Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Consumers who prioritize complete supply chain transparency and traceable sourcing
Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Consumers who prioritize complete supply chain transparency and traceable sourcing
Ritual takes transparency further than any competitor by tracing every ingredient to its source farm. USP-verified with published batch COAs and North American regenerative sourcing make it the most transparent plant-based option. The premium price reflects that traceability commitment.
Strengths
- Industry-leading supply chain transparency with traceable ingredients from specific farms
- Third-party tested by USP and published COAs for every batch
- Plant-based pea protein sourced from North American regenerative farms
Limitations
- Only 20g protein per serving — lower than most whey competitors
- Expensive at $2.67/serving with only 15 servings per container
- Plant-based formula may have slightly grittier texture than whey
When to Choose Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Garden of Life SPORT checks every certification box — NSF for Sport, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified. However, Consumer Reports flagged elevated lead levels at 4-6x their daily safety limit, which significantly impacts the heavy metal safety score. Buyers should weigh the strong certifications against the contamination data.
Strengths
- NSF Certified for Sport plus USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified triple certification
- Organic plant blend with probiotics and enzymes for digestive support
- 30g protein per serving from organic pea, navy bean, lentil, and garbanzo sources
Limitations
- Consumer Reports flagged lead at 4-6x daily safety concern level — significant safety concern
- Grittier texture than whey-based competitors due to plant protein blend
- Organic certification adds cost without directly addressing heavy metal contamination
