| In a conventional diet protein is obtained from | | | | burgers, sausages and other ready prepared |
| meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products such as | | | | products that offer the busy vegetarian a |
| cheese. These all contain complete proteins that | | | | convenience food. |
| contain all the essential amino acids that are | | | | Soya milk can be found in most chiller cabinets |
| needed for the human body. A vegetarian diet | | | | next to the cows' milk. You will also find soya |
| must derive protein from other sources. | | | | yoghurts and soya cheeses. A more traditional |
| Protein is found in many vegetable sources. Some | | | | soya product is tofu which has long been used in |
| of these vegetable proteins are complete in that | | | | Chinese cooking. |
| they contain all the essential amino acids just like | | | | Another meat substitute is mycoprotein which is |
| animal protein. Others are incomplete and must be | | | | made from a variety of fungus. Like soya protein |
| combined together to produce a complete protein | | | | it is sold in various forms that can be used in a |
| that the body can use. | | | | range of recipes. You will also find it in ready |
| Most plant foods contain some protein. A | | | | made products often sold under the brand name |
| vegetarian who eats a wide variety of foods will | | | | "Quorn." |
| consume sufficient protein in the course of day. | | | | Beans, peas and lentils, known collectively as |
| Nuts and seeds are an under appreciated source | | | | pulse, make up one of the major sources of |
| of protein. They can be added to a wide range of | | | | protein for a vegetarian. They are incomplete |
| sweet and savoury vegetarian dishes. | | | | proteins and must be combined with other |
| Soya beans are source of complete protein and | | | | incomplete proteins, such as grains, or complete |
| for that reason soya products are an important | | | | proteins, such as eggs or milk, to make a |
| part of a vegetarian diet. Commercially | | | | complete protein food. Usually this is done in one |
| manufactured soya based meat substitutes are | | | | dish such as beans and rice or beans on toast, |
| now widely available in supermarkets. They come | | | | but this is not always necessary as the body can |
| in variety of forms and are often made into pies, | | | | store protein and combine it later. |