{"id":1541,"date":"2017-11-28T10:39:12","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T16:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biculturalhealth.apacommnet.org\/?p=1541"},"modified":"2017-11-28T10:39:12","modified_gmt":"2017-11-28T16:39:12","slug":"sources-of-protein-that-arent-meat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biculturalhealth.apacommnet.org\/?p=1541","title":{"rendered":"Sources of Protein That Aren\u2019t Meat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Rachel Reiff Ellis<\/p>\n

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As we age, protein is important for keeping up muscle mass to stay active, avoid injury, and support a healthy immune system.<\/p>\n

Choosing non-meat proteins<\/a> in later years can be a good idea for more than just health or ethical reasons. \u201cMany non-meat protein sources are lower in cost, and if you\u2019re on a fixed income, then watching the food budget can be helpful,\u201d says Angela Catic, MD, an assistant professor of internal medicine, section of geriatrics, at Baylor College of Medicine.<\/p>\n

Dental issues like missing teeth and dentures can come into play, too — making a piece of steak or hamburger hard to chew. But there are plenty of ways to get protein besides meat. You just have to know what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Proteins That Pack a Punch<\/h3>\n

Meatless protein sources that will give you the biggest bang for your buck are called \u201ccomplete\u201d proteins.<\/p>\n

\u201cComplete proteins have the essential amino acids, or building blocks, that the body requires, in adequate amounts,\u201d says Lauri Wright, PhD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North Florida.<\/p>\n

Meats are complete proteins, but many plant-based proteins aren\u2019t. It\u2019s good to know the difference and reach for complete proteins when you can. Some non-meat complete proteins are:<\/p>\n