in need of protein?

April 24, 2007

Dear all,May i ask why do you want a protein drink?Unless we suffer from malnutrition we get plenty of protein from a our diet.Usually the problem today is too much protien, resulting in stuff like cancer promotion and low bone density.If you just want a healthy powder drink for connivence, "The Ultimate Meal" is good and it is vegan too.You can purchase "The Ultimate Meal" at Whole Foods Markets and probably other places too, like Rainbow Grocery.Of course it is best to get all the good stuff from whole plant based foods like vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds, but it is not always so easy.It is also interesting that most of our daily protein needs are met by our body's ability to recycle the protein already on our bodies, very little comes from our diet, fascinating huh.Anyway, hope it helps, let me know what you think and if you need any other good resources on this topic please let me know, there are plenty of healthy knowledgeable veaganish experts out there. Peace,samsamhalsey(415) 309-1879On Apr 24, 2007, at 10:52 AM, Moya Stone wrote:Hello all - Can anyone recommend a vegan protein drink power? Is there such a thing?

April 25, 2007

Hi Sam,

Being a vegan and having been one for almost 20 years, and all without protein powders, I'm in general agreement with you in that area. But the science is clear that athletes, especially in a mass building phase, need more protein than sedentary individuals, and thus vegan athletes need to be at least a little cautious.

So, your protein-recycling comment (copied below) really seems at odd with what I believe to be true. Can you please provide any references for that? I find it hard to believe. If you're right, then I have an open mind and will stand corrected, but if I'm right, then your advocacy of such a belief might prove dangerous to you or others.

Thanks,

--Mark

Sam Halsey [samhalsey] Tuesday, April 24, 2007 3:14 PMMoya StoneCc: Subject: Re: in need of protein?

[snip]

It is also interesting that most of our daily protein needs are met by our body's ability to recycle the protein already on our bodies, very little comes from our diet, fascinating huh.

[snip]

Peace,

sam

samhalsey (AT) mac (DOT) com

(415) 309-1879

On Apr 24, 2007, at 10:52 AM, Moya Stone wrote:

Hello all -

Can anyone recommend a vegan protein drink power? Is there such a thing?

April 25, 2007

Sam Halsey

samhalsey asked:

" May i ask why do you want a protein drink?

Unless we suffer from malnutrition we get plenty of protein from a our diet.

Usually the problem today is too much protien, resulting in stuff like cancer promotion and low bone density. "

With all due respect (though I'm sure I'll get attacked for writing this...), while I'm sure Sam was just intending to be helpful and it may be true that many people, such as high meat-eating people, may get too much protein and that can cause health problems, I just wanted to bring up the point that we need to be careful about making blanket statements about dietary issues, especially if one is not a licensed health care provider (and no, I am not myself) and more especially when one does not know all of a person's medical/health issues to whom they are speaking... Some people have different dietary needs and absorption rates.

Without divulging too much personal information, when I went from being vegetarian to vegan, I never felt healthy. I came to learn, after working with my Naturopathic Doctor, that I have problems with my blood sugars and I need more protein than another vegan (or another person) might need. I was getting more protein when I ate some animal products (yuck!). I have to be extremely careful to balance the carbohydrates and proteins I eat at every meal and snack. When I eat correctly, with the right amount of protein, for MY body type, I feel great. When I don't eat enough protein, I feel horrible.

I know many of my vegan friends are able to eat much less protein than I do, without adverse health effects.

So, my point being, some people, even vegans who may be healthier in other ways than animal-product eaters, may need more protein and the amount will vary from person to person.

In another email a while back regarding calcium, Jack Norris, RD wrote: " if you are vegan for animals, it seems vital to err on the side of caution so that others will view the vegan diet as healthy. " (Hope you don't mind me using your quote, Jack.) While I'm not a health care practioner, I'm thinking maybe this thought could apply with the protein issue as well...We need to thrive on our vegan diets or we're not doing good for ourselves or the animals...

For the animals,

Melissa