The Ultimate Protein Showdown: How NutriMatch™ Compares to the Most Popular Protein Sources in the World

When we created NutriMatch™, we weren’t trying to match the best. We were trying to beat it. That meant taking on everything from whey and meat to soy, legumes, and even eggs. Using our proprietary Match Rate™ metric, which measures how well a protein aligns with the amino acid profile your muscles actually need, we put NutriMatch™ head-to-head with the world’s most trusted proteins.

This is what we found.

Dairy

Dairy protein has assumed to be a trusted, familiar, staple in many high-protein diets. It’s found in everything from post-workout shakes to school lunches, but it’s Match Rate falls short. Dairy also comes with drawbacks like cholesterol, lactose, and inflammation triggers. NutriMatch™ offers a higher-precision alternative without the baggage.

Why people rely on dairy:

• Accessible and well-known
• Often fortified with calcium and vitamins
• Moderately high in protein
• Fits into both snacks and meals
• Long history in performance nutrition
• Assumed to be high quality, but very low Match Rates

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Higher Match Rate™
• No cholesterol or lactose
• No hormones or inflammatory compounds
• More efficient per gram
• Plant-powered and gut-friendly

Grains

Grains are nutritious in many ways, packed with fiber, energy, and B vitamins. But they aren’t protein specialists. You’d need a very large serving of most grains to meet your protein goals, and even then, the amino acid balance isn’t ideal. NutriMatch™ delivers what grains can’t: concentrated, muscle-ready protein. Additionally, most grains have tougher structure where that lowers the absorption when eating. They’ve been a staple of our diet for thousands of years.

Why people include grains:

• Affordable and filling
• Versatile in cooking
• Good source of energy
• Support gut health
• Easy to store and scale

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• 3x+ the usable protein per gram
• No food combining needed
• More protein, less starch
• Formulated for high-impact performance
• Fewer calories for more effect

Soy-Based Proteins

Soy is often praised as the best plant protein, and in many ways, it’s been the benchmark. But as good as soy can be, it’s still not quite good enough. Match Rates in the 60’s and 70’s still mean a lot is going to waste. NutriMatch™ was designed to outperform it on every front, without the estrogenic concerns or allergen risks.

Why soy is respected:

• High in protein by plant standards
• Available in many forms
• Extensively researched
• Affordable
• Easy to incorporate in meals

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Higher amino acid match
• No soy allergens or phytoestrogens
• Lighter taste and cleaner texture
• Designed for real performance goals
• More consistent absorption and recovery

Beans & Legumes

Beans and legumes are nutrient-dense, sustainable, and a great source of fiber. But their protein profile varies widely. To match what NutriMatch™ delivers, you’d need large quantities, and a lot of digestive tolerance… and you know what happens when you eat a lot of beans! Sometimes it’s best to stay inside and away from others. NutriMatch™ streamlines the process with concentrated amino acid precision without the offensive smells.

Why people love legumes:

• High fiber and slow-burning carbs
• Support cholesterol and blood sugar control
• Long shelf life
• Low cost per serving
• Plant-based and globally loved

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Much higher Match Rate™
• Lower volume needed
• Zero gas or bloating
• Fast, clean recovery
• Built for active lifestyles

Meat

Meat has long been hailed as the gold standard of protein, dense, complete, and time-tested across cultures and performance diets. It’s earned its reputation through high biological value and efficient support for muscle mass. But even the best meats don’t achieve full amino acid optimization. They still leave gaps. Never before has a plant protein beaten meats on an amino acid profile until now. NutriMatch™ is better than every meat on the planet, including these popular ones below:

Why people trust meat:

• Dense in protein and iron
• Highly bioavailable
• Low in carbs
• Supports muscle growth
• Familiar and satisfying

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Higher Match Rate™ for protein utilization
• No saturated fat or cholesterol
• 100% plant-based and clean-label
• Ethically and environmentally sustainable
• More efficient per calorie

Seafood

Seafood is often considered the cleanest source of animal protein, lean, high in omega-3s, and a staple of heart-healthy diets. Fish like tuna and salmon deliver strong amino acid profiles, but they’re not without concerns. Mercury, microplastics, and environmental impact make you think twice about eating to much. NutriMatch™ exceeds the protein quality of seafood, without any of the baggage.

Why seafood is respected:

• Lean and nutrient-rich
• High protein-to-fat ratio
• Good source of omega-3s
• Supports brain and heart health
• Popular in longevity diets

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Higher Match Rate™ with no mercury risk
• No ocean contaminants or allergens
• More shelf-stable and versatile
• 100% sustainable and cruelty-free
• Cleaner plant-powered performance

Seeds & Nuts

Seeds and nuts are nutrient powerhouses, rich in healthy fats, fiber, and minerals. But their protein contributions are often misunderstood. While they contain protein, the quantity you’d need to consume for a muscle-building dose means taking in excess calories and fats. Seeds also have hulls and a lot of natural protections. This causes seeds to have some of the lower bioavailability scores, where your body can’t digest them fully. NutriMatch™ delivers more usable protein in a fraction of the weight with near perfect absorption that you can only find with protein isolates.

Why seeds and nuts are popular:

• High in healthy fats and fiber
• Packed with micronutrients
• Easy to snack on
• Widely accepted as plant-friendly
• Great for satiety

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Far better protein-per-calorie ratio
• No excess fat or caloric load
• Optimized for performance
• Easier to measure and absorb
• Clean, efficient, and complete

Vegetables

Vegetables are some of the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. They deliver fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in abundance. And while some veggies have surprisingly good amino acid profiles, they contain so little protein by weight that you’d need to eat pounds to match a scoop of NutriMatch™.

Why people love vegetables:

• Extremely nutrient-dense
• Great for digestion and gut health
• High in antioxidants
• Foundational for longevity
• Low in calories

Why NutriMatch™ is better for protein:

• Higher protein density
• Less volume needed
• No fiber overload
• Designed for recovery
• More convenient and scalable

Eggs

Eggs are often held up as the original complete protein, accessible, versatile, and biologically efficient. They’re a staple in high-protein diets. But even with their strengths, eggs fall short on precision. NutriMatch™ delivers a tighter match with none of the cholesterol or allergens.

Why eggs are so popular:

• Nutritionally dense and affordable
• Great source of choline
• Fast-digesting and easy to cook
• Trusted in athletic diets
• Naturally versatile

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• Higher Match Rate™
• No cholesterol
• Egg-free and allergy-friendly
• No animal products
• Optimized absorption

Whey

Whey protein has dominated the supplement industry for decades. It’s fast-digesting, complete, and popular among athletes. But surprisingly, it scores lower than almost every other major source when measured by Match Rate™. NutriMatch™ was built to outperform whey in every category that matters.

Why whey was the old gold standard:

• Fast absorption post-workout
• Widely available and affordable
• Convenient in shakes and bars
• Complete protein
• Long history in sports nutrition

Why NutriMatch™ is better:

• More than twice the usable protein
• No lactose, no bloating
• No insulin spikes or GI distress
• Plant-based with no compromise
• Built for sustained strength and performance