|
Vegan Protein vs. Animal Protein
Animal based foods have more protein than plant based foods, and this protein is considered to be "higher quality." Yes, animal protein is more rich in protein and the essential amino acids that are the building blocks of muscle. But the people who eat the most animal protein have the most heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.¹ You may gain more muscle from consuming animal protein, but expect to have a higher risk of coronary heart disease and cancer as well.1-3 How effective is vegan protein at building muscle? In the China Study, higher levels of plant protein was associated with greater hight and greater body weight, just like with animal protein. The more plant based protein people consumed, the taller and stronger they were. But unlike animal based foods, vegan protein will reduce your fat, lower your cholesterol, and decrease your risk for chronic disease! Vegan protein is complete protein! Vegetables contain all the protein you need, and most contain more. The belief that vegetables are incomplete proteins is a myth: "People worry more about protein in their diet than any other nutrient. The obvious truth is: there is enough protein in plants to grow an elephant, horse, or hippopotamus. Certainly there is enough protein to grow relatively small people. Furthermore, all plants contain all of the amino acids in proper balance for ideal human growth. In other words, it is impossible to make up a diet deficient in protein or individual amino acids from any unrefined starches (rice, potatoes) and vegetables [my emphasis]. You must get over this common myth in order to comfortably follow a diet that is best for you and the family. The only real problems with protein come from eating too much."4 Here is a chart showing the different levels of amino acids that our body cannot produce on its own and must get from food, taken from the data at USDA National Nutrient Database:5 
Not only do most vegetables contain all the essential amino acids you need for muscle development, most contain more! While the myth of vegetables being an incomplete protein does not seem to go away, nobody mentions that meat is incomplete! Meat has no: Antioxidants, which are found in high quantities in all fruits and vegetables, are the most important factor in stopping disease and illness from forming. Meat doesn't just have a low quantity of these nutrients, it has none of these. Not only is vegan protein complete, but they contain high amounts of essential nutrients to prevent and reverse disease. Here's another graph compiled from the USDA National Nutrient Database5 comparing the nutrients of 223 Calories of chicken (100g) to 223 Calories of Iceberg Lettuce, a vegetable with one of the lowest concentration of nutrients: 
People like to eat meat because it tastes good. People also like to do cocaine because it makes them feel good. The difference is coke heads don't pretend it's good for them. Remember, vegan protein is complete protein. There is no need to consume animal products. It's okay to consume meat! Just know that your body has absolutely no nutritional need for it. We are natural herbivores. Humans are incredibly adaptive animals, we can eat almost anything that has a fraction of nutritional value, and some things that have none. Our bodies are NOT designed to digest meat. Meat takes the place of food with nutrients that will help you look and feel younger, prevent and cure disease6, and live a longer healthier life.
|
