Where do you get your PROTEIN?
This is a common question and one that stems from a great deal of misunderstanding about nutrition in general. The short answer is that this is generally not a concern unless you simply don’t eat enough food, or don’t eat a varied diet. You could be vegan and eat nothing but candy (depending on the type), and then you would be deficient in many areas.
However, if you eat a varied diet (think “lots of color”) protein
should not be an issue for you. This is well substantiated by
numerous studies, doctors, researchers and dietitians such as
Michael Greger, M.D., John McDougall, M.D., Joel Fuhrman, M.D.,
Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D., researcher T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Virginia Messina, MPH, RD, and Jack Norris, RD.
There is protein in every plant-based food. Most people know that legumes (beans, lentils, peas), nuts, and seeds contain high amounts of protein, but did you know that vegetables and fruit contain protein as well? In The Starch Solution, Dr. McDougall discusses two different studies involving potatoes. In both studies the researchers concluded that the potatoes provided all the protein required to maintain the health of very active adults and young children.
I am not recommending a diet of only potatoes as it is preferable to eat a diet of plant foods with many different colors, both for taste as well as nutrition. But these studies show how easy it is to get the required protein from a plant-based diet.
For more information see http://freefromharm.org/health-nutrition/vegan-doctor-addresses-protein-question
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.php and http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.php