Plant Based Proteins & Considerations

Dr. Andrew Chappell

A healthy diet is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. As I often tell my clients a healthy diet is a high-performance diet. The healthier an individual is, the better they function. What is a healthy diet though? Well nutritionists and epidemiologist have known for sometimes that people who follow a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, fish, and lean meats have higher life expectancy. Moreover, those who follow these types of diets also have less noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. Furthermore, they also have a greater quality of life particularly at the end of their life. As a result, many of the world’s food and health agencies suggest diets based on the concepts, with the addition of animal-based food products like dairy. The UKs Eatwell Guide and U.S Harvard eating plate is based around the Mediterranean concept. It’s important however to note that although there are many ways one could diet. However, when people talk about the comparison between what is healthy and what’s not, it pertains to the typical “Western diet”. The Western Diet is a diet high in salt, sugar, and trans/saturated fats which are largely obtained from ultra-processed foods, while being low in fruits and vegetables. The western style diet is also high in animal-based products such as red and processed meats and often devoid of wholegrains in favour of processed cereals.

The plant-based movement of vegetarianism and veganism is driven by a moral belief in the consumption of animal-based foods. There’s also a growing concern around sustainability and environmentalism in relation to animal-based products. There is also a health component associated with the plant-based movement. As an alternative to a “Western Diet” it can be far healthier. At this point it’s important to point out that veganism and vegetarianism may be no healthier than a Mediterranean diet or current healthy eating advice. It’s also possible to do a plant-based diet very poorly and consume lots of ultra-processed vegan products. Plant based practitioners must also consider that these diets (in particular veganism which excludes the consumption of dairy and eggs), lack necessary nutrients (B12, Haem Iron) that can only be obtained from animal-based foods and that fortification/supplement is necessary. With that in mind, here are some key considerations for those following or seeking to implement a plant-based approach to dieting.

Protein

Vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs, can easily access lots of high-quality low-fat proteins in many cases without the need to supplement. Some vegetarians may also eat fish, which can make things even easier. Obtaining enough protein becomes more challenging for vegans. Protein is essential for growth and repair of muscle tissue, and it is an important component of enzymes, hormones and the immune system. The recommended daily intake of protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, extra protein is required when it comes to building muscle mass where recommendations range between 1.6 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Where cutting is concerned, recommendations are even higher at 2.3 to 3.3 g/per kg BW. This can be challenging for vegans, as many plant-based sources of protein are not as high in protein as animal-based sources. Moreover, these protein sources can be limited in the number of essential amino acids and branch chain amino acids (BCAA), protein combining can help overcome some of these issues, however it can still be difficult to obtain enough BCAA. In this instance supplementing with some BCAA may be an example of where athletes may be able to make up the short fall.

Not all of the nutrients in foods are accessible. This is particualry an issue when it comes to plant food sources which why we cook foods to make their nutrients accessible.

High protein plant sources of protein include beans and lentils, chickpeas, and soy-based products like tofu and tempeh. In addition to these high-protein vegetables, other plant-based options such as nuts, seeds, can also provide significant amounts of protein. It's important to note however that plant-based protein sources often have lower bioavailability than animal-based sources. This means that although you may be able to consume enough protein from plant sources, the ability of your body to absorb this protein can be inhibited. It’s also important to be mindful of the volume off food required to eat an equivalent amount of protein as an animal-based source. For example, 100g of kale yields 3g of protein, however this would mean consuming almost a bag of your standard supermarket sized kale, so although you can consume protein from vegetable sources, it’s important to consider what’s practical.

Protein from concentration per 100g of plant based food item

Meat substitutes are popular amongst converts to plant-based diets. They’ve been designed by food scientists to resemble the appearance, texture, and flavour of animal-based products. For example, there’s a wide variety of vegetarian/vegan burgers, sausages, chicken pieces, minces, and bacon all available to the consumer. Many of these products are made from mushroom, beans, lentils, soya and in some cases contain egg. These products are often fortified as well with micronutrients to help consumers obtain their requirements. These can be a useful substitute for vegans/vegetarians when it comes to helping them achieve a higher protein intake, or where a high protein, low fat option is desired. Consumers though should be cautious when consuming meat substitutes as plant based needn’t necessarily indicate a product as healthy. Below are tables of high protein common UK meat substitutes.

