Many people are exploring moving toward a more plant-based diet. Some are replacing a few meat-based dishes a week with plant-based alternatives, while others consume a fully vegan diet. Most of the information I have read recently focuses on the environmental impacts of various protein sources. However, there are nutritional aspects to consider as well if you are considering a plant-based diet. All protein sources are not nutritionally equal and good health depends on understanding the nutrients contributed by various protein sources. As the attached article discusses, there are nine essential amino acids that our bodies need but cannot manufacture. Animal-based protein sources are considered “whole proteins” because they provide all nine essential amino acids. Nearly all plant-based protein sources lack one or more of the essential amino acids, but each plant has a different amino acid profile. You should eat a variety of plant-based protein sources to help ensure you get the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals you need. I will discuss environmental impacts of various plant-based proteins in another post, but the link below will get you started on understanding the combinations of foods that will keep you healthy.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/difference-between-animal-protein-plant-protein
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