Plant-Based Sources of Protein

Hello friends! This week has gone by way too fast! It's already Thursday and my Spring Break is nearly over! Too sad. Now I'm just looking forward to summer! In other news, we're going to talk about non-animal sources of protein today. Last week I wrote about how we were uniquely designed as biological herbivores. If you haven't read that post you can read it here. I got a few comments about alternative sources of protein--"What about if I'm allergic to soy?" "What if I can't eat beans?" Have no fear, protein is everywhere! 

I found this fun chart at Mercy for Animals that contains different sources of protein and how many grams are in each. Nuts, leafy, greens, beans, grains (quinoa & couscous), and even some vegetables contain protein. If you eat a well-balanced and varied plant-based diet, it if nearly impossible to be protein deficient! Leafy greens like kale and spinach are packed with protein. Bet you never thought you'd associate spinach with protein! ;) The best thing about eating plant-based protein is that you're not only supplying your body with necessary protein but you're also nourishing it with essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to thrive. On the contrary, when you use animal products as your main protein source, you ARE getting protein, but you're also ingesting unnecessary fats, carcinogens, and cholesterol that is directly related to the development of heart disease. As I was watching the documentary Hungry for Change, David Vitalis said "People are overfed, but they are also starving to death." That struck me. In general, American culture trains us to eat eat and eat until we're full all while promoting the WRONG foods to eat. We continue eating because, although our stomachs might feel food, our cells are dying. They are not receiving the life-giving, nutrient-supplying vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that make our cells happy and healthy. And as a result, we reap diseases like coronary heart disease, hypertension, cancer and so much more. 

Dr. Alona Pulde & Dr. Matthew Lederman who speak in the documentary Forks Over Knives said this, "We've never treated a single patient with protein deficiency; yet the majority of patients we see are suffering from heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses directly resulting from trying to get enough protein." 

Have I answered the age-old question of, "You're a vegetarian?! Where do you get your protein?!" ;) 

Tell me your thoughts! Do you think you would ever consider a plant-based diet? Have you discovered that you naturally eat plant-based sources of protein that you didn't know about?