But where do you get your PROTEIN?!

[freelee]

Don't you all just love hearing this question?!

I've been asked so many times that I find it quite amusing but also very sad because it's evidence of how misled we have been by the greedy Corporations (especially the meat & dairy industry)... Anyway I have some creative answers to get your interrogator thinking...

You can find the rest of this article on my blog

A few answers...

1) I get my protein from fresh fruits and greens, did you know that there isn't even a medical term for protein deficiency?

2) Well I know i'm getting under the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation of 10% of my calories from protein, how about you?

3) I actually make sure I don't get TOO much protein, why? Because too much protein in our bodies, especially from animal sources results in an overacidic environment forcing the body to leach calcium from the bones & teeth to 'buffer' the acidity. The resulting conditions are arthritis,osteoporosis, tooth-decay and cancer to name a few.

Q. So where do u get your protein from?

1) I get my protein from fresh fruits and greens, did you know that there isn't even a medical term for protein deficiency?

2) Well I know i'm getting under the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation of 10% of my calories from protein, how about you?

3) I actually make sure I don't get TOO much protein, why? Because too much protein in our bodies, especially from animal sources results in an overacidic environment forcing the body to leach calcium from the bones & teeth to 'buffer' the acidity. The resulting conditions are arthritis,osteoporosis, tooth-decay and cancer to name a few.

4) The more protein you have in your diet, the more acidic your blood will be and the more calcium that will be leached from your bones and teeth. Animal proteins (meats) are the number 1 culprit of this cycle

5) Fruits & Greens contain the ideal amount of protein in the form of easily assimilable amino acids

6) Plants are the only foods eaten by elephants, horses, and hippos & do you see them having a problem growing all the muscle, bone, and tissue they need?

You could actually answer the protein question with a question....

Q. Why do you think we need lots of protein?
Typical Response- Umm well that's what the nutritionist's say & i want to build muscle, you can't build muscle on a vegan diet, you need meat!

Your Answer
Actually the biggest factor in building muscle is appropriate resistance training & getting sufficient nutritious calories to support muscle growth. Meat does not build muscle.

A word on Ketosis....

If we don't take in enough carbs and at the same time eat too much protein, the body will go into a state of Ketosis. What is ketosis? It's when there is an accumulation of ketones in the blood which are byproducts of fat oxidation. Ketones are toxic (poisonous), acidic chemicals such as acetone,acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Ketosis is a dangerous state to be in as it increases insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, not to mention you feel crap!! Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for the development of heart disease.

Glucose intolerance has been connected to hypertension and dyslipidemia. I have been in a state of Ketosis myself - My acne increased, I was constantly lethargic, my breath stank and I was having suicidal tendencies....

When our bodies are in a state of ketosis dehydration will result, due to the kidneys being overtaxed by having to rid the body of excess nitrogen. This can cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, nausea, fatigue, sleep problems, and worsening of kidney problems.

Lastly, just to put some sugar on top...
Its not a coincidence that we have 'sweet-tooths', we are designed by nature to crave carbs or in others words- to crave sweet foods. We have sweet-tasting taste buds that are located on the tip of our tongues . Lucky us we get to eat all the dessert we want and its in line with nature's design!! Carbs, contain a unique combination of sweet-flavor, energy, & nutrition...they regulate our hunger. Its a fact that unless you eat enough carbohydrate foods, you will continue to remain hungry and search for food. So eat up your fruit & don't worry about not getting enough protein!! Worry about getting too much! As u can it can be life-threatening.

[RawKnitster]

I always answer with Hempseeds and nutritional yeast. That gets me a lot of strange looks. Most of the people asking the question don't even realize hempseeds are a food. I clue them in about it being one of the best foods on the planet.

I also tell them, Protein is overrated. According to the World Health Organization we only need a minimum of 40 grams a day, far less the the RDA issued by our government.

