Protein is hot, hot, hot. It’s the nutrient many of us might think we need more of—even though we probably don’t. Almost 66% of Americans report they’re trying to get more protein in their diet, according to anInternational Food Information Councilsurvey.
And while protein is important—our body uses it tobuild muscle and make hormonesamongst other key functions—more protein doesn’t mean your diet is healthier. There are a lot of myths out there around protein and the best ways to consume it. Here, we sort it all out for you and decipher fact from fiction.
The Best and Worst Protein Sources to Eat for Your Health, According to Dietitians
1. “Complete proteins” are best.
That’s a myth.Proteins are made up of amino acids—20 of them total, each with specific, important functions. Some (called nonessential amino acids) your body can make on its own, but there are nine essential amino acids that it can’t—and these must be consumed through your diet. Complete proteins are foods that contain all nine of those essential amino acids, including animal proteins, like fish, poultry, eggs and dairy—although there are some vegetarian sources, including soy, quinoa and chia seeds, that do too. For a long time, most plant proteins were considered inferior because they weren’t “complete.” “But now we know that as long as you eat a varied diet, it doesn’t really matter,” says Isabel Maples, M.Ed., R.D.N., a spokesperson for theAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Your body will join essential amino acids from one meal with those from another to get the amount it needs.”
2. Animal protein is easier to digest than foods like beans. Plus, beans contain harmful lectins.
Yes and no.Your body does break down and use the amino acids from animal proteins more readily than those from plant sources. But that doesn’t necessarily make them better. Beans have other things going for them, like fiber, potassium and magnesium—all nutrients Americans don’t get enough of. You can also relax about the whole lectin thing. Here’s the deal: Lectins are a specific group of proteins found in a slew of foods, but beans and other legumes happen to have higher amounts of them. They can potentially interfere with carb digestion, causing gastrointestinal issues, and promote inflammation in the body—thus all the internet hullabaloo about these so-called “anti-nutrients.” But lectins are only problematic when beans are eaten raw or under cooked, and even then the science is iffy, says Maples. (Plus, when was the last time you ate a pile of uncooked lentils or black beans? Exactly.) And more recent research suggests lectins may actually be beneficial—feeding your good gut bacteria and fending off harmful bacteria and viruses.
3. It’s tough to get enough B12 and iron if all of your protein comes from plants.
4. Processed meat is as bad as smoking cigarettes.
5. Plant-based sources of protein are healthier than animal sources.
This one’s sort of true—but stay with us for a minute here. “If you look at observational studies, people who eat more animal protein tend to have a higher risk for some diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, stroke and heart disease, and those who eat moreplant proteinhave lower odds,” says Mozaffarian. “But all of those studies conclude that the difference is very likely due to the other good-for-you compounds in plants, rather than animal sources being bad for you—with the exception of processed meats.” In other words, it doesn’t have to do with the protein. Amino acids are amino acids, whether you get them in chicken or lentil form. The edge that veg sources have appears to be due to things like antioxidants and fiber that animal sources lack. So a balance of both types is fine.
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