I have a question about Meat and Protein

[JJ78]

So I have really dialed back my meat consumption, for many reasons.

My question is about something I read recently:

So its not protein we need to build muscle, its amino acids?

Our body needs 20 different amino acids to function properly. Our body makes 11 of these amino acids, and the other 9 have to come from our diet.

What I read is that animal meat only has these 9 essential aminos because they eat a vegetarian diet and this is where they get them from. Animal meat is just a delivery system.

So I guess my question is:
Why wouldnt we, humans, be able to get the necessary aminos from plants, grains, beans, legumes, nuts?

Just want some foresite on this, thanks.

[slfmade]

So I have really dialed back my meat consumption, for many reasons.

My question is about something I read recently:

So its not protein we need to build muscle, its amino acids?

Our body needs 20 different amino acids to function properly. Our body makes 11 of these amino acids, and the other 9 have to come from our diet.

What I read is that animal meat only has these 9 essential aminos because they eat a vegetarian diet and this is where they get them from. Animal meat is just a delivery system.

So I guess my question is:
Why wouldnt we, humans, be able to get the necessary aminos from plants, grains, beans, legumes, nuts?

Just want some foresite on this, thanks.

I'm sure there's a more in-depth and scientific explanation for this, but I'm gonna assume it has to do with quantity and the volume of amino acids contained in meat proteins. I'm sure you COULD get all the proteins you need from plants, grains, beans, etc, but you would have to take it larger volumes to achieve this. Not to mentions a huge influx in carbs from the added amounts just doesn't make it ideal. Just a guess though

[JJ78]

Valid point selfmade. But if you live a very active lifestyle, wouldnt you use these excess carbs as fuel?

I also believe that I always ate way too much protein any way.

I am not trying to big a large person anymore, I have gotten up to 250 at times, and I just did not feel good. This was also eating pretty clean, just tons a meat protein.

[slfmade]

I suppose if you were VERY active then you could. Keep in mind that you need at least 1g of protein per lb of LBM just to maintain. Also the more active you are the higher your TDEE so the more total cals you're gonna need to maintain LBM. All this increases the volume you need to consume

Like I said earlier - I'm sure it can be done, but it's not efficient.

[hellomycognomen]

Meat are preferred because they contain all of the amino acids. So there is no question you have received both essential and nonessential. Plants differ in amino acid profile so in order to get all of them you basically have to mix and match, best combination is rice and beans.


The protein to carb ratio in plants will also affect your overall macro intake. Yes you will use the carbs for energy but once that is fulfilled more likely you will have excess that will go into fat storage.

If you are for trying to eliminate meats you can still get all amino acids with few carbs from other sources such as milk, yogurt, eggs, etc

[V-ROID]

I have somehow managed to get all my aminos for 20 years. First 10 years was lacto-ovo, but last 10 years strict vegan. Getting my aminos has never been a problem. But try getting 2-3 grams of protein per/lb of body weight and you have a serious problem without consuming animal products. People have tried every macro combination for years and there is a reason all serious body builders come to the same general split. You can do it, but go look at the VeganBB forum for a while if you want to be discouraged quickly.

[JJ78]

havent drank milk for 10 years. I eat cheese sometimes.

Again
, size is not really important to me anymore, so I do not feel that I need 2-3 gram of protein per pound. My overall goal at this point in my life is health, functional strength, and to be as lean as possible.
I am a big guy naturally.

I was vegan years ago, but liked eating meat, but now I just do not want to, except every once and awhile. I love a Grass fed steak every once and awhile.
I will continue to eat eggs a couple of times a week, but meat will no longer be my main source of amino acids.

My issue is also that I do not want to consume soy either. I do not eat anything processed, except ezekial bread sometimes.

This is gonna be tough, but I look forward to see if feel any better.

[slfmade]

It all sounds so miserable. I've never understood why people didn't want to eat meat. It's very similar to how I can't seem to imagine why anybody would prefer dick to pvssy (even the ladies lol) Just 2 of the great mysteries of the universe I guess. LOL

[JJ78]

Well, I will not give up eating the pvssy.

My reasons are for health and well being. If I could hunt, I would not have a problem eating the meat that I kill, just dont want to buy it from the store.

