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Thanks to the paleo diet, beef protein has gained popularity in recent years. It’s also a good non-dairy alternative for folks. But experts warn that whey protein still reigns supreme in terms of quality of ingredients.
“My advice is to stay clear of beef protein, there are much higher quality options out there and better-tasting options too,” functional movement specialist and nutritionist Samantha Watson of Start Rowing tells us. “If you are contemplating beef protein then go for a whey protein instead,” she avises.
Here’s why you should consider making the switch, according to Watson:
Beef Protein
“Beef protein may seem appealing but it should be completely avoided,” she explains. “It’s far lower in quality than whey, with less leucine and BCAAs.”
Low levels of leucine and BCAAs are an “instant indicator” of poor quality protein, she explains.
Why the poor quality? To start, the protein is not being derived from filet mignon–actually, far from it.
“Manufacturers of beef protein save on costs as they’re not creating the powder from the typical cuts of meat that we’d usually eat but rather from the various parts of the animal that we don’t,” she warns. Gross!.
But that’s not all. “You’ll also find that beef proteins are usually high in glycine. This is a cheap filler amino acid that manufacturers use so that they can claim an overall high protein content that looks good for marketing purposes and to those unaware of the actual ingredients and amounts,” she warns.
