Quote:
|
Finally, what makes you believe that eating meat is the best way to build lean muscle mass? This doesn't mesh with what I've read.
|
Because of calories. 1 serving of prepared beans is 110 calories and has 8 grams of protein. 1 serving of light tuna is about 60 calories and has 13 grams of protein. An egg has about 7 grams of protein at about 70 calories. Take Cashews as another example; 160 calories and only 5 grams of protein.
Further, as you point out, non-animal sources of protein are incomplete unless coupled with grains. Grains are deceptivelly high in calories; a single slice of whole wheat bread is roughly 100 calories (and contain about 4 grams of protein).
So, you could have: 1 slice of whole wheat bread & one serving of beans, and get 12 grams of protein and 210 calories. Or you can have 1 serving of light tuna, get 13 grams of protein, for 60 calories.
This is why meat is superior for building lean muscle; you can get large amounts of protein while still operating at a caloric deficit. So you can both build muscle and loose weight simultaneously; this is one of the reasons why Keto diets are so effective at rapid weight loss.
I'm familiar with the arguments; regarding the link to cancer, let's say there was a huge increase in potential for colon cancer, like a 200% increase. Does that make it a significant health risk? No, because the chance for colon cancer is still extremely low. The two biggest factors for determining health are body weight and activity level; paying attention to the latest single study that show Food X has an effect on Cancer Y or how Food G has ____ effect on metabolism....
Regarding eggs & the link between dietary cholesterol and heart disease; this is controversial. As the page you linked to so noted, studies on low-carb diets have produced mixed results, including in regards to heart disease.