Protein
Can We Eat Too Much?
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Most North Americans eat twice as much protein as is recommended by the National Academy of Sciences which sets the American Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for nutrients. Protein makes up about 15% of the calories eaten in North America. And yet many progressive nutritionists recommend getting about 10% of daily calories as protein. This obvious excess in the consumption of protein, mostly coming from animal sources, has been linked to kidney disease, gout, certain adult cancers, and osteoporosis. Large quantities of meat and dairy products are not needed. Vegetable sources are ideal to provide your body with all the protein it needs.
The protein myth
What kind of foods come to mind when you hear the word protein? Beef? Pork? Chicken? Eggs? Advertisers spend millions each year making certain we feel these foods are indispensable for good health.
The fact is—animal products are not needed in the human diet. People may choose to eat them for reasons of flavor, habit, and convenience, but nobody should feel they must eat them to get enough protein or enough nutrients.
Plant protein
The Western world is taking a fresh look at plant foods. They are low in fat, high in fiber, free of cholesterol, full of nutrients, and they have plenty of protein. The protein content of many vegetables exceeds 20 percent of total calories, while whole grains average about 12 percent and most legumes average 30 percent.
Even on a diet that leaves out all animal foods, getting enough protein is no problem. In fact, when enough calories are available from a variety of unrefined plant foods, it’s impossible to create a protein deficiency even on a strict vegetarian diet. Eating a variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, plenty of legumes plus some nuts and seeds will supply enough protein your body needs for optimal performance and well-being.
Isn’t it time to bury the myth and catch up with the times?
Eating
Look at the “Food Composition” table with this article. Which foods don’t you usually eat? (List them below)
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Your challenge
Stretch the boundaries of your diet by sampling some of the foods you have listed. Experiment with the wide variety of tastes and textures available. And enjoy. Your body will thank you for it.
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