All proteins come from plants. Animals are just the intermediary.
Plants are the original source of protein for all animals. Animals eat plants, convert them to protein in their bodies, and humans eat farmed animals to transfer that protein in their own bodies. Getting your protein directly from plants cuts out the middle-man.
Your body makes protein from amino acids. Plants contain all the essential amino acids for a healthy body. They contain these amino acids in various levels. If you eat a balanced vegan diet (veggies, grains, legumes, etc.), you get all the proteins your body needs in a single day. [Advances in Clinical Chemistry] And some plants contain all the essential amino acids within them, like soy, buckwheat, quinoa, making them sources for complete proteins.
Not only do vegans get enough protein, but athletes on a whole foods vegan diet have shown to outperform their peers who are on an omnivore diet, with quicker recovery times and setting new personal records of achievements. See the Community page for some recognizable athletes, or the documentary The Game Changers for a more detailed look.
If looked under a microscope, blood plasma is clean and transparent when you have plant based meals even if it has plant-based fats like avocado. Blood plasma is cloudy after a meal with meat. In fact, studies have found that vegans have higher blood levels of protein than omnivores, possibly because animal protein causes more inflammation. See video for more.
Dr. Neal Barnard clears up common myths about plant-based diets, including concerns about protein, calcium, and supplements.
