To think a lot of recent nutrition advice seems to overlook protein?

[AlpineAnja]

To be up front, I am not a fan of the super high protein trend, and can't be bothered with fads. But I do prefer to follow a balanced diet which doesn't exclude food groups, and of course that's just my own personal opinion! We all react differently to different foods.

But I have noticed recently, after reading/podcasts and watching some video's, that a good amount of experts are suggesting reducing meat for a host of different reasons, and I can understand them all. So there's a good bit of push for us to reduce meat and replace with plant sources (legumes, beans, etc), especially from the people who run the Zoe app. Many of the experts claim to only eat fish twice per week, poultry rarely, and red meat once per month or never.

Wondering what people think of that?

I know women who menstruate need to be careful about iron, which is much less readily available in plant based foods. And older people are supposed to be mindful of getting enough protein.

I am all for working to protect the environment, and have many concerns about the appalling way animals are treated, but apart from going organic (which isn't perfect either), do people think the nutrients in a whole foods plant based diet are enough for the above groups without supplementation? Obviously vegans and veggies are still thriving!

Maybe it's just the stuff I've come across recently, but even though there is a fierce trend for high protein in general, a lot of the health messaging seems to be going the other way, or at least urging us to reduce it.

I suppose it depends who you mix with. My friends and I all just eat sensible, balanced diets and don’t get drawn into that.

I think the toxicity has been around for decades. I remember my nan, mum, aunt and all their friends constantly dieting and it was only about being thin, not a thought for nutrition, which I’d argue is more toxic than much of what we’re seeing now. A lot of us here were raised by parents who grew up with that so it’s no wonder that so many people were not shown how to eat properly. The rise of SM has given those people a place to talk, and cash in but the toxicity is not new, it just has a wider platform with SM.

I disagree that protein makes you feel fuller. I've tried higher protein/lower carb and it nearly had me chewing my hands off with hunger. Horrible, I felt really sluggish and unable to concentrate on anything.

Thank you I was trying to get my head around this post

I was talking about online spaces, not my own life offline. I don't know anyone irl who overthinks or fears food.

I will try to explain for you if it wasn't clear - many experts recommend cutting down meat, and replacing with plant proteins.
Other experts disagree and suggest plant proteins aren't enough or as efficient.

It isn't that difficult to understand really. I guess I am highlighting a fracture in the discourse around healthy eating on the internet.
If i was interested in becoming vegan or veggie (which I am not), this would make me want to do a lot more research as the online stuff can be really confusing.

I hope that helps!

@AlpineAnja You know protein isn't just in meat right

Whilst I’m not veg or vegan, it is quite possible to eat a high protein diet without eating meat. From what I understand you just have to combine some plant based sources together if they’re not complete proteins, although there are lots of sources that are. As for the amount, just find what works for you. I find protein and fats keep me fuller for longer.
For example if I eat porridge for
breakfast I’m hungry and hour later, but something like Greek yogurt or eggs mean I’m fine until lunch. Whatever works for the individual.

I've never heard protein described as "efficient" 😳Please can you say what do you mean by that?

I think you probably mean one of two things - or both!

1. By weight or by volume, vegetable sources of protein have less protein in them than meat. 100g Chicken has ~30g protein, whereas 100g lentils have ~10g. The vegetarian sources tend to have more carbohydrates in them.

2. By amino acids, meat protein tends to contain more of the essential and non-essential amino acids that we need. Vegetable sources tend to be incomplete. The old school example used to be that if you were vegan, baked beans gave you some protein, but baked beans on wholemeal toast gave you a more complete range of amino acids.

It seems to have gone out of fashion to talk about amino acids so much.

Perhaps you mean the body doesn't absorb them as well? I'm not aware of that. I'm aware of vit D and iron not being so bioavailable in plant based sources (which are some of the reasons why I think my body tends to really want red meat just before I bleed).

As somebody who really likes beans and lentils, and would really like to be vegetarian if only her body didn't really seem to need red meat now and again, I try to remember how high in carbs beans and lentils are, and use them as both a protein and a carb source in my meals.

A musing from me on cravings - I don't fully trust my body on cravings, I really do seem to lack an off switch for the chocolate and cheese ones! But I do think some things I do crave based on need. I once got offered some almonds by a friend and promptly went on an almond obsession for a few weeks - nuts, nut butter, marzipan... I presume I must have needed the vitamin E. I purchased a largeish tub of almond butter and when I reached almost the bottom of it a week or two later, the obsession had gone and I haven't had it since. I do believe that was my body trying to fulfil a specific need.

Protein bars are a joke

Just have a hard boiled egg

A single tin of tuna is around 25g protein for a 145g tin. It is VERY good as a source, but 25g of protein a day is insufficient. Although I weight lift so try and eat at least 80g clean protein per day mixed between meat, eggs, fish and veg.

I grew up in a faliy that was quite health conscious an knew a lot about nutrition. However, I love red meat, the local butcher said it is unusual to see a woman come in and literally start salivating while chosing meat. One of my first memories is of being given treat by the butcher while sitting on his counter as a baby.

I just loathe fish though and when I cook it for my DH and children, I wear gloves. Everything about it makes me feel sick.

Otherwise I love salad, and fruit. Raw stuff and brown rice.

Sadly I married someone who loves cooked veggies, potatoes and fish.🤔

I've always paid attention to and listened to my cravings so I'm glad that you have mentioned it and recognise it too. I don't tend to eat a lot of red meat but during my period and when I'm on a more intense strength training cycle I absolutely crave steak and liver which does make sense. I also tend to find I function better (mentally and physically) on a diet based on slightly higher healthy fat intake.