Reposted with permission from Yoga Girl goes Vegan
Where do you get your protein? Do you use supplements? Do you suffer any deficiencies? Do you take vitamins? These are some of the questions I am asked on a frequent basis. Let me answer: I get protein from my fruit and vegetable intake, I do not consume supplements, I am not suffering from any deficiencies and I don’t take vitamins…. I eat them. Yes, I eat my vitamins. Fruits and vegetables provide an abundance of the vitamins we need for health. For every animal based “vitamin” source, there is a natural, plant-based alternative. So here’s a jump start for you:
Vitamin A – dark green leafy vegetables (especially spinach), carrots, pumpkin, squash, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes for: immune system, bones & teeth; aids vision
Vitamin C – berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupes, peppers, lettuce, papayas, mangoes, kiwi for: bones, teeth, gums, blood vessels, antioxidants; aids iron absorption; immune system health
Vitamin D – sunshine 10-15 minutes/day calcium
Vitamin E – avocado, nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables for: cell protection, red cell growth, skin/tissue repair, hair, and antioxidants
Vitamin K – dark green leafy vegetables, cabbages for: bone formation, blood clotting and repair
The Mighty B’s
Vitamin B – bananas, seeds, deep green leafy vegetables for: energy; nerve growth; red blood cell regeneration
B1 – nuts, seeds
B2 – deep green leafy vegetables
B3 – mushrooms, asparagus, deep green leafy vegetables
B9 (Folic Acid) – deep green leafy vegetables
B12 – yes, there are Vegan sources:
green vegetables, kelp and seaweed, sprouted soybeans, sprouted seeds, root vegetables
Other Goodies
Omega 3 – flax seeds; walnuts
We’ve got your protein coming right up!!!
These examples are just the tip of iceberg, do your homework, research and put together the fruits and vegetables you like. Examine your vitamin intake.
Recognize those you are consuming. Identify what you are missing. Be adventurous. Try a new fruit or vegetable to experience a complete compliment of natural foods to facilitate all of the protein and vitamins your body needs. You don’t have to supplement vitamins or proteins…all you have to do is eat them.
Live Life. Eat Raw!
Namaste