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KOS is a health supplement company that offers a variety of plant-based goods, such as functional ingredients, specialty supplements, daily nutritional mixes, and plant proteins. They’ve been at the forefront of vegan nutrition by using organic and sustainably sourced foods to create ethical formulas that respect every living being.
KOS’ protein powder is among their most popular products, and it combines a variety of plant-based proteins such as organic peas, flaxseeds, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. Additionally, you’ll also find it contains a few blends that make it an even richer supplement from a nutrient standpoint.
In this article, I’m going to review the KOS protein powder and determine whether or not it’s worth the investment.
Main Takeaways
- KOS Protein Powder contains a blend of organic ingredients and is nutrient-dense, offering a variety of vitamins and minerals along with digestive enzymes. This could be beneficial for individuals looking for a protein supplement that also provides additional nutrients.
- The powder is available in seven different flavors, including an unflavored option, catering to diverse preferences. KOS is also recognized as a reputable and ethical brand, particularly for sourcing ingredients from organic and sustainable farms, which may appeal to those (i.e. vegans) who prioritize ethically sourced products.
- Some users might find the mixability of the powder to be less than optimal, and it might have a thicker texture when blended using typical ratios. Additionally, the protein content is 50% of the total calories, with the rest coming from carbs and fats, which may not be ideal for individuals looking for a pure protein supplement.
KOS Protein Powder Overview
One scoop of KOS’ chocolate-flavored plant protein powder contains 160 calories, 20 grams of protein, 9 grams of carbohydrates (of which 3 grams are fiber and 2 grams are sugar), and 6 grams of fat.
In addition, it contains a variety of micronutrients: 5 mg of iron, 50 mg of calcium, 190 mg of potassium, 1.6 mg of zinc, 30 mcg of iodine, 1.1 mcg of vitamin b12, and many others. It’s quite remarkable when you compare it to most protein powders.
This is thanks to two different blends: a fruit and veggie blend and a vitamin and mineral blend that make this supplement incredibly nutrient-rich and diverse. Another blend present in this formula is the digestive enzyme blend which introduces enzymes into your intestine to help break down protein, carbohydrates, and fat, preventing the bloating you might feel from consuming protein and fiber-dense foods.
It’s also worth mentioning that this formula is entirely organic, so every ingredient is bound to be healthier and better for the environment— something that both health and environmentally-conscious vegans might appreciate.
Protein Breakdown
If a product is labeled as a protein powder, you should ensure that it has as much protein per scoop as possible; otherwise, buying a protein powder with very little protein in it is pointless.
Naturally, this depends on your goal, but if you’re intending to buy a protein powder to support your gym goals, then it makes sense to get one with significant protein content.
To determine whether a protein powder is legit, 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
KOS’ protein powder contains 50% protein, which means that 50% of the total calories in this supplement are derived from protein, whilst the other 50% correspond to carbs and fat. In terms of proportion, KOS could contain much more protein, but they’ve decided to emphasize other aspects such as nutrient density.
Is that a bad or a good thing? Well, personally, if I’m looking to buy a protein powder, I’m simply wanting to maximize my protein intake. This is especially true if I’m limiting carbs and fats to prevent my body from accumulating unnecessary weight (and fat), which might be difficult if you’re consuming calorie-dense nutrients such as carbs and fat.
With that being said, KOS still contains 20 grams of protein, a significant amount. It’s impressive how they still managed to include a variety of other vitamin and mineral-rich ingredients without jeopardizing the overall protein content.
What I Like About KOS Protein Powder
Organic Ingredients
The first I’ve noticed when inspecting the ingredients in this formula is that all the ingredients (apart from one or two) are derived from organic agriculture.
This is quite alluring if you’re very mindful about what you put into your body. Foods derived from organic agriculture are more expensive, but they are also healthier and recognized as being fundamentally better for the environment.
Nearly every ingredient is certified organic which means it’s free from hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, colors, and GMOs.
