Adjust Our Diet 3: Animal Protein to Plant Protein

Protein plays an important role in maintaining health as it builds blocks of our body/cells, helps to protect the body systems and strengthen the body’s immune system. The protein we consume may be categorized into two types: complete protein and incomplete proteins. Beans and animal proteins belong to complete protein as they contain the eight essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine). Most people consume meat, eggs and dairy products as these animal proteins are complete protein. Meat has traditionally been eaten to perform hard physical tasks and to protect us from cold weather. It is now an important source of animal protein in many parts of the world.

In 1996, we made a bold decision by dropping most forms of meat as these are considered acidic foods. From the point of view of fat content, meat as a source of protein is tied to a considerable level of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol (Valsta et al. 2005). See Valsta, L.M., Tapanainen, H. & Mannisto, S. (2005). ”Meat fats in nutrition”, www.elsevier.com/locate/meatsci, pp.525-530.

We learned from the literature that cancer patient needs to let go of eating meat to regain health. We learned that the consumption of animal proteins such as chicken, pork and beef is not good for our health. To avoid and control diseases, animal foods are added with antibiotics and pesticides. To ensure that the meat is tasty and to raise milk production, growth hormones are given to the animals. However, we continued to take fish for two years, believing that this source of protein is less harmful.

How about fish from deep sea and fresh water? Unfortunately, the world environment is polluted to the extent that even fish are not safe for consumption. If you were to visit the wet markets these days, you may not find any flies at fish stalls. Well, some fish are sprayed with chemicals to keep the flies away. How about shark fin soup? The fact is shark fins contain mercury. Thai health officials reported in 2001 that local shark’s fin soup contained mercury about 42 times above the safe level (Khatijah 2007). By 1998, fish also disappeared from our home-cooked food. See Khatijah Abdullah. (2007). “Campaign against shark’s fin soup based on sad fact”. Utusan Konsumer, September 2007.

The stop in taking eggs only took place in 2000. We did this later due to a lack of understanding on eggs as a source of protein. Even though eggs are sources of Vitamin A, B2, B12, folic acid, iron, zinc and phosphate, they also contain too much cholesterol, hence may bring cardiovascular diseases (Chia 2004). The egg yolk contains much sodium and cholesterol which are harmful to our body. Moreover, in chicken farming, antibiotics are fed to chickens to avoid diseases and hormone is given to enhance their growth. All these chemicals are accumulated in the eggs. See Chia, J.S. (2004). What’s in Your Food? Subang Jaya: Pelanduk Publications.


More information is now available on animal proteins. When animal protein is digested, it produces acidic by-products which is high in phosphorous. When your liver and kidney cannot cope with these acidic by-products, you may face liver problems and urinary problems. When these protein by-products and growth hormone are not discharged from your body, they accumulate in the muscles. The more meat you consume, the more fat is accumulated in your body. In the long run, you just cannot avoid the occurrence of diseases. Meat contains high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, and meat consumption is the main cause of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, many forms of cancer, hypoglycaemia and other chronic diseases (Kushi & Jack 2003). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.

Over consumption of animal protein also results in ageing. Ageing is related to the loss of calcium in your body. When more animal protein is consumed, more calcium is discharged from the bone to neutralize them. Hence, the more you consume protein, more calcium is lost and osteoporosis results (Lai 1995). You may face osteoporosis sooner or later. See Lai, C.N. (1995). Cancer is not Deadly. Public talk in Malaysia. (In Chinese)

Since we avoid animal protein consumption, where can we obtain the necessary protein? Well, the best source of protein comes from dark green vegetables. From the literature, we learn that if we eat a little fresh vegetable fresh, we will have the complete protein the body needs as it is not lost through cooking. The protein from fresh vegetables also serves to enhance our memory and raise our energy level as well as our competitiveness (Lai 1995).

Other plant sources of protein which are low in saturated fat are pulses, beans, nuts and seeds. Beans contain three main nutrients: protein, unsaturated fats and carbohydrate (starch). You may obtain your plant protein from various beans.

It is useful to take note of the following statement of the American Heart Association (cited in Kushi & Jack 2003). You don’t need to eat animal products to have enough protein in your diet. Plant proteins alone can provide enough of the essential and non-essential amino acids, as long as sources of dietary protein are varied and caloric intake is high enough to meet energy needs. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, seeds and nuts all contain both essential and non-essential amino acids… Soy protein has been shown to be e