The benefits of plant-based nutrition are manifold, and studies published in recent years offer proof that relying on plant-based protein food sources can not only improve your daily experience of life, it can significantly extend your life.
There are many myths and misconceptions about protein as a source of nutrition.
Misconception 1: “Animal-based proteins are the best source of protein.”
If you look at this nutrition site, you’ll notice the list of recommended proteins is all animal-derived. The perception that animals are the best sources of muscle-building proteins finds its source in the body-building movement. As Matt Frazier, author of the book No-Meat Athlete, says, “Beware of the status quo!”
Take a look at this incredible list of plant-based protein sources for every meal of the day: CLICK HERE.
A few of my favorites:
Lentils (9 grams of protein per half cup)
Tofu (10 grams of protein per cup)
Quinoa (8 grams of protein per cup)
Soy milk (4 grams of protein per cup)
Hemp seed (13 grams in 3 tablespoons)
Misconception 2: “Consume large amounts of protein every day.”
The standard line is that you need half of your body weight in grams of animal protein per day to build muscle. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, you need 70 grams of animal protein.
Regarding the amount of protein intake we need each day, we learn though Matt’s website that “Contrary to what most people believe, more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to protein. The body can only process so much per day, and any additional protein is inefficiently converted to energy or even stored as body fat.”
While athletes do need more protein than others, fitness culture has become too obsessed with protein, and neglected other areas of essential nutrition, such as fiber and antioxidants, the latter of which is not present in meat.
Wondering which experts I look to when deciding how to provide my body with nutrients?
THE CHINA STUDY
The China Study is a book by T. Colin Campbell and his son Thomas M. Campbell II, published in 2005 and one of the best-selling books on nutrition. The China Study examines the relationship between the consumption of animal products (including dairy) and chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease,diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer. The authors conclude that people who eat a whole-food, plant-based/vegan diet—avoiding all animal products, including beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and milk, and reducing their intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates—will escape, reduce or reverse the development of numerous diseases. They write that “eating foods that contain any cholesterol above 0 mg is unhealthy.”
I’m also following David Sandoval’s lead regarding plant-based nutrition. His line of products under the Purium brand name contains all the nutrients I’m looking for. A quick scan of the ingredients in Purium’s L.O.V.E. Supermeal shake reveals that it contains sunflower sprout, flax seed, quinoa, mushrooms, broccoli, cabbage and many other green superfoods.
Want to learn more about Purium? Visit my page at mypurium.com/bendertraining. If you decide to place an order, enter the code “bendertraining” to receive a huge discount.