Plant protein has a reputation as the weaker cousin of whey protein, and plenty of lifters still believe they need dairy to build muscle. This Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review puts that idea to the test with a vegan blend that delivers 30.1g of protein per serve for $30 at Coles.
I checked the label, the ingredient list and the cost per serve so you do not have to. I found a supermarket tub that competes well on protein and price, with a few catches you should know about before it lands in your shopping trolley.
Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review: What Is It?
The Elite range sits above the standard Coles Perform tubs and targets people who want a bigger protein hit from every serve. This plant version blends four protein sources and leaves dairy out completely. Coles describes it as a complete protein blend designed to support muscle growth and tissue repair.
It also carries HASTA certification. That means every batch is tested for over 250 WADA banned substances, which matters if you compete or simply want extra peace of mind about what you drink.
You can buy the 500g tub for $30, which works out at $6.00 per 100g. A serve is 40g, so one tub gives you 12 serves. Coles also lists a 40g single serve sachet for $4 that suits a gym bag, though the larger tub saves you $1.50 per serve. Vanilla is the only flavour I found for this Elite Plant range currently.
To use it, shake one serve with 300ml of water around 30 minutes before or after exercise. Or you could use it in-between meals to boost your daily protein intake.
Key Ingredients
This Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review starts with what goes into the tub and what each part does for you.
- Plant protein blend (90%). Organic yellow pea, organic brown rice, faba bean and pumpkin seed protein make up almost the whole powder. Pea protein tends to be strong on lysine while rice protein brings more methionine, so the two fill each other’s gaps and you get a more balanced amino acid profile than either source alone.
- Added BCAAs. Coles adds leucine, valine and isoleucine in a 2 to 1 to 1 ratio and lists 6.3g of BCAAs per serve. Leucine is the amino acid that switches on muscle protein synthesis, so this boost matters for recovery. The International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests each protein dose should contain 700 to 3000mg of leucine. Based on the BCAA figure and ratio, this serve likely lands at or above the top of that range, but check the label for the exact leucine number.
- Natural flavouring and thaumatin. Thaumatin is a sweet protein extracted from a tropical fruit, and it lets Coles sweeten the powder with around 1g of sugars per serve. So you then get a vanilla shake without a sugar load.
Nutritional Panel
The panels in this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review come straight from the official Coles labels, so you can check the protein, energy and sodium figures for the tub and the sachet yourself before you purchase.
500g Tub
Servings per package: 12. Serving size: 40g (approx. 2 scoops).
| Nutrient | Per Serving | Per 100g |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (kJ) | 656 kJ (8% DI) | 1640 kJ |
| Energy (Cal) | 157 Cal | 392 Cal |
| Protein | 30.1 g (60% DI) | 75.2 g |
| Total Fat | 2.56 g (4% DI) | 6.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.48 g (2% DI) | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 2.6 g (1% DI) | 6.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.96 g (1% DI) | 2.4 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 0.68 g (2% DI) | 1.7 g |
| Sodium | 404 mg (18% DI) | 1010 mg |
| Potassium | 11.2 mg | 28 mg |
| Iron | 8.52 mg | 21.3 mg |
*Percentage Daily Intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ. Your daily intakes may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs.
40g Sachet
Servings per package: 1. Serving size: 40g (1 sachet).
| Nutrient | Per Serving | Per 100g |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (kJ) | 656 kJ (8% DI) | 1640 kJ |
| Energy (Cal) | 157 Cal | 392 Cal |
| Protein | 30.1 g (60% DI) | 75.2 g |
| Total Fat | 2.56 g (4% DI) | 6.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.48 g (2% DI) | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 2.6 g (1% DI) | 6.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.12 g (1% DI) | 2.8 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 0.68 g (2% DI) | 1.7 g |
| Sodium | 404 mg (18% DI) | 1010 mg |
| Potassium | 11.2 mg | 28 mg |
| Iron | 8.52 mg | 21.3 mg |
*Percentage Daily Intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ. Your daily intakes may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs.
What Does It Feel Like in Daily Life?
Throughout this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review one number kept standing out. Thirty grams of protein in a 40g serve makes hitting your daily target far easier than relying on just protein meals alone.
