Vegetarian Diet Protein

Vegetarian diet protein is a difficult thing to avoid as long as you eat sufficient calories per day of whole foods from the plant kingdom. Here's another thing about it: It's not rocket science! You don't need a calculator by the stove to figure how much you're getting...and you don't need to blend in complementary proteins, as was the theory in the classic book "Diet for a Small Planet." We have learned that combining proteins isn't necessary since that book came out.

Protein exists in sufficient quantities in the humble potato to sustain life, even if that was all you ate. We usually think of the potato as a "starch," but the potato actually contains 11% of its caloric value as protein.

Humans need to take in somewhere between 4.5 and 10% of our calories as protein, depending on which authority you consult. So it is not hard to get the protein you need for cell regeneration and growth from a varied mix of vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and even fruit.

Even human breast milk only contains 5% protein--and that provides for our fastest growth! So, for most people even 5% should be sufficient.

Here is a list of Vegetarian Diet Proteins, for example:

Spinach - 49% of calories are protein; Broccoli - 45%; Collards - 43%; Zucchini - 28%

Kale - 45%

Brussel sprouts - 44%

Eggplant - 21%

Potatoes - 11% Yams - % Sweet potatoes - 6%

Hard red Wheat - 17% Oatmeal - 15% Millet - 12% Barley - 11% Brown Rice - 8%

Lemons - 16% Cantaloupe - 9% Orange - 8% Blackberry, cherry, apricot, grape, and watermelon - 8% Papaya - 6%

Peach - 6% Banana- 5% Grapefruit - 5% Apple - 1%

Tofu - 43% Soy beans - 35% Soy sauce - 35% Broad beans - 32% Lentils - 29% Split peas - 28%

Kidney/Navy/Lima beans - 26% Garbanzo - 23%

Pumpkin seeds - 21% Peanuts - 18% Black walnuts 13% Sesame seeds - 13% Almonds/Cashews - 12% Filberts - 8%

For some printable vegetarian recipes, click HERE

As you can see, vegetarian diet protein can come from some unexpected sources. Getting enough from plant sources is not a problem. (I have lived quite comfortably for years on a more-or-less strict vegetarian diet. Since going almost completely vegan--no animal-derived foods--my digestion and energy levels are better than ever. Don't believe the negative misinformation put out by the meat, dairy, and egg industries. It is bunk!)

It should be mentioned that too much protein, especially from animal sources, CAN be a problem. It can lead to kidney stones, osteoporosis, and has been shown by top cancer researcher T. Colin Campbell, PhD, to be the key factor that activates tumor growth once it has been initiated. Vegetarian diet protein does not cause the growth of tumors, Dr. Campbell found, even at higher than needed levels. For more facts on Vegetarian Diet Protein, see this