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Protein is a staple for many gymgoers in their quest for muscle and strength, but not all protein powders have the same ingredient lists or nutritional content, and today we’re looking specifically at Nutribiotic.
Nutribiotic only sells plant-based supplements, and this includes three types of protein powders: rice protein, organic rice protein, and pea protein. In this article, I’ll be reviewing their rice protein powder, which is available in several flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, mixed berries, and plain.
The nutritional information of each one may change depending on the flavor you pick, so you may want to keep that in mind if you eventually decide to purchase this supplement.
Main Takeaways
- Nutribiotic’s rice protein powder stands out for being low in calories (60 calories per scoop) and having a clean ingredient list. It is available in both organic and non-organic versions, with the organic version being USDA-certified.
- With 80% protein per scoop, Nutribiotic’s rice protein powder is considered good according to common criteria. However, it contains only 12 grams of protein per serving, which may not be sufficient for individuals with high protein requirements, such as athletes or those aiming to build muscle.
- The product is relatively affordable, with a 3 lb canister containing about 90 servings costing around $37. This makes it cost-effective for individuals who are seeking a clean protein supplement without breaking the bank.
Nutribiotic Rice Protein Overview
One scoop of Nutribiotic’s vanilla-flavored rice protein powder contains 60 calories, 12 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates (of which 1 gram is fiber and less than 1 gram is sugar), and 0 grams of fat. In addition, it contains the following micronutrients: 1mg of iron, 60mg of phosphorus, and 585 mcg of manganese, which is considerably different from other plant-based proteins.
Nutribiotic also has a variety of other flavors, including mixed berries, and plain which have the same macro and micronutrients. The only exception to the rule is the chocolate flavor because it has more calories and less one gram of protein.
Like pea protein (which is found in a variety of plant-based protein powders), rice protein is also high in many essential amino acids, including cysteine and methionine, however, it doesn’t have as much lysine, a molecule that your body uses to build protein for normal growth and muscle turnover. Also, as you’ve probably realized, it doesn’t contain as much iron (nor calcium) as pea protein, so it’s not ideal if you have a vegan or vegetarian diet.
This is not to say that vegans are deficient in iron, but the iron from plant foods (also referred to as non-heme iron) is generally more difficult for your body to absorb. So, having additional iron in a protein powder is beneficial, but this one only has 1mg of iron, which represents 6% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). It’s not bad, but you can find other plant-based protein powders with 6-7mg of iron, which is significantly more useful.
Nutribiotics’ rice protein powder is produced through a specific enzyme process— a blend of plant-based enzymes is used to separate the fiber and carbohydrates from the protein portion of the whole grain, which in turn provides you with a protein that is easily digestible.
Does It Have Enough Protein?
Nutrabiotic’s rice protein powder contains 12 grams of rice protein, which is kinda low for a supplement that is specifically designed to provide you with protein.
If you want to increase your protein intake in order to build muscle and more quickly recover after a workout, I’d suggest finding a protein with higher protein content.
Also, how much protein can you find in this supplement in proportion to the total amount of calories? If a product is marketed as a protein powder, you need to make sure it contains as much protein per scoop as possible, otherwise, you’re better off with a different supplement.
To determine whether a protein powder is actually good, one has to calculate how much protein it contains per scoop, and the criteria used to evaluate the quality of a protein powder fall under the following:
- 65-75% protein per scoop = reasonable
- 75-85% protein per scoop = good
- More than 85% protein per scoop = excellent
Nutribiotic’s rice protein powder contains 80% protein per scoop. It’s considered a good protein powder when following the criteria above, but you also have to consider the fact that it’s very low in calories (only 60 calories per serving), and is also low in protein (only 12g per serving), so I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a good protein powder as this will also depend on what you’re seeking.
Personally, this type of protein seems ideal for those who want to slightly increase their protein intake for other reasons other than building muscle. It’s clearly not indicated for high-performance athletes or anyone who takes their workout sessions very rigorously, desiring to dramatically transform their body as those individuals generally require a higher protein intake.
What I Like About Nutribiotic’s Rice Protein
Organic Option Available
One of the aspects that I like about Nutribiotic’s rice protein is that they offer customers an organic option, so if you prefer ingredients that are not meddled with and produced entirely from organic agriculture, you have that option as well, which is generally considered better for your health and the environment.
Furthermore, their organic protein powders are USDA-certified, which stands for the United States Department of Agriculture, an entity with fairly rigorous standards of quality.
Super Clean
Both non-organic and organic protein powders are highly transparent and clean. If you want supplements that are entirely free from pesticides, herbicides, PCBs, preservatives, GMOs, and even gluten, Nutribiotic is a brand that completely avoids those.
In fact, if you look at the list of ingredients, you’ll have one or two ingredients maximum. This rice protein only contains rice protein and natural flavors. If you opt for the organic version, then you’ll only find organic rice protein. By keeping it simple, they ensure that their supplement is healthier than most.
Relatively Cheap
Nutribiotic’s rice protein is not that expensive. A 3 Lb (1.35 Kg) canister with about 90 servings costs about $37, which is the equivalent of $0.41 per serving. It’s not the cheapest supplement, but it’s also not considered expensive, especially if you take into account the fact it can last you three months.
What I Don’t Like About Nutribiotic’s Rice Protein
Low Protein Content
Unfortunately, in one scoop you solely have 12 grams of protein, which is not ideal if you’re someone that is looking to exercise rigorously and perhaps experience muscle gain.
For example, it is advised that someone who frequently lifts weights or is preparing for a run or bike event consume between 1.2 and 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, or between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per pound of body weight, to enhance muscle mass in conjunction with physical exercise.
This is hard to achieve with only a supplement that contains 12 grams of protein per serving unless you a) consume more than one serving per day or b) have a very protein-rich diet.
With that being said, if your goal is not to consume protein for competition or muscle gain, then 12 grams of protein will suffice, particularly for someone who is sedentary.
Is Nutribiotic’s Rice Protein Worth It?
Generally, when I purchase a protein supplement, I do it with the intention of pushing myself in the gym and potentially experiencing benefits such as increased muscle mass and recovery.
However, based on how much I weigh (which is 92 kg or 202 pounds), this supplement doesn’t contain enough protein for me to consider it a good enough option. This will be true for anyone weighing above 80kg or 175 pounds since the protein requirements are naturally higher than someone who only weighs 60kg or 130 pounds.
I think that this protein powder is ideal for people who might have goals that don’t involve gaining muscle mass or who weigh very little. As I’ve explained earlier, protein requirements change based on how active you are and how much you weigh, so you need to take that into consideration when selecting a protein powder.
With that being said, if this supplement is actually one that suits your anatomy and lifestyle, then I’d say it’s a good option because it’s among the cleanest supplements I’ve seen. It has a maximum of two ingredients, which is quite unusual in the supplement industry as you’ll often come across ones with plenty of questionable ingredients.
If you want to purchase this protein powder, you can do so via iHerb or the brand’s official website.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
