"But, how do you get enough protein???????????"
As if referencing to a gorilla isn't enough to convince them plants are the only thing we need to not only survive but thrive in our environments, personally, my response is always, "Really? Do I look like I'm lacking any?"
As if referencing to a gorilla isn't enough to convince them plants are the only thing we need to not only survive but thrive in our environments, personally, my response is always, "Really? Do I look like I'm lacking any?"
I mean, what better way than to point to one's self as "exhibit a." I've never been skinny and haven't eaten an animal in just short of a decade. But still, they are confused. How can it be so? You mean grilled chicken and spinach isn't the only way to a body building physique?
You may have heard the term, complete protein on this blog or other fitness/nutrition related pieces you read. If not, here's the breakdown:
Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein. There are essential amino acids- the ones that our body cannot make on it's own and must get through the diet and non-essential amino acids- the type our body can make.
A complete protein, is one that contains all nine of the essential amino acids needed to build protein in our bodies. Foods like meat, eggs and cottage cheese are all commonly known examples of complete proteins. Did you know that there are actually quite a few plants that are not only complete proteins, but have a higher amino acid profile than animal products? According to The Journal of Nutrition, Pumpkin seeds, avocado, turnip greens, spinach, soy, black eyed peas and chia seeds all have a HIGHER amino acid content than animal proteins.
Furthermore, many other plant-based complete proteins exist, and these are just the ones that are complete proteins!
We can also combine our incomplete protein sources to get all the essential amino acids. More current research, including that done by the American Dietetic Association, has shown that we don't necessarily need to eat complete proteins all the time, but that eating a variety of proteins will allow for a substantial amount of each amino acid each day, which should really be our goal. Additionally, the ADA's position still stands that so long as they are eating a wide variety of foods, even vegans do not struggle at meeting their protein needs.
I believe that when a lot of us considering plants versus meat or animal products, we are well aware that, of course, a piece of steak is going to have more grams of protein per serving than say, a serving of broccoli. Author of Eat to Live, Dr. Furhman, who I actually really like, would tell you that broccoli actually has more protein per 100 calorie serving. His reference was quite outdated in that book, (1986) versus the more current research from The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which shows that 100 calories of sirloin has 11.08g of protein and broccoli has just under 9 grams. The point being here, that I'm going to eat that broccoli because it's got basically just as much protein, no saturated fat and about a bazillion vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in it. (You can quote me on that reference).
So, there you have it. Not only can we eat entirely plant based diets and survive, but we can do it and be jacked too!
Question of the day:
Do you have a nutrition question you'd like me to research and answer? Let me know!
No comments:
Post a Comment