All sorts of new plant food products are finding their way into our shops, sometimes in packaging designed to give them a natural, homemade vibe, and sometimes wrapped in glossy foils inscribed with all manner of scientific-sounding details about it containing this or that sort of mineral, nutrient or probiotic what’s-it.

Without a qualification in nutrition, it is sometimes hard to work out what is important, and how much of the detail is meaningful. By and large, I go by the philosophy that if I eat a large variety of vegetables and fruit, along with helping of green, leafy stuff and different protein sources like beans, nuts and lentils, I should be okay. Oh, and a source of vital B12 too – from yeast extract and soy milk.

From time to time, a new vegan goody finds its way to Adver Towers and one such that has proved a useful addition to the vegan cupboard is a range of organic raw plant protein powders, made by Clearspring. These certainly fall into the scientific-looking category, and they are pricey (£5.89 to £10.99 for a 350g pack) but the packets last a long time and I have found them very useful. The powders are made from 100 per cent raw seeds, which Clearspring says means they keep the nutritional benefits which would be lost of high-roasting. The powders are high in protein and fibre, but low in saturated fats. Apparently the whole plant seeds are simply cold pressed to remove the oil, then dried and finely ground in a traditional mill powered by carbon neutral energy.

They come in three varieties – one hundred per cent sunflower seed protein powder (which is 49 per cent protein), pumpkin seed powder (60 per cent protein) and flaxseed powder (34 per cent protein). You can add them to smoothies and juices, add them to baking recipes, like cookies and flapjacks, in soups, sauces or stews, or simply – as I do – add some to your porridge in the morning. Of course you could eat or sprinkle sunflower, pumpkin or flax seeds whole, without buying an expensive powder, and gain the benefits at a cheaper price - but having them in a powdered form widens your options, and would certainly be better in a smoothie.

I’ve no doubt many of these new products are a complicated and expensive way of selling something very simple, but in this case I would be happy to add a packet of raw seed powder, if only for the psychological comfort of having an extra bit of protein in my diet. - Sarah Singleton