Just ask them where they get their protein.

As American consumers, we have been duped by Madison Avenue, the Beef and Dairy industries, and yes, our government (which caters to strong special interest groups) into believing that beef, dairy, and pork, “the other white meat” are essential to our health and strong bodies.

But let’s take a look at protein from a health and body perspective. First, what it is and why we need it.

Protein is an important component of our bodies and is necessary for:

• organ function
• muscle growth
• enzyme production
• hormone production

We also need amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. They combine in various ways to produce a number of structural building units known as proteins, which then combine to:

• create cell components
• structural fibers
•  tissues & tissue systems
•  organs & organ systems

√  And just so you know, the body cannot make 9 of the 20 amino acids, so they must come from food. They are called essential amino acids.

How much protein do we need for strong and healthy bodies?

The World Health Organization states that people need to consume 5% of their calories from protein. Other experts say 10%. The USDA’s recommended daily allowance is about 0.36 gram of protein for every pound of body weight. So if you weigh 130 pounds, you would need 47 grams of protein. But remember, the USDA also has special interest groups in mind such as the Beef and Dairy Councils.

However, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman in Eat Right America, the American extreme emphasis on protein is “dietary suicide.” He suggests 20 to 35 grams of protein a day. 

Now you are rolling your eyes back in your head and asking, what’s the big deal about too much protein?

The way Americans get their protein is from animals and in order to get that protein, we consume a very toxic substance: animal fat.

T. Colin Campbell, PhD in his groundbreaking best-seller, The China Study, examines the relationship between animal products and illness, finds that a diet of animal products contributes to:

• cancer
• diabetes
• heart disease
• obesity
• autoimmune disease
• osteoporosis.

In his well-documented work, he shows a marked increase in the rates of these diseases in people who consume the higher protein found in animal products.

So here’s the skinny: not only do we eat too much protein, we eat it from the wrong sources, sources that not only cause us illnesses but obesity.

I f you want to lose weight and improve your health, consider a plant based diet. You can get plenty of protein from plants. Take a look at some of the higher and healthier protein sources:

• 1 cup of lentils provides 18 grams of protein
• 1 cup of cranberry beans provides 17 grams of protein
• 1 cup of chickpeas provides 15 grams of protein
• 1 cup of cooked brown rice provides 9 grams of protein
• ¼ cup of almonds provides 7.4 grams of protein
• 1 cup of broccoli provides 5 grams of protein

By eating beans, nuts, grains, and veggies, we can create a healthy and nutritious diet that is low in calories.

A plant based diet not only helps us to lose weight and that dreaded belly fat, but it improves our immune system, health, endurance and lifestyle. Check out the number of vegan athletes and body builders and you will never again need to ask: where do you get your protein?

At this point, you may be scrunching your nose and telling me that you don’t want to eat like a rabbit.

You won’t need to. By detoxing your body and palette with a plant based diet, your taste buds come alive and you begin to enjoy the vast, bountiful supply of foods available. Check out plant based cookbooks and you will find an amazing amount of variety and everything will taste good and improve your health and vitality.

Give it a try: one day a week, or one week a month – ease into it, or just go cold turkey……sorry….cold green bean.

To your health!