Pamela, the protein that comes from meat may be very hard to digest, but if you are not getting all the essential amino acids that will be the least of your worries. As to your second point you obviously stopped halfway through my post. I did say that no more than 15% of our diet should be protein, not the national average of about 40% (give or take). You are right about the prevalence of diseases brought on by too much protein (osteoporosis, kidney disease, CHD, gout, stroke, and certain types of cancer). Notice that I didn’t list high cholesterol among the above health problems. That is because a study done in UK recently in which 1152 people were followed for 10 years showed that those that ate as much as 8 ounces of meat daily had the same LDL cholesterol level as those who ate no more than 1 ounce. However, I do not advocate eating that much meat. If people ate the proper serving size of meat (about 3 ounces) the meat industry would be much smaller than it is. As for excess protein and the health issues that this causes, what you forget to mention is that if you eat too much vegetable protein the same thing will happen. Animal protein is not evil, too much protein is.
And to Lars, please don’t get so monomaniacal about being a vegan. It makes you look like a radical zealot and turns people off. I am just as passionate about not smoking, but I try to engage smokers in discussion rather than to berate and judge them. The best tack is informed discuss

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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

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Keep in mind that soy products are HEAVILY processed and the processing is not healthy. Soy also causes problems by mimicking estrogen. It is not always a good thing, and too much can be and is harmful. Eating local animals that are raised correctly (free range, grass fed beef) will help reduce your carbon footprint significantly. Ask your local supermarket to carry local meats and ask them to label where their meat and eggs come from.

I am typically at 200-300% of my US RDA protein intake (which is pathetically and laughably low for anyone not in a near-vegetative, no pun intended, state) and I eat meat only once a day, and usually only 4-6 ounces. People who work out regularly need protein to heal their muscles.

Also, keep in mind that several species of fish are near extinction, like tuna, because we stupidly overfish them, as well as fishing the adolescents that haven't spawned yet. You should eliminate fish from your diet as much as possible to prevent their disappearance. You can get all those lovely fatty acids from flaxseed oil.

Eggs from happy hens are a good alternative to meat, too. Again, visit the egg farms in your area and make sure the farmer is doing the right thing. Then request that your local supermarket supply you with local eggs.

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I'm glad to see and read the comments of so many other vegans and vegetarians. I myself am a vegan and yes it is a little hard to prepare meals when part of your family isn't vegan but you find a way around it and you learn to cope. Being a vegan is a personal choice and it is your choice to make. If other members in your family don't want to change their eating habit then that is up to them.
I must admit my husband complained a lot at first because being a vegan I refuse to touch or cook dead flesh. He wasn't use to having to cook for himself .. but he learned. I told him he would either learn or he would have to starve (lol) but seriously he got over being upset and he did learn how to cook his own food.
So Pauline just stick with it and stand up for your beliefs. There is a saying about change that goes: "Those that care won't mind and those that mind don't care." If he loves you then he will accept the change. He will come around, just give him time.

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Pauline you don't have to 'convert' back to eating animals for anyone. That's only going backwards in your physical and spiritual wellbeing. Tofu can be prepared in many different ways with various types of curries, stir frys etc. There are so many different types of tofu as well. With some good recipes or just a little imagination you can do so much with this yummy, healthy food. And it is so much easier to digest than dead animals, and no one suffers. Let your partner prepare his own meals. Plus it wouldn't hurt him to reduce his intake of meat either. He will live a longer, healthier life if he does.
And Jane, thanks for your email. You're right drs seem to be obsessed by the protein issue too, that's because they do not study nutrition, they study drugs and symptoms. They simply don't know. And contrary to what most people seem to believe (and advertising), they are not gods.

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Craig the protein that comes from dead animals is extremely hard to digest. Secondly we don't need such high amounts of protein in our diets, we already have way too much which is why so many people are so ill. How many people do we see in hospitals dying of lack of protein? It's usually from diseases brought on by too much protein. It's a relief to finally see independent studies done here instead of all the brainwashing tv advertising hype we get pushed in front of us every day. So much so that people actually believe it.

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You want to eat agony? You want to eat fear?
Just keep pretending that you don't know, and eat your dead meat.

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A couple of things. First, the difference between quantity and quality of protein. The highest protein comes from animal sources. The biggest reason for this is that animal protein is the only source, with the exception of soy, of a complete protein. A complete protein is a protein that has all 9 of the essential amino acids that have to be obtained from food at virtually every meal. A three ounce portion of meat, about the size of a deck of cards, is enough to get what we need. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you have to mis a whole grain with a legume (bean) at each meal to obtain a complete protein, unless you want to force yourself to eat a soy product at every meal. Second, Dr. Cook failed to mention one of the biggest health problems associated with excessive protein intake, osteoporosis. Excessive protein intake causes the body to excrete calcium, which is needed to keep bones and teeth strong. We should keep our total protein intake to 15% at most. This includes plant sources of protein as well as animal sources. There is a reason we are the fattest and least healthy of all developed countries in the world.

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really interesting article. strong points, particularly about when we eat meat, the byproducts created in our body are hard on our kidneys. very true. why you must drink much water if you do eat meat.

also, if you are one who feels sluggish after eating meat products, you are most likely an A Blood Type. As don't have enough acidity in their bodies to break them down.

if you are on O, like me, I am often left feeling very hungry if i do not eat meat. i've tried it often. Os have high acidity in bodies and can break it down BUT must be careful to intake foods with high acid content: orannge juice, strawberries, lactic acid, etc

i recommend EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE. eye opener someone recommended ages ago. i finally read it a few years back and employ much of it. amazing. lost some pounds, feel better, and found, much later than reading it, articles that often corroborate what the book says here and there, without even referring to the book.

also, whoever mentioned the MISNOMER about people thinking protiens can only be found in meats. so true. many who fast for health/religious reasons do just fine on legumes, olives, etc . . .

Blood Type As, the book says, should not eat meat. Can't process it. Os can, but be conscious of moderation.

Good health to you all!

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As an almost-vegan (vegetarian for over 25 years) I am so sick of people asking me how I get my protein! The brainwashing about meat (and particularly cow's milk) is all-pervasive. I became vegetarian one day when I was at a barbeque. I looked at the beautiful, colourful salads and veggies, then I looked at the flesh of fellow creatures: I haven't eaten meat, or fish, or poultry since.

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