Raw Food and the Protein Myth
I have a beautiful picture of a real cow, but decided that it was just too close to home for this post. Because that poor cow probably is going to end up on someone’s dinner plate and personally, I am just not ok with that. On the other hand, we do not judge here. This is a place to explore healthy eating. A place for you to find wonderful, nutritious healthy alternatives to the SAD (standard American diet) diet. If that leads you to the path of not eating animals, that makes me happy. But this isn’t about me…it is about you. And the best way for you to make your own decision is to equip yourself with correct information. Let’s start with protein.
For starters, we don’t need any where near as much protein as we have been conditioned to believe. Most people are getting 60 to 125 grams a day when really you only need about 20 to 45 grams a day. The over consumption of animal protein causes many health problems. The proteins from plant based sources fuel our bodies without the toxic effects that animal proteins can have.
We have been taught to believe that animal protein is the only complete protein. That too, is not correct. Whether or not a protein is considered “complete” depends on the amino acids present. Many vegetables, nuts and seeds have the 8 essential amino acids required for them to be complete proteins. The interesting part is that plant protein is much easier for your body to digest. So, you get high quality protein that is easy to digest.
Great places to find protein in from plants include seeds, nuts, sprouts, sprouted grains and especially green leafy vegetables. And don’t forget your chia seeds! Just one ounce contains over 4 grams of protein. It’s always a good idea to be aware of what you are eating, and make sure you are balancing your diet. Just rest assured, you do not need anywhere near as much protein as you have been led to believe and you can get high quality protein from plants.
Brooke wrote on January 8, 2010
Thank you sooooo much for this post. It’s not as thorough as I had hoped, but it gives the reader a starting point to do their own research. I have been arguing with my muscle-building boyfriend about the protein myth. It’s amazing how manipulated we have become towards animal products. Meat is the only way we can get our protein and dairy is the only way we can get our calcium – or so we are taught. The older I get, the more I realize that nothing is as what it seems and I’m only 23!
Diane wrote on January 8, 2010
I have to finally do something with those chia seeds I bought and still haven’t tried, the salad looks like a great thing to try.
I keep changing up my diet according to what feels right to me at the time, trying to listen to my body. I went through a phase recently where I really couldn’t tolerate grains at all, and full on raw wasn’t working, either, I was too cold and over-consuming nuts trying to feel grounded. For a period of maybe a year I did something along the lines of the specific carbohydrate diet, as I had some gut issues (yeast, etc.), and that diet eliminates grains all sweeteners other than honey, and I was eating animal protein a couple times a week with that. I felt pretty good on it for awhile, but for the first time in years I started packing on weight around my hips and thighs. I recently went back to a primarily veg. diet, including some grain again – I’m ok now with buckwheat – about 50% raw right now, and the weight I lost after a bout with appendicitis in November has not come back – I think because I’m not getting the extra hormones from the meat. Even clean meats have some natural hormone in them, and I think most american women are estrogen dominant because there are so many xenoestrogens in our environment. I’d like to stay veg. as much as possible, since it fits with my ethics and always has.
Edie Galley wrote on January 8, 2010
I find the protein info so important and helpful because that is one area I was concerned about. I just “discovered” Chia seeds thanks to your Orange Pomegranate Salad. It made a fabulous dinner, thank you and Chia seeds ROCK!
Thank you Susan for your insight and support on eating RAW. You are incredibly helpful!
Brittac wrote on January 8, 2010
I agree with your info on protein. I have done my homework on going all veggie and also on going all raw. As long as a person is getting enough calories they should be getting enough protein too.
Roxanne wrote on January 7, 2010
Thanks to the FREE “pantry check list” (pdf) I had requested from you, I’ve learned of the protein packed chia seeds. I’m preparing your Orange Pomegranate Salad this weekend for a friend. Next, I’ll purchase kamut. Had never heard of chia seed or kamut. You’ve created a very valuable “pantry” pdf on your website…and I’m sharing it with all my friends 😉
bitt wrote on January 7, 2010
concise explanation. I will have to print it out to hand people when they ask me. 🙂
thanks!