Healthy and easy sources of vegan protein

Image source: Diana Taliun / shutterstock.com

There are still a lot of prejudices about vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, including the idea that a plant-based diet does not provide sufficient protein. In this article, ProVeg investigates this claim and shows that plant-based nutrition is perfectly suitable to meet everyone’s protein requirements.

What are proteins?

Proteins are complex chemical compounds consisting of many individual amino acids. The human body uses 21 amino acids for protein production, of which at least 9 cannot be produced by the body itself. These are called essential amino acids. A supply of these amino acids via dietary proteins is therefore vital for the maintenance of the body’s own protein structures.[1]Institute of Medicine of The National Academies (2005): Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids, p. 593, Available at … Continue reading [2]U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2017): What are proteins and what do they do?, Available at https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein [03.03.2018]

 

Functions of proteins

The functions of proteins inside the human organism are manifold. Their most important function is the construction of body tissue. Among other things, structural proteins serve as core building blocks for muscle, nerve, and connective tissue. Mass transport within the body, on the other hand, is carried out by transport proteins such as haemoglobin – a constituent of blood. The antibodies of the immune system and the protein fibrinogen, which facilitates blood clotting, belong to the class of protective proteins. Many hormones and enzymes, which control important processes in the body, are also proteins.[3]U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2017): What are proteins and what do they do?, Available at https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein [03.03.2018] [4]Institute of Medicine of The National Academies (2005): Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids, p. 590, Available at … Continue reading

 

Protein requirements

According to the committee of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the daily recommended values for the protein intake of mixed foods are as follows:

  • Adults and the elderly: 0.83 g per kilogram of body weight
  • Infants, children and adolescents: depending on their age, between 0.83 g and 1.31 g per kilogram of body weight
  • Pregnant women: additional intake of 1 g, 9 g and 28 g per day for the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, respectively.
  • Breastfeeding mothers: additional intake of 19 g per day during the first 6 months of breastfeeding, 13 g thereafter[5]European Food Safety Authority (2012): EFSA sets population reference intakes for protein, Available at https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120209 [03.03.2018]

 

Protein deficiency

Since proteins are involved in the construction, function, and metabolism of all living cells and tissues, a deficiency leads to various disorders of bodily functions. In adults, an insufficient supply of protein can lead to a weakened immune defence, reduced wound healing, and a reduction in muscle mass.[6]Paul Insel,‎ Don Ross,‎ Kimberley McMahon,‎ Melissa Bernstein (2013). Nutrition (5th edition), p 220 During childhood, mental impairment can also occur. However, protein deficiency is extremely rare in developed countries, although it is more common in developing countries whose populations are affected by malnutrition.[7]Leitzmann, C. & M. Keller (2013): Vegetarische Ernährung: 74 Tabellen. S. 273

 

Foods rich in protein

Among vegetables, pulses (lentils, peas, and beans – and, above all, soya beans) and cereals (rice, oats, millet, wheat, spelt, rye) are of particular importance as protein sources. Soya products such as tofu and tempeh are also regarded as foods that are high in protein. Pseudocereals (amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa), nuts, almonds, and seeds also contain especially high amounts of protein.[8]Daniel, P., Harvard University (2017): How much protein do you need every day? Available at https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096 [03.03.2018]

Food Protein content per 100 g Food Protein content per 100 g
Soya products Cerals and pseudo cereals
Textured soya protein 21 g Oats 17 g
Tempeh 20 g Rye flour (whole grain) 11 g
Tofu, firm 15 g Wheat flour (whole grain) 9.5 g
Silken tofu 7 g Quinoa cooked: 4.5 g (raw: 14 g)
Soya yoghurt 4 g Amaranth cooked: 4 g (raw: 13.5 g)
Soya milk 4 g Millet cooked: 3.5 g (raw: 11 g)
Pulses Nuts & seeds
Soya beans cooked: 11 g (raw: 36.5 g) Hemp seeds, hulled 31.5 g
Lentils cooked: 9 g (raw: 25 g) Pumpkin seeds 30 g
Chickpeas cooked: 9 g (raw: 25 g) Peanuts 26 g
Black turtle beans cooked: 9 g (raw: 24 g) Almonds 21 g
White beans cooked: 8 g (raw: 24 g) Sunflower seeds 19 g
Green peas cooked: 6 g (raw: 23 g) Cashews 18 g
Kidney beans cooked: 5.5 g (raw:  22.5 g) Sesame seeds 17 g
Miscellaneous
Nutritional yeast 43 g
Portobello mushroom 4 g

Source: United States Department of Agriculture: USDA Food Composition Databases[9]United States Department of Agriculture: USDA Food Composition Databases, Online at https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list [05.12.2017]

 

Quality of food proteins

The contribution that protein from food makes to human nutrition depends on several factors. In addition to the protein content of the food, the digestibility and amino acid composition of proteins are important as well.[10]Whitney, E. N. & Rolfes, R. S. (2011). Understanding nutrition (12th edition). p. 187

