Protein Sources: Animal vs Plant Options
Getting enough protein is easier than you might think because it's found in loads of different foods. Animal sources like fish, chicken, beef, eggs, and milk are considered complete proteins because they contain all essential amino acids.
Plant sources include beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and cereals, but these are usually incomplete proteins on their own. The good news? You can mix and match them throughout the day to get everything you need.
Several factors affect how well your body uses protein for muscle growth: regular exercise, your genetics (DNA), overall diet quality, and getting enough sleep all play important roles.
Many people choose vegetarian alternatives for ethical, religious, or environmental reasons. Modern food technology has created brilliant options like soya products, TVP (textured vegetable protein), and Quorn that taste great and pack serious nutritional punch.
Remember: Vegetarians need to pay special attention to getting enough vitamin B12 and iron, as these nutrients are more abundant in animal products.