Take a look at me in this corny picture I took yesterday using a self-timer and a tripod.
If you saw me, and didn’t know who I was, would you think to yourself, “I wonder if that guy is getting enough protein…”?
Chances are, you see a guy who really doesn’t have weight to lose or to gain in order to be healthy. And that’s the truth: For my age and weight, I am perfectly in the “optimal” range.
I’m 34 years old, 5’9”, and weigh around 153 pounds (I fluctuate between 148 and 155 throughout the year).
But back in 2008, I peaked at 178 pounds, which according to the chart, put me in the “overweight” category.
So now that we’ve established I’m not underweight, or overweight, why is it that in the past few years, people have asked me if I’m getting enough protein?
After all, that’s not something people typically ask each other:
“Are you getting enough protein?”
In fact, I challenge you to name 3 people you’ve personally known in your lifetime who weren’t getting enough protein; excluding people with eating disorders or people dying of a disease- neither of which apply to vegans like me.
My guess is you can’t think of even one person.
Yet we’re obsessed with making sure people getting enough protein. Meanwhile, the irony is that we’re getting too much protein in the form of meat, which leads to cancer and/or diabetes.
But the moment people find out I’ve been a vegan for about 2 and a half years (and a vegetarian for more than a year before that), they feel compelled to make sure I’m getting enough protein.
Why is that?
Because we’ve collectively been brainwashed to believe that without eating animal products, we will not get enough protein.
In reality, vegans easily get enough protein from 6 easy sources: veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, and grains.
And again, look at me. How am I not living proof that vegans get enough protein?
Granted, if all I ate was white bread and apple juice, I could see the concern. But that wouldn’t be a healthy, balanced diet. To me that’s the equivalent of someone who “experimented with veganism in college.”
However, they failed because they weren’t actually getting enough all around nutrition, instead, they depended on processed foods.
It’s simple: I eat plenty of unprocessed veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and grains.
I don’t have a gym membership. Instead, I simply take at least two 10 minute walks each day, as well as ride my mountain bike and go for runs throughout the week.
I don’t count calories. I don’t go hungry; I eat as much as I want. No portion control.
And I’m very happy.
Plus, I’m actually healthy. At least that’s what Dr. Thomas John of Vanderbilt Primary Care told me back in April when visited him for a check-up.
He even confirmed I’m getting enough protein; though I didn’t bring up I was a vegan until after he had already told me diagnosed me as healthy.
Now consider my former life. I was more than 30 pounds heavier. I had dyshidrosis; a medically incurable skin disease related to eczema.
I had constant sinusitis, sinus pressure, headaches and acne.
Of course, now, those are all a thing of the past.
Why would I ever go back to that?
This is what works for me. It’s not for everyone. However, I’m living proof it’s not crazy, but instead it’s a quite effective lifestyle.
I feel there’s a decent chance some people glanced at the title of this post and assumed I was “finally admitting vegans don’t get enough protein.”
Nope.
Actually, I’m showing how outdated it is to believe such a concept. It’s as crazy as still believing the world is flat.
Bonus:
Check out this video I made about what I refer to as “The Protein Conspiracy”…
Also, here’s a professional article, 8 Great Sources of Vegan Protein.
