We do not need to eat meat to build protein

Healthy Food Nutrition
#1

I did not eat meat for about 3 years. It was great…

Nutrition “specialists” started to tell me scary stories…We need meat to receive protein to build the body tissues, enzymes, hormones,… do you know that one girl did not eat meat and blah-blah…the started to feel sick…etc.

I got scared and started to eat fish…after few month I started chicken… and now I can consume huge bloody stake…

I do not like it and thinking about stop eating meat. But what about “nutrition specialists” have said? They have a certificate, they know better :wink: What if I will be like that girl who did not eat meat and blah-blah something horrible had happened ? :wink:

And I thought today…- “well…our body makes protein from amino acids ( thats we leaned in school). We do not just build protein directly from beef muscle fibers. There are plenty of amino acids available everywhere: in greens, fruits, grains, you name it! all this nutrition specialist blah-blah and their certificate are just a piece of junk!”

Nice chart supporting my thought. Vegetarian diet with amino acids in foods other than meats:

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/plant-food-protein-chart.pdf

#2

There have been thriving cultures around the worlds with vegetarian people or people eating only very little meat, so it’s nonsense that you’ll get sick not eating meat.

#3

Yes… It might take a little more work combining different types of foods in order to get all of the amino acids we need as vegetarians, but impossible? NO.

I have also been told all kinds of stories on how my vegetarianism will make me sick, and while I do believe that there are many “specialists” who have some good knowledge on what the human body need, many of them have no clue as to what a vegetarian/vegan diet actually means. There are so many trends and so much research going on when it comes to diets, from paleolithic to no fat to whatever… One specialist will say one thing, the next one will give completely different advice. Plus, all bodies are different.

Of course, it is not entirely uncommon to have people going veg by simply cutting out all meat and then not replacing it with anything. In those situations, there will be problems…

#4

From all that I’ve seen over the years, and what I’ve read and learned about proper nutrition, it takes more diligence to eat a vegetarian diet, as in paying close attention to making sure you are getting the right combination of nutrients and proteins (amino acids) so that the body has what it needs to create complete proteins. I have met many vegetarians that I felt looked sallow and colorless in their skin tone, with no rosy glow in the cheeks or brightness in the eyes.

For me, I believe it would be a very difficult journey to attempt to eat only a vegetarian diet, as my body does not process grains well, and I love my meat. :slight_smile:

#5

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;60886]There have been thriving cultures around the worlds with vegetarian people or people eating only very little meat, so it’s nonsense that you’ll get sick not eating meat.[/QUOTE]

I know… I know…but here in South Florida … gut got hypnotized by “public opinion”:slight_smile:

I have few friend from India, the have never ever ate meat or anything else that were alive. Perfectly healthy people:)

#6

[QUOTE=Joanna63;60929]From all that I’ve seen over the years, and what I’ve read and learned about proper nutrition, it takes more diligence to eat a vegetarian diet, as in paying close attention to making sure you are getting the right combination of nutrients and proteins (amino acids) so that the body has what it needs to create complete proteins. I have met many vegetarians that I felt looked sallow and colorless in their skin tone, with no rosy glow in the cheeks or brightness in the eyes.

For me, I believe it would be a very difficult journey to attempt to eat only a vegetarian diet, as my body does not process grains well, and I love my meat. :)[/QUOTE]

Joanna,
That is true and besides the amino acids there are also other things to keep track of for vegetarians, such as getting the right kinds and amounts of fat. It is however very easy to find all the information one would need on this subject.
And as for getting the right combination of nutrients, I know many meat eaters who are also lacking that rosy glow in the cheeks.

For me it’s the other way around, my body does not process meat well. I also find vegetarian food way easier to prepare (put everything in a pan, let the cooking happen, done! somehow I never managed to cook meat well), which made the transition from some meat to no meat very easy :wink:

#7

[QUOTE=Nila;60908]Yes… It might take a little more work combining different types of foods in order to get all of the amino acids we need as vegetarians, but impossible? NO.
.[/QUOTE]

have a look at this chart… not so hard to get all essentials AA http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/artic...tein-chart.pdf

#8

[QUOTE=CityMonk;61199]have a look at this chart… not so hard to get all essentials AA http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/artic...tein-chart.pdf[/QUOTE]

I already saved that one, but thank you anyways. :slight_smile:

I return to these pages every once in a while to refresh my memory, they are in Swedish but the Google translation seems to be fairly accurate:
http://www.nyttgrepp.se/komplementering.html
http://www.nyttgrepp.se/vegprotein.html

#9

I can’t remember the last time I ate meat or fish, it was perhaps a decade ago…
Can you believe it? My blood tests are perfect.