Biological value of protein

Both animal and vegetable proteins contain all essential amino acids. They differ, however, in terms of the amounts they contain.[11]Mangels, R., Messina, V. & Messina, M. (2011). The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets (3rd edition). p. 71 The more the composition of amino acids corresponds to the human organism’s needs, the higher the biological value of a food protein. If the biological value of a protein is higher, less of it needs to be consumed in order to meet protein requirements as it is better suited to be converted into the body’s own protein.[12]WHO, FAO & UN Universities (2007): Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. WHO. Verfügbar unter … Continue reading [13]Burgenstein U, Schurgast H & Zimmermann M. (2012). Handbuch der Nährstoffe – Vorbeugen und heilen durch ausgewogene Ernährung; 12. Überarbeitete Auflage. Trias: Stuttgart, S. 75 On average, proteins from animal products have a higher biological value than vegetable products, with exceptions including, for example, soybeans, potatoes, rice and rye.[14]Henkel J. Soy. Health claims for soy protein, questions about other components. FDA Consum. 2000;34(3):13–15,18–20. [15]Mangels, R., Messina, V. & Messina, M. (2011). The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets (3rd edition). p. 71 However, the biological value is increased considerably by combining different foods, as their respective amino acids complement each other. What is important is not the profile of amino acids in a single meal, but rather the distribution of amino acid supply across the whole day.[16]Young, V. R. & P. L. Pellett (1994): Plant proteins in relation to human protein and amino acid nutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59, p.1203S–1212S [17]Marsh, K. A. et al. (2013): Protein and vegetarian diets. Med. J. Aust. 199, p.S7–S10 If, during the course of their day, a person consumes enough protein from a wide variety of vegan protein sources – such as pulses and wholemeal cereals, or pulses and nuts or seeds – as well as enough calories,[18]WHO, FAO & UN Universities (2007): Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. WHO. Available at … Continue reading protein requirements can easily be met with plant foods.[19]American Heart Association. (2016). Vegetarian Diets. Available at www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Vegetarian-Diets_UCM_306032_Article.jsp#.WdZOFdNJbBI [03.03.2018] [20]Sanders TA (1999) The nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets. Proc Nutr Soc 58: p. 265–269

 

Digestibility of vegetable protein sources

A useful measure of digestibility is the ‘protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score’ (PDCAAS), which takes into account not only the amino acid composition of the protein but also its digestibility.[21]Insel, P. et al. (2013). Nutrition (5th edition). Burlington: Jones and Bartlett. (S. 243) The higher the PDCAAS, the more easily and more completely the protein can be digested and the less protein needs to be consumed in order to cover protein requirements. Proteins of animal origin are usually more digestible than vegetable proteins as dietary fibre and robust cell walls contribute to the reduced digestibility of most vegetable proteins.[22]Tomé, D. (2013): Digestibility issues of vegetable versus animal proteins: Protein and amino acid requirements – functional aspects. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. 34, p.272–273 However, the digestibility of many plant sources of protein is still relatively good and can be significantly increased by higher processing and proper chewing. The following methods of preparing pulses and cereals, for example, increase their digestibility and thus the absorption of vegetable protein:

  • Cooking (cooking time varies depending on the type of pulse/cereal; cooking in a pressure cooker is particularly effective in terms of enhancing digestibility)
  • Shredding, for example, in a food processor or blender
  • Soaking in water (the soaking time and amount of water varies, depending on the type of pulse/cereal)[23]Mangels, R., Messina, V. & Messina, M. (2011). The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets (3rd edition). S. 69

 

Plant-based sources of protein are healthier than their animal counterpart

The biological value and digestibility of food are almost meaningless when it comes to determining how healthy a particular food is. Vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, phytochemicals, carbohydrates, and unsaturated fatty acids also play an important role. In this regard, plant protein sources usually have an edge over animal-based proteins, as the latter often contain many unhealthy saturated fatty acids. According to a study published by Harvard Medical School in 2016, an increase in the intake of vegan protein was associated with a lower mortality rate. By increasing the amount of calories sourced from plant protein by just 3%, participants decreased their risk of all-cause mortality by 10% during the study period. Solely in relation to cardiovascular diseases, the mortality risk dropped by another 2 percentage points. On the other hand, the risk of the subjects dying from cardiovascular disease increased by 8% if the intake of animal protein in their diet increased by 10%.[24]Song, M. et al. (2016): Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality, Available at … Continue reading

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts also recently discovered that the source of protein – whether it is meat, fish, dairy products or pulses – is irrelevant in terms of building muscle strength and muscle mass.[25]University of Massachusetts (2017): Dietary protein is associated with musculoskeletal health independently of dietary pattern: the Framingham Third Generation Study, Available at … Continue reading

 

Protein supply for vegans and vegetarians

Lacto and ovo-lacto vegetarians consume ample amounts of essential amino acids if they consume the recommended amount of protein and calories. Similarly, the US-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has stated that a well planned vegan diet can meet all dietary recommendations and ensure an adequate protein supply.[26]Melina V, Craig W, Levin S.(2016): Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: vegetarian diets. Various nutritional associations from other countries – such as the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia[27]National Health and Medical Research Council (2013): Eat for health. Australian dietary guidelines. and the Portuguese National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating[28]National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, Direção-Geral da Saúde (2015): Guidelines for a healthy vegetarian diet. Lissabon. – also share this view. Since vegans usually consume less food energy than omnivores and lacto or ovo-lacto vegetarians, their consumed protein amounts are usually closer to the recommendations of nutritional associations – the average person in western industrialized countries often exceeds the recommendations.

