# What is the best vegan protein for muscle gain in South Africa?

Source: https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/best-vegan-protein-for-muscle-gain-south-africa/
Publisher: Healthnews24 (South Africa's supplement answer desk)
Updated: 2026-10-27

> The best vegan protein for muscle gain in South Africa is a pea-and-rice blend taken at 30-40 g of protein per serving, because plant proteins carry less leucine than whey. As of October 2026, USN BlueLab (about R21 to R25 per 30 g protein) and 32Gi (about R33) are mainstream picks, and Faithful to Nature pea isolate (about R11) is the budget option.

Key facts:
- ISSN: 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day protein for people who train; Morton 2018 found gains plateaued around 1.6 g/kg/day.
- Plant proteins need roughly 30-40 g of protein per serving to match the leucine in 20-25 g of whey.
- Faithful to Nature pea isolate is about R11 per 30 g of protein; USN BlueLab about R21 to R25; 32Gi about R33 (October 2026).
- None of the South African plant-protein labels we read publish leucine content.

## Can vegan protein build muscle as well as whey?

Yes, when total protein and serving size are adequate. Muscle gain depends mostly on daily protein, training and enough calories. The ISSN position stand recommends 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day for people who train, and Morton and colleagues' 2018 meta-analysis found gains levelled off around 1.6 g/kg/day. Plant proteins are lower in leucine and some essential amino acids, so use a bigger serving and a blend. Evidence level: **moderate**.

## How much leucine and protein per serving do you need?

The ISSN suggests 700-3 000 mg of leucine per serving, which in practice means about 2-3 g for young adults. About 25 g of whey provides roughly 2.5-3 g. A pea-and-rice blend usually needs 30-40 g of protein to reach the same leucine. None of the South African plant-protein labels we read publish leucine, so treat this as a rule of thumb. For a 75 kg lifter, 1.6-2.0 g/kg is about 120-150 g of protein a day, spread over three to five meals.

## Which vegan proteins are worth buying?

| Product (October 2026) | Protein per scoop | Price | R per 30 g protein | Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faithful to Nature Pea Protein Isolate 650 g | 15 g per 20 g | R185 | about R11 | pea only |
| USN BlueLab Plant Protein 900 g | 20 g per 31 g | R399 to R474.99 | about R21 to R25 | pea, pumpkin seed, watermelon seed |
| 32Gi Plant Protein 720 g | 20 g per 30 g | R529.99 | about R33 | pea and rice isolates |
| Biogen Plant Based Protein 700 g | 20 g per 40 g | R399.99 | about R34 | not fully listed |
| NPL Plant Protein 710 g | 22 g per 43 g | R439.99 | about R36 | pea, rice, hemp, chickpea, pumpkin seed |

Youthful Living Plant Based Protein (R519.99 to R529.99 for 1 kg) is a rice and pea concentrate with added L-lysine, but protein per serving is not readable in text on its page.

**Our picks:** for best value, pair Faithful to Nature pea isolate with rice or oats across the day. For a ready-flavoured, mixed-source tub, USN BlueLab or 32Gi. For the full ranking, see the [best plant protein in South Africa](/best/best-plant-protein-south-africa/).

## How should you use it?

- Aim for 30-40 g of protein per serving (often two scoops), 1-2 times a day.
- Spread protein over meals; see [plant protein vs whey for muscle](/answers/plant-protein-vs-whey-for-muscle-south-africa/).
- Consider creatine, since vegans start with lower muscle stores; read [creatine for vegetarians and vegans](/answers/creatine-for-vegetarians-and-vegans/).

## What to watch for

Plant powders carried about nine times the lead of dairy ones in Consumer Reports' 2025 testing, so rotate protein sources and favour brands that publish certificates of analysis. Under-18s should meet protein needs with food first, and anyone with kidney disease should follow their doctor's advice on protein.

## Products mentioned

| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per 30 g protein | R per 100 g powder | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faithful to Nature (FtN) Pea Protein Isolate Powder (650 g) | 650 g | R148-R185 (Faithful to Nature, 2026-10) | — | R11.38 | R28.46 | none |
| USN BlueLab 100% Plant Based Protein (900 g) | 900 g | R399-R474.99 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | — | R24.54 | R52.78 | sucralose, acesulfame-K, steviol glycosides |
| 32Gi Plant Based Protein Shake (720 g) | 720 g | R530 (Dis-Chem Living Fit, 2026-10) | — | R33.12 | R73.61 | erythritol and steviol glycosides |
| NPL Plant Protein (710 g) | 710 g | R440 (NPL shop (npl.za.com), 2026-10) | — | R36.34 | R61.97 | stevia and sucralose |
| Biogen Plant Based Protein (700 g) | 700 g | R400 (Biogen shop (biogen.co.za), 2026-10) | — | R34.28 | R57.14 | sucralose and steviol glycosides |

## Sources

- [Jäger et al. 2017, ISSN position stand: protein and exercise (JISSN)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28642676/)
- [Morton et al. 2018, Protein supplementation and resistance-training-induced gains: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression (BJSM)](https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/6/376)
- [Mathai, Liu & Stein 2017, DIAAS values for dairy and plant proteins vs PDCAAS (Br J Nutr), AGRIS record](https://agris.fao.org/search/en/records/65de3cca0f3e94b9e5cc4b98)
- [OPB/NPR (Oct 2025): Consumer Reports finds lead in popular protein powders](https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/16/consumer-reports-finds-lead-in-popular-protein-powders/)