Ask The Nutritionist

Question

Hi Rick, What are the differences between Soy Protein and Egg Protein. I have been looking at two different shakes for supplementation, one has soy protein and the other egg protein. The egg protein shake tastes better but I hear that soy protein is the best for you. What do you think?

Answer

Eggs are a very high-quality protein. Although whole eggs are typically high in cholesterol, much of that is eliminated without the yoke. Eggs had a bad reputation for years, probably undeserving; and they are back in favor with many nutritionists. Soy, on the other hand, has no cholesterol whatsoever because it is a plant source. It is also a high quality protein, and has many phytochemicals and isoflavones that you won't find in eggs. In fact, the FDA has approved a health claim for any product that has at least 6.25 grams of soy per serving. If a product has at least this much soy - they may include a statement that: ?Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease." Basically, soy products may potentially improve your blood lipid levels, and reduce your risk for heart disease. Eggs cannot make this claim, but the amino acid scoring will be higher than any plant source, including soy. Finally, there are concerns from some researchers that eating too much soy might cause some problems because of the impact of the isoflavones. The FDA considers it safe, however. Both sources have potential benefits and are great protein sources. Whether or not you actually need to supplement protein is another issue altogether. Most individuals consume more than enough protein from food without supplementation.