I have a soy allergy. What's the next best plant-based protein? Rob Hobson AMA

Our nutritionist Rob Hobson will be answering your most pressing nutrition-related questions each month. We'll host the Q&A on Instagram each month and then include Rob's answers in our newsletter! Your question this week was:

I have a soy allergy. What's the next best plant-based protein? And can you recommend any protein powders?

Rob: Soy protein is a great option for those following a plant-based diet, but this is not the only one. There are many vegan protein powders on the market that use a combination of proteins from pea, brown rice, seeds (hemp, sunflower, chia), sacha inchi and alfalfa.

My personal issue with vegan blends is that they can often be a little bit ‘gritty’, so it’s a bit of trial an error to see which one you prefer. A really great company I have used is That Protein (www.thatprotein.com) who do a wide range of powders to suit all tastes and whilst not mega high in protein they all supply around 15g per serving, which is more than enough as a supplementary addition to the diet. My favourite are the Blissful Brown Rice and Raw Cacao Super Protein and the Nutty Nutty Peanut Butter Super Protein.

Other companies that produce great vegan protein powders free of soy include Healthista (www.healthista.com), Form Nutrition (www.formnutrition.com), Motion Nutrition (www.motionnutrition.com) and Pulsin who do a nice unflavoured option (www.pulsin.co.uk).

Rob Hobson is a registered nutritionist (BSc, MSc, AFN), published author and food writer. Rob has 15 years of experience working with some of the UK’s leading food companies, government agencies, NHS and private clients as well as regularly writing in the media for publications including the Daily Mail online.