How to Be a Conscious Eater

higher rates of cancer later in life. This could be because eating

a lot of protein often means eating a lot of meat (at least in the

United States), and as we’ll explore later, there’s a link between

certain types of meat and cancer risk. It could also be because

protein is known for accelerating the replication of cells, some-

thing you want only if you’re a growing teenager, say, or an

elite athlete trying to build muscle.

WE THINK OF PROTEIN AS SYNONYMOUS WITH MEAT.

We all need protein, because it offers amino acids that are the

very building blocks of life. It provides our bodies with tissues,

skin, bones, and yes, as protein shake lovers know, muscle

muscle muscle. Although a steak or chicken sandwich or meal

replacement bar might feel like the fastest way to hit your pro-

tein count for the day, remember that you don’t have to get it

all in one sitting; foods’ contributions add up throughout the

day. Even on a vegan diet, people can easily get 60 to 80 grams

of protein throughout the day from foods like beans, nuts, veg-

etables, and whole grains.

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