People often ask us: are plant-based proteins just as good as animal proteins? The answer is no: in the current debate of plant protein vs animal protein, the science clearly shows that meat, seafood, and eggs are far superior protein sources and better for health than plant-based protein sources for several reasons. One reason is that animal proteins are a complete source of protein, containing all the essential amino acids needed in your diet. Conversely, you’d need to eat a specific variety of plant-based foods, and a lot of them, to get your daily fill.
The question of protein quality is important right now because there’s a massive shift underway in the food industry for eating “plant-based.”
While we agree that it’s important to eat lots of fruit and veggies, most “plant-based” products—such as “impossible” meat products—contain a lot more than just plants. These food products are highly processed with vegetable and seed oils, grains, soy, and legumes, which are all proven to be bad for your health. These meal alternatives may taste like meat, but many contain unhealthy ingredients and they don’t compare to animal foods in terms of protein quality. These plant-based products are definitely not a healthier choice over meat!
Here’s a deeper dive into why getting enough animal protein is important for your overall health.
Continue reading Doc Smith’s article on thepaleodiet.com. This article excerpt used with permission of The Paleo Diet, LLC.