What Is Soy Protein Isolate & Why We Don't Use It
FOOD & HOME
What Is Soy Protein Isolate & Why We Don't Use It
BY: Tanya Flink
Soy is what many may call the original plant-based protein. In its purest form, soybeans have been consumed for literally thousands of years in the forms of tofu, edamame, and soy milk. However, within the most recent century, this whole, plant-based food fell into the hands of food and crop scientists, and that is what has made us pause on soy—particularly, soy protein isolate. This engineered food product can be found in a plethora of store-bought staples from protein powder to an overwhelming number of plant-based meat items. You will not find soy protein isolate in any of our Abbot’s Butcher plant-based meats, though. Here’s why.
What Is Soy Protein Isolate
Soy protein isolate is a concentrated form of plant-based protein originating from soybeans. Like soy, it contains all nine essential amino acids, though its protein content is significantly higher at about 90 percent protein. Soy protein isolate is created by removing the fat and fiber from soybeans and processing the remaining substance into a flake form. These flakes are tasteless and versatile—they can be mixed with other ingredients in their powdered form or extruded into chunks to produce everything from plant-based meat products to bacon bits (surprise, the original Bac’n Pieces are completely animal-free and made with soy).
Why We Don’t Use Soy Protein Isolate
There are a number of reasons why we use pea—not soy—protein in our premium plant-based meats. The most pressing issue we have with soy protein isolate is that 94 percent of the soy grown in the US comes from GMO crops, according to the FDA as of 2018. As a brand that is dedicated to only using the highest quality, non-GMO ingredients, this alarming fact doesn’t sit well with us. Further, we want everyone to enjoy our plant-based meats, which is why everything we make is free of the top eight allergens, including soy. Food allergy experts estimate that every 3 in 1,000 adults suffer from a soy allergy. Pea protein, however, is not considered an allergen, though about five percent of those with severe peanut allergies may also experience a reaction to peas. All considered, pea protein is by far more accessible and poses less allergen risk and less exposure to GMOs than soy protein isolate.
What Foods Contain Soy Protein Isolate
We’re proud to be one of the very few plant-based meats to avoid soy protein isolate. However, most vegan burgers, nuggets, sausages, and crumbles on the market rely on soy protein isolate as a main or supporting ingredient. We’re leading the next generation of plant-based meat—one that only contains clean ingredients you can feel good about.
Beyond plant-based meat, soy protein isolate can be found in the following everyday staples, particularly those fortified with additional protein. These products include but are not limited to protein powder and protein shakes, non-dairy milks with added protein (including non-soy milks such as oat, almond, and flax), granola and nutrition bars, and protein-fortified cereals and snacks.
How Much Protein Do You Need
The USDA’s Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) of protein intake for the average adult is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. That equates to 47 grams of protein for a 130-pound woman and 60 grams of protein for a 165-pound man. Athletes and those who maintain a very active lifestyle should aim for slightly more—about 1.2 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight—according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
A single serving of any Abbot’s Butcher plant-based meat will certainly put a dent in your daily protein quota. The protein content of our foods ranges from 12 to 18 grams per half-cup serving. When paired with whole, plant-based foods that also naturally contain protein, it’s easy to get all the protein you need without relying on animal products or supplements.
To learn more about what’s really in food, check out the other posts in Our Journal.