You might remember Morgan Spurlock as the “guinea pig” of the documentary SUPER SIZE ME, eating nothing but McDonald’s fast food for 30 days. In his Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America, he points out some startling numbers about meat consumption in the U.S.
“The USDA says we eat 1 million animals an hour. …That’s around 10 billion a year. Just here in the United States. Globally, it’s around 50 billion. That’s right, we’re 4.6 percent of the global population, and we eat 20 percent of the meat consumed on the entire planet.” (Pg 101)
Even if you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, how about mixing it up a little?
NPB Ad on an NYC MTA Subway Train
Many believe we have to eat meat to get protein, “an important nutrient required for the building, maintenance, and repair of tissues in the body. (PCRM)”
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Animal sources of protein tend to be complete. Other protein sources lack one or more “essential” amino acids—that is, amino acids that the body can’t make from scratch or create by modifying another amino acid. Called incomplete proteins, these usually come from fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. (HSPH)”
However, eating various protein rich foods thoughout the day will satisfy protein need. “Virginia Messina, MPH, RD, and Mark Messina, PhD, recommend that vegans receive 0.4 grams of protein per day for every pound of health
y body weight. If a vegan consumes adequate calories and eats a variety of foods, it is very difficult not to get enough protein. This is true for athletes as well. (VEGAN ACTION)” So mix it up and don’t hedge all your bets on soy.
For good sources of protein, check out more from PCRM, including a protein checklist. And check out their protein rich recipe links, including Peanut Butter Spaghetti.
MORE RESOURCES FROM:
Fore more on MORGAN SPURLOCK and his 2004 documentary SUPER SIZE ME, watch him on THE DAILY SHOW, and 2011 documentary THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD, watch him on THE COLBERT REPORT.
September 17, 2011
alifevegetarian
1 responses to “Mix Up Your Daily Proteins for A Balanced Cocktail of Amino Acids”
Rick
September 18th, 2011 at 01:07
Another great article! I know a trainer that suggest 1 whole gram of protein per pound of body weight if you’re doing intense workouts and trying to build lots of muscle.