The ISSN position stand suggests most exercising people do well on 1.4 to 2.0g of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. For an 80kg lifter that means 112 to 160g, so a single serve covers roughly a fifth to just over a quarter of the day. That is a big win when you are stuck in peak hour traffic with a training session still ahead and no time to cook.
The convenience is real. You tip the powder into a shaker, add water and drink it in the car park after work. There is no blender to wash and no chicken breast to reheat. With only about 1g of sugars per serve you can also satisfy a sweet tooth without the sugar crash that follows a flavoured milk or a muffin.
The added BCAAs shape your recovery too. When you drink a serve soon after a heavy session, you give your muscles a strong leucine signal to start repair while you get on with cooking dinner.
Who Is It For?
This Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review points to four groups who get the most from this tub.
- Vegans and vegetarians. Coles lists the powder as vegan friendly, so you can chase a high protein target without dairy.
- Budget conscious lifters. You get 30g of protein per serve at a supermarket price, and you can grab it during your weekly shop.
- Tested athletes. HASTA certification gives you banned substance testing on a product you can pick up with your groceries.
- Busy professionals. A serve with 300ml of water takes seconds, and the sachet suits a desk drawer.
Stacking
The Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review shows that plant protein works best as one piece of a bigger routine. Here are the add ons that pair well with it.
- Creatine. Coles Perform Elite Creatine is 100% creatine monohydrate and Coles lists it at $15 for 250g. You will notice the subtle extra power on your final sets when you run it alongside your daily protein.
- Carbohydrates around long sessions. The ISSN says endurance athletes should prioritise carbohydrate intake, with added protein helping to offset muscle damage and support recovery. Mix a serve with a banana or oats after a long run or ride.
- Whole food meals. Treat each shake as a top up rather than a replacement for real meals.
Key Takeaways
Here are the headline results from this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review.
- Pro. You get 30.1g of protein and 6.3g of BCAAs in every 40g serve.
- Pro. The 500g tub costs $30 at Coles, which works out at $2.50 per serve.
- Pro. Coles lists it as HASTA certified and vegan friendly.
- Catch. It comes in vanilla only, it carries 404mg of sodium per serve and it may contain almond, hazelnut, sesame and soy.
FAQ
Is Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder vegan?
Coles lists it as vegan friendly, and the ingredient list shows plant proteins, natural flavouring, added amino acids and thaumatin. Always check the label on your tub for the latest ingredient information.
Is it HASTA certified?
Yes, Coles lists this powder as HASTA certified and banned substance tested. That means every batch is tested for over 250 WADA banned substances.
How much does it cost per serve?
At $30 for 500g you pay $2.50 per 40g serve, or roughly 8 cents per gram of protein. I worked that out from the label in this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review. The $4 sachet costs $1.50 more per serve, so buy it for convenience rather than value.
When should I take it?
Coles suggests 30 minutes before or after exercise. The ISSN position stand backs protein around resistance training, but your total daily intake matters most, so pick a time you can stick to.
Does it contain allergens?
The label warns that it may contain almond, hazelnut, sesame and soy. If you manage a nut, sesame or soy allergy, read the Coles label carefully before you buy this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder?
This Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review lands on solid value. At $30 you pay about 8 cents per gram of protein. The standard Coles Perform Plant Protein tub costs $20 for 500g and delivers 22g per 35g serve across 14 serves, which works out at about 6.5 cents per gram. The standard tub wins on pure price, while the Elite version gives you a bigger serve, added BCAAs and HASTA testing.
In this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder Review the Elite Whey sits at $35 for 500g with 30.6g of protein per serve, which works out at about 9 cents per gram. That makes the plant version about $5 cheaper per tub for a similar protein hit. As a Coles own brand product you will find it through Coles and its delivery partners, and delivery apps list it higher than the $30 shelf price.
Buy it if you want a vegan or dairy free powder with 30g per serve and banned substance testing from your regular supermarket. Skip it if you need a flavour beyond vanilla, you track sodium closely or you manage a nut, sesame or soy allergy. For everyone else, this Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein Powder earns a spot in the pantry easily.
