The easiest protein to digest are liquid and powdered proteins.
Liquid whey protein isolate and hydrolyzed protein powders are the easiest proteins to digest as they are pre-broken down and also require little effort from your stomach to digest and break down.
For whole foods with protein that are easiest to break down are poached or scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, egg whites, steamed white fish and skinless chicken breast.
Whey protein isolate is filtered to remove most fats and lactose and is absorbed rapidly by the body within 1 hour to 2 hours.
Hydrolyzed protein is a protein that is enzymatically pre-digested, breaking the bonds between amino acids so that it absorbs faster than almost any other food.
Pea and brown rice protein powder are also good for those who are dairy free and are naturally hypoallergenic.
Rice is also easy to digest, especially plain white rice as plain white rice is low in fat and low in fiber, which makes it a staple for settling an upset stomach or even recovering from other illness or managing digestive issues such as IBS.
White rice is stripped of the outer bran and germ, and is easily broken down by your stomach, often digesting fully in 1.5 hours to 2 hours.
White rice provides you with some quick energy without overworking your gut.
Although brown rice is not as easy to digest and takes a bit longer to digest than white rice.
Brown rice is harder to digest than white rice because brown rice contains the fibrous outer layer that it retains and takes longer to digest and can sometimes cause bloating, gas or irritation of the stomach and intestines, especially if your digestive system is sensitive.
To ensure that the white rice is easiest to digest, boil the rice thoroughly and ensure that it's cooked with plenty of water until it's very soft and avoid adding heavy fats, oils and or spices as they slow down digestion and if you need protein, pair the white rice with a lean and easy to digest option like boiled or baked skinless chicken breast.
Hard boiled eggs are also easy to digest, because the heat when hard boiling the eggs alters the structure of the protein in the eggs and makes it easy for your stomach to break down.
Hard boiled eggs also spend less time in your stomach, because hard boiled eggs don't require any added cooking fats like buttery or fried scrambled eggs.
After you eat one hard boiled egg, the hard boiled egg takes around 45 minutes to 60 minutes to digest fully, with the denser yolk of the egg taking longer to break down than the white.
Although overcooking the hard boiled eggs can make them take longer to digest as hard boiled eggs that are overcooked develop a rubbery texture and also release sulfur compounds and this dense structure can sometimes cause bloating and or gas in some people..
If hard boiled eggs are giving you a heavy feeling on your stomach, you can try soft boiled eggs, with a slightly runny yolk as they are the sweet spot for maximum protein absorption and easy digestion.
Eggs are easy to digest and are also good for gut health, when compared to other high protein based foods.
Not only are eggs easy to digest, eggs also provide you with and contain essential nutrients like choline that help to support your intestinal lining.
Eggs also contain anti-inflammatory compounds as well, although the eggs don't contain fiber, which is the main fuel for gut bacteria.
Cooked eggs are very easily digestible, or around 94 percent absorption, when eaten.
The eggs are often used as a gentle source of protein during flare ups or acute stomach issues as well.
The choline and lecithin that are found in the egg yolks also help to maintain the integrity of your intestinal wall cells and support the production of bile for fat digestion in the body.
Eggs also are a good source of B vitamins, amino acids and even some omega-3 fatty acids, that help to promote microbial diversity and modulate inflammation.
Although due to the eggs lacking fiber, the eggs should also be paired with fiber rich plant foods such as vegetables, to help ensure that your gut microbes are able to get the prebiotics that they need to thrive.
And although eggs are usually safe for most people, some people may have sensitivities to eggs and experience discomfort and or bloating.
Always cook your eggs thoroughly to ensure the eggs are as gut friendly as you possibly can make them.
Cooking the eggs thoroughly also deactivates some certain protease inhibitors and makes the protein easier to absorb and it also removes the risk of potential foodborne illnesses such as salmonella.
Three other foods that are good for your gut are oats, Kefir and Yogurt with live cultures.
Optimal gut health relies on a combination of probiotics (live beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (fibers that feed those bacteria).
The top three foods to include in your diet or optimal gut health are:
Yogurt (with live cultures): Packed with probiotics, it actively adds good bacteria to your microbiome.
For maximum benefit, opt for unsweetened, plain varieties and add your own fresh fruit.
Kefir: A tangy, sippable fermented milk drink that provides an even wider variety of probiotic strains than yogurt.
It is highly versatile and naturally easier to digest.
Oats: Rich in a specific prebiotic fiber called beta-glucan, oats act as premium fuel to help crucial gut bacteria flourish.