Actually I just have three eggs per week in order to reach the recommended intake of some limiting aminoacids: Methionine and Cystine.

In the past I didn’t eat eggs but drank cow milk.

Vegetarians should watch out the limiting aminoacids. Some animal protein (slaughter or suffering free) is always welcome.

#10

[QUOTE=CityMonk;61092]I know… I know…but here in South Florida … gut got hypnotized by “public opinion”:slight_smile:

I have few friend from India, the have never ever ate meat or anything else that were alive. Perfectly healthy people:)[/QUOTE]

I don’t think meat in moderation is unhealthy, but if you are dedicated you can make a vegetarian lifestyle work. I have been a vegetarian for more than a decade, I do still need to remind myself to eat a variety of foods. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, dairy (paneer/cheese for me).

#11

[QUOTE=CityMonk;61199]have a look at this chart… not so hard to get all essentials AA http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/artic...tein-chart.pdf[/QUOTE]

The link is broken, you copied just the “…” shortened one.

Please link the original.

#12

And then there are the Inuit peoples of the arctic whose diet consist primarily of meat due to lack of any vegetation. They remain quite healthy as well, although much less so these days as their diets have become replaced by crappy North American fast food fare.

#13

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;61266]And then there are the Inuit peoples of the arctic whose diet consist primarily of meat due to lack of any vegetation. They remain quite healthy as well, although much less so these days as their diets have become replaced by crappy North American fast food fare.[/QUOTE]

good point…but my point is that there are plenty aminoacids in just leaves alone…and it is digested much more easies than meat…meat is a protein but it takes too much energy to convert it to amino acid and back to protein…that is just my opinion…

#14

It is interesting that one of the worlds greatest proponents of the non violent diet and lifestyle was turned on, or should I say back to vegetarian ideals by of all people the English.
One of Ghandi’s mentors Sheik Mehtab believed in the powers of meat-eating. He told the young Gandhi:

“We are a weak people because we do not eat meat. The English are able to rule over us, because they are meat-eaters. You know how hardy I am, and how great a runner too. It is because I am a meat-eater. Meat-eaters do not have boils or tumours, and even if they sometimes happen to have any, these heal quickly. Our teachers and other distinguished people who eat meat are no fools. They know its virtues. You should do likewise. There is nothing like trying. Try, and see what strength it gives.”

Site/Source with which I have no affiliation other than trying to site/source
http://www.ivu.org/history/gandhi/road.html

#15

If you look it up you will find many vegan bodybuilders, some of whom only eat foods that can be eaten raw like vegetables, fruits and nuts. They seem to have no problems healing or growing muscles and physical abilities. There are also many vegan athletes in major league sports.

#16

There is also this internet myth that vegetarianism is bad for the sex drive.

Now in nature there is this natural phenomenon. Carnivorous animals such as wild cats, bears, etc. are growing extinct. These are creatures who’s only predator is human beings, but herbivore animals such as deer, rabbit, etc. have the same threat from humans as well as from other carnivores so why are the carnivore creatures dwindling.

The reason…they don’t reproduce as often.

Yes, in nature, the herbivore animals reproduce many times more often than the carnivore animals.

So what does this mean? Which diet is better for the sex drive?

#17

Yes you are absolutely right meat is not essential to build proteins. there are many rich sources of proteins other than meat and moreover vegetarians are also living without meat but they still have good health and i have seen some who are very strong . eggs are rich in proteins Yellow dal milk paneer all these things have enough proteins required by body so why to look for meat to get proteins.

#18

Great information here. Does anyone have a good source of info about vegan choices? My 16 year old son has been vegan for over a year and a half now. He is 6’4" and seems healthy enough, but, being his mother, I do worry about his protein intake, even though he has done loads of research and maintains he doesn’t need meat, dairy, or eggs.

#19

If you follow a vegan lifestyle, PLEASE be sure to take Vitamin B12 supplements. You CANNOT get it from a plant based diet and once your stores run low, you will be in a world of hurt.

#20

Thank you David. My son does take B12; he has actually read a lot onthe net about vegan living and eating, so is more of an expert than I am, but it doesn’t stop me worrying!