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Heres the question every vegetarian and vegan dreads the most: How do you get enoughprotein?

(The runner-up: Dont you miss bacon?)

She is dedicated to filling the scientific and nutritional gap between natures raw materials and edible consumer goods.

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founder and director of Real Nutrition

Its an annoying yet well-intentioned question.

What do you do if you dont eat those foods?

Well, you might tell your mom/co-worker/random IG follower to calm down with that concern.

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

It is completely possiblenay, easytoget enough proteinon a plant-based diet.

Meat is not the protein end-all, be-all, people!

However, there is a slight catch that plant-based eaters need to know.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

There are complete proteins, incomplete proteins, essential amino acids… its kind of complicated.

And not knowing the difference does matter, especially when you dont eat animal-based foods.

What is a complete protein?

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

founder and director of Real Nutrition

First, a nutrition science refresher.

The human body is able to produce 11 out of the 20 amino acids on its own.

But the other nine must be obtained from daily food sources, she says.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

Those exclusive nine are considered essential amino acids because your body needs them to function properly.

An incomplete protein, as youve likely deduced, doesnt contain all nine essential amino acids.

This is where things get tricky for plant-based eaters.

red pigment in a wooden spoon

(Which is good, because theres only so much chia pudding a person can eat.)

However, you do need to see to it you eat complementary foods every day.

Each day is an amino acid blank slate, so to speak.

This is true for everyone, BTW, not just vegans and vegetarians.

And also to live your healthiest plant-based life, of course.

Originally published on January 28, 2019 with additional reporting by Betty Gold.

More of a carb-leaning vegetarian?Try this sweet potato chili recipe right now.

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