So, we’re learning about the GI tract in class now, and we heard about protein digestion today. Here’s some info from a slide presented to us by our professor today:
- A normal adult requires around 0.75 g/kg body weight per day of highly digestable, high-quality protein
- A person that’s ~130 lbs (59 kg) would require around 44 g of protein per day
- A 3.5 oz filet mignon cut of beef contains ~30 g protein and 6 g of fat
- A cup of peanuts contain 25 g of protein, but 46 g of fat
- Plant proteins are digested poorly compared to animal proteins
- Less processed foods are higher in protein content than processed foods
So yeah, I’ve never really believed in the vegan argument that one can get the same amount/quality of protein from non-animal sources, but I can’t say that I’ve ever really delved into the information… Regardless, I found these figures to be rather interesting.
Any rebuttal on this? I don’t know many vegans, but I know some of you do and have probably had this discussion with them before… One argument is that while peanuts and other legumes have fat, it’s more “good fat” than “bad fat.” Sadly, in either case, it’s still “fat” and you’re only supposed to have a certain amount of it per day…
The main motivation for veganism is to prevent animal cruelty. On the health side, animal products can contain high levels of fats and cholesterol. Far more people eat fatty ground beef than filet, for instance. My guess is that both diets (vegan and meat) can be healthy or unhealty, depending on a person’s choices.
i say vegans are just smug, superior douchebags. 😛
who are you to talk about fat, fatty???? 😛
Getting the recommended amount of protein from non-animal sources is hard, ’cause that’s a _lot_ of food to try and put away each day. I think it’s hard enough to do with animal protein. If you were super dedicated to proving this is possible, you could do it, but it would suck.
However, you’re missing the point with your fat comments. Nuts have fat in them… but most other vegetarian staples don’t. And as you’re (hopefully) aware, your body needs fat to survive: The fact that nuts and what-not are loaded with “good” fat is a positive thing for veggie people.
You’re also missing another vital component: Cost. In my experience it’s far cheaper to buy healthy vegetarian food than it is to buy healthy meat. The bulk food section at Hy-Vee is the greatest thing on earth. You can snag a pound of dried beans, rice, or whatever from their varied selection for around two bucks, usually less. That’s a fuckton of food, pardon my french. (Not to mention the spice section).
They often have 3.5oz filets on sale for $4.00. A lb of those is gonna set you back more than ten times as much as a bag o’ beans. Sure, you could buy a lb of ground beef for less, but that ain’t healthy. A lb. of fish or lean pork is still gonna be 6 bucks or more.
So suck it, meat eater.
(disclaimer: The wife and I are not vegemetarian, but we do eat vegemetarian more often than not)
Andy,
Hey, how are you? Haven’t talked to you since Truman, but saw a link and found this post. Didn’t say anything right away for a few reasons:I am not a crusading vegetarian, I generally find them offensive, as I find most crusaders offensive. I don’t do as much homework as I should in making sure that my diet is rich in protein and is nutrionally balanced. Also, I am not a vegan; being a vegan changes your nutritional options dramatically; I can’t speak for them.
I have researched enough about the vegetarian diet to know that eating a variety of different proteins from different sources is generally more healthy than getting it from a single source, whatever that source may be. With many different options including fortified cereals and similar products, beans, nuts, soy in its many forms, dairy and eggs (if you’re not vegan), it is more than possible to meet your protein needs on a vegetarian diet.
But when pushed to make a case for vegetarianism, I say being veggie, or at least dramatically limiting your meat intake, is the ethically and ecologically responsible decision. It takes less energy, less land, and less pesticides to grow the corn and feed the person, than it does to grow the corn to feed the cow to feed the person. Plus, growing the corn does not produce the kind of waste and pollution, especially in terms of actual excrement, that growing or “producing” the cow does. Humans as a primary consumer ultimately means less land is needed for food production and that less land is contaminated by waste and other byproducts of factory meat “farms”.
I read an article in Rolling Stone today about hog farming and I couldn’t help thinking, I am so glad that nothing I eat contributes to that kind of pollution, waste and human health hazard. If you are truly interested in understanding vegetarians, you should check out one aspect of the problem of meat production. If you were just looking for an argument… well, read it anyway. It’s a compelling point. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters