Too much of the bro science passed around in the lifting/fitness community is based on misremembered or misunderstood details of studies, that people have extrapolated well beyond the scope of that study.
It is true that plant proteins are less bioavailable to humans when eaten, compared to animal proteins. But even the slightest amount of processing will go a long way towards improving the bioavailability of either animal or plant proteins, and closes the gap significantly.
So when comparing what people actually eat, it’s not hard to get enough protein from vegan sources like bread, pasta, etc.
A 200 lb (91 kg) man who wants to get the ideal 165 g of protein on 2800 calories per day can go a long way by simply eating a peanut butter sandwich. At 4g protein per 80 calorie slice of bread, and 16 g protein per 2 fl oz/380 calorie portion of peanut butter, that’s 24 g protein in a 540 calorie sandwich. That’s 14.5% of the ideal daily protein intake in 19.3% of the ideal calorie intake, only slightly below track.
Actually seeking out high protein per calorie foods like peas (8.6 g protein for 134 calories serving or 6.4 g per 100 calories), broccoli (2.4 g protein for 35 calories or 6.8 g per 100), or beans (15 g protein for 225 calories for 6.7 per 100) makes it easy to hit the total protein goal without exceeding the calorie target. Plenty of those are better than 80/20 ground beef (19g per 280 calories for 6.8g per 100) or hot dogs (5.6 g per 155 calorie serving for 3.6g per 100).
The man I described as aiming for 165g of protein per 2800 calorie day needs to average out to 5.9 g per 100 calories. Some of the foods that exceed that break-even threshold are versatile enough to be included in many meals.
You’re spot on.
Too much of the bro science passed around in the lifting/fitness community is based on misremembered or misunderstood details of studies, that people have extrapolated well beyond the scope of that study.
It is true that plant proteins are less bioavailable to humans when eaten, compared to animal proteins. But even the slightest amount of processing will go a long way towards improving the bioavailability of either animal or plant proteins, and closes the gap significantly.
So when comparing what people actually eat, it’s not hard to get enough protein from vegan sources like bread, pasta, etc.
A 200 lb (91 kg) man who wants to get the ideal 165 g of protein on 2800 calories per day can go a long way by simply eating a peanut butter sandwich. At 4g protein per 80 calorie slice of bread, and 16 g protein per 2 fl oz/380 calorie portion of peanut butter, that’s 24 g protein in a 540 calorie sandwich. That’s 14.5% of the ideal daily protein intake in 19.3% of the ideal calorie intake, only slightly below track.
Actually seeking out high protein per calorie foods like peas (8.6 g protein for 134 calories serving or 6.4 g per 100 calories), broccoli (2.4 g protein for 35 calories or 6.8 g per 100), or beans (15 g protein for 225 calories for 6.7 per 100) makes it easy to hit the total protein goal without exceeding the calorie target. Plenty of those are better than 80/20 ground beef (19g per 280 calories for 6.8g per 100) or hot dogs (5.6 g per 155 calorie serving for 3.6g per 100).
The man I described as aiming for 165g of protein per 2800 calorie day needs to average out to 5.9 g per 100 calories. Some of the foods that exceed that break-even threshold are versatile enough to be included in many meals.