Animal-Based Protein Powder: What Does It Actually Mean?
You have probably heard the term “animal-based” being thrown around more lately. Maybe you have seen animal-based protein powders, animal-based diets, or people talking about moving away from plant-based foods. But what does animal-based actually mean when you are talking about protein powder?
At first, it seems pretty simple. If it comes from an animal, it is animal-based, right?
Well, sort of.
The problem is that there are several different types of animal-based proteins, and they aren't all the same. Whey comes from milk. Egg protein comes from eggs. Beef protein can come from beef, while collagen protein comes from the connective tissues of animals.
So when you see a protein powder calling itself “animal-based,” you still have a little homework to do.
Where does the protein actually come from? How were the animals raised? Is it dairy-based? Is it grass-fed? And perhaps most importantly, what else has been added to the powder before it ends up in your shaker bottle?
Because “animal-based” sounds pretty straightforward, but just like the word “Paleo,” it doesn't tell you everything you need to know.
What Counts as Animal-Based Protein?
Animal-based protein is simply protein that comes from an animal source rather than a plant. That can include milk-derived proteins like whey, egg protein, beef protein, and collagen.
The important thing to understand is that these proteins are not interchangeable. They come from different parts of the animal and have different amino acid profiles and characteristics.
For someone following a Paleo-style diet, that distinction can be especially important. Whey may be an animal-based protein, but it is still a dairy product. If you are trying to avoid dairy, whey probably isn't what you are looking for.
That is where other animal-based proteins can become interesting.
Why Choose an Animal-Based Protein Powder?
One of the biggest reasons people look at animal-based protein powders is simply that they want an alternative to plant-based proteins.
There is nothing wrong with wanting variety in your diet. If you are already getting protein from meat, eggs, and other animal foods, choosing an animal-based protein powder can be a natural extension of the way you already eat.
It can also be convenient.
You don't always have time to cook a steak or scramble a couple of eggs when you need some protein. Sometimes you just want to throw a scoop into a shaker bottle and get on with your day.
The key is finding a protein powder that fits the way you actually want to eat.
What About Collagen?
This is where things can get a little confusing.
Collagen is an animal-based protein, but it isn't the same thing as a traditional beef protein isolate. Collagen is a structural protein found throughout connective tissue, and hydrolyzed collagen can be processed into a powder that mixes easily into drinks and foods.
At Autoimmune Health & Nutrition, we chose grass-fed beef collagen as the foundation of our Paleo Perfection protein powders because it gives us an animal-based protein that fits well with the type of food we wanted to create.
It is also a very different option from the dairy-based whey powders that dominate the protein aisle.
Don't Stop at “Animal-Based”
Just like we have talked about with the words “Paleo,” “clean,” and “grass-fed,” you shouldn't let one phrase on the front of a container make the decision for you.
Turn it around.
Look at the protein source. Look at the ingredients. Look at how the animal was raised. If you're avoiding dairy or soy, check for those ingredients too.
You may find that two products labeled “animal-based protein powder” are actually quite different from one another.
And that's really the point.
“Animal-based” is a starting point, not the entire story.
If you are looking for a protein powder that fits a Paleo lifestyle, it is worth taking a few extra seconds to understand exactly what you are buying.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn't just to find a protein powder that sounds good on the front of the container.
It's to find one that actually fits the way you want to eat.
