[quote]Angelbutt wrote:
There are not any studies showing the effects of very high protein diets in the long run because the high-protein craze is relatively new. Unanswered questions about its safety still exist. It’s not a matter of paranoia. It’s a matter of prudence.[/quote]
Sure, there are studies. If you’ve read/listened to John Berardi and Lonnie Lowery speak about protein, you’d see that there are studies and research that support higher protein intakes. There have been no health risks for healthy adults not suffering from any other problems (kidney issues for example). Many of the studies showing negative effects of increased protein intake were done on these types of individuals. Remember, with research, you can prove things one way or the other.
So who’s right? I think we’ve seen the positive affects of a higher protein intake (and even steroids) on very sick people dealing with cancer, AIDS and other diseases. Further, there are plenty of bodybuilders that consume HUGE amounts of protein (2-4 grams per pound of bodyweight), and they have not had any negative effects. Same goes for athletes and many of us on T-Nation.
So, do we need to establish a guideline on what is considered high? I would think that the current recommendations (for athletes, bodybuilders and those who enjoy working out, training, etc.), of 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight is not only reasonable, effective and successful, but also completely safe and healthy.
As for Stacey’s original question, she was talking about the variety of foods that contain protein. She finds it hard to eat the same sources every single day. I, on the other hand, have no problem eating cottage cheese every day, or a protein shake every day, or eggs every day, or meat every day.
But she was exploring other potential options of what contains enough protein to help meet her needs each day while keeping variety.
As has been addressed before, muscle tissue (meat) contains protein. So that leaves her with a variety of choices within the following: beef, chicken, pork or fish (and the categories within them - BEEF could also be from Bison, ostrich, etc.). In addition to meat, she has eggs, cottage cheese (other dairy isn’t as high in protein), protein powders and other things lower on the protein scale (nuts, beans, vegetable protein, grains, etc.).
So, yes, Stacey, you will be forced to consume many of the same foods on a daily basis to get your protein intake. However, by cooking the same types of meat with different seasonings/ingredients and mixing up your veggies and other food sources, you add variety to your diet.
But in the end, you’ll always be eating a meat product, egg, dairy product or protein powder to meet your needs.
Good thing we have Precision Nutrition to follow and use a variety of recipes to make those same old foods taste a little different each day. 
[quote]Stace22 wrote:
I don’t know about you, but there is no financial price on my health. I find it quite feasible within my current budget to base my diet strongly on lean meats an a lot of veggies… [/quote]
Agreed. Yes, it costs more to consume more fruits, veggies and lean meats than it does to get stuff that is easily and readily available at lower prices but not as healthy in the long run.
[quote]Angelbutt wrote:
My point didn’t pertain to mere convenience. Although I mentioned financial feasibility, the core of the impracticality of replacing all grains with fruits and vegetables is a physiological burden.[/quote]
I agree and disagree. Yes, it’s harder to eat 3 cups of broccoli than it is to eat a cup of oatmeal. However, I think we’re also talking about making the right choices too. Sure, oatmeal is a great choice. But how many “average” americans eat oatmeal (and not the pre-sweetened stuff)? My guess? Not many. If people even eat breakfast, they have milk, cereal and juice, or fast food, or just a cup of coffee, or some doughnuts, or a bagel, or some cold pizza leftovers. The lucky few (and those of us on T-Nation) will actually make a nutritious breakfast consisting of eggs or eggs and whole wheat toast, or fruit and cottage cheese, or oatmeal and fruit with some protein powder or something along those lines.
Does it take more fruits and veggies to add up to the total amount that could be replaced with grains? Sure. Does it cost more money? Yes. Is it feasible? Yes. Do you have to totally eliminate bread, pasta and rice. No.
Remember, Berardi has talked about how he gets people to lose weight by increasing their total intake! He replaces a lot of the shit they are eating with lean meats and fruits/veggies with every meal. People that were only eating 2,000 calories a day are now making better progress on 3,000 calories a day! So yes, it is feasible. It may not be easy. It may not be cheap. But it can be done and offers many health benefits.
Also, Berardi doesn’t recommend eliminating bread, pasta and rice completely! He utilizes meals like that as Post-workout meals so the body can better use those carbs. Otherwise, all the meals have healthy fats, protein and carbs from fruits/veggies.
[quote]Angelbutt wrote:
Another point I’d like to address:
This government conspiracy idea has got to be analyzed and toned down. Yeah, the government is not perfect, and its alliances to businesses are startling.[/quote]
True.
[quote]Angelbutt wrote:
However, if you really investigate the government’s position on the American diet, you will realize that they are indeed concerned. At the rate this country is going, America will not be able to pay for the medical expenses of obesity and malnutrition. This is a real problem that has been publcly admitted and addressed by government officials. Even if the concern is still centered around money, the concern is there.[/quote]
Also true. But if they had taken more concern at the beginning of the century and industrial revolution, then these problems could have been stopped long ago. More manufacturing caused more people to stop working manual jobs and also increased production of man-made foods and many more grains, corn products and high fructose corn syrup.
[quote]Angelbutt wrote:
Also, if you look at other food guides from countries around the world, you will see that grains still comprise the largest portion. Germany, Mexico, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, and Greece, all emphasize the importance of whole grains in the diet. The emphasis on grains is not an American bias. [/quote]
There’s nothing wrong with that in most cases. However, these countries are also much healthier and have lower obesity rates. Why is that? Probably because they know the importance of fruits/veggies, lean protein, healthy fats and avoiding all the sugar/man-made crap. Also, many of them adopt eating habits similar to many of us. They eat more than three meals a day, they eat bigger meals earlier in the day, they are more active, and they don’t have access/money to some of the “creature comforts” we may have that make us lazy.
Just some food for thought.