The problem of excess weight becomes most pressing in the spring and on the eve of the upcoming beach season. It is at this time that figure flaws become most relevant and visible. For the same reason, in the lives of people losing weight, there is a real struggle for ideal forms: be it sports, strength training or diet. And, of course, a wide variety of means come to their aid, one of which is soy protein (isolate). We will consider reviews about it, as well as information about the principle of its operation, in this article.
What is Soy Protein Isolate?
During the weight loss process, many people go on a diet. To do this, they try to reduce the maximum allowable number of calories per day and get rid of all sweets and starchy foods. And sometimes very healthy, but, in their opinion, high-calorie foods become a potential victim of those losing weight. Examples are eggs, meat, cottage cheese and much more. But these products are considered the main suppliers of protein, which is so beneficial for the body. And when all you have left for breakfast, lunch and dinner is oatmeal, vegetables and buckwheat, and your hair and nails take on a deplorable appearance, there is a need to use soy protein isolate. So what is it?
Soy isolate is a special food supplement rich in protein or protein that we need. In this case, the product is isolated from the well-known soybean plant, or rather its concentrate. It is first mined and then further processed into powder form. In the process of such processing, carbohydrates and fats that are unloved by many are eliminated from soy protein isolate. The result is an ideal protein product, in which 90-95% is pure protein.
Tasty doesn't mean healthy
The tendency to evaluate sports nutrition solely on taste is alarming. People don't buy ice cream. It is clear that the taste can be appreciated immediately, and the effectiveness becomes clear after two to three weeks, or even a month of use. And only if you take measurements and cut off the influence of random factors. And not everyone can drink bitter liquor for a whole month. But you should still understand that the effectiveness of the product has nothing to do with taste. Moreover, since it is clear that concentrated additives have a far from ideal taste, the tastier the product is, the higher the content of all kinds of chemicals in it. Moreover, to the detriment of the content of the main substance. Why buy into marketing gimmicks? Isn’t it better to give up a little taste pleasure for the benefit of the whole body? After all, the general principle of sports is that although sitting in front of the TV with chips and beer is more pleasant and tasty, playing sports is healthier.
How quickly is it absorbed?
Despite its natural origin, soy protein (weight loss isolate) is absorbed much more slowly. For example, if you compare it with protein obtained from whey or dairy products (this is how casein is obtained). However, this natural component is perfectly tolerated and processed into the energy we need.
The exceptions are counterfeits and cheap varieties of the product, which are absorbed by only 40-60%. Therefore, when choosing a protein, you should pay attention to the manufacturer, year of manufacture and cost of the product. And, of course, its too low price is simply bound to alert you.
Kinds
There are several types of protein, which differ in the method of purification and the percentage of active components. Each type serves a different purpose: some for weight loss, others for weight gain.
- Protein isolate is 80-90% pure protein. Thanks to expensive raw materials, the cost of isolate is never low. Most often it is drunk by bodybuilders who want to build muscle mass without excess fat.
- Whey protein - also known as Whey protein. The most common type of supplement is made from whey. There are whey isolate, hydrolysate and concentrate. The most effective for weight loss is hydrolyzate, which practically does not contain fat. This type of protein is partially broken down, which makes it suitable for allergy sufferers and people suffering from milk protein intolerance. Reviews from girls about whey protein for weight loss prove that it helps you lose weight quite quickly.
- Complex protein contains several types of protein, which are absorbed at different rates. Thanks to this, you can achieve results much faster, and the vitamins included in the complex help you feel more energetic.
Who uses isolate and for what purposes?
Soy protein isolate is used for weight loss. With its help, the lack of protein is compensated without harm to the body. It is also used by athletes who are interested in “drying out” the body or preserving muscle mass. He found his fans among vegetarians, as well as people suffering from lactose intolerance. Moreover, the isolate is actively used by believers who observe fasting.
Expert advice
Experienced athletes confirm that whey protein can help you lose weight fairly quickly. To make the process go faster, it is better to dilute the protein with water or skim milk. On non-training days, you can replace a protein shake with a snack or dinner. If you have a workout planned, it is better to drink protein after it.
How much protein do you need per day?
When using soy protein isolate, it is necessary to dose it correctly. That is why the box containing the product often contains a measuring cup or spoon. At the same time, a person’s daily need for protein depends on his lifestyle and the effect he plans to achieve. For example, an ordinary person who does not lead a sports lifestyle needs to consume at least 1-2 g of a nutritional supplement per 1 kg of his weight per day.
Athletes have to use this type of supplement at a rate of 15-30 g per meal. And since most athletes adhere to fractional meals (eat little, but several times a day), there can be approximately 8-9 such approaches.
Best Products
Today there are three best producers of plant protein:
- Fat burner with l-carnitine Pro Nutrition Iso Soy. Taken in the amount of one scoop per three hundred grams of liquid twice a day.
- The product, enhanced by the presence of vitamin C and group B, is called Soy Weider 80 Protein.