[slfmade]

Well, I will not give up eating the pvssy.

My reasons are for health and well being. If I could hunt, I would not have a problem eating the meat that I kill, just dont want to buy it from the store.

That makes sense. Why don't you start hunting? Or buy a cow or 2 and pay somebody to raise them? Go Fishing?

The only meat I've purchased from the store in the last couple of years has been pork loin and chicken.

I have 2 female cows and butcher the calves (after about 6-8 months later). They're raised on my mom and dad's farm and they don't use any steroids or hormones. Just plain ol grass fed cows. I kill at least 6 deer a year. I usually fish once a week and bring home 5-10 bass/crappie. I always put up a few hogs and turkeys too.

If somebody told me I had to quit all that good meat and only eat beans and sprouts....well, I'd probably kill myself. LOL

[Docd187123]

Protein is made up of chains of amino acids so you you could look at it as needing both. Animal meats are such a preferred source of protein bc not only do they all contain complete sources of protein/amino acids but the fat intake that usually accompanies it helps slow digestion (as well as other benefits), there's normally trace carbs unless eaten fresh after a kill, and many micronutrients are found in meat sources of protein such as iron, zinc, b12, and the protein content is so high compared to the volume of food needed.

You could certainly get your protein needs from sources other than meats but it makes things slightly more difficult. You have to make sure the foods you eat provide complete protein sources or the aminos of each combine to get you all of the amino acids needed, things such as beans and nuts usually have higher carb and fat contents so you need to watch your macros elsewhere, etc.

For your needs 2-3g of protein per on BW isnt needed so don't think you need to go that high. ~1g/LB BW is sufficient for your needs which makes it easier to get your protein from non-meat sources.

[JJ78]

That makes sense. Why don't you start hunting? Or buy a cow or 2 and pay somebody to raise them? Go Fishing?

The only meat I've purchased from the store in the last couple of years has been pork loin and chicken.

I have 2 female cows and butcher the calves (after about 6-8 months later). They're raised on my mom and dad's farm and they don't use any steroids or hormones. Just plain ol grass fed cows. I kill at least 6 deer a year. I usually fish once a week and bring home 5-10 bass/crappie. I always put up a few hogs and turkeys too.

If somebody told me I had to quit all that good meat and only eat beans and sprouts....well, I'd probably kill myself. LOL

I like it bro. That hopefully will be in the near future. I am trying to get out the city and up in the hill, so that I/We can hunt, fish, grow our own veggies.
We have a small organic garden going in our backyard, but just do not have the space needed to fulfill our needs.

I want chickens, for eggs, and would really like to get me 1 elk or a couple of deer a year to feed us.

[hellomycognomen]

I think you are taking things to the extreme.

Most strict vegans Ive seen look like zombies with sunken faces.

Not sure what you mean when you say "for health reasons"

IMO the healthiest diet is one that includes all foods in moderation.

I personally don't see the appeal of vegan nor do I think the trade off is all that rewarding.

In the end everyone has a diff cost/benefit analysis.

-Cheers

[JJ78]

The way I look at it is mostly for my piece of mind and health reasons.
I personally am trying to eliminate things from my life that I deem unnatural.

And I think the meat that you can purchase at the store, is unnatural. I am not against eating meat. Just trying to find a better way until I have the means and time to hunt and fish my own.

I'm gonna give it a shot for a while as an experiment. Gonna keep my meat intake to a minimum. Gonna shoot for around 140-160 grams of protein a day without meat or other animal products.
Will eat eggs probably a couple times a week. But on a day to day bases, none.

[JJ78]

Oh I weigh 218 this morning, but I could lose some fat so my ideal weight with low BF would probably be around 205ish

[kelkel]

look at the VeganBB forum for a while if you want to be discouraged quickly.

Is there really such a thing?

It all sounds so miserable. I've never understood why people didn't want to eat meat. It's very similar to how I can't seem to imagine why anybody would prefer dick to pvssy (even the ladies lol) Just 2 of the great mysteries of the universe I guess. LOL

Heard a doctor here once say regarding eating meat: "It's why god gave us incisors."

Well, I will not give up eating the pvssy.

Don't think we need to vote on this one.