Proteins are amino acid chains that our bodies create and use as enzymes, hormones and structural tissues.
The myth that animal protein is superior to plant protein comes from the fact that animal foods have all eight amino acids, vs. plant proteins which combine to provide them.
However, it is now well established that too much animal protein (generally over 15% of our diet), can do substantial harm, leading to a host of diseases, from obesity, to diabetes, to heart disease, to Alzheimers to cancer.
High protein, low carb diets do not work in the long run because in addition to too much protein, we get the by-products which include bacteria, pesticides and salt (preservatives), and we get too little carbohydrates, which is where the body likes to get its energy. It’s an unsustainable diet that also dries out the body.
Virtually no person in the U.S. is suffering from too little protein, whereas perhaps 100 million of us are getting too much (animal) protein, leading to many problems and a healthcare crisis.
Here are some sources of information where you can go to study this topic:
- T. Colin Campbell Foundation
- Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine
- National Institutes For Health
What should you eat?
1. Boiled grains, every day:
- Brown Rice
- Millet
- Barley
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Corn
- Spelt
- Amaranth
- Teff
- Onions, carrots, cabbage, squash, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.
- Not nightshades: eggplant, pepper, tomato, potato, and spinach
- Wash carefully, and avoid tropical fruits unless you live there
Want a great meal tonight? Go to Masao’s Kitchen, Moody Street, Waltham