Let's talk Protein:
Protein is an essential nutrient needed for many vital reactions, processes and body functions. It's made up of building blocks called amino acids - some of which we can make ourselves, but nine ‘essential’ amino acids can only be obtained via our diet. ‘Complete’ protein refers to protein that contains all nine essential amino acids, so it’s a complete package in terms of your protein needs.
There used to be a myth that you need to combine foods to get ‘complete’ protein but that has been debunked: if you eat enough in a day and have a varied, healthy diet, you’re getting all the protein and their subsequent amino acids you need.
On average, that's around 55g for adult men and 45g for adult women daily. Interestingly, several government surveys have shown that most people in the UK get more than enough protein, with an average daily intake for men of around 85g a day and for women 65g.
The best sources of protein include pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas and soya), nuts, seeds and wholegrains (wholemeal bread, oats, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice).
It's easy to achieve your required daily protein intake on a balanced vegan diet. If you eat a piece of toast, hummus and cherry tomatoes, lentil dahl, spinach and brown rice, and a baked potato with a vegan sausage and baked beans, your protein intake would be 58g.
Research shows that high levels of animal protein (meat, fish, eggs and dairy products) may significantly increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and ultimately the risk of a premature death. Find out more about the implications of non-plant-protein at bestselling 'How Not To Die' author, Dr. Greger's NutritionFacts.org page.
Looking for more information and would like to explore how I can help you to a more happy and healthy, nutritionally balanced, plant-based life? Get in touch today to have a chat and find out more!
