Plant Proteins

Plant protein ingredients are concentrated or isolated protein fractions extracted from plant sources including soybeans, peas, wheat, rice, and hemp through industrial processing. These ingredients have become increasingly prominent in food manufacturing as demand for plant-based products grows. Common forms include soy protein isolate, pea protein concentrate, wheat gluten (vital wheat gluten), rice protein, and textured vegetable protein (TVP). Under the NOVA food classification system, plant protein isolates and concentrates are considered food additives characteristic of ultra-processed foods, as the extraction and concentration processes involved differ significantly from simply consuming the whole plant food source.

Plant protein ingredients are found in meat alternative products, veggie burgers, protein bars, protein shakes, cereals, bread, pasta, snack foods, frozen entrees, plant-based sausages and nuggets, infant formula, and many products marketed with protein content or plant-based claims.

Level (high → low)Level (low → high)Name (A–Z)Name (Z–A)

AllL1L2L3L4

Del Monte, Pasta Sauce, Meat

8.14.5/10

Meijer, Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, Salt & Pepper

8.15.0/10

Pasta Sides Creamy Chicken Flavor

8.10.0/10

Flapjacked, Mighty Muffin with Probiotics, Peanut Butter

8.14.0/10

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Energy Protein Smoothie Mix

8.16.0/10

Chocolate Organic Plant-Based Delicious Protein Shake

8.18.0/10

Organic Honey & Oats Granola

8.14.5/10

Kashi Layered Bars Fruit & Grain Dark Chocolate Coconut 1.1oz

8.15.0/10

Original Fully Cooked Chicken Wing Sections Glazed with Cayenne Pepper Sauce, Original, Cayenne Pepper

8.14.5/10

Protein Nut Chewy Bars, Sweet & Salty Roasted Nut

8.10.0/10

Lightly Sauced Rice, Carrots, Peas & Mushrooms Pilaf, Lightly Sauced

8.10.0/10

Planty Good Plant-Based Ground, Planty Good

Franklin Farms

8.16.5/10

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, Salted Caramel+ Chocolate Cookie

Killer Creamery

8.15.5/10

Chocolate Vanilla Cookie Sandwiches

GoodPop

8.10.0/10

Premium Mushroom Base

Better Than Bouillon

8.10.0/10

Simple Suppers Jambalaya Fixins'

5.54.5/10

El Burrito, Soyrizo, Meatless Soy Chorizo

5.50.0/10

Mccormick, Bag 'N Season, Cooking Bag & Seasoning Mix, Pot Roast

5.50.0/10

Gourmet Dip Mix

5.53.0/10

Lightly Sweetened Vanilla Almondmilk

5.56.0/10

Organics Sandwich Crackers

5.50.0/10

Wheat+protein Bread

5.57.5/10

Real Plant-Powered Protein Shake

5.58.0/10

Chickpea Pasta Mac and Cheese

5.56.5/10

Parmesan Style Plant Based Cheez, Parmesan Style

Simple Truth

5.31.0/10

Real Smoked Gouda Style Plant-Based Cheese

Good Planet Foods

5.32.0/10

Real Smoked Cheddar Style Plant-Based Cheese

Good Planet Foods

5.32.0/10

Parmesan Style Plant-Based Cheese Shreds

Good Planet Foods

5.32.0/10

Cheddar Style Plant-Based Cheese Slices

Good Planet Foods

5.32.0/10

Pepper Jack Plant-Based Cheese Slices

Good Planet Foods

5.32.0/10

Morinaga, Mori-Nu, Silken Tofu

3.07.0/10

Morinaga, Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, Extra Firm

3.07.0/10

Explore, Organic Chickpea Fusilli

3.010.0/10

Lemon Cashew Protein Bar

3.05.5/10

Yellow Pea Protein Powder

3.06.5/10

For Entrees, Salads and Desserts

3.07.0/10

Unsweetened Grain Free Cereal, Unsweetened

3.09.0/10

Soy Sauce

Kroger

3.00.0/10

White Cheddar Dairy-Free Cheesy Goodness, White Cheddar

Pop Zero

3.08.0/10

Fiesta Mexican Meatless Heartly Meal Kit, Fiesta Mexican

Deeply Rooted Farms

3.04.5/10

Egg Wraps with Soy Protein & Sesame Seeds, Egg with Soy Protein & Sesame Seeds

Good Graces

3.03.0/10

Zesty Italian Meatless Hearty Starters, Zesty Italian

Deeply Rooted Farms

3.04.5/10

All-Purpose Protein-Packed Power Flour

Kodiak

3.010.0/10

Plain Soy Crumbles, Plain

El Burrito

3.07.0/10

No Soy Tamari Soy Sauce, No Soy Tamari

San-J

3.06.0/10

Organic Brown Rice Fusilli

2.09.5/10

Pasta Proteica

2.09.0/10

Gluten Free Panko Style Coating

2.07.0/10

Panko Style Coating, Panko Style

2.00.0/10

Plant-Based Protein 21 Grams Powder, Unflavored, Unflavored

Gainful

2.08.5/10

Organic Hemp Protein 15g

1.010.0/10

Organic Hemp Protein Hi-Fiber Superfood

1.00.0/10

Hemp Protein Organic Superfood

1.00.0/10

Hemp Protein Powder

1.00.0/10

Hemp Protein Superfoods

1.08.0/10

Organic Textured Soy Protein Granules

Now Real Food

1.010.0/10

Raw Hemp Protein Powder

Humming Hemp

1.08.0/10

Simple Pea Protein

Sprout Living

1.06.0/10

Textured Soy Protein

Dona Carlota

1.010.0/10

Unseasoned Organic Meatless Plant Crumbles, Unseasoned

Plant Boss

1.07.5/10

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Plant Proteins can appear in ingredient lists under several names. If you see any of the following, this is the ingredient family you are looking at:

Plant protein ingredients serve as primary protein sources in meat alternative products, protein-fortified foods, and nutritional supplements. Soy protein isolate provides a complete amino acid profile with neutral flavor for protein shakes and bars. Pea protein contributes to the texture and protein content of plant-based burgers and sausages. Wheat gluten (vital wheat gluten) provides the elastic protein structure needed in seitan and high-protein breads. Textured vegetable protein (TVP) mimics the fibrous texture of meat through extrusion processing. These ingredients also serve functional roles as emulsifiers, foaming agents, and binders.

Plant proteins are extracted from their source materials through industrial processes that separate protein from fiber, starch, and other components. Soy protein isolate (minimum 90% protein) is produced by alkaline extraction of defatted soy flakes, acid precipitation of proteins, and spray drying. Pea protein is extracted similarly from yellow split peas. Wheat gluten is separated from wheat flour by washing away the starch with water. TVP is produced by extruding defatted soy flour through high-temperature, high-pressure dies. These processes require significant industrial infrastructure and differ fundamentally from traditional plant food preparation.

Soy is a major allergen under FALCPA and must be declared on food labels. Wheat gluten must also be declared as it contains wheat, another major allergen. The protein quality and amino acid profile varies by plant source — soy provides a complete protein, while other plant proteins may be lower in certain essential amino acids. Protein content claims on food labels must be substantiated per FDA regulations.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Soy is a major allergen under FALCPA requiring declaration. Wheat gluten requires wheat allergen declaration. Protein content claims must meet FDA substantiation requirements, and the protein used must have a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) meeting specified thresholds. Standards of identity for soy protein products define minimum protein content requirements. The EU regulates novel food status for newer plant protein sources and requires allergen labeling for soy and wheat-derived proteins.