[RawSar]

What is the medical term for a protein deficiency? - my fav question, always my number one thanks freelee!
Do you know anyone who has a protein deficiency?
How much protein do you think you need?
Who told you thats how much protein you need?
How many years did they study on nutrition?
Do you eat that much protein?
Where do you get your protein from?
How do you feel eating that much?
Why do you follow this person/plan?

Bla bla bla bla... this could go on and on eventually people stop answering my questions. Why let people be the one asking you all the questions... why not turn it around and find out how much they think they know, why do we have to be the ones with all the answers. I hate arguing about this topic with people which is why I stopped answering their questions and kept asking them without giving them a chance to ask me anything because usually all they want to do is argue and I don't like trying to convince people who think they're the ones who are right and I'm wrong.

[freelee]

I always answer with Hempseeds and nutritional yeast. That gets me a lot of strange looks. Most of the people asking the question don't even realize hempseeds are a food. I clue them in about it being one of the best foods on the planet.

I also tell them, Protein is overrated. According to the World Health Organization we only need a minimum of 40 grams a day, far less the the RDA issued by our government.

- yep protein sure is overrated! I make sure I don't get TOO much protein

[freelee]

What is the medical term for a protein deficiency? - my fav question, always my number one thanks freelee!
Do you know anyone who has a protein deficiency?
How much protein do you think you need?
Who told you thats how much protein you need?
How many years did they study on nutrition?
Do you eat that much protein?
Where do you get your protein from?
How do you feel eating that much?
Why do you follow this person/plan?

Bla bla bla bla... this could go on and on eventually people stop answering my questions. Why let people be the one asking you all the questions... why not turn it around and find out how much they think they know, why do we have to be the ones with all the answers. I hate arguing about this topic with people which is why I stopped answering their questions and kept asking them without giving them a chance to ask me anything because usually all they want to do is argue and I don't like trying to convince people who think they're the ones who are right and I'm wrong.

You make some very good points RAWSAR! Yes I have been asked all those questions you listed!! I understand people are curious so I always keep my patience and pretend like its the first time I've answered the questions. Sometimes an objection is a request for more information so when people want to argue they usually are experiencing a shift in their current belief system & also want to learn more about the lifestyle ;)


p.s - I ADDING TO THE ORIGINAL POST ABOUT PROTEIN ABOVE...

[DebB]

I don't mind getting this question because I also asked this same question when I started eating this way. *Ü*

[RawKnitster]

I don't mind getting this question because I also asked this same question when I started eating this way. *Ü*

Good point, DebB. And it does open up the discussion, that is always good. :)

[DeniseM]

Nice answers! Just one thing to point out though:

1) I get my protein from fresh fruits and greens, did you know that there isn't even a medical term for protein deficiency?

There actually is a medical term for this -- kwashiorkor. It typically only happens with insufficient calorie intake, but in theory, it could occur if you ate nothing but sugar and oil as well. Just an FYI in case someone ever challenges that statement :)

[sozei]

[michigan roman]

Great cartoon , so true

[bikediva]

Too much protein causes cancer.

[xPIXIEx]

This question hasn't really came up that much for me. Maybe a couple of times in the last 3 years. Those who asked were genuinely curious, not condescending.

[TheRawPilgrim]

I haven't gotten this question yet, though when I mentioned eating raw food my dad laughed and asked if I eat raw chicken . I toyed with the idea of saying yes LOL, but I behaved

[freelee]

Nice answers! Just one thing to point out though:



There actually is a medical term for this -- kwashiorkor. It typically only happens with insufficient calorie intake, but in theory, it could occur if you ate nothing but sugar and oil as well. Just an FYI in case someone ever challenges that statement :)

- Hey there Denise :) Thankyou! Great info...

Like you said Kwashiorkor is actually a term for insufficient calorie intake/starvation not specifically protein deficiency. Ironically there is still no medical term for protein deficiency...

[freelee]

Priceless Sozei, this does seem to be the pattern