Food Fight #56
Proteins Not Required
Humans do not need to eat meat to get protein. Humans need amino acids. Plants make all of the amino acids we need.
In a letter to the American Heart Association, John McDougall, MD, states: [paraphrased]Any single one or combination of unprocessed complex carbohydrates provides amino acid intakes in excess of the recommended requirements. Therefore, a careful look at the founding scientific research and some simple math prove it is impossible to design an amino acid–deficient diet based on the amounts of unprocessed starches and vegetables sufficient to meet the calorie needs of humans. Furthermore, mixing foods to make a complementary amino acid composition is unnecessary [in order to obtain a complete protein].
Forget What The FDA Says
The FDA says yes you do need protein but it's really not that important so, no, it's not necessary to put the information on food labels except in a few limited special circumstances. Protein information is not required on food labels most of the time per Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide:
[paraphrased] The Percent Daily Value for protein is not required unless a protein claim is made for the product or if the product is to be used by infants or children under four years of age.
The FDA's reason for not making protein labelling mandatory is quoted as:
”Based on current scientific evidence that protein intake is not a public health concern for adults and children over 4 years of age, and because of the costs associated with a determination of the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), FDA has determined that declaration of the percent of the DRV for protein need not be provided when a claim is not made.”
So what's the fuss among all of us about making sure we get complete proteins and that we need to make sure we eat meat to get proteins? Thanks FDA for reminding us no matter how much sense something makes, dollars and cents always rule the day over knowledge and sense which is why the food system is screwed.
Don't take my word for it. Here are several more reasons to not listen to the American citizens who collectively are called the FDA but who are really just a bunch of people doing a morally-reprehensible job and on behalf of the public supposedly, and using taxpayer money to do so. See all the FDA article links found at, Arsenic & Rice | Ant Sense, Common Sense & More FDA Nonsense, Food Fight #54
Protein Intake Is Not A Problem
The adequacy of plant-based diets in developed and developing countries as sources of protein and amino acids for human subjects of all ages is examined. Protein quantity is shown not to be an issue.”
This information says when it comes to plant-based diets, nowhere in the world is protein intake a concern. Quit worrying people. Quit worrying vegetarians and vegans about what frigging fools say. This information comes from a May 1999 report by the U. S. National Institutes of Health titled, “The nutritional value of plant-based diets in relation to human amino acid and protein requirements.”
Fruits & Vegetables Have Complete Proteins
Per the McDougall Plan as quoted in the Vegetarian Guide, “common vegetables have much more protein than you need, and contrary to popular myth, they're complete proteins as well.”
Nuts, Seeds & Beans Have Complete Proteins
The United States Department of Agriculture states when it comes to making sure animals get their protein, the food of choice is soybeans. So why do humans turn to animals to get proteins when animals are given plants to get proteins? The USDA states, though poorly worded:
“Processed soybeans are the world’s largest source of animal protein feed [protein feed for animals] and the second largest source of vegetable oil.”
Read more at Food Fight With Seeds.
Why Animal Protein As A Requirement For Humans Makes Zero Sense
Many have been misled to believe since humans are animals and have muscles and those muscles are made of proteins then we must eat animal protein to build muscle. Let's test this theory. Human blood is also made of protein (hemoglobin), so therefore we need to drink animal blood in order to build human blood, especially since we all know you can't get blood from a turnip. Can you imagine right now those who still believe we need to eat meat to get protein are causing the price of animal blood to skyrocket?
Related Posts:
Carbohydrates: Treat Yourself Right To Plants.Food Fight #36
Did the Supreme Being make it easier for honeybees to get proper nutrition than for humans?
Food | About Eating Plants For Life, Food Fight #53
