Where Will You Get Your Protein From?!?!?!

Above is the most frantically-asked question when someone hears that you do not eat animal products. A majority of the population relates the word “protein” with “meat,” assuming that being carnivorous is the only way to get that dietary necessity. Surprising to some, plant-based nutrition actually provides your body with more protein, vitamins, and other healthy attributes than any other source!






If you are already eating a plant-based diet (vegetarian, vegan, etc…), then congrats! I personally made the
switch over a year ago (I had been vegetarian for 6 years prior) and, after about a month of cheese-withdrawal, I am happy to say I am not going back. I feel healthy and energetic, dropped a couple pounds and am happy that I am able to avoid all that toxic food!

It is not always an easy switch for some, and I like to tell people that if reading the labels/ingredients on food packaging is the only thing you get out of this, then that is a step in the right direction. I spent a lot of time reading and researching this choice, and the book that really clinched the decision for me was the second one listed below, My Beef With Meat. That is certainly not the only worthy title to invest in, so I have listed a few others that the Mercer County Library System has that, at the very least, will educate you on health and diet (even if you do not take on the healthy, humane and environmentally-friendly lifestyle!):



The End of Dieting – How to Live for Life by Joel Fuhrman











My Beef With Meat by Rip Esselstyn










Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope
Romero








Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell










Becoming Vegan: The Everyday Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition by Brenda Davis & Vesanto
Melina








Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by Brendan Brazier

These are merely a few that I am reading or have read, among many others. The Mercer County Library System also maintains a large collection of vegan and vegetarian cookbooks – some of which are completely dessert-based! Enjoy!

- John R.