Whey vs. Soy

When I use protein powders, I have to use soy products due to a milk allergy. There have been conflicting studies, though, about the potential to overdo soy because of it's potential effect on hormones. That said, I love the Spiru-Soy vanilla! GNC also has a soy based powder which is ok - you have to really look for it because it tends to be hidden between all the whey products.

I use soy isolate from gnc, it's pretty cheap and quite effective imo. Whey gives me a tummy ache so I love the soy. It's a good way to supplement my diet and it's gmo-free. Soy is a complete protein, like whey. Soy has no effect on my hormones and the "research" on it is sketchy...I mean it's a dead plant...I don't think plant hormones would effect me much...dead ones no less...

Most people here that do soy protein do so because they have an allergy or because whey upsets their stomach.

I use soy isolate from gnc, it's pretty cheap and quite effective imo. Whey gives me a tummy ache so I love the soy. It's a good way to supplement my diet and it's gmo-free. Soy is a complete protein, like whey. Soy has no effect on my hormones and the "research" on it is sketchy...I mean it's a dead plant...I don't think plant hormones would effect me much...dead ones no less...

Most people here that do soy protein do so because they have an allergy or because whey upsets their stomach.

I can't comment on soy because I haven't looked at the research, but plant hormones or drugs derived from them can certainly have an effect on humans. Google birth control and yams.

I eat lots of plants, haven't grown another boob or anything so...just speaking from personal experience...tell me about animal hormones too since you felt the need to point out plant ones.

My problem with soy is that the body can't absorb the nutrients from the plant unless the plant has been fermented. Soy also blocks the absorption of nutrients from other foods that are being digested in the same time frame.

Soy acts similar to estrogen in the body, and estrogen tends to make the ladies store fat instead of burning it.

My last problem is that soy plants grown in America are almost all covered in pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers that have been linked to cancer, as well as being shown to be reproductive and neuro toxins.

Stepping down from soap box now, but that's why I choose whey over soy. :-)

*Edit to add my brand of whey! I go back and forth between Optimum Nutrition, Six Star, or whatever generic brand is on sale.

My problem with soy is that the body can't absorb the nutrients from the plant unless the plant has been fermented. Soy also blocks the absorption of nutrients from other foods that are being digested in the same time frame.

Soy acts similar to estrogen in the body, and estrogen tends to make the ladies store fat instead of burning it.

My last problem is that soy plants grown in America are almost all covered in pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers that have been linked to cancer, as well as being shown to be reproductive and neuro toxins.

Stepping down from soap box now, but that's why I choose whey over soy. :-)

*Edit to add my brand of whey! I go back and forth between Optimum Nutrition, Six Star, or whatever generic brand is on sale.

Really ?....wouldn't soy need to be absorbed to act like estrogen In tye human body? You just said it couldn't be absorbed?

I believe most soy products are from fermented soy. I could be wrong.

However, even with the research done with what soy can do to your hormones you would need to consume large amounts of soy for it to make a difference. I consume soy products maybe three times a week. My doctor has said it's fine provided you are not consuming multiple servings of soy everyday.

Animal products contain hormones too.. same hormones fed to the animals. Unless you spend the extra money to get hormone free meats and animal products you are still consuming extra hormones which could play a part in what happens within your body.

In the topic of protein powder, pick whatever you prefer and what works best for you. I have tried both soy and whey and only prefer whey because of the extra protein that it has in it compared to soy (but that may just be due to available soy version brands here and there aren't a lot). I don't, and never really did use any form of protein regularly so I never worried or cared much when I was consuming something made of soy. Also pick one that follows whatever diet you follow. If you are vegetarian or vegan, whey is not an option.

OP- If you rely on them for a significant amount of your protein, then I think it's a good idea to rotate your protein powders. There is whey and soy, but there are also pea, hemp, and rice based powders and mixes of all of the above.

My problem with soy is that the body can't absorb the nutrients from the plant unless the plant has been fermented. Soy also blocks the absorption of nutrients from other foods that are being digested in the same time frame.

The proteins/nutrients in soy are absolutely absorbable without being fermented first.

Soy isn't special. It's just a bean. Nobody makes these outrageous statements about lentils.

I feel sorry for the poor misrepresented soy bean. I blame monsanto.

Soy acts similar to estrogen in the body, and estrogen tends to make the ladies store fat instead of burning it.

Isoflavones act similar to estrogen. Soy has isoflavones. So do a whole lot of other plants.

The levels of soy you'd have to consume in order to experience an increase of estrogen in your body is astronomical. As long as your protein powder isn't your main source of nutrition, you shouldn't have a problem.

Estrogen does not stop your body from "burning" fat so long as you eat a deficit.

My last problem is that soy plants grown in America are almost all covered in pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers that have been linked to cancer, as well as being shown to be reproductive and neuro toxins.

What do you think the cows who make your milk eat? Unless you're getting grass-fed whey they eat GMO SOYBEANS and corn. They're injected with antibiotics. They're loaded with hormones. Those pesticide residues make it into your milk from the cow's diet (they make it into human milk to, heads up lactating mothers).

If you want to avoid the pesticides and hormones, organic soy powder is a lot cheaper than grass-fed organic whey powder.

What in the hell do you think the cows who make your milk eat?

Whoa. Your aggression is completely uncalled for. I agree with your statement following this quote, but what gives you the right to be completely rude to someone you have never met?

Sure, you may disagree with some of the things I posted, which is completely fine by me, but there is absolutely no reason for you or anyone else to behave in this manner in a discussion forum.

There will always be debates on this product vs that product, but bringing aggression and unwarranted attacks into the discussion is about the best tactic I can think of to completely circumvent any possible solution.

Of course I know that most cows in America are fed chemically-laden, altered versions of plants that they can't even properly digest.

Are you attempting to imply that I, by simply pointing out my main views instead of basically writing a paper on the issue and citing sources, am somehow inferior or less intelligent than you? Are you trying to make yourself look better by putting others down? I don't get it. This attitude is belittling and unfair, and I think you owe not only myself, but every other person you have most likely done this to, an apology.

I believe most soy products are from fermented soy. I could be wrong.

Fermented soy usually goes by another name, so far I have found there are three types: natto, miso, and my favorite, tempeh.

I actually use neither. I use a protein powder made with pea protein that is both dairy and soy free. You can try arbonne or sun warrior. I just like it better. If you don't have any sensitivities to soy or dairy, the other powders are fine, too. Just find one that tastes good to you that makes you feel good.

I use the Sunwarrior pea, cranberry and hemp protein blend and I love it! :drinker: (I can't have milk protein (casein) so whey is out.)

For me whey is hard to digest, I use hemp and its wonderful.

@RunningRichel- I'm sorry. Sometimes the tone we'd use with our friends IRL get's misinterpreted on internet forums. I certainly did not mean to condescend to you, I was just trying to dispel some misinformation. I'll be more careful. However, that was a lot of vitriol to interpret from one little sentence. I think the rest of my post was objective and informative.

It's true that the proteins in plants are slightly less bioavailable than the ones in animal sources, but not enough to make a significant difference diet-wise. Also, the proteins in soy are not less bioavailable than other plants.

Re: Fermented soy products. Regular soy sauce is also fermented, so you can add that to your list.