soy protein or whey??

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lela,
Im an 18 year old male who is starting BACK at the gym..
Basically, ive been told by my dermatologist to cut down on my dairy intake and therefore i bought a small tub of soy protein 95 (soy protein isolate). I intend to take it twice a day once post training and once in the morning or between breakfast and lunch. I read on the internet that soy protein is not as good whey protein as it does not absorb as quickly as whey protein does, and something to do with amino acids or something along those lines. I also read that it will not hurt to take both soy and whey isolate. Since i need to cut down on dairy, do you recommend me buy a whey protein and take post training and the soy in the morning? or just stick with the soy????
Thank you
Theo

ANSWER: Theo,

If you have a sensitivity to dairy (which I am assuming, since your doc told you to cut back) Whey may not be in your best interest, since it is a dairy product. There are other protein powders that you can try that aren't soy- Like egg protein and hemp protein.  

Hemp protein has a pretty good balance of amino acids, most brands have about 25 grams of protein per serving and it contains essential fatty acids. Hemp protein is high in fiber, so it is better as an after workout recovery shake.

Egg protein contains ALL of the essential amino acids, it is a perfect protein. At around 100 calories and 22 grams of protein per serving you won't have to spend hours on the treadmill working it off later either. It is low in fiber, so it makes a great pre-workout shake.

Remember though that protein powder on its own doesn't create muscles, if you aren't working out HARD the powder is just extra calories, slowing down you reaching your goal.

Hope this helps,
Lela Simon
http://www.LelaSimonWellness.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick reply.
my doctor told me to cut down on dairy (not necessarily get rid of it from my diet) due to acne; therefore i am not sensitive to it i just cant have as much as i used to.

Thank you

Answer
Theo,
There are benefits to the complete dairy that you may not want to give up, like calcium and vitamin D- that you won't get by taking the whey protein. There are also downsides to too much soy for a young man- like increased estrogen production.

If you are set on using soy and whey I would suggest whey protein before the workout and soy after.

Lela Simon

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