If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s rumors. Whether it’s a pop culture rumor – Jennifer Aniston is adopting a baby from Mexico – or a social rumor – Karen got a nose job, rumors are rumors, and I think we can all agree that they are ridiculously annoying. One rumor that I’d be happy to debunk right here and right now is this ludicrous idea that vegetarians are lacking in protein, or are, in other words, protein-deficient.
Speaking from personal experience with the matter, I can honestly say that I am in great health. I do not suffer from extreme exhaustion, I have not contracted any sort of disease (knock on wood) due to a poor immune system, and my muscles have yet to fail me. Each of the aforesaid are common effects of protein deficiency, and being the lacto-ovo (typical) vegetarian that I am proves that my diet is not lacking in the proper nutrients – specifically protein. In fact, many people overestimate the amount of protein they need per day, leading to an increase in caloric intake thus causing weight gain. Additionally, if you exercise daily and stick to a reasonably healthy diet, then you should not face any lack-of-protein-related health concerns.
Using the protein excuse just doesn’t cut it for me. If you don’t want to be a vegetarian or are having a difficult time transitioning to such a lifestyle, don’t blame the food options, but instead be honest with yourself and once and for all bust that protein myth. And so I ask you what is one rumor/myth that truly irritates you?
Listed below are vegetarian-friendly common foods with fair amounts of protein in them:
-Bananas = 2 grams
-Potatoes = 7 grams
-Eggs = 26 grams
-Tofu = 6 grams
-Spinach = 6 grams
-Cheese = 7 grams
-Bread = 3 grams
-Peanut Butter = 7 grams
…just to further discredit the rumor.
Sources:
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I GET THIS ARGUMENT ALL THE TIME. I am actually going to explore this issue in one of my future blog posts. It is SO true that vegetarians are not actually protein deficient. Sure, meat may be a great source of protein and other such nutrients, but it is not the ONLY source of protein. Other sources of protein in normal, everyday food are plentiful. I, like you, am a lacto-ovo vegetarian and I can assure you that I am not lacking any protein. I get plenty of protein from the foods I regularly eat, and Indian food has tons of protein. I hate it when misinformed people accuse me of not having a balanced diet!
ReplyDeleteI, like Rishi, agree completely. In my nutrition class we actually just covered protein and the daily needs of an average person. I'm definitely in the group of people that thought that I needed more protein than I actually do. Even though I'm vegetarian, I found that I'm getting plenty of protein. In fact, I think that vegetarians are sometimes more mindful and aware of health concerns than others. I thought that your argument was well thought out and presented. I liked the fact that you included protein values for common foods as well. Good work!
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you included the protein values in various food to back up your claim. It is also really helpful to me. Although I am not a vegetarian, my best friend recently became one. He isn't exactly smart about it though. He doesn't eat meat, but he doesn't exactly eat well, surprisingly enough. I support him 100% so now I can help him eat better. I can't think of any specific myth that irritates me, but I hate all rumors in general. I don't think it is fair to make assumptions and spread them around when not all of the facts are known.
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