I know so many of you are looking for easy on-the-go ways to up your protein intake, and protein powder is a brilliant way to do that. When I decided to launch a vegan protein powder for my vegan and vegetarian friends, I knew it had to contain minimal, high-quality ingredients with uncompromising sourcing.

Enter, chocho bean protein.

Our Be Well Chocho Bean Protein is a complete protein made from sustainably sourced chocho beans. You may not have heard of chocho before, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know about one of the most remarkable new vegan proteins on the market.

Why I Chose Chocho For My Vegan-Friendly, Plant-Based Protein Powder

I’m not a vegan myself. In fact, I’m a regenerative and responsibly-raised animal protein enthusiast. So why did I come out with a plant-based protein?

1. Vegans + plant-based eaters need complete, clean protein options. 

As a celebrity nutritionist, I work with all different eating types, including vegans and vegetarians. Regardless of your eating style, protein is paramount. Essential amino acids can only be consumed through food, and they’re important for lean muscle mass, skin health and hair growth, mind and mood stability, and so much more. My plant-based eating clients and friends deserve an easy way to get their complete proteins.

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein is superior to other plant-based protein powders because it is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids. This is such a big deal because the overwhelming amount of plant-based protein sources do not. 

2. Chocho bean protein is superior to other vegan protein powders.  

Many of my health-minded, plant-based friends aim to get their protein from whole food sources (like legumes, nuts, seeds). I love this approach! But the problem is most of these sources are 1) not complete proteins, 2) high in blood-sugar spiking carbohydrates, and 3) contain anti-nutrients, making the protein less bioavailable and more difficult to digest.

Plant-based protein provides an easy answer for quick protein. But I couldn’t get behind most plant-based protein powders because:

• The majority use GMO-soy as the protein source, which can be an endocrine disruptor
• Most have tons of ingredients, including fillers, gums, added sugars, and other digestion disruptors 
• Many plant-based protein powders are incomplete sources of protein
• Many are high in heavy metals
  

What was missing on the shelves for my clients was a clean, minimally processed, maximally beneficial, and simple plant-based protein powder.

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein delivered on my mission to create a plant-based protein that’s:

• A complete protein source, including all 9 essential amino acids
• Versatile, quick, and easy to use
• Is sourced from a non-endocrine disrupting plant
• Has minimal ingredients
• Passes the strictest standards for heavy metal and other toxin testing

3. Chocho Bean Protein can be used for smoothies, baking, and beyond. 

This protein isn’t only for plant-based eaters! Chocho protein actually performs superior to animal-based protein in baked goods. 

I use this vegan protein powder strategically all the time! It’s incredibly robust and rich. It makes thicker smoothies and shakes, and is especially good for smoothie bowls. And it’s also great at thickening up soups, stews, dips, and dressings!

What’s in Be Well Chocho Bean Protein Powder?

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein is a protein-only protein powder with only 1 to 3 ingredients, depending on the flavor. It’s minimally processed and super clean, so it’s less likely to trigger allergens, disrupt digestion, or cause bloating. Minimal ingredients mean it’s also more versatile for recipes of all kinds.

Chocho bean is a type of lupin bean from the Andean mountains in South America that’s been used traditionally for eons. It’s sourced sustainably and has only recently become more popular in US markets as a protein powder. It’s an excellent protein source, given its complete amino acid profile and lack of anti-nutrients.

Meet the ingredients in the highest-quality plant-based protein powder around:

• Unflavored: chocho bean protein 
• Vanilla: chocho bean protein, organic vanilla powder, organic monk fruit extract
• Chocolate: chocho bean protein, organic cacao powder, organic monk fruit extract

Literally, that’s it. And that’s why your body will love it. No added ingredients to disrupt digestion, alter hormones, or spike blood sugar. 

What Makes Be Well Chocho Bean Protein Better Than Other Vegan Protein Powders?

It took me so long to get our vegan protein powder to the market. I wouldn’t settle on lesser ingredients and was absolutely uncompromising in my quality standards when it came to creating a plant-based protein.

Our Chocho Protein Powder is:

• Made from 100% natural, regenerative ground chocho bean from South America
• A complete protein packed with all 9 essential amino acids
• Keto, Paleo, Vegan-friendly
• Allergen Friendly: gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, soy-free, dairy-free, lectin/phytate/oxalate-free
• Contains  20-21g protein / 8-9 g of carbs / 8-9 g of fiber per serving
• A fiber-rich protein powder with low net carbs → only 0-1 g per serving!
• Extracted with a non-chemical, non-enzyme protein process
• Tested after production for allergens, heavy metals, and microbials
• Contains no sugar, maltodextrin, or dextrose added
• Contains no added hormones or antibiotics
• Contains no added preservatives, artificial flavors, dyes, or emulsifiers
• Processed using a water-based microfiltration method where the bean is crushed, soaked and dried, increasing both bioavailability of the protein as well as ease of digestion

Because the chocho bean grows solely with rain water through a process called nitrogen-fixation, it makes the soil richer and healthier for future plants! This regeneration process is good for both our bodies and the planet.

