RE: Nutrition Expert Challenges BBC on Sources of Protein in Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

[Guest guest]

A London nutrition expert has challenged the BBC on their choices of vegetarian

and vegan proteins that left elite athlete Colin Jackson with what he believed

was reduced power and strength.

London, UK (PRWEB) February 17, 2007 -- London based nutrition expert Yvonne

Bishop-Weston reveals the plant based vegetarian protein rich foods and confirms

that a vegetarian diet is suitable even for elite athletes.

 

On BBC 2's The Truth About Food, champion athlete Colin Jackson was put on a

vegetarian diet for 8 weeks. He complained that he lost power and could manage 5

less press ups without the meat. Like many men Jackson seems to believe he needs

meat to maintain masculinity.

 

This is of course complete twaddle. Research shows that better levels of

fertility, heart health, endurance and strength can be achieved on vegetarian

and vegan diets and you can avoid the saturated fat that comes free with meat

and animal products.

 

Much fuss is made about protein and the amino acids contained in animal foods.

 

Yvonne says " It's actually quite hard not to get enough protein to attain the

generally accepted average level of health -- even potatoes and oats have

protein in them. However if you want to prove that a vegetarian or vegan diet is

nutritionally superior to a meat based diet and attain optimum health then you

might like to do a little more than eat porridge and mash. There are many subtle

problems caused by amino acid imbalances that can thwart optimum health.

 

Vegetarian and vegan diets can provide everything you need unless you have some

rare disease or condition that stops your body from processing protein into all

the amino acids your body needs to thrive.

 

There are some excellent sources of plant based protein for when you are

building muscle and may need a little more protein than normal or if you are

trying to lose weight and want to curb your appetite and teach yourself to eat

less sugar rich carbohydrates.

 

Hemp protein powder (www.yaoh.co.uk) is over 48% protein and makes a delicious

creamy addition to soy/rice/nut milks or fruit juice / smoothies to increase

amino acid intake without increasing saturated fat.

 

Hempseeds (with shells removed) are over 30% protein and can be used like sesame

seeds and sprinkled on all foods sweet or savoury. Great mixed together with a

little melted sugar free dark chocolate, dried blueberries and oats to make a

high protein delicious snack ball.

Redwoods ( www.redwoodfoods.co.uk ) meat free mince and chicken style pieces at

over 24% protein have more protein that all the protein sources used in the BBC

2 programme to feed Colin Jackson or even the meat they used to feed the

vegetarians. Unlike meat it doesn't come laden with saturated fat. Redwoods

products are freely available in health food stores and some supermarkets.

 

Quinoa, and other South American pseudo grains can have a protein content of

between 16- 20% (depending on variety). Quinoa's protein is high in lysine,

methionine and cystine. This makes it an excellent food to combine with, and

boost the protein value of, other grains (which are low in lysine), or soy

(which is low in methionine and cystine). It is a perfect alternative to use in

place of cous cous or rice.

 

Buckwheat, another pseudo grain, is also a useful source of protein to add

variety and makes a good high fibre pasta that in my opinion is nicer than

wholewheat pasta. Buckwheat pasta is a lot more nutritious the white pasta that

is so often used as a staple part of vegetarian and vegan diets.

 

Members of Vegan Body Builders such as Kenneth Williams, ex champion vegan

weightlifter now sports nutritionist Gareth Zeal, UK champion savate kickboxer

James Southwood, vegan triathlete Brendan Brazier and a host of other vegan

athletes prove that a plant based diet can provide both power and strength to

competition standards.

 

EDITORS NOTES

 

The BBC identifies their sources of protein (per 100g) in their study as;

Realeat mince = 18g

Beef = 22g

Quorn mince = 14.5g

Chicken = 24g

Tofu = 12g

Turkey = 24g

Pork = 20g

TVP = 25g

Lamb = 19g

Cod = 18g

Tuna = 23g

 

Hempseeds are over 30g and rich in omega 3, Redwoods Mince is 25g and includes

vitamin B12 and essential fats, Hemp protein powder is up to 48g of protein per

100g

 

Contacts :

Yvonne Bishop-Weston - Foods for Life

Tel: 08712884642 Fax 08712884643 PA Mob 07944068432

www.optimumnutritionists.com

 

Yaoh - www.yaoh.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Peter H

 

 

 

 

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