|
||||||||||||||||||
|
The first question that comes to mind when people start shifting their thinking and their diets and eating habits is: “If I don’t eat meat where do I get my protein?” Because we were trained since birth that we have to eat meat to get enough protein, this is a logical question to ask. We have all been taught and deeply conditioned to believe that in order to get enough protein, we must eat meat. Most of us were raised eating three basic meals a day, and those meals were centered on primarily meat, along with milk, cheese, eggs, and refined grains in the form of bread and cereals. Let’s face it, if we don’t eat meat for dinner most of us would feel that we were missing out on something. Remember what your mother used to say when you asked her, “What’s for dinner, Mom?” What would she say? She would say: hamburgers, hotdogs, steak, pork roast, chuck roast, beef stew, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb and that’s it—one word describing the kind of meat she was fixing for dinner. And what do we still ask today, “What’s for dinner, honey?” What is the answer? Is the response the same as your mother’s, or do you respond with something like─salad and vegetables? That sounds funny, doesn’t it? None of us are used to emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and salads. Why? Because we have been deeply conditioned to believe that we must eat meat every day to get enough protein. We have been programmed to center our meals on meat. For all the discussion, information, publicity, commercialization, and marketing of food and pseudo-foods, I think we are more obsessed about protein than any other nutrient. One would think that for all we hear about protein, whether it be in the form of protein bars or drinks or foods, that we would know a lot about protein. Not only are we more obsessed about protein than any other nutrient, we are also more confused about protein. Most Americans don’t know the basic facts about protein and that sadly includes many doctors, dieticians, teachers, government agencies, friends, and our well-intended mothers. We are constantly bombarded by misinformation about protein by the so-called experts. Is there any wonder why we stay so confused about the foods we eat? What is the purpose of protein in the human body? Protein is a very important nutrient that has many functions:
Protein is made from the building blocks called amino acids, some of which the body makes and some of which the body must get from outside sources. And this is the sticking point for most of us. What are the best, most nutritious outside food sources of protein? We have all been lead to believe that our best sources of protein are animal products. We have all been duped. Our best sources of outside protein do not come from animal products. If you research the journals and the books by experts such as John McDougall, M.D., Neal Bernard, M.D., Joel Fuhrman, M.D., T. Colin Campbell, PhD., and many others, you will discover that the best sources of protein for human health, without the excess fat, cholesterol, chemicals, animal protein and calories, come from plant foods. It’s hard to believe that plant foods contain enough protein for human health. Let’s use our common sense and think about protein logically. What is one of the main purposes of protein? Protein is necessary for growth. Right? When do we grow the most? From the ages of 0 to 2 years old? What is the best food for growing babies? Human breast milk. How much protein is in human breast milk? 4.5% protein. The World Health Organization recommends that 4.5% protein is necessary for human health and fitness. How much protein do oranges contain? 8%. Carrots? 10%. Tomatoes? 16%. Potatoes? 11%. Brown rice? 8%. Romaine lettuce? 36% According to the World Health Organization, we get plenty of protein from plant foods, without mixing and matching them. One more logical question to ask yourself when you are wondering whether or not you are getting enough protein: “Where do some of our great, big, strong mammals get their protein for growth and maintenance for their muscles and bones?” Do elephants eat chicken? Do cows eat cows? Do horses eat fish? Do apes eat cheese? Do giraffes eat eggs? Of course not. These animals grow and maintain large muscles and thrive by eating plant foods and not even a huge variety at that. So the next time you eat beef or chicken or turkey or fish, don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are eating it because you have to get your protein. Be honest. The reason and the only reason why you are eating animal products is because you like them, and you choose to eat them. E-mail Dr. Leslie at Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer.com |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Home | Contact Us | Hello! I'm Dr. Leslie Privacy Policy/Refund Policy/Time & Delivery
CONTACT: |
||||||||||||||||||
