by Stacy
Remington
For years there has been
controversy over the quality and quantity of plant proteins versus animal
proteins. What it really comes down to
is that plant proteins are underestimated and misunderstood. It is true, we cannot survive without protein
in our diet. I do not think anyone is disputing that. In a day where we really
need to be cognizant of what we consume because of all of the hormones,
antibiotics, and other toxins put into the animals that are raised for human
consumption, it is important to know that plant proteins provide more than
enough quality amino acids and consuming a plant-based diet does not mean that
you are not getting complete proteins.
Also, it is unnecessary for those following a vegetarian diet to have to
mix and match plant proteins to ensure you are getting enough complete proteins,
as previously believed, because the body stores and releases the amino acids it
needs over a 24-hour period. If you do
not consume all of the essential amino acids in one day, but get the missing
ones the next day, you are still getting all the protein that your body
needs. Another interesting fact is that
1/6 of our daily protein utilization comes from our body recycling our own body
tissue by digesting cells lining our digestive tract. This process helps to even out any variation
in amino acid "incompleteness".
The true problem arises when a vegetarian diet revolves around refined
and processed foods causing low protein levels.
Once vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts are introduced to such a
diet, it becomes protein-rich.
You still do not think a plant-based
diet provides enough protein? Let's put
this into perspective. Most plant foods,
except fruit, supply at least 10 percent of calories from protein, with green
vegetables averaging about 50 percent of their calories from protein. One cup
of cooked spinach contains more protein per calorie than a Burger King
cheeseburger. Also, 100 calories of
broccoli contains more protein than 100 calories of sirloin steak! I think Popeye was on to something! Dr. Joel Furhman, author of "Eat to Live",
tried to compose a natural foods diet deficient in any required amino acid
using a computer dietary-analysis program.
He found it impossible. Any
assortment of plant foods contained about 30-40 grams of protein per 1,000
calories. He says that when your caloric
needs are met, your protein needs are met automatically.
So from a different
perspective... the rhinoceros, hippopotamus, gorilla, giraffe, and elephant are
all very large animals. How did they get
that way? Plant proteins. All of these animals are herbivores. Animals do not make amino acids from nothing,
all amino acids originally came from plants.
A big strong lion's muscles can only be composed of protein precursors
and amino acids that its prey, the zebra and the gazelle ate... green grass
made the lion.
