Yuve GOTTA Try Yuve!

Though it’s quite easy to get all the protein and nutrients my body needs from a plant-based diet, sometimes a little boost goes a long way. During particularly heavy loads of Ironman training, for example, I’m a bottomless pit for food unless I eat something incredibly protein-dense to stave off hunger. Plant-based protein powders can be a great way to get those grams of protein quickly (without having to eat meat or high-calorie, high-fat protein sources like nuts).
Protein powders are also great to have on hand for on-the-go meals. When your colleagues are making a quick McDonald’s run between meetings, it just feels good to mix a nutritious shake or smoothie and know you’re treating your body right.
When it comes to protein powders, I’m a stickler. In addition to meeting strict standards of quality, it’s got to taste good. Many vegan protein powders are … how do I say this? Gross. I don’t care how perfect a nutrition label looks on a jar — if a protein shake tastes gross, I’m not drinking it. End of story.
Though I found some protein powders that don’t suck, that’s pretty much the nicest thing I can say about them: “they don’t suck.” They’re not great, but they’re passable, especially when mixed with other ingredients in a smoothie. At least fresh fruits and veggies could mask a gross aftertaste.
But last month, I got to sample Yuve, a new plant-based protein powder … and you guys, I’m in love. To make sure it wasn’t a fluke, I purchased a container of my own after finishing my free sample. The 15-serving container lasted only one week in my house. Meanwhile, I have three containers of other “they don’t suck” powders collecting dust in my pantry.

Yuve Nutrition

The main sources of protein in Yuve come from peas and brown rice. On their own, the ingredients are solid sources of protein, but I’m impressed by the inclusion of superfoods like chia, buckwheat, chlorella and flaxseed — decent sources of protein in their own right. This makes for a well-rounded amino acid profile.
The ingredient list also includes antioxidant-rich foods like goji berry, spirulina, maca root, prunes and broccoli (yes, I said prunes and broccoli).
Combined, the components of Yuve pack a strong nutritional punch, with solid numbers for important nutrients for women like calcium (25 percent) and folic acid (36 percent). Take a look at their nutrition information:

Yuve Ingredients

What I appreciate most about Yuve is that it tastes good. It sounds like a “no duh” decision, but if you’ve tried vegan protein powders, you know there are a lot of products that don’t put taste high on the list of priorities. I’ve had plenty of brown rice protein powders, and they’re passable. Pea protein, not so much. But I don’t taste either of these in Yuve.
Yuve is made from natural ingredients like raw chia seeds, cocoa beans and dried raspberry. There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, which I really appreciate. It’s also free of dairy and soy products.
In spite of its simple ingredients, the mixture pulls off a really good flavor. In fact, it’s the first vegan protein powder I could drink without having to hide it in a smoothie. Mixed with coconut water, Yuve tastes like a light chocolate truffle. It’s delicious.
 

Yuve Price

One of the big considerations for me when buying protein powder is the cost. Protein powders are one of those things where you get what you pay for — in other words, the cheapest tub of protein powder at your store will taste like … well, the cheapest tub of protein powder at your store. On the flip side, there are a lot of protein powders out there that can cost up to 5 dollars per serving … and I still need to buy more ingredients to mask their crappy taste.
Yuve is right in the middle, price-wise, at $3.30 per serving. I think that’s reasonable, especially given that I don’t have to mix it with anything other than a little almond milk or some coconut water.
If you’re looking for a new protein powder, give Yuve a try. You won’t regret it.
Have you found a plant-based protein powder you can’t do without? Yuve’s my new go-to! —Susan