There’s a protein myth that’s been floating around for over 10 years, and I feel the need to kill it dead simply because I’m sick and tired of people asking:
“Where do you get your protein?”
It all started in 1995 when this hack named Barry Sears wrote a book called The Zone that basically took the Atkins Diet (really old) and added some fancy medical language to it.
Suddenly a medical doctor was promoting meat and milk and bacon not just as good crash diet foods, but also as a part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Hey, it sounded good. I took the hook.
I bought the book. I followed his advice like the freaky compulsive that I am, and for 2.5 years, I was a meat-eating, anti-carb fanatic.
I’m not making this up.
I’m actually the only vegetarian in the world who has eaten more meat than most non-veg people will eat in an entire lifetime. I’m not proud of that, but it is what it is.
Here’s what happened:
- I lost a ton of weight.
- My breath stank.
- My muscles disintegrated.
- I had petrified stools (sorry, had to go there).
Here’s what overeating protein does: it tricks your body (chemically) so it thinks it’s starving. Then, in “starving mode,” your body literally eats itself.
Grossed out yet?
Well, here’s the real tragedy. I lost weight on The Zone because I’m compulsive about this stuff, but everyone else eating high protein gets as fat as a truck because they’re not.
They eat more meat, but they also eat more bread, pasta, rice, and processed sugar too – and they bloat up like balloons!
Don’t believe me?
Take a look at photos from the 1980s when low fat, complex carbohydrate diets were en vogue (a la Fit for Life). It’s true that around 1985 most people could use a good shower and a haircut, but for most part, they were much thinner and healthier.
Fast forward to today when everyone wants chicken everything and protein shakes for breakfast.
Have a look around! People are fatter, sicker, and sadder than ever. Hmmm… something ain’t right.
Today, I get my protein from broccoli, nuts, seeds, tofu, and spinach. I’m still really lean, and as a nice bonus, I don’t stink of putrefied animal flesh anymore, which is a big plus for my personal life.
Joking aside, mother’s milk is about 10% protein. Most fruits and vegetables are 3-50% protein. And if you’re super active or traveling a lot, I highly recommend about 16-30 grams per day of YOGA Protein.
Stay bendy,
Lucas
