Hey everyone. I consider myself pretty health-conscious because I had a bit of a bad experience with a deficiency while at uni, so I have always tried to eat a good balanced diet. I recently took this up a notch and now eat mainly raw and wholemeal foods with only light cooking and plenty of fruit and vegetables. It's not perfect, I do drink alcohol and caffeine and enjoy a little treat when my boyfriend is over, but it's not every day and I think a few treats are okay.
Where my diet seems to fall down is on protein and I could really use some advice. I calculated that for my height and weight, I should be getting around 32g of protein per day. This is lower then the recommended daily intake because I am very short, but even so, I don't think I am getting anywhere near this.
I have read that most people get too much protein and that a vegetatian diet based on wholefoods should contain more than enough protein. Then I did the maths and I can't say I agree.
Apparently for just 20g of protein I would have to eat 400g of brown rice (I eat about 40g a few times a week), 600g of broccoli (I eat this daily but not 600g of it!), 4 large potatoes (I eat maybe one, once a week, but have sweet potatoes a few times a week) and 250g of tofu. I do eat eggs, but not every day and an egg, although apparently offering a complete balance of essencial amino acids, is only 10g of protein.
I'm at a loss. I read that quinoa is a great source of protein too (complete and balanced, like the egg). I went rushing out to buy some but when I got it home, I found that 100g only gives 4.4g of protein (and I hope they meant cooked because the lable doesn't say!).
I am vegetarian so meat and fish are not an option, I would prefer not to eat quorn or other 'fake' meats, and I have to watch my calories because I am very short but also have a heavy frame, so even a little extra weight makes me look chubby, so cheese isn't a good idea either.
Does anyone have any advice? I really don't want to make myself ill by not eating properly. I'm also worried about omega oils but think I'll start taking flaxseed oil for this.
Where my diet seems to fall down is on protein and I could really use some advice. I calculated that for my height and weight, I should be getting around 32g of protein per day. This is lower then the recommended daily intake because I am very short, but even so, I don't think I am getting anywhere near this.
I have read that most people get too much protein and that a vegetatian diet based on wholefoods should contain more than enough protein. Then I did the maths and I can't say I agree.
Apparently for just 20g of protein I would have to eat 400g of brown rice (I eat about 40g a few times a week), 600g of broccoli (I eat this daily but not 600g of it!), 4 large potatoes (I eat maybe one, once a week, but have sweet potatoes a few times a week) and 250g of tofu. I do eat eggs, but not every day and an egg, although apparently offering a complete balance of essencial amino acids, is only 10g of protein.
I'm at a loss. I read that quinoa is a great source of protein too (complete and balanced, like the egg). I went rushing out to buy some but when I got it home, I found that 100g only gives 4.4g of protein (and I hope they meant cooked because the lable doesn't say!).
I am vegetarian so meat and fish are not an option, I would prefer not to eat quorn or other 'fake' meats, and I have to watch my calories because I am very short but also have a heavy frame, so even a little extra weight makes me look chubby, so cheese isn't a good idea either.
Does anyone have any advice? I really don't want to make myself ill by not eating properly. I'm also worried about omega oils but think I'll start taking flaxseed oil for this.
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