KOS Protein Review 2024: Is This Organic Plant Protein Right for You?

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When it comes to plant-based protein powders, there has been a significant rise in the number of options that are available to consumers. This is due to the increased popularity of plant-based diets and consumer demand for high-quality plant-based supplements. Unfortunately, many supplement companies add a variety of unnecessary ingredients to its plant-based protein powders such as fillers and artificial ingredients like sweeteners, flavors and colors. While this might not bother some consumers, there are a growing number of health conscious individuals who prefer all natural protein powders made with all organic ingredients.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, then let me introduce you to KOS Organic Plant Protein, which is one of the purest plant-based protein powders on the market. What sets KOS’s unflavored protein powder apart is its no-frills approach, providing a clean and simple product without any added flavors, sweeteners or artificial ingredients. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of KOS’s unflavored plant protein powder and how it can help you meet your dietary protein needs.

KOS Unflavored Organic Plant-Based Protein At a Glance

• 140 calories and 20 grams of pure plant-based protein per serving
• Blend of five unique plant sources of protein
• Unflavored and unsweetened
• USDA certified organic ingredients
• Soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free

Pros

• In addition to the protein, this supplement also includes a fruit and vegetable blend, digestive enzyme blend and vitamins and minerals blend
• Free from artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners
• Manufactured in the USA at cGMP regulated facilities
• Subscribe and save 20 percent discount
• Zero grams of added sugar

Cons

• Two scoop serving size is difficult to mix in a conventional shaker bottle
• Not suitable for those with allergies to tree nuts (coconut)

KOS Unflavored Organic Plant Protein Claims

KOS’s Unflavored Plant Protein provides consumers with a high-quality, plant-based protein source that’s perfect for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. Nearly every ingredient in this supplement is certified organic and therefore made without hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or genetically modified organisms. This product is also gluten-free, soy-free and obviously dairy-free, which makes this protein powder suitable for most people with dietary intolerances or sensitivities.

Every two-scoop serving provides consumers with 20 grams of plant-based protein as well as KOS’s patented fruit and veggie blend, digestive enzyme blend and vitamins and minerals blend. These digestive enzymes help to ensure that KOS’s protein powder is digested and absorbed easily, which means it is less likely to cause digestive discomfort or bloating than other whey or plant-based protein supplements on the market. Being flavorless, this supplement is also incredibly versatile and can be added to a wide variety of different foods and drinks including meal replacement shakes, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt and baked goods. In general, KOS’s Organic Plant Protein is a perfect way to start your day to take care of your nutritional needs.

Quality of Ingredients

Protein blend

What sets KOS Organic Plant Protein powder apart from other plant-based protein powders on the market is that it contains a protein matrix consisting of five different plant-based protein sources including organic pea protein, organic flax seeds, organic quinoa, organic pumpkin seed protein and organic chia seeds. This is important because many individual plant-based protein sources are considered incomplete, which means that they don’t contain all nine of the essential amino acids our bodies need to repair and grow muscle tissue. KOS’s combination of certified USDA organic ingredients ensures that every scoop of KOS Organic Plant Protein is complete and will contain all of the essential amino acids our bodies need and cannot produce on their own.

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Organic fruit and veggie blend

KOS’s organic fruit and veggie blend includes organic apple, organic carrot, organic cranberry, organic orange, organic broccoli, organic shiitake mushroom extract and organic tomato. This added blend of whole-food fruits and vegetables provides consumers with a full spectrum of micronutrients to help support its overall health and wellness. This fruit and veggie blend also makes this supplement a wonderful product for family members, such as children, who dislike eating fruits and vegetables and may not be getting the recommended daily allowance of certain micronutrients from their diet. Optimal micronutrient intake is important because it can help support energy levels, improve cognitive function, enhance metabolism and minimize disease risk.

Digestive enzyme blend

KOS’s digestive enzyme blend includes amylases, lactase, proteases, lipase and cellulase. This proprietary enzyme blend helps to enhance the absorption of protein and other nutrients in the supplement. These enzymes also help to reduce the likelihood of gastric distress or discomfort, such as bloating or gas, that is often associated with protein powder supplements.

