Contrary to popular belief, the vegan diet naturally yields high quality protein

By Gloria Stovall

Words simply cannot express how beneficial, rewarding and amazing the vegan lifestyle has been for me for the past 13 years; so when people ask if I would ever consider going back to consuming animals and animal products, I passionately tell them without any hesitation whatsoever, “absolutely not!”  There is a wealth of reasons why I would never abandon the vegan lifestyle, but if I had to narrow it down, my top three reasons for REMAINING a vegan for the rest of my life is: I am seriously reducing animal suffering, significantly reducing my carbon footprint-thus helping the planet survive and nourishing my body with plant protein which is the highest quality protein available. 

One of the chief reasons why people are so hesitant or wary about the vegan diet is the popular belief or myth that says vegans do not get enough high quality protein in their diets; thus making them protein deficient.  That myth could not be further from the truth as plant protein is the healthiest and highest quality protein that people can consume as the protein in plants is high in fiber, increases energy, promotes healthy muscle and tissue function, reduces high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, contains less fat per serving than animal protein, high in essential vitamins and minerals, reduces stroke and cardiac arrest, improves coordination, improves brain cognition, promotes faster healing, reduces the probability of getting cancer, helps lower blood sugar, aids in the treatment of diabetes, improves skin disorders, promotes hair growth and helps maintain healthy weight when done correctly. 

I can honestly say as a vegan, I consume more protein on a daily basis than I did as a non-vegan and for that reason, I sometimes have to make sure I do not consume more protein than what my body utilizes, otherwise it will cause weight gain.  Just like fat, when you consume too much protein and do not burn it off, your body will store it as a reserve, thus causing weight gain.  For example, athletes tend to consume more protein than non athletes as they are utilizing more energy thus burning more calories but the sedentary lifestyle causes weight gain, so knowing how to consume the correct type and amount of protein is key to optimal health. 

If I can be candid, I am not as active as I should be and can stand to lose some weight, but thankfully as a consumer of high quality plant protein, my blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are optimal and amazing as my body thrives on high quality plant protein.   As a vegan, my daily intake of fiber as a result of eating plant protein is an average of 25 grams per day and my average protein intake per day is anywhere between 65-85 grams per day, which is ideal for my height, weight and activity level.  As a result of being blessed by the Good Lord and consuming plant protein, I have so much energy, never experience constipation, rarely get sick and do not take any medicine. 

Speaking from personal experience, it is super easy to achieve the recommended daily intake of protein, essential amino acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals on the vegan diet; but I understand if you are new to the vegan lifestyle, this can be somewhat challenging, but I can assure you it gets much easier.  In some of my future blogs, I will be writing about how to achieve optimal health on the vegan diet so you can have as much energy as possible.   Thank you always for following my blog!  I greatly appreciate you.  Have a blessed week!