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Read other letters about this article
Do you seriously think meat and soybeans are the only foods on the planet that contain protein? Sadly, I suspect most carnivores share that misconception. Soy protein is not the only non-flesh protein in the world.
I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and every year I take a full physical, complete with extensive bloodwork. And I am not lacking in even one necessary nutrient, including protein. Plus my good cholesterol is crazy high; bad cholesterol crazy low.
If you want to eat meat, whatever. I'm not your doctor or your mother. But please don't insist that you have no choice because it's the only way to get protein, because that's simply inaccurate. Meat, and our society's new obsession with high protein--courtesy of the bizarre Atkins Diet, are plain old unhealthy, all "moral" issues aside. This from The Mayo Clinic:
Although high-protein diets generally aren't harmful, they may increase the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis. High-protein diets may also limit other healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. In addition, many high-protein foods — such as meat, milk, cheese and eggs — are also high in fat and cholesterol. So choose your protein sources wisely. Good choices include fish, beans, lentils and low-fat dairy products.