Very Nutrient-Dense
The fact that KOS has included a fruit and veggie blend alongside a vitamin and mineral blend means that you’re provided with key nutrients that are important not only for exercise but also for your overall well-being.
The list of nutrients you get from this supplement is quite long, especially when compared to most protein powders. In this formula, you can find vitamins and minerals such as:
- iron
- calcium
- potassium
- vitamin E
- vitamin K
- riboflavin
- niacin
- folate
- vitamin b12
- zinc
- iodine
- copper
- selenium
- chromium
- manganese
- molybdenum
They’re also dosed very generously despite being a very wide variety.
Additionally, they’ve also included enzymes so that you’re able to digest each protein, carb, and fat in a more effective way, preventing any feelings of bloatedness that derive from consuming very nutrient-dense foods.
Several Flavors (including unflavored)
If you’re someone that values a great-tasting protein powder, then you’ll be happy to know that KOS has made its protein powder available in seven different flavors:
- chocolate
- blueberry muffin
- chocolate chip mint
- chocolate peanut butter
- salted caramel coffee
- vanilla
- unflavored & unsweetened
Each flavor is incredibly delicious, at least according to most reviews.
Personally, since I’m not one to value taste above everything else, I really like the fact they’ve included an unflavored and unsweetened variety, which means customers have an even healthier way of consuming this supplement.
Highly Reputable Brand
KOS is a highly reputable brand, and it’s also very trustworthy, starting from the fact they are completely plant-based and source ingredients from organic and sustainable farms.
I would say that compared to most supplement brands, their moral compass is better aligned with what a vegan individual like me values — animals, planet, and ethical practices (that account for other humans as well).
They have also grown very popular over the years, and they’re loved by customers all around the world.
Great Value For Money
Although it’s not exactly an affordable supplement (since it costs $49.99 per canister), it’s still a great value for money if you consider a) how much protein it contains and b) the various blends that make it super nutrient-dense.
Additionally, the LARGE majority of its ingredients are derived from organic farms that employ sustainable farming practices, so if you take that into account, it’s really not that expensive as you’re really getting a superior product.
What I Don’t Like About KOS Protein Powder
Doesn’t Mix Well
One of the biggest complaints I have about this supplement is that its mixability is quite poor, so it doesn’t get as homogenous if you just use a blender bottle.
This is probably one of the drawbacks of having many ingredients in one formula. You need to be persistent at mixing it if you want to get a more smooth texture. That or add it to a milkshake or smoothie.
However, keep in mind that you will probably end up with a creamy and thick texture.
Low Protein Content Per Total Calories
As we figured out earlier, KOS has a low protein content compared to the total number of calories it contains. In fact, 50% of the total calories are derived from protein, and the remaining 50% come from carbs and fat.
This is quite low for a protein supplement, and it might not be indicative of a good protein because you’re also getting a lot of extra carbs and fat with the protein.
For those who want pure protein (this will depend on your goals), you might not view this supplement as a suitable option due to it offering more than what it’s supposed to.
Is KOS Protein Powder Worth It?
This plant-based protein powder is a very high-quality supplement that is perfect for anyone who wants to increase their protein intake and also take advantage of the variety of vitamins and minerals it contains.
For instance, if you’re a vegan that wants to ensure your diet is consistently protein-rich and filled with many vitamins and minerals (because it takes work to ensure your meals are filled with all the adequate nutrients), then I would say that this type of supplement is definitely worth it.
However, if you’re someone that merely wants to consume more protein because your goal is to increase your muscle mass and potentially improve your post-workout recovery, I don’t think such a nutrient-dense formula may be warranted, particularly if you’re at a stage where you want to minimize carb and fat intake to achieve a certain goal (such as reducing body fat).
But overall, I do think this supplement is of the highest quality, from the way the ingredients are sourced (organically through sustainable farming practices) to the different blends that include heaps of micronutrients that are super important for your overall well-being. Whether or not you need a supplement like this one, however, will depend on your goals.
If you want to purchase this supplement, feel free to do it through iHerb or via KOS’ 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.
