Question about certain foods

[Giaya]

I was just wondering,


If someone eats a raw vegan diet, what should you eat for protein other than soy. And I read that soy is the most mucus-causing plant and is bad for those who have asthma. I do have asthma and I constintly am dealing with allergies, and I was just curios if anyone knew an alternative protein source other than soy. :confused:

[ReneeSC]

Sprouted grains
Sprouted nuts ( the sprout part has protein )
Sprouted seeds

dark leafy greens ( kale, swiss chard, mustard, rhubarb, collard romaine, spinach ..etc. )

I've been building muscle like crazy - and I've eaten no meat and no soy.
Ya gotta try it!

[Rawkinlocs]

Greens! Plus your raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds will give you plenty of USABLE protein.

Take a look at the forum called, "Need to know more about raw" and there is a section on protein there that will assist in answering your questions. In fact, here is the direct link to it for ease of reference: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3708

Here is one statement from that source I just gave you that I want you to always keep in mind for yourself and anyone who may ask of you, where do you get your protein from:

"Protein does not create protein in your body. Amino acids create protein in your body. And the best source of amino acids are leafy green vegetables."

[Giaya]

Thank you so much.
I am really getting excited. And I just want to thank you all for just being here. I just moved to a new city and Ive had a very hard time trying to find a group of people where I felt I was home and Im so happy that this website is here. And Im really excited about going Raw! Thank you all :)

[Arky]

Well, Giaya, you are wise to avoid soy products (do a search on this on these forums and you'll find plenty of reasons why, in addition to those you already mentioned).

With regard to alternative sources of protein, there are a number of issues surrounding this - one is the myth that green plant foods contain little or no protein - gorillas do just fine on greens, and so do cows! All greens contain some percentage of protein, but broccoli contains one of the highest levels of protein-per-calorie.

In keeping with the raw lifestyle, it is possible to sprout beans to make them more digestible (some are toxic -e.g. kidney beans- and most, if not all, contain phytic acid which inhibits enzyme activity in the gut). However, many raw foodists opt to avoid beans altogether. It's a personal decision.

Many nuts and seeds contain good quantities of protein (but note that the amounts vary quite considerably between species). Ideally, although they may safely be eaten unsoaked, it is wise to soak nuts and seeds before consuming them, to break down the phytic acid content.

In short, if you read up on the subject, with a good textbook defining approximate protein values for various raw foods, it is not at all difficult to consume enough protein on a raw diet - just be prepared to free your mind of all the nonsense about protein propogated by the dairy, poultry and cattle industries, who wish you to consume not only more protein than you healthily require, but to consume protein in the form of their products, virtually to the exclusion of plant sources. If you think I might be saying this from the standpoint of vegan rhetoric, then rest assured that I have no vegan axe to grind - what I have written above is true no matter what side of the animal products divide one chooses to stand on.

All the best and enjoy eating raw - it's not hard, the trick is simply to do a little sensible reading on the nutritional components of a range of raw foods and to ensure that you consequently consume enough nutritional elements using that knowledge.


J.

[Rawkinlocs]

I've been building muscle like crazy - and I've eaten no meat and no soy.
Ya gotta try it!

Same here Renee! My husband, myself and my oldest son (all of us actually) are doing just fine in the muscle department! :p

[ReneeSC]

How could I have forgotten broccoli ? and solid fibrous sources like fruits.. I didn't , really.. I just focused on the leafy heavy-hitters.

Arky, what you said about gorillas and cows doing fine on grains... was like.. "WOW.. how crazily TRUE is that?"

Rawk: Sometimes, in my case, I have to just get in there and DO IT..
Doing it feels GREAT!

I have honest-to-goodness MUSCLE..and I've built muscle before on SAD, on veganism, on vegetarianism, but this way - I'm healthier, and looking better.

[VeryBerry]

I use a product called Vega. It has hemp and yellow pea protent. It is completely vegan. It also has chrollera, macca, B-12 and other staff. It tastes really good. I take it every morining with some juice.

[kmik]

My favorite is hemp protein powder... it's raw (and organic), and gives me a little reassurance since I don't always find myself eating as much as I think I should. I take the kind Alissa has for sale... good stuff ;)

[Giaya]

I was just curious,

What is SAD. I see it everywhere on this website. Ive never heard of it. And thanks for all the information on protein. I had no idea that there were so many other options other than soy. Thanks

[rawpriestess]

Good question,

SAD, stands for Standard American Diet, referring to eating dairy, meat and take out, cooked foods, processed, and packaged.