Lean protein foods are rich in protein and limited in less healthy nutrients, such as saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. Some sources of lean protein also contain beneficial plant chemicals, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
The white meat from chicken and turkey and dark meat without the skin are good choices for lean protein. Fish provides lean protein together with omega-3 fatty acids that lower cholesterol and inhibit inflammation.
Benefits of plant proteins over animal proteins:-
- Plant protein foods include soy products such as soybeans, tofu, soy bean curd, and natto that are exceptional sources of high quality protein.
- Plant protein help reduction of unhealthy fatty acids often found in animal protein food sources.
- Some plant-based foods like quinoa, buckwheat, soy, chia and hempseed have all of the protein types, which makes them a good alternate source to animal protein.
- Animal protein is typically also much higher in compounds that contribute to cardiovascular disease, such as saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Over-consuming animal protein puts a strain on our bodies, particularly our liver, which has a low tolerance for processing uric acid, a by-product of digesting animal protein.
- Even lean protein from animals has additional hormones and antibiotics, as well as bacteria, parasites and carcinogens.
- Animal protein is a “complete protein” but due to complex structure of these proteins, this significantly slows down digestion, and forces body to work harder on breaking down protein.
- Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and romaine lettuce are rich in ready to use, easily absorbed amino acids.
- Meat requires cooking prior to consumption, but as cooking protein is widely known to denature it, and up to 50% of the protein value is thought to be lost in this process. While all vegetable-sourced proteins don’t require heat processing in order to be safely consumed.
- Arachidonic acid is a pro-inflammatory fatty acid found in varying concentrations in all meats, can cause inflammation in body. Fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, and seeds contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids that promote rejuvenation and soothe, rather than aggravate, inflammatory conditions.
Hence plant protein is a better source of protein over animal protein.
