I've been vegetarian for 25 years. Should I be dead now because I don't eat enough protein or something?

Question

The reason i ask is because of all American meat-eaters coming over to the vegetarian category on yahoo answers and telling us we don't eat enough protein. Surely they must know more the vegetarian diet than me.

Answer 1

.Not in the least my vegetarian brother, check the science of it all ...

of the twenty amino acids required by the body, nine of them are called "essential," because they must be brought in from outside, as it were --- ingested. The other eleven amino acids, the body is able to synthesize from within, given that it has the other nine. Of the nine essentials, three, called the limiting amino acids, are truly critical --- the other six are abundant and easily found in many foodstuffs. It is these three limiting amino acids which really determine the completeness of a foodstuff's usable protein. For when these three run out --- and they are the three that are in shortest supply generally --- the remaining amino acids cannot make new protein. (The names of these limiting amino acids: lysine, tryptophan, and the interchangeable methionine/cystine; we will come back to them later).
Protein-rich foods that contain all of the essential amino acids are called "complete"; most of them are in animal-based foodstuffs --- flesh, milk, eggs. Although there is one complete protein that is plant-based (soybeans, whose protein structure closely resembles that of milk, and anything made from soybeans, such as tofu or tempeh) as a rule plant-based protein foods --- legumes, grains, nuts, seeds --- contain only some of the essential amino acids and are thus called "incomplete." But "complete" does not mean superior. Animal protein is not in some way better than incomplete vegetable protein, though we might say it is simpler: animal protein merely supplies in one substance (an egg; a steak) what vegetable proteins supply in two (beans and rice). The complete protein is simpler in the way that putting on a one-piece jumpsuit is simpler than putting on jeans and a sweater; it's one thing, not two, but either way covers you. But the proteins themselves --- made, as they are, of the same old amino acids --- are neither inferior nor superior. When you get down to the molecular level, an atom of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen is the same, whether its source is animal, vegetable, or mineral.

you dont have to eat coal to get carbon or chalk for calcium. you dont have to eat flesh for protien.

Answer 2

According to some of the yahoos (pun intended) who lecture in this category about the inherent unhealthiness of vegetarianism, I'd say Yes. You have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

According to those of us, like yourself, who know that vegetarianism is healthy and that protein is abundantly available in non-flesh food, the answer is No. Statistically speaking, you're going to live longer than a meat eater.

Personally, I like the second answer better. I've been veg for just shy of 20 years and I'm not ready to keel over any time soon!

Answer 3

Protein comes from many sources besides meat. A vegetarian can eat a perfectly health diet yet never eat any animal products. He would need to educate himself as to proper diet and what vegetable sources can meet those nutritional needs.

Answer 4

There is protein in a lot of other food. It's just the type of protein is different if it is from plants so you need a wider variety of foods in order to consume all of the essential amino acids.

Protein is found in dairy products, eggs, seeds, nuts, beans and a lot of other foods.

If you eat a wide variety of foods, a vegetarian diet is a healthy diet and it should not effect your life expectancy at all.

Answer 5

You will probably outlive all the meat eaters my dear! You probably are healthier than most and I am sure you have less illnesses due to your vegatarian diet. Say it loud, you're Veg and you're proud! Keep on keeping on, we should all be as sensible as you!! Foremt President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda is vegetarian and takes no alcohol, he's 82 and still going strong - and he has NEVER been admitted to hospital for an illness in the last 30 years!!!

Answer 6

Ok, that's the best question I've seen all night! I've been thinking that very thing. I've only been a vegetarian for a few years and no, I'm not weak, no I don't crave meat, no I'm not weird (ok maybe a little ;) ), and no I would not eat an entire cow in month for a milion dollars! LOL Have an awesome weekend! :)

Answer 7

Well done with your statement/ question!

I agree with you on the meat eaters thinking they know all and that is that protein is only in meat which you, I and all other vegetarians prove is not true.

Protein is in many other meat-free products. We do our homework on what to and what not to eat.

Answer 8

Yes, you are the only living vegetarian since Linda McCartney died.

Oh yeah, and my wife, who has been a vegetarian for about 30 years and delivered 5 healthy children along the way.

Answer 9

LOL! Most Americans are obsessed with protein. They think only meat has it for some reason. It's almost embarrassing that so many people are so ignorant.

Answer 10

No. You will obtain protein from other sources.

Nowadays Fish protein is finding its way in to a suprising number of foods, so you may be eating it without realising.