Related Post: The Best Digestive Enzymes

KOS vitamins and minerals blend

In addition to the micronutrients from the fruit and veggie blend, KOS also includes a vitamins and minerals blend in its Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder. These vitamins and minerals include DL-alpha tocopherol, manganese amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, zinc oxide, selenium amino acid chelate, molybdenum amino acid chelate, copper oxide, riboflavin, niacinamide, phylloquinone, chromium picolinate, folic acid and cyanocobalamin. This combination of ingredients helps to ensure that each serving of KOS Organic Plant Protein, in addition to 20 grams of protein, also will supply a significant portion of your daily micronutrient needs.

Other ingredients

Since we are reviewing the unflavored version of KOS’s Organic Plant Protein powder, there aren’t a significant amount of other ingredients in this supplement. The only other ingredients on the nutrition label include organic coconut milk, organic inulin, organic acacia gum and himalayan salt, which help the texture of the shake and provide some added fiber.

Nutrition Facts

KOS Organic Plant Protein has a similar macronutrient profile to a whey protein concentrate. This is in contrast to a lower calorie protein isolate in which the excess carbs and fats are removed through filtration, resulting in a product with a higher calorie to protein ratio. That being said, these additional calories from carbohydrates and fats are common in a plant-based protein powder due to plant-based protein sources like nuts, seeds and legumes having healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber which aren’t found in animal-based products. These extra 20 to 30 calories can be an asset if you are looking to build strength and put on some muscle mass. However, they also shouldn’t deter an individual with weight loss goals from using this product as this protein powder is still low calorie.

Related Post: Whey Protein vs Isolate: What’s The Difference?

KOS Organic Plant Protein Protein Cost

The 28 serving bag of KOS Organic Plant Protein powder is priced at $49.99 for a one-time purchase. At that price point, this product would be considered fairly expensive. However, you can take advantage of KOS’s 20 percent off subscribe and save discount which brings the cost down to $39.99. This falls within the average price point I like to look for in a high-quality protein powder, anywhere from $15 to $20 dollars per pound of protein.

Who Should Use KOS Unflavored Organic Plant Protein Protein

KOS’s unflavored Organic Plant Protein is a versatile protein powder that can be used by a wide range of people looking for a high quality protein source. Some people who may benefit from this product include vegans and vegetarians who are looking for a convenient and complete protein to supplement their dietary protein intake, as well as athletes and bodybuilders who are looking for additional protein to supplement their muscle building goals. It’s also a great choice if you have food sensitivities and allergies because KOS’s protein is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives. This product does contain coconut, so if you are allergic to tree nuts then you will have to find a different protein supplement.

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Who KOS Unflavored Organic Plant Protein Is Not Best For

While KOS Organic Plant Protein powder is generally safe for most people, there may be some people who would prefer an alternative protein source. The most obvious example of someone who might want to avoid an unflavored vegan protein powder is someone who would prefer a flavored protein supplement. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you can’t still use KOS’s Organic Plant Protein, you can simply choose one of the flavored protein powders instead of the unflavored option. Another group of people that should avoid this protein supplement, flavored or not, would be anyone with tree nut allergies because KOS’s Organic Plant Protein does contain organic coconut milk. Finally, if you would prefer an animal-based protein powder such as a whey or casein, there are plenty of options available for purchase.

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What Customers Are Saying About KOS Unflavored Organic Plant Protein

Many people who are looking for a plant-based protein powder are extremely health conscious and prefer a supplement without any fillers or artificial ingredients like sweeteners or flavors. This is why many customer reviews are focused around their appreciation for a product that is organic, non-GMO and contains no artificial ingredients. Other customers find the unflavored version of this product to be versatile and easy to add to their favorite recipes. One consumer writes, “I love the unflavored version because I can bake with it and not have the chocolate or vanilla protein flavor take over, this also blends into fruit smoothies very well as the powder adds some bulk to my smoothies that makes them thicker and more filling.” There are a few reviews in which the customer found the product to be slightly gritty or chalky in texture, but this is a common issue with many plant-based protein powders, especially ones as pure as KOS Organic Plant Protein. Overall, KOS’s unflavored Organic Plant Protein has received mostly positive reviews, with many individuals praising its clean and organic ingredients.