My plant-based protein is the highest-quality from source to spoon. I’m as proud of the process as I am of the product.

How Does Chocho Bean Protein Taste and Perform? 

For those who’ve never used a plant-based protein powder, it can feel a little intimidating. There’s nothing quite like chocho on the market – it’s rich, filling, and versatile.

Chocho Taste: Be Well Chocho Bean Protein has a full-bodied flavor profile, and since you’ll ask…no, you can’t taste “beans!”

Our Unflavored is very mild, making it extremely versatile. The Chocolate and Vanilla flavors are moderately sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Sensitive to sweetness? Cut your recipes with the unflavored protein.

Chocho Texture: This protein creates a very thick smoothie. It’s fiber-rich (yay for microbiome health!), which gives nice bulk, but also fine-ground for a smooth texture without grittiness.

Can I bake with chocho powder? I actually prefer chocho protein to animal-based protein in baked goods! I find that chocho creates a lighter crumb that is less dense and holds together really well in cookies, cakes, and other recipes.

How To Use Chocho Bean Protein:

Chocho protein powder is a versatile ingredient you can use for high-quality plant-based protein and for blood sugar balance. 

1. Protein-rich smoothies!

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein creates a rich, thick shake with 8–9 grams of fiber. Make  plant-based smoothies using my tried-and-true Fab 4 formula. The combination of protein, fat, fiber, and greens will keep you feeling full, calm, and balanced for 4-6 hours. Perfect for smoothie bowls and eating with a spoon!

I have a ton of recipes on my site for crave-worthy vegan smoothies. Just use my Be Well Chocho Bean Protein wherever the recipe calls for protein.

2. Chocho Bean Protein for protein-rich, vegan-friendly baking.

The unflavored protein is excellent in any sweet or savory bake. Alternatively, use chocolate and vanilla flavors to add a hint of sweetness to baked goods without blowing blood sugar through the roof.

Adding Be Well Chocho Bean Protein to any baked good will greatly improve the glucose response to whatever you’re baking because protein and fiber from the protein powder blunt the blood sugar spike so often seen when consuming baked goods. Here are a few high-protein recipes to get you started:

• Plant-based protein pancakes
• Guilt-free protein pancakes 
• Protein packed pumpkin spice muffins
• Heather’s famous grain free walnut protein banana bread

You can also add the protein to baked goods that don’t call for protein powder in order to improve the nutritional profile. Simply reduce by ⅛ to ¼ cup of whatever flour is called for in the recipe and add one scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein instead. Choose your own adventure between unflavored, chocolate, or vanilla depending on the dish!

Real life example with Danielle Walker’s Corn-free Cornbread: The recipe calls for 2 ¼ cups of blanched almond flour among other ingredients. I would only use 2 cups of the almond flour and add 1 scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein. Then follow the recipe exactly! An easy way to enjoy baked goods while being mindful of blood sugar balance. Total win-win.

3. Dredging or creating a faux-fried crust with plant-based Be Well Chocho Bean Protein.

Bonus points, because this doubles the protein content in the dish! My unflavored protein powder is fantastic to dredge chicken or other meats before pan frying them. Use it as you would any flour for dredging.

You can also use it in a DIY breading mixture to create a faux-fried crust for chicken tenders, veggies or more. Some of my favorite “faux-fried” recipes include: quick homemade chicken nuggets, chia-flax chicken fingers, fun-onion rings, "fried" chicken BLT and salmon cakes.

Real life example with my quick homemade chicken nuggets: Add 1 scoop of unflavored Be Well Chocho Bean Protein to the breading as the recipe is written, or alternatively you could reduce by ⅛ to ¼ cup the amount of breading then add 1 scoop. Pro tip, I love using either crushed Siete chips or crushed Simple Mills crackers alongside my unflavored protein powder for a homemade “Panko” that’s healthier than anything store-bought.

4. Use protein powder in place of breadcrumbs in meatballs

Similarly to dredging chicken in unflavored protein powder, you can double the protein in your meatballs by adding unflavored protein powder in place of breadcrumbs. My go-to recipes for meatballs are saucy paleo meatballs and no fail flax meatballs.

Real life example with my no fail flax meatballs: Reduce the ground flax by half (bringing it to 1-2 tbsp of ground flax) and add one scoop of the unflavored Be Well Chocho Bean Protein. Similarly, for other recipes, you can either reduce or completely replace the breadcrumbs with unflavored protein powder. Use 1 scoop of unflavored protein powder per pound of meat. 