- Nutrition Optimum Soy Protein contains amino acids of animal origin. It is consumed with milk or water in the amount of two grams per kilogram of the athlete’s body weight. It contains eight amino acids.
It is extremely important for every person to make the right choice and not purchase an outright fake.
What do you need to lose weight?
According to experienced weight loss people, if your goal is to lose weight beyond soy protein, you need to do a tough audit of your daily foods. In particular, you should reduce the number of carbohydrates and fats, but be sure to maintain protein foods in your diet.
If this rule is not followed, the weight loss process will be extremely slow. Moreover, the risk of sagging muscles and visual sagging of the skin increases significantly, which does not look very attractive, you must agree. So consuming soy protein isolate is a necessary measure for those who want to lose weight without spoiling their appearance.
Biological value of cocktails
The effectiveness of protein supplements is calculated using the biological value parameter. BC shows how much protein is absorbed by the body after taking the cocktail. If protein isolate obtained from milk is excellent for building muscle mass, then for weight loss you should give preference to products that contain soy vegetable protein. Its BC indicators reach 70%, it provides not only excellent protein digestibility, but also high nutritional value of the product. Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1 shakes are based on soy isolate combined with products obtained from milk processing. This multi-component composition allows you to quickly saturate the body with nutrients. In this case, part of the product will be absorbed in the shortest possible time, while the other will be broken down quite slowly, providing a constant supply of protein. To saturate your body with whey protein, you should give preference to Formula 3. The protein has a neutral taste, so it can be great for preparing your favorite dishes, cocktails and other drinks.
What does the isolate contain?
In addition to protein, protein also contains a number of useful micro- and macroelements. They are a kind of antioxidants and help normalize metabolism. With their help, there is a gradual increase in thyroid hormones, which are responsible for the full functioning of the thyroid gland. Among the beneficial components contained in soy protein, we can highlight those shown in the photo. This is some calcium, sodium, magnesium and other elements.
How to consume and prepare protein?
Soy protein is usually consumed in diluted form. To prepare it, just follow these simple steps:
- prepare the container;
- pour about 1-2 tbsp there. spoons of isolate;
- dilute the powder with 200 ml of water;
- shake to combine evenly.
Fitness fans add nuts, bananas and even raw oatmeal to this protein shake. The end result is a fairly satisfying drink that can compensate for the energy spent on training and moderate your appetite. If such supplements are used by age-old fighters against excess weight, then this drink should replace one of the meals, for example, breakfast or dinner.
It is noteworthy that you can use skim milk, yogurt or kefir as the basis for the cocktail. However, those who are lactose intolerant should not use these ingredients. In such cases, it is better to use freshly squeezed juice or water as a base. But it is also worth considering the fact that the water for such a drink should not be hot. Otherwise, the protein will simply coagulate and, of course, lose its original properties.
Contraindications
Protein is an extremely useful supplement that is included in the diet of not only bodybuilders, but also any athletes in general. Protein, which makes up protein, is a necessary material for building cells, so it is recommended to be taken by ordinary people who, for some reason, do not get animal or plant protein from food. However, protein cannot completely replace whole foods, so it can only be used as a supplement to the main diet. Protein is much cheaper than meat and easy to prepare. It is convenient to use as a “liquid snack” that you can take with you.
Many people are scared of sports supplements and are afraid to take them. But whey protein is made from food raw materials familiar to us: milk, soy, eggs and their derivatives. Therefore, there is no point in fearing any side effects. In general, people tolerate protein intake well, but sometimes allergic reactions occur. This occurs in cases where a person has an intolerance to one of the ingredients of the supplement. For people prone to allergic reactions to casein, there are special formulations that include protein split into peptides or its substitutes. What other contraindications does protein have?
- Kidney failure. If you have kidney problems, then increased consumption of liquid protein will create a greater load on this organ, so it is better to avoid taking protein.
- An unbalanced diet with a bias towards protein. Everything is good in moderation, and if you consume more than the required amount of protein, your liver and kidneys may suffer.
- Soy protein is not recommended for men, as it contains a lot of phytoestrogen, a female hormone that reduces testosterone production.
Minor side effects may also occur when taking protein. But they only appear if you are intolerant to any of the components of the supplement. If you take more protein than the specified norm, symptoms of dysbiosis and bloating may appear. In general, protein is no different from any other product, when taken in moderation.
Soy protein (isolate for weight loss): reviews
According to the stories of those who have lost weight on this protein, the main thing here is to follow the instructions and your daily requirement. So, a measuring spoon, according to them, is approximately 20-30 g. One measuring spoon and 200 ml of liquid are used at one time. However, one serving of protein is approximately 116 calories.
Some users talk about their real achievements. From their stories, it becomes clear that with the help of soy protein they were able to quickly lose weight without harm to their health. Isolate also saves them when they want something floury, since this protein is an excellent substitute for baked goods, and a healthy one at that.