Vegetarian Times Spreads Protein Misinformation

An Update on "Plants are Complete Protein"

Thank you for sharing my concern that influential people are spreading misinformation about the nutritional value of plant foods.  In summary, the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association has taken the scientifically unsupportable position that plant foods are deficient in amino acids and therefore must be classified as incomplete proteins.  I have tried to correct their error. You can read all about this in the August 2002 McDougall Newsletter at www.drmcdougall.com.  So far, even after my letters and yours, they have failed to make any correction or further comment.

By coincidence, the September 2002 issue of the magazine Vegetarian Times has taken a similar position with an article from the monthly feature "goingveg," called "Amazing Aminos," by Susan Belsinger.  She says, "Incomplete proteins, which contain some but not all of the EAAs (essential amino acids), can be found in beans, legumes, grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables—from the good stuff vegetarians love.  But because these foods do not contain all of the EAAs, vegetarians have to be smart about what they eat, consuming a combination of foods from the different food groups. This is called 'food combining."

I have contacted the editor, Laurel Lund, and asked her to review the scientific issues around their incorrect statements and get back to me.  So far I have not heard of any plans from the people ofVegetarian Times to correct this very serious error in basic science that undermines the vegetarian movement – surprising!

I will keep you posted.