Is it true that some animal protein cannot be substituted with vegetable protein?
Q From my medical doctor I’ve been told that some animal protein cannot be substituted with vegetable protein – is this true? A There is much mis-information around about protein and it seems that many doctors and health professionals are still uninformed about it. Protein is not an issue at all for vegetarians if a properly balanced diet is eaten. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Of the 20 different amino acids, the human body can synthesise 12 of them; the other 8 are called essential amino acids and must be consumed in the diet. Meat contains all 8 essential amino acids while plant foods contain them, but in varying quantities. Research over recent years has found that soy beans also contain all 8 essential amino acids. Vegetarians can ensure they eat sufficient “complete” protein (i.e. all 8 essential amino acids) simply by eating some soy based foods and/or a range of plant foods throughout the day – some plants low in a particular amino acid are complemented by another plant
