Protein Isolates: Do They Have a Place in a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet? - Center for Nutrition Studies

Protein isolates have been a staple in mock meats for decades and are now hitting the mainstream as new plant-based meats appear in more grocery stores and restaurants. The big names in alternative protein say that plant-based meats made with protein isolates are healthier than animal proteins. However, despite a long history of use, there’s still some concern and confusion regarding the safety and health implications of eating isolated proteins instead of protein naturally contained in food.What are protein isolates?Protein isolates are proteins extracted from whole foods; as the name suggests, they are isolated proteins. Soy is the most well-known plant isolate; yellow pea is also gaining popularity as a protein source in plant-based meats and protein powders.Separating proteins from a food’s other components creates an isolate that’s as much as 90% protein, a concentration close to that of many animal-based foods.[1] Plant-based meat brands favor both the high protein concentration...