There are many protein rich foods that come from plants and superfoods that are incredible protein sources.
We like to move away from the traditional meat based protein sources and look to the wonderful world of plant based protein foods that are first on the food chain.
It is essential to eat protein in one's diet, but it is also important that we don't overdo it, leading to numerous health issues and diseases that overload the lymph and
immune system.
Ultimately, we want a protein rich diet that is a protein weight loss plan, rather than one that packs on the pounds over time.
Protein Requirements:
In the 1800's scientists found that the human body only required 48.5 grams of protein per day, but due to "social pressure" at the time, it was recommended that 118 grams of protein per day be consumed to meet requirements.
These number differences were reflective of the trend to consume massive amounts of meat based protein, which was associated with "civilized" wealth and prosperity.
These figures have reduced considerably in modern times, international standards now are:
37g for an average male
29g for an average female
The amount of protein we each need to consume daily depends a lot on each individual. Everyone is unique and different, some require more protein, some require more
fats,
and some more
sugars.
It depends also on a number of factors and energy levels expending during one's daily life.
Highest Protein Foods That Are Plant Based Foods:
Goji berries
- contain all 8 essential amino acids. It is 13% protein, the highest of any fruit.
Green leafy vegatables
- a true protein-rich,body building food; the primary food of gorillas and most large vegetarian grazing animals.
Spirulina
- offers the highest food with protein of any plant food, up to 68%. Twelve times higher than beef!
Bee Pollen
- is a quality source of protein high in all the essential amino acids, plus 8 more non-essentials.
Hemp Seed
- one of the best plant based, easily digestible, nut proteins available. It has a content of 1/3 edestin and 2/3 albumins proteins, in addition to containing all 8 essentials.
Nut and seeds are of course high in protein, some more than others. There is also a good amount of fat in them as well. Brazil nuts are one of my favorites and are a great source. Try our protein bar recipefor a high energy bar!
Beans are protein rich food. Our favorite is garbanzo bean. It is often helpful to ferment beans to increase digestibility of there protein. Like the process of making
miso
and
tempeh.
Proteins are constructed out of amino acids. These proteins wear out however, and need replacing through our diet.
Amino acids are the "building blocks of life". We need to consume 22 of them through the diet for total health and there are 8 essentials that are necessary for survival.
There are other protein rich foods that contain proportions of these valuable protein groups.
In the outstanding research done by Dr. Colin Cambell, it was shown that high protein, meat based diets not only increase the risk of cancer, but may indeed be one of the underlying causes of it.
In his book, The China Study, he concludes that wholefood, plant based diet is far healthier than a meat based one.
When most people think about protein rich foods they think of animal meat. We have been conditioned to think that we need to consume animals to survive.
I personally have never been able to "feel good" about it. Besides, it makes way more sense to eat the plants directly rather than through animals higher on the food chain.
Yes, it is true we have adapted to eating a meat based diet over hundreds of years, so there is going to be a bit of transition needed. And in severe cases of depletion eating animal meat can be nourishing and rejuvenative to a point.
There is a delicate balance we feel. And a deep respect must be paid when we take an animals life.
Cooking Protein:
All protein is destroyed and deranged at 118 degrees Farenheit. It is best to consume protein raw. Cooking it denatures it and makes it less protein dense. Studies show cooking reduces protein content by half the amount.
So, in other words, for those of you who eat meat, you can eat half as much if you eat it raw.
On occasion when we eat some fish, we like to eat it raw in sushi. Many people today are doing a quick fry where the very outside layer it cooked and the middle is raw, which is also a nice alternative.
So, eat meat when you feel you intuitively need it for some reason, but we suggest maintaining a more raw plant andtop superfoodbased approach to protein rich foods.
In the outstanding research done by Dr. Colin Cambell, it was shown that high protein, meat based diets not only increase the risk of cancer, but may indeed be one of the underlying causes of it. 