Nutritional Information on Meat Style Chicken Substitutes

Nutritional Information of Mince Style Substitutes

Nutritional Information of Tofu and Tempuh Products

Micronutrients

Macronutrients aside micronutrients are an important consideration for Plant Based dieters. Some micronutrients such as Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), Haem Iron and long chain omega fatty acids (n-3 and n-6) can only be obtained from animal-based sources. To combat this many vegan meat substitutes and cereals are fortified to prevent deficiencies. Vitamin B12 for example, which plays an important role in the proper formation of red blood cells, and it is essential for maintaining nerve function, is primarily found in meat, offal, milk, fish and eggs. The richest sources are liver, clams, kidneys and oysters. For those following a plant-based diet, many plant based milks, and tofu are fortified with B12, along with yeast extracts like marmite. Fermented foods such as tempeh may also be a good source of B12.

Make it stand out

**Iron**
Iron is a central component of haemoglobin and myoglobin in red blood cells responsible for the oxygen transportation and deposition into tissues. Iron from the diet exists in two different forms as haem and non-haem. The type the body uses within red blood cells is haem iron which can not be obtained from the a vegan diet. Plant-based sources of iron (non-haem), such as leafy green vegetables, beans, and lentils, are not as easily absorbed as animal-based sources, so it is important for vegans to be aware of their iron intake and to include iron-rich foods in their diet. Moreover, while the bioavailability of this type of iron is low, the conversion to the potent haem source within the body is also low.

A lack of iron can lead to the malformation of red blood cells or a lack of red blood cells resulting in iron deficiency anaemia where the patient suffers from lethargy and weakness. Even where a plant based diet is rich in non-haem iron, supplementation with iron may be recommended, particularly where female athletes of a reproductive age are concerned.

Calcium

Calcium is important in maintaining strong bones and teeth, and it is essential for muscle and nerve function. While calcium can be found in plant-based foods such as leafy green vegetables, fortified plant-based milks, and fortified tofu, it is important to note that the bioavailability of calcium from plant-based sources is often lower than from dairy products. Similarly with iron, many animal-based food sources contain important cofactors which aid the absorption within the small intestine. Moreover, fibre which plays an important role in digestive health may in some cases hinder the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients because of nutrients been bound up within the fibre food matrix.

Omega 3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining heart health and brain function, and they have anti-inflammatory properties. While omega-3 fatty acids can be found in plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, the form of omega-3s found in these foods, called alpha linoleic acid (ALA). However, ALA as a fatty acid is a much smaller molecule than the bioactive omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Moreover the conversion from these shorter chain fatty acids into the longer chain forms is poor. In some case less than 5% will be converted into the form which provides all the health benefits, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). So although Omega 3 fatty acids can be obtained from the diet, it’s important to point out that only the bioactive form can be obtained from a diet containing animal based food stuffs. It is therefore essential for plant based dieters to consider supplements or fortified foods to get enough Omega-3s

**Vitamin D**
Vitamin D the sunshine vitamin is important for the absorption of calcium into bones and also plays a role in maintaining the immune system. Sunlight aside this nutrient can be obtained from the diet, however only as part of an animal based approach. Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish and egg yolks, although many foods are fortified.

It is possible to obtain vitamin D from sunlight alone, however those living in the northern hemisphere at higher latitudes in western Europe and north America, or conversely at lower latitudes in the southern hemisphere, may have to supplement to avoid deficiency during the winter months. Plant based dieters should therefore again consider supplementation.

The table below summaries some of the key components of the diet that those following a plant based diet should consider. Although many of these nutrients can be obtained from fortified foods, those engaged in intensive high frequency training programs should consider identifying a suitable multivitamin and fatty acid supplement.

Key Micronutrient Considerations for Plant Based Dieters.

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