If vegetarians dont eat meat, then how do they get their protein?

Answer 1

"If you don't eat meat, chicken, or fish, where do you get your protein?"
"You don't eat dairy products or eggs either? How can you live without protein?"
"You can't get enough protein on a vegan diet."
"My doctor told me I could not stay healthy on a vegan diet"
"I tried a vegetarian diet, but I got sick."
"I was on a vegetarian diet but I always felt tired. I needed more protein."

Vegetarians and vegans have heard these statements over and over. Myths such as these simply will not go away without the solid facts to prove otherwise. We've attempted to reassure friends and family who shake their heads and click their tongues in utter amazement that we've survived many years on a vegan diet and still haven't keeled over from lack of proper nutrition. Our only doctor visits consist of the annual check-up and accompanying lab tests that continue to affirm our excellent health. But simply telling people apparently isn't enough.

The hard fact that constantly comes to the foreground is that the focus on protein borders on obsession in countries of the Western Hemisphere. One glance at restaurant menus and the plates that come to the table is proof that the centerpiece of the meal is the large serving of meat, chicken or fish frequently smothered in creamy sauces or melted cheese. The portions served at one meal alone come close to fulfilling a day's worth of protein needs.

The meat and dairy industries spend billions of dollars to project their message right into your shopping cart through television commercials, magazine ads, and grocery store ads. These powerful industries even recognized it was important to teach young children "good nutrition" at a very early age. Since the end of World War II they spread their protein message to our nation's youth by providing schools across the U.S. with colorful charts of the "important food groups" that emphasized meat, dairy products, and eggs. For the decades following World War II, one simply could not ignore the emphasis on protein.

Could we fail to ignore the large billboards flaunting larger than life-size images of cheese, eggs, and milk? And who can forget the successful ad campaigns for "Where's the beef?" and "Milk does a body good" ? The protein message comes at us from all directions, even on bus benches.

Don't misunderstand, we fully recognize that protein is a necessity to a healthy body, and that it is important to replenish our store of protein every day. Because the body doesn't store protein as it does other nutrients, we're aware it must be replaced each day as a source of nourishment for building and repairing new cells, hormones, antibodies, enzymes and muscle tissue.
Where do vegans get their protein? It's simple. The plant-based diet includes a wide variety of whole foods consisting of beans, whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, along with products made from these natural foods, such as tofu, tempeh, and meat analogs. Those who believe plant protein is inferior to animal protein may be surprised to learn that plant proteins contain the same 23 amino acids as animal proteins.
If a person is eating a broad selection of plant-based foods and consuming adequate calories, it is unlikely he or she will be protein deficient. Physicians in the United States rarely encounter patients who are deficient in protein. Deficiency is uncommon and is seen mostly in countries where serious shortages of food exist, and malnutrition is prevalent.
More common are the problems resulting from eating too much protein. In contrast to the U.S. RDA calculations, the average person in America consumes foods containing 100 to 120 grams of protein daily, mostly from animal products. Americans are also noted for their sedentary lifestyles. Excess protein especially of animal nature puts a great deal of stress on the kidneys. Some people, unaware that their kidneys are not operating optimally, could suffer premature aging of this important organ. A diet too high in protein could cause deterioration of the nephrons, which are the kidney's filtering system. That same diet places people at risk for developing kidney stones.

Other health conditions that may result from an overabundance of protein include excessive calcium leaching from the bones and causing osteoporosis, acid reflux, obesity, plaque build-up in the arteries, high blood pressure, pain from arthritis, high cholesterol, bad breath from sulfur-containing amino acids, and increased risk of cancer, especially colon cancer.

Answer 2

Like a lot of people have already said... beans and rice make up full protein. Protein is in a lot of other things besides just meat.

As to the people who say vegetarian diets aren't balanced... the food pyramid only requires 2 servings of protein a day. And do you know how big those servings are supposed to be? Three ounces each, roughly the size of a deck of cards. Not much meat at all, if you think about it. So maybe the vegetarians out there who get their protein from other (less fat-saturated) sources aren't quite as off their rockers as the rest of the world might think.

Answer 3

Protein is in everything. Whole grains, beans and nuts are fantastic sources. Even veggies have protein. People don't need as much as you think.

The most common vegetarian is one who does use dairy and eggs by the way and there is alot of protein in those foods as well.

PS: Despite what a poster above said...vegetarians do not eat fish. Fish is an animal.

Answer 4

MYTH: "Vegetarians get little protein."

FACT: Plant foods offer abundant protein. Vegetables are around 23% protein on average, beans 28%, grains 13%, and even fruit has 5.5%. For comparison, human breast milk is only 5% (designed for the time in our lives when our protein needs are as high as they'll ever be). The US Recommended Daily Allowance is 8%, and the World Health Organization recommends 4.5%.

MYTH: "Beans are a good source of protein."

FACT: There is no such thing as a special "source of protein" because all foods -- even plants -- have plentiful protein. You might as well say "Food is a good source of protein". In any event, beans (28%) don't average much more protein per calorie than common vegetables (23%).

Answer 5

You can get protein from so many sources other than meat.

Beans, nuts, and soy are just 3 main sources. Living things are MADE of protein. Everything has protein, even the fruits and vegetables.

Answer 6

As you know, even vegetable have protein. Vegetarian also can eat egg and drink milk to obtain the protein they need in thier daily life. You can see the list of protein-rich vegetable through the source below.

Answer 7

About once a week I eat chicken - my cholesterol has dropped 30 points - it's amazing. I'm happier to know I'm eating healthier. If I do consume animal products it's organic (milk in cereal) or smoothies, maybe an egg or two a month. I'm not strict, but I feel I am doing the best I can and I'm very happy with the results. It also reduces risk of colon cancer.

Answer 8

What a dumb phucking question. Where do you think cows and sheep get THEIR protein from? Animals don't magically make protein from thin air. All the building blocks for proteins(amino acids) come from PLANTS.

Answer 9

Beans and rice together make a complete protein, and if you eat eggs an drink milk, you are fine.

Answer 10

Vegetarians have a variety of reasons for not eating meat. 1) They do not like the thought of killing innocent animals for human consumption. 2) They do not like the processes the animals go through after being killed for human consumption. 3) Religious reasons. 4) They do not like the taste of meat. 5) They chose a vegetarian life for health reasons. Just like any lifestyle choice, it should be respected.

Answer 11

Peanut Butter.