The amount of protein needed in our diet has been highly over-rated. The average American eats about 100 grams of animal protein a day. No more than 60 grams of quality protein is needed for most normal activity.

Animal protein is highly acidic. This acidity is a major source of our current health problems. In fact, medical researchers have seen a link between over consumption of animal protein and degenerative conditions such as heart disease, intestinal disorders and cancer, as well as osteoporosis.

The vegetable kingdom provides the best source of protein without the saturated fat. Generally, legumes contain the same amount of protein as a comparable amount of meat, poultry and dairy. Soy products such as tofu, miso, and tempeh contain 1 1/2 times more protein than meat and 3 times more than eggs. As a cautionary note, eating too much tofu is mucus forming and can be weakening.

Grains also contain about half the amount of protein as most meat, while quinoa and amaranth are about equal to meat.

Seeds and nuts are also a valuable source of concentrated protein. However, they contain a high fat content and should be eaten in smaller quantities.

Sea vegetables not only provide a quality source of protein, they contain more essential minerals than any other single food.

Wild caught seafood, goat's milk and its by-products, and free-range poultry are the best source of animal protein.

Incidentally, plant foods take 2 to 2 1/2 hours to digest. Meat can take from 4 hours to days and, for some, even longer to digest. During this time, it continues to putrefy in the digestive tract producing toxins. The elimination of these toxins becomes immediately apparent through strong body odor. It is a constipated world.