Dan Abel > wrote:
>> > Dried beans, corn, rice and potatoes all contain
>> > significant amounts of protein.
>>
>> Partial proteins at best. Potato is starch, rice is a simple
>> carbohydrate, corn is starch and beans are simple carbohydrates that,
>> combined with another SCH can provide a complete protein.
>
> The nutritional database that I usually search is not available. However,
> all of the above sources provide enough protein for human needs. We don't
> need that much protein, in comparison to our need for calories to fuel the
> body. For instance, if you get 10% of your RDA for calories from
> potatoes, you will also get 10% of your RDA for protein. I don't know the
> numbers for the other foods, but I believe that they are comparable, or
> higher.

There's quite a difference between the calories you get from starches
and the proteins you take in. Your body can't easily convert the
calories themselves. If you ate a diet containing strictly vegetables
such as rice, protatoes and corn, you would be severely malnourished.
You need to take in at *least* a complimentary carbohydrate such as
beans, legumes, etc. to give you body the *complete* protein that it
needs. Yes, potatoes and the like give you some protein, but they're
*incomplete* proteins. Your body can't work solely with just those.

> What is an SCH?

Simple carbohydrate.

>> > As long as you eat a variety of plant
>> > protein, you will be OK. If you also eat dairy and eggs, it will be even
>> > easier to get the correct quality of protein.
>>
>> Eggs would be considered a meat source.
>
> We're talking about vegetarians vs non-vegetarians. Some vegetarians eat eggs.

I know a few vegetarians who eat fish. But, when I think vegetarian, I
think of my friends who basically stick with the philosophy of "if it
has a birthday or a mother, it's not to be eaten".

> I'm not advocating that anyone become a vegetarian. I'm not and I don't
> want to be. My daughter and sister are vegetarians, and because they eat
> eggs and dairy, they don't need to worry about protein. However, a
> vegetarian who eats no eggs or dairy, but eats a variety of plant based
> foods high in protein, will not have a protein problem either.

Absolutely. We're in complete agreement.

--
Darryl L. Pierce >
Visit the Infobahn Offramp - <http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/c/mcpierce>
"What do you care what other people think, Mr. Feynman?"