Emma Thackery > wrote:

> Julia Altshuler > wrote:

>> When Lappe came out with _Diet For A Small Planet_, she made it sound
>> like exact protein combining was necessary or deficiencies would result.
>> In later editions of the book, she updated her information. If you're
>> getting rice and beans over the course of a week, you're getting
>> complementary proteins. They don't have to be eaten at the same meal.

>I'm so glad you covered this because most of the (casual) things I've
>read lately say that the combo directive is a total myth based on no
>fact whatsoever.

It is by no means a myth that you need a sufficient intake of
essential amino acids to avoid diseases like pellagra.

>The general impression I get from my informal readings
>is that as long as otherwise healthy people eat a very diverse diet
>(whether vegetarian or not), we won't have much to worry about.

Yes, but this is true because a diverse vegetarian diet has the
effect of combining various protein sources into complete protein.

Steve