While us busy babes here at Health Lab have been expanding our range to include all kinds of vegan/paleo goodness with plant protein balls, we’ve across all KINDS of myths out there about plant protein. So, we thought it was time to get out our myth busting caps again, to teach you babes a little bit about plant protein!
MYTH: Protein is only found in meat, eggs, and dairy:
FALSE! Consider this one officially busted babe! Sure, these things are all great sources of protein, but they’re not your only options to get that protein hit! Almost every food on earth contains protein to an extent, and many plants contain protein that can be super beneficial to your diet! Split peas, for example, have 16 grams of protein per cup and are cholesterol free, half a cup of firm tofu has 13 grams, and just ONE broccoli stalk has 4 grams.
MYTH: You can’t get enough protein from ‘incomplete’ plant proteins:
NOT TRUE! For you vegan/vegetarian babes, many of you are already getting your protein from ‘incomplete’ (as in don’t contain all 9 essential amino acids) sources such as plant-based proteins. A common myth is that unless a protein contains all 9, it’s useless! NOT TRUE! As long as you’re eating a balanced diet, and consuming enough different ‘incomplete’ proteins throughout the day, these incomplete proteins will combine and be used by the body as complete proteins.
MYTH: You have to eat steak at every meal to build muscle:
NUH UH! A lot of babes think that in order to build muscle/lose weight/insert fitness goal here that you need to up your protein intake. While this is true in part, your body can really only take in and process about 25 to 30 grams of protein at one time. So, eating a super high-protein meal doesn’t mean your body’s actually going to use ALL that protein! Instead, it’s best to break up your protein intake to 3-4 times a day and spread it out to get maximum benefits.
MYTH: You need to eat way more plant-based protein to see the same results as animal protein:
BUSTED! While you may need to take in protein from more sources throughout your day (as mentioned above), you’re not going to have to sit at the dinner table eating a bowl of tofu as big as your head. So, while you may not be getting your protein hit from a single piece of red meat, your body will actually thank you as you break up your protein intake.
WHEW! After all that myth-busting we think it's time for a plant-based, protein filled snack, don't you...?
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