What to consider when buying KOS Unflavored Organic Plant Protein

Macros

Whenever you are purchasing a protein supplement, you should take into account your personal health and fitness goals. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, then you should look for a protein powder with a high protein to calorie ratio such as a protein isolate. On the other hand, if you are looking to build muscle size and strength, then a higher calorie protein powder with additional carbohydrates and fats may be better to help you achieve your goals. In the case of KOS’s Organic Plant Protein, there are only 140 calories per serving, with 20 grams of protein, five grams of carbohydrates and six grams of fat. This protein powder’s calorie and macronutrient profile falls right in the middle of most protein supplements and will be a great option for people to increase their dietary protein intake regardless of their specific goals.

Micronutrients

One major benefit of KOS’s protein over whey and other plant-based protein powders is in its micronutrient profile. The reason is that KOS includes an organic fruit and veggie blend, as well as a vitamins and minerals blend in its protein powder to seriously increase the number of micronutrients in this product. In fact, this product contains 16 different vitamins and minerals to help you meet your daily micronutrient needs.

Sweetener

If you purchase the unflavored version of KOS Organic Plant Protein, then there are no sweeteners in this product. If you do choose a flavored option, then KOS flavors their protein powder with organic stevia and organic monk fruit.

Mixability

KOS’s Organic Plant Protein does have a two scoop serving size. This does impact the mixability of the product and I would definitely suggest the use of a blender instead of a conventional shaker bottle when mixing this supplement. You should also use an additional amount of liquid compared to a normal protein shake. I found that 16 to 20 ounces of liquid worked well.

Benefits and Effectiveness of KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

KOS plant-based protein offers several benefits for people who are looking to supplement their diet with additional protein.

Promotes muscle growth

KOS’s protein powder is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine of the essential amino acids our bodies need to grow and repair muscle tissue. This makes this product an effective supplement for athletes and bodybuilders with muscle building goals.

May help with weight loss

Protein is known to be more satiating than carbohydrates or fats, which means that it can help reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness. Incorporating KOS Organic Plant Protein into your diet may help you feel full for longer periods of time, which can potentially lead to a reduction in daily caloric intake.

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Enhances digestion

This supplement contains digestive enzymes, which can improve digestion and nutrient absorption in the gut. These enzymes help the body to break down and utilize protein and other nutrients as well as reduce the risk of gastric distress such as bloating or gas that is a common side effect of protein powder consumption.

Safe for most individuals with dietary restrictions

KOS’s organic plant-based protein powder is a great option for individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies as it is common from many major allergens such as soy, gluten and dairy. That being said, this supplement does contain coconut and may not be suitable for individuals with allergies to tree nuts.

About KOS

Established in 2018, KOS is a supplement company that specializes in a diverse range of plant-based dietary supplements aimed at promoting overall health and wellness. The company’s range of products is comprised of superfood blends, protein powders, greens and reds powders and other supplements made from organic and natural ingredients. KOS supplements are free from soy, gluten, dairy and any artificial sweeteners, color or flavors, making them suitable for most individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies.

The company takes pride in its commitment to transparency and sustainability, and it works with suppliers who share these same values. Additionally, KOS has made a concerted effort to give back to the community through its Project 10 Million Meals. This is a charity in which for every KOS product that’s purchased, the company will contribute a meal to a local family in need through the nearest food bank to the customer’s address. As of writing this article, KOS, in collaboration with Feeding America, has donated over three million meals to families in need.

