Myth 6: Animal Protein is Better than Plant Protein, or Vegetarians and Vegans Never Get Enough Protein

Protein is protein, regardless of its source, and there’s nothing to the myth that animal protein is somehow better than plant protein. In fact, all animal protein comes by way of plants somewhere along the food chain. You can get protein from a number of sources other than meat, and your body is just as good at absorbing it. Beans, cheese, nuts, and even broccoli are all foods high in protein. “Every single food (except for oils and certain fruits) contains protein. A cup of cooked oatmeal has as much protein as a medium egg,” Andy Bellatti explains. “A serving of almonds (23, to be exact) contains the same amount of protein you get in a stick string cheese. Beans are very high in protein. Even spinach, broccoli, and potatoes offer protein.”

Alannah DiBona concurs. “Most body builders and athletes would probably keel over if they knew the truth: amino acids (the basic building blocks of muscle tissue) are made by plants, not animals. Humans can get these proteins by eating animals, but a properly balanced diet of greens, nuts, fruits, grains and veggies will pack a sufficient amount of protein for muscular development.”

The Harvard School of Public Health also supports the point, and explains that it’s really the “protein package” that counts, as in the other nutrients and fats that come with the protein that matter. They point out that while a delicious porterhouse is a great source of protein, it’s also very fatty. A cup of cooked lentils will deliver the same protein to your plate, with a fraction of the fat (although whether it’s as tasty is up for debate!)

equestriantough:

me: Yeah, I ride horses

guy: Oh really?

me: Yeup.

guy: hah, I’ll teach ya how to ride *eyebrow raise + head nod*

me: pft, you couldn’t keep up.  I’m used to having 16 hands and 1500 lbs under me.

Lovee