is a reasonable lighter protein, with 20-22 g per serving and erythritol in the vanilla flavors, but no sport certification. For most buyers, Sport is the Garden of Life tub to choose. ### Which Garden of Life protein is NSF Certified for Sport? Of the plant proteins we checked, only Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein claims NSF Certified for Sport on its listing. The Raw Organic tubs carry NSF Certified Gluten-Free and NSF Contents Certified, which are different programs that do not screen for banned substances. Always confirm the exact product and flavor on NSF's database. ### How much protein is in Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein? The Raw Organic Protein listing states 22 g of protein, 4 g of BCAAs and 5 g of fiber in 130 calories per scoop, with 0 g of sugar and about 1 g of net carbohydrate. Raw Organic Meal and Raw Organic Protein and Greens list 20 g each. Figures can vary slightly by flavor, so check your tub's label. ### What does raw mean on Garden of Life protein? Garden of Life uses raw to describe protein it says is made at low temperatures, with sprouted ingredients and added enzymes. There is no good evidence that low-temperature processing improves the protein your body absorbs, since digestion breaks proteins down anyway. It is a reasonable preference for minimally processed food, not a performance advantage. ### Does Garden of Life protein contain stevia? Most flavored Garden of Life proteins do. The Raw Organic Protein and Raw Organic Meal vanilla flavors list organic erythritol and organic stevia, and Protein and Greens lists organic stevia. The Sport listing says it has no artificial sweeteners, and buyers attribute its sweetness to stevia. Check the ingredient panel on your flavor if you avoid it. ### Who owns Garden of Life? Garden of Life is owned by Nestlé Health Science, which also holds a majority stake in Orgain. That makes the two brands sister companies. The ownership has no effect on the labels or certifications described in this review, but it is useful context if you prefer buying from independent supplement brands. ### Is Garden of Life Sport or Vega better? They are close. Both list 30 g of plant protein per serving with NSF Certified for Sport status and land at a similar cost per 25 g at typical prices. Garden of Life Sport is USDA Organic; Vega Protein + Recovery is not. Choose Garden of Life if organic matters to you, and Vega if you prefer its flavors or texture. ## Related Plant Protein Guides - [Best Plant-Based Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/): Garden of Life Sport against every major plant protein on dose, testing and cost. - [Best Organic Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-organic-protein-powder/): Organic whey and plant tubs ranked, with the ones that also carry testing. - [Vega Protein Powder Review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/vega-protein-powder-review/): The closest certified, 30 g rival to Garden of Life Sport. ## The Bottom Line Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein is the reason to buy this brand: 30 g of organic plant protein, NSF Certified for Sport status and roughly 1.85 dollars per 25 g of protein at typical prices, which is the best value in the range. The Raw Organic tubs are pleasant, organic and well rated, but they give less protein, contain erythritol in the vanilla flavors and carry gluten-free and contents badges rather than the sport certification. If you want the certified plant tub, buy Sport. If you want something cheaper and simpler, a single-ingredient pea isolate does the job. Our [best plant-based protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/) ranking puts both options side by side. ## More in Brand Reviews Guides in this category that pair with what you just read. - [Orgain Protein Powder Review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/orgain-protein-powder-review/) - [Best Pea Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-pea-protein-powder/) - [Whey vs Plant Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/whey-vs-plant-protein/) About the Author [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/), Supplements Desk The editorial team reads the label, the certificate and the price per gram of protein before a powder gets near a ranking -- and says plainly when a cheaper tub does the same job. [Full profile](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) | [How we test](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/)