Best Egg Protein Powders

Buying guide for Best egg protein powders

Protein powder is a great diet additive you can use to help build muscle mass and boost satiety. But if you’re lactose intolerant, a traditional whey protein powder won’t work for you. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and egg protein powder is one of the best. Egg protein is easily digestible by the body, and it contains essential amino acids that your body needs for protein synthesis.

You need to be choosy when selecting an egg protein powder, especially if you want to avoid lactose, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. The reason: some egg protein powders contain whey and/or the very sweeteners you’re trying to avoid.

Here’s a guide to what you need to know when selecting an egg protein powder.

Egg protein powders are popular because they’re naturally low in fats and carbohydrates.

Amount of protein

Egg protein powders usually contain 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving. The average amount of protein you need depends on your body weight. The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine recommends about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight for the average sedentary adult. Of you’re highly active, you may need to consume more than this. That comes out to roughly 56 to 91 grams of protein per day for the average man and 46 to 75 grams per day for the average woman.

Because of the other foods you eat throughout the day, you probably don’t need to consume your full dose of protein in powder form. However, your diet may influence which protein powder you choose. If you aren’t getting much protein through your food, you may want to choose a powder that has 24 or 25 grams of protein per serving. On the other hand, if you’re already consuming a lot of protein, you may only need 20 grams per serving.

Egg protein type

Proteins are usually classified as either concentrates or isolates. Concentrates consist of 70% to 80% protein and 20% to 30% water, fat, carbohydrates, and other ingredients. Protein isolates usually contain about 90% protein. Isolates undergo more processing, which diminishes the other nutrients.

Egg protein powders usually contain egg albumin, which is just a fancy way of saying egg white. Pure egg white protein powders fall into the isolate category. You may want to focus on protein isolates rather than concentrates if you’re concerned about your fat and carbohydrate intake.

Other ingredients

It’s important to read the full ingredient list to understand what you’re buying. Here are a few ingredients to watch for.

Fat

Most egg protein powders are relatively low in fat, containing a gram or less. But it’s still a smart idea to double-check this before you buy. You don’t want to inadvertently consume more fat than you anticipated.

Sugar

A protein powder with too much sugar may not only be too sweet, it could also counter your intended goal. Protein powders tend to be high in calories to start with, and sugar can push this even higher. It may also cause unexpected blood sugar spikes.

Artificial sweeteners

One way protein powder manufacturers get around adding sugar to their protein powders is by using artificial sweeteners instead. However, some experts question the safety of these ingredients. If this concerns you, you may want to stay away from protein powders that contain artificial sweeteners.

Artificial flavors

For the same reasons as artificial sweeteners, you may want to stay away from protein powders with artificial flavors. Some people feel that these are unhealthy and may be harmful to the body.

Gluten

Some protein powders may contain gluten, which could be problematic if you have a sensitivity. In this case, check the label to be sure that the egg protein powder you choose doesn’t contain gluten.

Amino acids

Eggs are full of essential amino acids that the body needs, so it’s not uncommon to find these listed in the ingredients. You’ll often see these ingredients with an “L-” in front, like “L-leucine” or “L-valine.”

Texture

Some protein powders blend better with liquid than others. If your protein powder doesn’t mix well, it could lead to a chalky texture or some of the powder settling at the bottom of your glass — not so pleasant to consume. If texture is a concern for you, be sure to read customer reviews of the protein powder you’re considering. This should give you a sense of whether the texture is an issue for other consumers.

Flavor

If you’re interested in a pure egg white protein powder, it will most likely be unflavored. You can add flavor to it by mixing it with fruit or into drinks, but the powder itself won’t have much taste.

You’ll also find egg protein powders (that aren’t strictly egg whites) in a variety of flavors. This type of powder might be a better fit if you have trouble stomaching the unflavored stuff. It’s best to choose a protein powder that comes in a variety of appealing flavors so you can mix up your routine if you like.

Egg protein powder prices

When weighing the costs of different egg protein powders, don’t focus solely on overall price. Be sure to notice the price per serving, too. One container of powder may cost twice as much as another, but if it has more servings, it might still be a better value.

To calculate price per serving, divide the total cost of the protein powder by the number of servings in the container. This information should be listed on the label. Egg protein powders range from $0.50 per serving to $1.50 per serving.

A higher cost is not always indicative of a better product, so it’s best to take the quality of the ingredients into account, too.

Tips

• Use your protein powder as part of a meal replacement shake if you’re trying to lose weight.

• If you’re trying to build muscle, consume your protein powder within a half hour of your workout.

• If you don’t like the taste or texture of egg protein powder in a drink, consider mixing it with food instead.

• If your protein powder comes in a pouch, you may want to transfer it to a different storage container so you don’t need to worry about the bag breaking.

In addition to all nine essential amino acids, egg white protein also contains vitamins A, D, and E, along with several B vitamins.

FAQ

Q. How do I know how much egg protein powder to take?

A. The majority of protein powders include a scoop that measures out a single serving.

Q. Is egg protein powder suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

A. A pure egg protein powder should be suitable for vegetarians, but it won’t be suitable for vegans because it contains eggs. In that case, you may be better off with a soy or pea protein powder.

Q. What are essential amino acids, and why should I choose an egg protein powder that includes them?

A. Essential amino acids are amino acids that the body is not able to produce itself, so it must obtain them from food. There are nine of them, and your body needs them to build muscle, regulate immune function, and keep your body working properly. Egg protein powders are known for containing a number of these essential amino acids.