What is the best way to get protein?

[RAWFERD]

I want to get back in to working out. I want to make substantial strength and size gains. How can I get enough protein without eating animal protein like a lot of the body builders do.

[suebee]

Hi Rawferd,
Eating animal protein is not the best way to get high quality protein.
Greens are the best for this. Eating lots of greens is the best way to insure you get your protein, calcium and other minerals.

Putting on size and strength is another matter. If you are going to be following a raw diet you will most likely lose size as in overall body weight but a lot of the size that body builders have is not healthy weight or muscle.

Animal protein is never the best way to get good protein. There are also other supplements like spirulina and green powders and hemp protein powders which I have heard are very helpful.

Suebee

[smasty]

There's been a couple posts on this board about hemp. It's very high in protein and essential fatty acids. I've got some hemp protein powder I really like, when I put it in a smoothie I'm amazed how long I go before being hungry again. Hemp seeds are easy to find now too. I'm anxious to start lifting again and see how things go w/ a little hemp protein to help out.

[Dane]

Check out Alissa's guns! SheÂ’s all-raw and it doesnÂ’t seem to be a problem for her with maintains muscle size. I have her book but I need to go back see if she gives her daily diet and what she eats for muscle and strength.

Much love,
Dane

[Alissa]

Protein does not create protein in the body, amino acids create protein.
Green leafy vegetables are the highest source of amino acids.

Unlike animal protein, greens are highly digestible and easier to assimilate. So even though there may seem like a small amount of protein in greens it is much easier for the body to absorb and use this protein. Also the chlorophyll and other nutrients in the vegetables and greens allow it to be digested much more efficiently.

Make sense?

[tglasco4]

Along with strict form and patience in your resistance training, eating dense fruit like bananas and dates are good for adding muscle. Just like others have said already greens are excellent sources of aminos as are almonds. But please don't make the mistake of over-eating to gain mass quickly. The raw diet is natural and so will be the progression. A pro bodybuilder today can be six feet tall and weigh over 280lbs. That is not healthy on your internal organs or on the prospects of any type of longevity. If you remember a guy from the 70s named Frank Zane. I don't know if he was raw, but he was natural or Lee Labrada. These guys did not have overwhelming muscle mass but excellent definition and developement (Zane was a Mr. Olympia). I believe this is what can be expected with a healthy raw diet.

Peace and good wishes to you in your training.

Todd

[Rawkinlocs]

Just for added inspiration, check out these photos of not-so-skinny raw fooders who have animal-protein-less MUSCLE!!

Storm: http://thegardendiet.com/storm.html

and Shannon: http://thegardendiet.com/shannon.html

And Dr. Doug Graham ain't too bad himself from pics I've seen in the past in various places online; but couldn't find any of them at this time.

[tglasco4]

Rawkinlocs,

WOW. The testimony of Shannon. WOW!


Todd

Just for added inspiration, check out these photos of not-so-skinny raw fooders who have animal-protein-less MUSCLE!!

Storm: http://thegardendiet.com/storm.html

and Shannon: http://thegardendiet.com/shannon.html

And Dr. Doug Graham ain't too bad himself from pics I've seen in the past in various places online; but couldn't find any of them at this time.

[Sharon in Colorado]

As long as you are getting your carbs through plenty of fruit, you will have plenty of energy to build muscles. Lifting weights will build muscle, not protein. Check out Dr. Doug Graham's raw & sports message board:

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/raw/index.html