Where does the myth about protein come from?

Lots of myths concerning protein and vegetarians.

I'll list a few:

1. Animal meats are the only source of complete protein.

2. Humans are designed to eat meat.

3. Animal meats are the only source of b12.

For those who don't know b12 can be found in breakfast cereals, Soy protein isolate, eggs, energy drinks, protein bars, nutrition bars, smart balance buttery spread, ready made french toast and waffles.

All the misunderstanding about lack of protein in the vegans diet is supposed to be from some book written in the 70's that stated fruits and vegies had little protein and that might be one small reason but I'm inclined to think it's just that most Americans eat tons of meat in every meal and they just kinda naturally assume that cutting meat out is like termites cutting wood out of their diets.

I was just in a restaurant in Winnipeg, trying my best to get something to eat lol. The food server asks me about protein ect. Same old question I hear over and over again. I guess we'll be sending the correct information out one by one.

Humans are designed to eat meat....whatever.

B12? Eat Corn Flakes.

1. For many parts of the world this was largely true. They didn't have beans or tofu everywhere and meat was the only viable source of protein. Things have changed and the idea has taken a bit longer to go away.

2. Humans ARE designed to eat meat. They are omnivores. They are not designed to kill prey with their teeth, but they are certainly designed to eat it.

3. Again, things have changed. B12 was most readily available from meat, but other sources have been more broadly distributed now. Although many of those sources are not completely natural.

I eat a mostly veg diet, so I will show you both sides:

1. This is partially true, as most meats contain a larger variety of amino acids than any single plant-based protein source.
HOWEVER, veg protein sources (esp. soy isolate) is much more easily broken down by the body, has no cholesterol, and usually lack saturated fats.

2. Humans are designed to eat veggies and meat, yes.
HOWEVER, more importantly, humans are designed to adapt to their surroundings and diet. It's easy to thrive on a veg diet once you adjust to it.

3. If you say "Animal products", then this is 100% true.
HOWEVER, you did not! Dairy products are an outstanding source of B12 for the lacto-ovo vegetarian.
Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_b12...

Dr. Atkins. The Atkins diet. He says so in the book " The new diet revolution".

it comes from meatheaded (no pun intended) rednecks and republicans lol

I think that we only know what we are taught unless we take it upon ourselves to question and search for more answers. In school, we are taught the Food Guide (I'm Canadian) and the protein section focus on meats and lists few alternatives. Most cooking magazines, cooking shows, and menu plans centre on meat as the main part of the meal. Unless you do some research, what mainstream publication tells you about alternate plant-based protein and b12 sources? None that I know of. Hopefully, this information will become more mainstream in the future. I've been a vegetarian and consume very little dairy for over 25 years and I do not suffer from lack of protein. I've never broken a bone or even chipped a tooth. I don't think I'm suffering for lack of meat! But hey...to each their own. Vegetarians, meat eaters, vegans, raw food enthusiasts...the point is to enjoy the food you choose to eat. :-)

There's really only 2 possible answers. Either they just aren't aware of the facts, or they are intentionally misrepresenting them.

1. Just false.

2. Humans weren't designed.

3. Meat is the only viable, natural source for B12, but other sources are readily available.

When you're posting this question though, please realize that the myths are asserted in both directions. There are as many myths about meat and dairy offered as fact as there is about vegetarianism.
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People with WAY too much money want you to give them more and they don't care if they have to cheat and lie to improve the chances.

Most people are just ignorant in general though.

There is no such thing as complete protein. The person who originally suggested this took back what she said, but for some reason some people still believe it. Even if it was true, soy products have "complete protein", and common combinations like beans & rice and peanut butter & whole-grain bread do too.

Humans are biologically "designed" to eat meat in the sense that our bodies are able to digest meat, and evidence shows that we are naturally omnivores, but we don't NEED meat, and it's actually better for you to not eat meat. You can get everything you need without eating meat. I hate when people say "it's natural to eat meat", because there's nothing natural about the way animals are raised for food nowadays. Antibiotics and growth hormones and preservatives, wow that's really natural

Meat is the most common source of b12, but not the only source. People used to get lots of b12 from vegetables that weren't washed because the earth contains b12, but now we wash our vegetables. There are other sources for b12, and a lot of foods are fortified with b12, and there are always supplements too.

Protein isn't even as important as a lot of people make it seem. How often do you hear about somebody dieing from protein deficiency, or even suffering from it? Animal protein is actually very bad for you - It increases the risk of several cancers, and some doctors have even said that consumption of animal protein is the 2nd leading preventable cause of cancer (after smoking, of course)

People can give all the evidence they want that it's bad to be vegetarian, but the statistics are on our side - Vegetarians live on average about 6-10 years longer than non-vegetarians, and being vegetarian helps to prevent cancer, heart disease, and lots of other diseases.

Those myths were probably invented by the meat industry. They wanted to make more money, therefore they spread the rumor that lots and lots of animal protein was good for you.

...I don't have an authoritative source, but it makes sense, doesn't it?

1- this ones stupid. As a kidney disease sufferer I have to limit my protein intake and can tell you it comes from tons of places. Heck,a potato is loaded with it!

3-Vitamin b12 is primarily found in meat, but that is not the only source. However, humans and many animals do not absorb vitamin b12 reliably from vegetables. As a vegetarian your best bet is a fortified food or a vitamin tablet. As a non vegetarian, really and truely, the only reliable way to take it in is through animal products.
(heres a talk about it on a vegetarian society website
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.html)
Veggies who eat dairy and eggs can get the b12 this way, but vegans need to be sure to work it into their diet through supplements. Its important!

2- Humans are designed to eat meat-
Technically biology tells us this. Human dentation, digestive enzymes, and vitamin requirements pretty much point to omnivore status. This doesnt mean you HAVE to eat meat, it just means its what your body is programmed to do. Luckily, through technology weve found ways around it. With more food sources becoming available, and new ways to cook, prepare, and fortify our meals, we dont HAVE to eat meat anymore as long as we are very, very, VERY careful.
However, it is pretty much scientific fact we are 'designed' to eat meat. We are also 'designed' to be intelligent and problem solving creatures, so we dont have to. Isnt it a cool world?

The answer above mine is clearly misguided. I don't know how being a carnivore is the same as being a republican, however, I'm both. It's a coincidence, I'm sure. I've never heard any of your "myths" so perhaps you made them up.

Pass the A-1 and the steak.