KOS Organic Plant Protein vs. Swolverine Plant Protein

In general, the KOS and Swolverine plant-based protein powders are fairly similar. Swolverine’s formulation contains a combination of pea protein isolate and pumpkin protein compared to KOS Organic Plant Protein that includes a five ingredient plant protein blend as well as additional fruit and veggies, digestive enzymes and vitamins and minerals. Despite the slight ingredient differences, both protein powders offer a similar calorie count and micronutrient profile. Swolverine has 130 calories per serving with 22 grams of protein compared to KOS’s 140 calories and 20 grams of protein. This means Swolverine has a slightly higher protein to calorie ratio and may be better suited for those with weight loss goals. The other main difference between these two supplements is in terms of flavor options available. Swolverine doesn’t come in a unflavored option and is only available in a chocolate cake or salted caramel flavor. The Swolverine protein powder is made with stevia which would make this supplement much sweeter than KOS Organic Plant Protein. Swolverine is priced at $52.99 which is slightly more expensive than KOS, but once you factor in the subscribe and save discounts they cost about the same, $45.04 for Swolverine and $39.99 for KOS.

KOS Organic Plant Protein vs Gainful Vegan Protein Powder

KOS Organic Plant Protein and Gainful Vegan Protein powders are different in a lot of ways. The first is in terms of how you purchase the supplement. While KOS Organic Plant Protein is available for purchase as is from the company website or Amazon, Gainful is a subscription based service in which your whey, keto or vegan protein powder is formulated for your specific health and fitness needs. This means that two individuals looking for a plant-based protein powder might receive different ingredients in their supplement. Gainful offers two vegan protein sources including organic pea protein and organic brown rice protein compared to KOS’s five-plant protein blend. With Gainful you can also choose whether you want your product to be flavored or sweetened compared to KOS’s unflavored and unsweetened option. Gainful’s protein powder is also considered a premium product and significantly more expensive than KOS’s protein powder. It is priced at $45 dollars for a 14-day supply compared to the $39.99 for 28 servings of KOS if you utilize the subscribe and save discount. This additional cost for Gainful does come with some added benefits such as access to a registered dietitian.

Related Post: A Certified Nutrition Coach's Gainful Protein Powder Review

KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein FAQs

Does KOS contain Stevia?

No. The unflavored KOS Organic Plant Protein doesn’t contain stevia or any other natural or artificial sweeteners. If you do want to try one of KOS’s flavored plant-based proteins, those are sweetened with organic stevia and monk fruit and the flavors include chocolate, blueberry muffin, chocolate chip mint, chocolate peanut butter, salted caramel coffee and vanilla.

Does KOS Protein Powder cause bloating?

While everyone is different, KOS’s protein powder should not cause a significant amount of bloating as long as you are taking the product as recommended. This is because KOS’s plant-based protein powder contains digestive enzymes that help break down the protein into the amino acid constituents that the body can easily digest and absorb.

Is KOS third-party tested?

Yes, KOS does have its products tested by a third-party lab. According to the company's website, they state that its supplements undergo extensive third-party testing to ensure all heavy metals and toxins are under the required limits.

Is tasteless protein powder actually tasteless?

No, this protein powder isn’t completely tasteless. However, it is free from any natural or artificial sweeteners or flavors so the flavor profile is completely natural. While you likely wouldn’t want to simply mix this with water and drink it, being mostly tasteless, it mixes well into a variety of shakes, smoothies and even foods like oatmeal or yogurt. I have personally tried this protein and would describe it as very bland with only a slight hint of an earthy flavor.

Can you mix KOS protein powder with milk?

Yes, you can mix KOS protein powder with any beverage of your choice. However, if you are going to mix it with cow’s milk, then that might defeat the purpose of why you ordered a plant-based protein powder in the first place. That being said, there are many delicious plant-based milks available including almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk and many more.

Takeaway: Is KOS Organic Plant Protein Worth It?

If you’re searching for a vegan protein supplement to support your health and fitness goals, then KOS’s Organic Plant Protein is an excellent option. Compared to other plant-based protein powders on the market, KOS provides several additional benefits including the presence of the fruit and veggie blend, the digestive enzyme blend and the vitamin and mineral blend which really distinguishes this product from the competition. It is also among the few plant-based protein powders renowned for its versatility and taste despite being unflavored. Although this isn’t the cheapest plant-based protein supplement on the market, I do believe it’s a high-value product and worth trying as long as it aligns with your personal preferences, budget and health and fitness goals. 

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.