🥤 Vanilla Showdown: 3 Gluten & Dairy Free Protein Drinks Put to the HEART Exam

FoodsBeverages

Sep 19

Written By Mary Crisostomo

As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (but not your Nurse Practitioner), I give foods a playful “checkup.” Because why should patients get all the attention?

⚠️ Disclaimer: These are just my personal snack opinions, not medical advice. Always check labels and chat with your own healthcare professional before trying something new.

👩‍⚕️ Patient #1: Evolve Plant-Based Protein Shake (Creamy Vanilla)

H = Health 💓

First ingredients: water, pea protein isolate, soluble corn fiber.
Non-GMO, vegan, no gluten ingredients (though not labeled GF).
Nutrition: 140 calories, 2.5g fat, 15g carbs, 10g fiber, 20g protein.
Bonus points for B-12, calcium, iron, zinc.

E = Eating/Drinking 😋
Smooth vanilla flavor, not too thick, no weird aftertaste. I’ve even used it as coffee creamer.

A = Accessibility 🛒
$12.99 for a 4-pack at Jewel ($3.25 each). As a meal replacement = fair price. As a coffee creamer = about $1.08 per cup with protein + nutrients. Worth it.

R = Rhythm Rating 🩺
⭐ Sinus rhythm. Steady, reliable, repeat buy.

T = Tell Others 📢
Told my mom she could swap this for milk in her recipes. Mom: consider this a protein-packed hint.

👩‍⚕️ Patient #2: OWYN Vanilla Plant Protein Shake

H = Health 💓

Ingredients: water, pea + pumpkin seed protein, flax oil, soluble fiber.
Certified gluten free, vegan, top-8 allergen tested.
Nutrition: 200 calories, 6g fat, 6g carbs (all fiber), 32g protein.
Vitamins: D, calcium, iron, potassium sprinkles.

E = Eating/Drinking 😋
Thicker than Evolve, but sooo smooth and extra vanilla-y. Sweet tooth approved, no aftertaste. Honestly… could freeze this into ice cream. (Yes, my throat still hurts.)

A = Accessibility 🛒
$10.99 for 4-pack at Jewel ($2.75 each). As coffee creamer = about $0.92 a cup.

R = Rhythm Rating 🩺
⭐ Sinus rhythm. Thicker, sweeter, and my personal fave for straight-from-the-bottle sipping.

T = Tell Others 📢
Perfect for baking—cookies, cakes, or any “milk swap” desserts. Mom: you’re on call.

👩‍⚕️ Patient #3: pirq Golden Vanilla Protein Drink

H = Health 💓

Ingredients: filtered water, pea protein, “superfood blend” (almonds, maca, curcumin).
Non-GMO, vegan, dairy/soy/gluten free, kosher.
Nutrition: 130 calories, 5g fat, 7g carbs, 1g fiber, 15g protein.

E = Eating/Drinking 😋
More tan/yellow than the others. Thick, lightly vanilla, not overly sweet, no aftertaste.

A = Accessibility 🛒
$8.99 for 4-pack at Jewel ($2.25 each). Cheapest of the three = about $0.75 per coffee when used as creamer.

R = Rhythm Rating 🩺
⭐ Sinus rhythm. Would definitely buy again.

T = Tell Others 📢
Warning: might change dessert color. Mom, if my cookies turn yellow, we’ll call it “sunshine edition.”

🏁 Final Thoughts

All three passed their HEART checkups.

Best value for recipes: pirq
Most nutrition per sip: OWYN
Smoothest in coffee: Tie between Evolve & PIRQ if I want balance in my coffee and OWYN if I just want it sweeter.

· Smoothie buddy: OWYN was the sweetest but the other 2 I could NOT tell them apart. Smoothies were great, just not hitting my sweeet tooth:(