SCI-MX Nutrition Ultra Plant Protein Review

If you're looking for a high-protein vegan powder that actually tastes good, the SCI-MX Nutrition Ultra Plant is one of the strongest options on the UK market. We test a lot of vegan protein at Best Exercise HQ, and SCI-MX, one of the leading names in protein supplements, has positioned Ultra Plant as the premium pick of its two vegan powders, with 33g of protein per scoop, a soy-free non-GMO formula and a flavour that genuinely surprised us.

SCI-MX currently offers two vegan protein powders: the SCI-MX Nutrition Pro V-Gain and Ultra Plant, the one we're reviewing here. We've already covered the Pro V-Gain in a separate review if you want to compare the two.

Overview

SCI-MX Nutrition Ultra Plant is a relatively new arrival on the UK market, so it's yet to make the same impact as its bigger brother. It's described as the premium version of SCI-MX's two vegan powders, with extra benefits such as being completely soy-free and non-GMO. Once you look at the quality of the formula, you quickly start to suspect that Ultra Plant could be one of the best vegan protein powders available today.

A single scoop provides a whopping 33g of protein, a huge amount for any powder. That makes it an ideal supplement before or after the gym, or simply for topping up your daily protein intake on a plant-based diet.

So is it really better than SCI-MX's other vegan powder, and could it be one of the best vegan proteins on the market? Let's look at the main features.

Main features of the SCI-MX Nutrition Ultra Plant

• Incredibly high protein content: one scoop delivers 33g of protein, among the highest available. The protein comes from a blend of pea and rice protein, both non-GMO.
• Naturally high in BCAAs: if you train, you'll know how important BCAAs are for recovery and building muscle. Ultra Plant carries a naturally high 5.9g per scoop, plus zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 to support training on a plant-based diet.
• Helps reduce workout fatigue: the added zinc, magnesium and B vitamins help reduce tiredness before a big session, making Ultra Plant a useful pre-workout option too.
• Outstanding flavour: this is one of the best-tasting vegan shakes we've ever had. It launched in a single Chocolate Hazelnut flavour, and has since added Salted Caramel Peanut, which we rate even higher.
• Mixes well: we got a smooth, lump-free consistency every time, with water or plant milk. Around 300-400ml per scoop works best.
• Supports muscle growth: Ultra Plant helps maintain and increase muscle mass.

Ingredients and nutrition

Formulated from 100% plant-based ingredients, SCI-MX Ultra Plant squeezes a lot out of a vegan protein powder. The protein is derived from a mixture of pea and rice protein, both non-GMO, meaning they haven't been created or modified in a lab. There's plenty of debate in this area we won't get into here, but the broad argument is that GMOs can introduce genes that don't occur in nature. You can read more about GMO crops on Wikipedia if you're curious.

For vegans, it's important to keep vitamin and mineral levels topped up where possible, particularly your B vitamins. Helpfully, SCI-MX have added vitamin B6 and B12, along with zinc and magnesium, covering much of what your body needs to aid recovery and muscle growth.

In terms of macros, one 45g scoop provides 181kcal, 33g of protein, 3.5g of fat, 3.6g of carbohydrates and 1.3g of fibre. That's a solid nutritional profile with one of the highest protein levels we've ever seen.

Taste and mixability

A great nutritional profile means little if the powder tastes like an old sock, so taste matters, and here Ultra Plant delivers. It originally came in a single Chocolate Hazelnut flavour; it's a shame the range is limited, but the quality more than makes up for it.

We bought a bag of Chocolate Hazelnut and tested it over a few weeks at different times of day, using both water and oat milk.

It. Tastes. Incredible.

Six of us tried it, and we didn't get a single piece of negative feedback on the flavour. Pea protein can sometimes taste mealy and unappetising, but Ultra Plant overcomes that to create a genuinely great-tasting shake.

Mixed with water (we used 350ml), you get a smooth, lump-free shake with a strong nutty taste and a hint of chocolate. It's more nutty than chocolatey, but a good balance. Mixed with plant milk (we used oat), the smooth flavour is enhanced and the nuttiness is complemented nicely. Both are solid choices, so it comes down to personal preference. We found no issues with mixability or lumps.

Value for money

It's always worth weighing cost against quality. This is one of the best vegan protein powders on the market, so it carries a higher price tag than some rivals. But if you're serious about your nutrition and want to be confident you're using quality vegan protein, we think Ultra Plant is well worth a go.