• FauxPseudo @lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Protein isn’t one thing. If you just look at the amount of total protein your body will fall apart. There are 21 amino acids that get counted in the total amount of protein you see on nutritional labels. Consume all the protein you want and it won’t matter if those 21 amino acids aren’t accounted for. Now the body can make more than half of them but there are 9 it can’t and you must eat.

      Lentils are the one of the few vegan source of all 21 amino acids. A variety of beans and rice also offer a complete protein profile. Peas are decently high in protein but you will end up deficient in methionine and cysteine if you used it as your main protein source. That can be made up with quinoa and sunflower seeds. Which might sound odd but a cold quinoa, pea salad with sunflower seeds and a vinaigrette is very tasty. Quinoa is also a complete protein but trying to live off it is a thing for the wealthy. The trick is verity. I’ve met too many vegans living off French fries, meets the minimum for everything but leucine, and end up very unhealthy. Don’t look for one or even a couple of super protein sources. Eat a variety. It’s healthier and less likely to result in burnout.