Best Protein Sources to Become an Optimal Human

Protein is very overlooked and in recent years has been vilified in our society. We believe the opposite. A high animal protein diet carries a lot of benefits. Most of our meat supply comes from commercial farming practices pumping animals with hormones, antibiotics and low quality foods like corn and soy (see our glyphosate discussion above). Some items to consider with your source of protein are:

Animal Protein

• Beef and Lamb – where possible look for grass fed, grass finished beef with limited antibiotics and no hormones. This is our favourite source!
• Chicken & Eggs – look for free range, organic chicken.
• Fish & Seafood – farmed seafood has been shown to be toxic and even contain colourings to make it look wild. If you eat fish always go for wild caught. Salmon is a top choice, as well as smaller fish varieties which are high in fatty acids.

Vegan Protein

• Soy protein, while not our favourite can also offer sources of protein. Higher intake levels of soy have been linked to digestive issues and hormone disruption, especially among males. Phytoestrogens are compounds that occur naturally in plants, notably soy. They have estrogen-like properties that bind to estrogen receptors in your body.
• Beans and legumes are another great source of protein and provide protein (amino acids), complex carbohydrates, fiber and minerals, and are a great inclusion a health diet. 

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and Seeds are another great source of protein and healthy fats vitamins and minerals. We recommend choosing ones which do not contain added salt or seed oils. Some of our favourites include:

• Almonds – high in vitamin E and magnesium
• Pistachios – high in antioxidants and vitamin B6
• Walnuts – high in copper and assist in heart health
• Cashews – source of vitamin K, manganese, assist in blood pressure and mood balance

There are many other choices out there. One of our least favourite would be peanuts and sesame seeds. Recent studies now suggest that protein is a crucial factor in our overall health, and when combined with exercise assist in building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Some recommendations include having approximately 1 gram of protein for every pound of ideal body weight per day. 

Careful on the Milk Alternatives

Many milk alternatives although branded as “healthy” options actually contain many additives, sugars, seed oils and other additives which make them poor choices for alternatives. Oat milk, especially non-organic oat milk is loaded with folic acid, pesticides and does not contain as much protein as other sources. We prefer grass fed cow milk and kefir for those who respond well to dairy. For those who don’t unsweetened almond or coconut milk with limited additives is a close second.