Organic brown rice protein, paired with pea
Brown Rice Protein Powder
Both of our proteins use organic brown rice protein, blended with pea protein to round out the amino acids. Certified gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free.
4.9 average from 553 reviews
Why we pair rice with pea
Amino acids as a percent of protein
Each fills the other's gap. Gorissen et al., 2018.
Choose your protein
Optimal is organic pea and brown rice protein. Foundational is organic brown rice, pea and hemp, plus greens, fruits and adaptogens.
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Optimal Plant Protein
Our simplest formula: organic pea and brown rice protein, vanilla and monk fruit.
- Protein
- 26g per serving
- Protein from
- Organic pea and brown rice
- Sweetened with
- Organic monk fruit
- Sugar
- 0g
- Certified
- Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free
Best for: the most protein from the fewest ingredients.
$69.99$59.49 with subscribe & save
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Foundational Plant Protein
Plant protein plus organic greens, fruits and adaptogens in one shake.
- Protein
- 18g per serving
- Protein from
- Organic brown rice, pea and hemp
- Sweetened with
- Monk fruit
- Sugar
- Less than 1g
- Certified
- Non-GMO, gluten-free
Best for: one daily shake that covers more than protein.
$54.99$46.74 with subscribe & save
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What customers say
4.9 average from 553 reviews of our proteins. Quotes from verified buyers.
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Optimal Plant Protein
“True to its name, this is one of, if not the cleanest plant-based protein powder I've consumed. The straightforward pea and rice protein blend and the absence of artificial sweeteners makes this a very versatile and highly digestible powder.”
Jordan A.Verified buyer · Optimal Plant Protein -
Fitppl protein powder
“This is the best I've found. Clean, high protein, all plant matter, complete and tasty. I'm glad I found this product!”
Louis H.Verified buyer · Foundational Plant Protein -
Vanilla & Goji
“Very clean product. Tastes great and dissolves easily!”
Ross A.Verified buyer · Foundational Plant Protein
What is brown rice protein?
Brown rice protein is the protein separated from brown rice and dried into a powder. Rice isn't one of the nine major food allergens, like milk, soy and wheat,1 which is one reason it shows up in so many plant-based and allergy-friendly powders.
Is brown rice protein a complete protein?
Close, but not quite on its own. An analysis of plant protein isolates found that brown rice protein has enough essential amino acids overall, but it's low in one: lysine, at 2.4% of its protein, below the World Health Organization requirement. Pea protein is the opposite. It's rich in lysine (5.9%) but low in methionine (0.4%), which rice has plenty of (2.5%).2
The researchers suggest pairing a low-lysine protein like brown rice with a low-methionine protein like pea, at roughly half and half, for a more complete amino acid profile.2 That's why neither of our proteins is rice alone. Both pair organic brown rice protein with organic pea protein, and Foundational adds hemp.
Brown rice protein vs. whey
In an 8-week study, 24 resistance-trained adults took 48g of either rice protein isolate or whey protein isolate after workouts. Both groups gained lean mass and strength, with no meaningful difference between the two proteins.3 It was a small study using one brand of rice protein, but it suggests rice protein can hold its own when you get enough of it.
Arsenic and rice protein
Rice tends to absorb arsenic more readily than other crops,4 so testing matters for anything made from rice. Optimal's latest test by Light Labs, an independent lab, found no detectable arsenic. Per serving, it found 1.01 mcg of lead, 3.35 mcg of cadmium and 0.25 mcg of mercury.5 All were under USP <2232>, the U.S. Pharmacopeia's standard for heavy metals in dietary supplements, which sets daily limits of 5 mcg of lead, 5 mcg of cadmium, 15 mcg of inorganic arsenic and 15 mcg of mercury.7 We publish the full results on the product page.
Our brown rice protein powders
| Optimal Plant Protein | Foundational Plant Protein | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein from | Organic pea and brown rice | Organic brown rice, pea and hemp |
| Protein per serving | 26g (36g serving) | 18g (28g serving) |
| Calories | 150 | 100 |
| Sugar | 0g | Less than 1g, 0g added |
| Sweetened with | Organic monk fruit | Monk fruit |
| Also in it | Organic vanilla. That's it. | Organic greens, fruits and adaptogens |
| Certified | USDA Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free | Non-GMO, gluten-free |
Figures are from each product's label.56 Both are dairy-free and soy-free.
How to use it
Shake it with water or plant milk, blend it into a smoothie, or stir it into oatmeal. Both also work in pancakes and baked goods. Find ideas in our recipes.
Questions, answered
Brown rice protein, amino acids and arsenic, explained.
Is brown rice protein a complete protein?
Not quite on its own. Brown rice protein is low in lysine, at 2.4% of its protein. Pea protein is rich in lysine but low in methionine, so pairing the two gives a more complete amino acid profile.2 Both of our proteins combine them.
Is brown rice protein as good as whey?
In one 8-week study of 24 resistance-trained adults, 48g of rice protein after workouts led to similar gains in lean mass and strength as the same amount of whey.3 It was a small study, but it suggests rice protein works when you get enough of it.
Does brown rice protein have arsenic?
Are your proteins 100% brown rice protein?
No. Optimal is organic pea and brown rice protein. Foundational is organic brown rice, pea and hemp protein. We blend them on purpose, because rice and pea fill each other's amino acid gaps.2
Is brown rice protein good for food allergies?
Rice isn't one of the nine major food allergens.1 Both of our proteins are also dairy-free, soy-free and certified gluten-free. If you have a severe allergy, check the full label and talk to your doctor.
Is brown rice protein gluten-free?
Rice is naturally gluten-free, and both of our proteins are certified gluten-free by GFCO, which requires testing below 10 ppm of gluten.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergies. Updated March 2026.
- Gorissen SHM, et al. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids, 2018.
- Joy JM, Lowery RP, Wilson JM, et al. The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance. Nutrition Journal, 2013.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What You Can Do to Limit Exposure to Arsenic.
- fitppl. Optimal Plant Protein Nutrition Facts and Light Labs heavy metal report (tested September 7, 2026).
- fitppl. Foundational Plant Protein Supplement Facts.
- USP General Chapter <2232> Elemental Contaminants in Dietary Supplements: daily limits for lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, as summarized by BSCG.