Protein has taken over the health food industry dramatically. However, I agree protein is very important for our bodies in many respect. So before we proceed further on discussing about the vegan protein let us first understand why protein is so important.
1.Every cell in our body is made up of protein.
2.Protein is very much required by our body to build and repair tissue. Especially in the growing age we must focus on protein consumption quite diligently. After a heavy work-out a protein smoothie helps in repairing/recovering the tissues if any damaged.
3.Protein helps in curbing hunger by keeping you full for longer. Thereby, facilitating the maintenance of healthy weight.
4.In order to lose weight sometimes we go on a strict diet or even starve as a result of which we may lose muscles. Also, as we grow older we lose muscles. Protein helps in reducing muscle loss thereby keeping us stronger.
5.Protein is important for hormonal balance, enzyme and all types of body chemicals.
6.Protein is required for the bones at all ages.
Therefore, in all types of diet, protein content becomes the most important substance. But, I wonder why vegan diet is mostly questioned about the source of protein. Also, a stigma is attached that a person on vegan diet may be deficient on protein. I totally disagree to that because I myself follow vegan diet and never ever had any protein deficiency. Well, the key to it is to eat the right foods at the right time.
Well, we may agree that vegan diet is high in carbohydrate and starch. However, there is way to control the carbohydrate consumption by choosing the right foods in right quantities. I am not preaching about the vegan diet here. I am trying to discuss on the fact that vegan diet isn’t protein deficient. Many may argue that animal protein is the more sufficient and much required one. But it comes with lot of risk factors like heart problems, cancer, hormones injected issues and so on.
Also, I want to clarify that I respect all types of diet and everybody has the right to choose the diet as per their desire. But let’s not condemn vegan diet to be the deficient one.
So, now let’s highlight the sources of protein in vegan diet:
Beans;
Lentils;
Legumes;
Nuts;
Soy (including tempeh);
Seeds;
Seitan;
Whole grains;
Quinoa
Amaranth
The advantage of these protein sources are that they safe for our health and are high in fiber which is usually absent in animal protein. When we consume plant based protein we consume fiber along with good carbohydrates which is not true with animal protein. Also, we get essential vitamins like vitamin E in plant based protein. Moreover, plant based protein by nature are low in cholesterol and promotes heart health.
Many fruits and vegetables also provide sufficient protein along with other vitamins, minerals and fiber. Also, one most important thing to remember is that plant base protein is lower in calories.
Vegetables
Broccoli,
Spinach,
Kale,
Brussels sprouts and many more
Fruits:
Blackberries
Bananas
Mejdool dates
Avocado
Apricots and so on.
These foods are easy to cook and are delightful at the same time. Many vegetables are tastier when consumed raw as a salad. Moreover, it is always more satisfying to consume raw fruits because they are excellent for hydration as well. These foods are lighter and easily digestible by our bodies.
One important point that we usually miss when we decide on protein is fiber. Protein takes time to get processed and digested by our body. That is why we say protein keeps us full for longer. However, too much protein consumption might lead to constipation, gas, bloating and other stomach issues. For our bodies to digest protein it needs support of fiber and carbohydrate at the same time. Therefore, plant based proteins provide all the necessary nutrition at the same time so it’s easy for our bodies to digest them. Therefore, what’s the hype for protein in vegan diet?
Sharlena Foster says
Thanks Gunjan for sharing this informative blog with us!
Its quite true that protein is very important for our bodies in many respect. And, being a health care professional, I am dam sure that majority of health issue that we’re facing now a days are also due to our daily diet plan.