Protein in a Vegan Diet

A diet rich in soy and whey protein, found in ...

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There’s a common perception that to obtain enough protein, one will have to eat lots of non-vegetarian food, as opposed to very little if one is consuming meat.  This perception can be easily described as a myth. The vegans i.e. people who don’t eat any animal product also have plenty of high protein options to choose from as far as protein rich foods are concerned. The most common vegetarian food sources of protein include: beans, nuts, grains like pulses and lentils, peas, nut butters etc.

A vegetarian must ensure that his or her diet contains a wide variety of protein rich foods. This is essential because the essential amino acids required by our body cannot be obtained from a single vegetarian protein source. If vegans need to take a protein rich diet for fighting a medical condition or to build muscles, they should ensure that all their meals contain adequate quantity of protein. To have sufficient protein in your diet, you can take peanut butter with bread during breakfast. A teaspoonful peanut butter contains 8g protein.

A lunch comprising of beans and rice or beans and corn will also offer the required quantity of protein. Another great option fort such individuals is soybeans or other soy products like tofu, soy milk etc. A bowl full of soybean is known to offer as much protein as two egg whites. One cup soy milk, on the other hand, offers 7g protein. In dinner, vegans can take rice with lentils. One cup lentil offers 18g protein. You can consult your dietitian and know how much protein you need to take per day and plan your diet accordingly.

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Keeping Nutrition First in Kids

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Parents understand that having their children to eat a well-balanced meal can be challenging at time. However, there are certain foods that should be kept in mind for children’s growth.

Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are good sources of zinc and potassium, as well as calcium for strong bone health. One to two cups a day should do the trick in making sure they receive these minerals. Cheese can also assist in this area as well. One thing to keep in mind is that dairy must be given in moderations to control weight gain in children.

Another good source of vitamins is found in seafood. Most likely young children will not sit down to a lobster, but different types of fish like cod carries omega-3 acids that are vital for brain and heart development. Salmon is an alternative for supply these acids and should be given to children about two times a week.

When it comes to meat products, they should be served in the leanest form.  Protein is the source for muscle development. They are several ways to serve lean meats that children will become accustom to such as:

  • Rice with diced chicken
  • Fish sticks
  • Turkey meatballs with wheat pasta

Of course we can’t forget about fruits and vegetables in a young person’s diet. Green leaf veggies and fruits can boost metabolism which can assist in weight loss. Substituting lettuce with fresh spinach on sandwiches and adding tomatoes will do just fine. Also, chopping up fresh fruit like mangos or strawberries is best instead of store bought fruit cups due to high sugar content.

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