Sunday, November 15, 2009

WHERE IS THE PROTEIN IN RAW FOODS?

I`m tired of answering this question so I`ll let the experts answer it for you and also add.... most of us eat way too much protein.....I for one used to eat 80% protein when we need something like 4 % - so here is an article on the subject from www.raw food nation.com
Raw Food Myth: Where’s the Protein?
Comment: What? You’re eating only raw foods now? Well, what are you going to do about protein? You need meat for that. A raw vegan diet doesn’t have enough protein in it, especially if you are physically active and like to workout.
Response:Yes, protein is essential for the structure and function of every cell in our body. It plays an important role in the functioning of our organs and muscle tissues, along with enzyme production. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. It is a common misconception that you can only get proteins (or enough proteins to function) from animal products. In fact, plant proteins are more than compatible with our bodies and provide the essentials that our cells need to perform daily tasks.
The World Health Organization states that humans need about 5% of their daily calorie intake to come from protein. This constitutes a healthy diet. Actually, by being a raw food enthusiast, you have the option to get your daily dose of protein from a variety of sources. So no longer do you have to think “gee, I should make sure I have chicken tonight so I get my protein.” Now you have multiple ways to get your protein, from your breakfast smoothie to your afternoon snack. On average, fruits have roughly 5% of their calories from protein and vegetables (especially green leafy ones) have 20-50% of their calories from protein.
Here are some great plant based foods that are packed with the proteins your body needs to make things happen:
Dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach (great in salads, in juices and green smoothies)
Fruits such as peaches, avocados (great in smoothies), and raisins (consider making a raw trail mix)
Nuts such as Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios (good for snacking)
So go forth and get your protein in more creative ways than ever before!

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