5. Blunt the blood sugar spike of baked meals and treats with Be Well Chocho Bean Protein.

No white-knuckling a “no” every time a craving hits. Instead, recreate your favorites in a way that offers a superior nutritional profile with the power of plant-based protein!

Are you a morning oatmeal person? Try my warm chai triple seed protein pudding instead. Rather than grabbing the processed cookies you know will leave you crashing and craving 90 minutes later, go for these protein balls or keto cookie dough. And this freezer fudge is the perfect pre-bedtime sweet that satisfies sans spike.

Real life example with coconut yogurt: Many people don’t realize that while dairy yogurt is high in protein, coconut yogurt is not. Add one scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Vanilla to plain coconut yogurt. Whisk it smooth to add a touch of sweetness and ensure at least 20g of protein in your bowl.

6. Thicken soups and stews while upping the protein with Be Well Chocho Bean Protein.

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Unflavored is the perfect addition to soups and stews. Its fiber content results in a richer, thicker soups/stews. Often, flour is called for in recipes to thicken the broth. Add my Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Unflavored instead and get the double benefit of thickening your soup/stew while upping its protein content!

I use this trick to thicken bone broth soups that are thinner (such as my Tuscan kale and white bean soup). Or, I’ll add a scoop of unflavored protein powder into carb-heavy soups (like creamy butternut soup or pumpkin soup) and hit it quickly with the immersion blender to keep the silky texture. 

Real life example: Create a slurry by whisking together a few tablespoons of warm bone broth and one scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Unflavored. Add slurry to your soup or stew to increase protein and/or thicken the broth. 

7. Add plant-based protein to dips and dressings to improve the macro nutrient profile.

A surprising discovery of wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for my clients is seeing how the average store-bought or restaurant-made dressing can cause a spike in blood sugar. Not only are these often laden with inflammatory and highly processed vegetable and seed oils, they’re typically loaded with added sugars, too. 

If you’re a dressing or dip enthusiast (like me!), there’s a better way. You can make your own in under 5 minutes and sneak in a scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Unflavored at the same time! This uplevels the nutrition with added protein and the flavor by utilizing fresh ingredients. Turn a health liability into an asset for your wellness!

Some of my dressings and dips already call for a scoop of protein, like my chocolate protein dip. Others that don’t, you can just add it in addition to the recipe’s ingredients!

Real life example with dip or dressing: Recently, I made my garlic sauce dip and added a scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein in Unflavored to the food processor and followed the recipe exactly. If you’re concerned about changing texture/thickness, then start with just half a scoop. 

8. Add Be Well Chocho Bean Protein to coffee and other drinks to combat morning cortisol and start the day with balanced blood sugar.

In the morning, most of us experience a natural and normal spike in cortisol. This isn’t a problem when managed well with diet and movement. However, it can be problematic when blood sugar balance is not prioritized.

Maybe you can relate to this typical scenario? Cortisol naturally rises when you wake. It communicates to your muscles to dump sugar into the bloodstream. Blood sugar rises. At this point in the morning, you opt for a caffeinated beverage. Caffeine further spikes blood sugar, especially on an empty stomach. Add a carb-dominant breakfast bar, and you’ve set your blood sugar up to be a coaster of spikes and crashes.

Good news: You don’t have to give up your morning coffee to better manage blood sugar! Instead, blunt the morning cortisol and caffeine-induced blood sugar spikes by adding one scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein to your coffee. The added protein and fiber slow down the blood sugar spike, leaving you balanced and calm instead of shaky and craving.

And not just coffee! Add Be Well Chocho Bean Protein into any of your drinks to improve blood sugar balance and up your protein intake. Try my Iced Vanilla Chai, Collagen Golden Turmeric Latte, or Protein Vanilla Latte.

Real life example: Blend one scoop of Be Well Chocho Bean Protein into your morning matcha along with whatever else you would normally include. For a touch of sweetness and flavor, use the vanilla variety.

Be Well Chocho Bean Protein is a powerful ingredient you can use to improve the macronutrient content of your food. Use it to hack your way to better health. Be Well Chocho Bean Protein makes blood sugar balance easily accessible to everyone – vegetarians and vegans included!

Grab Your Bag of the Healthiest Plant-Based Protein Today!

Whether you’re a vegan or vegetarian looking to optimize complete protein intake, or you’re simply wanting a superior quality plant-based protein powder for thicker smoothie-bowls and blood-sugar friendly baked goods, Be Well Chocho Bean Protein is your cleanest and most delicious bet. Grab your bag today:

Unflavored Be Well Chocho Bean Protein | Vanilla Be Well Chocho Bean Protein | Chocolate Be Well Chocho Bean Protein