But Where Do You Get Your Protein?

This is, invariably, the first question I get when I tell people I don't eat animal products.

It always makes me smile, because 10 years ago I would have asked the same thing. So I never tire of telling people that I get absolutely all the protein I need from raw fruits and vegetables.

Actually, you can get enough protein from eating raw fruits alone, but I wouldn't recommend that because we need the minerals and variety of so many nutrients that we get from vegetables.

This also begs the question, How much protein do we really need?

The truth is, not very much. Anywhere from 5-10% of our total calories need to come from protein, in order to replace the protein we routinely use.

T. Colin Campbell, in his landmark work entitled, "The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health", says that we only require 5-6%. He also says that "About 9-10% protein has been recommended for the past 50 years to be assured that most people at least get their 5-6% protein." (pp 30-31)

Actually, if you were to eat only potatoes you would also get enough protein (again, definitely not something I would recommend!). In fact, it is extremely difficult in this country to not get enough protein in your diet!

It is the meat industry with their lobbying and their advertising over the years that has convinced us to worry about getting enough protein. In actuality, the typical American eats about 16% protein.

What happens when our bodies are fed this surplus of protein?

Diseases and health problems of all kinds.

Protein is, in general, very acid forming in the body. This throws off the body's pH balance and so it must work very hard to maintain homeostasis by pulling an alkaline mineral, calcium, from the bloodstream. The body replaces the calcium in the bloodstream by removing it from our bones and teeth.

This is why when you drink milk, you actually lose calcium! Just the opposite of why most people drink milk! How sad that the milk and dairy industry continues to perpetrate this fraud on the American people.

So if you are on a raw, low fat vegan diet, just make sure that you eat enough fruits and vegetables, with a good variety.

I highly recommend Dr. Douglas N. Graham's book called "The 80/10/10 Diet" if you want to learn more.

Phyllis Towse