The Worst Protein in the World

I had a horrible reaction to some "chicken wings" and later discovered they were plant-based, made with textured vegetable protein (TVP). In my opinion, TVP is a highly questionable protein source. It's derived from soy or cottonseed, often using the leftovers from seed oil production. It's been in our food supply since the 1960s, found in veggie burgers, imitation meats, cereals, and more.

TVP is extremely processed. To make it, they strip the soybeans of oil, nutrients, and fiber, often using chemicals like hexane. There's no official FDA safety guidance on long-term hexane consumption, and we know inhaling it is toxic. What kind of effect does ingesting it have? Additionally, most TVP is made with GMO soybeans, and there's evidence it can deplete your liver's nutrients. It's similar to soy protein isolates in that regard.

Consuming isolated protein without fats stresses your body, especially when that protein lacks essential nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, and K.