Although there is a risk of protein deficiency if too few calories are consumed on a vegan diet, protein requirements can certainly be met by plant-based proteins. The consumption of a wide range of plant foods and a sufficient intake of calories are key.

 

ProVeg tips for optimal plant-based protein supply

  • A vegan diet can provide a sufficient supply of protein if a broad selection of vegetable protein and a sufficient intake of calories is ensured.
  • Pulses – especially soya products – constitute important sources of protein in a plant-based diet and should be eaten daily. In combination with proteins from cereals and nuts or seeds, they help to provide an optimal amino acid profile. It is sufficient to eat the different sources of protein throughout the day, rather than during a single meal.
  • The different methods of preparation (cooking, mixing, soaking) of vegetable foods increase their digestibility and thus the absorption of vegan protein.
  • There is an increasing awareness that plant proteins are healthier than animal proteins. The consumption of plant protein instead of animal protein is associated with lower mortality rates.

Pro Health

These are general nutrition guidelines. If you have concerns about your diet, please talk to your doctor about seeing a dietitian. Discussing the use of supplements with a health professional will help to ensure that they are suitable for you. Never stop taking prescribed medications without first talking to your doctor.

References

References
1 Institute of Medicine of The National Academies (2005): Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids, p. 593, Available at https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/12#593 [03.03.2018]
2, 3 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2017): What are proteins and what do they do?, Available at https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein [03.03.2018]
4 Institute of Medicine of The National Academies (2005): Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids, p. 590, Available at https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/12#590 [03.03.2018]
5 European Food Safety Authority (2012): EFSA sets population reference intakes for protein, Available at https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120209 [03.03.2018]
6 Paul Insel,‎ Don Ross,‎ Kimberley McMahon,‎ Melissa Bernstein (2013). Nutrition (5th edition), p 220
7 Leitzmann, C. & M. Keller (2013): Vegetarische Ernährung: 74 Tabellen. S. 273
8 Daniel, P., Harvard University (2017): How much protein do you need every day? Available at https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096 [03.03.2018]
9 United States Department of Agriculture: USDA Food Composition Databases, Online at https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list [05.12.2017]
10 Whitney, E. N. & Rolfes, R. S. (2011). Understanding nutrition (12th edition). p. 187
11, 15 Mangels, R., Messina, V. & Messina, M. (2011). The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets (3rd edition). p. 71
12 WHO, FAO & UN Universities (2007): Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. WHO. Verfügbar unter http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/43411/1/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf?ua=1 [05.12.2017] p. 19/20
13 Burgenstein U, Schurgast H & Zimmermann M. (2012). Handbuch der Nährstoffe – Vorbeugen und heilen durch ausgewogene Ernährung; 12. Überarbeitete Auflage. Trias: Stuttgart, S. 75
14 Henkel J. Soy. Health claims for soy protein, questions about other components. FDA Consum. 2000;34(3):13–15,18–20.
16 Young, V. R. & P. L. Pellett (1994): Plant proteins in relation to human protein and amino acid nutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59, p.1203S–1212S
17 Marsh, K. A. et al. (2013): Protein and vegetarian diets. Med. J. Aust. 199, p.S7–S10
18 WHO, FAO & UN Universities (2007): Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. WHO. Available at http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/43411/1/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf?ua=1 [05.12.2017]
19 American Heart Association. (2016). Vegetarian Diets. Available at www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Vegetarian-Diets_UCM_306032_Article.jsp#.WdZOFdNJbBI [03.03.2018]
20 Sanders TA (1999) The nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets. Proc Nutr Soc 58: p. 265–269
21 Insel, P. et al. (2013). Nutrition (5th edition). Burlington: Jones and Bartlett. (S. 243
22 Tomé, D. (2013): Digestibility issues of vegetable versus animal proteins: Protein and amino acid requirements – functional aspects. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. 34, p.272–273
23 Mangels, R., Messina, V. & Messina, M. (2011). The Dietitian’s Guide to Vegetarian Diets (3rd edition). S. 69
24 Song, M. et al. (2016): Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality, Available at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2540540 [03.03.2018]
25 University of Massachusetts (2017): Dietary protein is associated with musculoskeletal health independently of dietary pattern: the Framingham Third Generation Study, Available at http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2017/02/07/ajcn.116.136762.abstract?sid=187de680-e319-4d4d-8179-da6ab0835359 [03.03.2018]
26 Melina V, Craig W, Levin S.(2016): Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: vegetarian diets.
27 National Health and Medical Research Council (2013): Eat for health. Australian dietary guidelines.
28 National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, Direção-Geral da Saúde (2015): Guidelines for a healthy vegetarian diet. Lissabon.

Last updated: 20.03.2018

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