It is a myth that only food products from animals and animal sources provide protein. A balanced vegetarian diet is more than capable of supplying a typical human with all essential proteins and nutrients provided that they are processed and consumed in proper combinations.
Stone-age humans are the ones believed to have incorporated eggs, honey, fruits and other readily available food sources into their diets on a regular basis. The skills needed for tool making, which in turn was essential for hunting and agriculture, was not developed yet.
Obviously humans would have seen other species eating meat, vegetation, grains, etc. Learning by mimicking, humans must have tasted them all. Choosing and discarding based on the effects each had on their constitution. Each generation responsible for evolving the diet based on climate, season, soil, water and other resources at their disposal.
Foraging and farming are but natural progressions of human evolution. There is little doubt that it is convenient and healthy to be a vegetarian. However, with vegetarians, the biggest concern is finding reliable sources of protein. Meat and fish are easy and abundant sources of protein as well as other nutrients like iron.
Milk has whey and casein which are also a good source of protein. Grains and legumes or for that matter vegetables and nuts are not wholesome sources of protein as they lack many amino acids which are the building blocks of our body. It is said that 20 types of amino acids combine to form protein in human body.
Rice, wheat, corn all provide 8 out of 9 essential amino acids (protein). However all three grains lack lysine. Lentils and legumes are a dependable source of lysine. Therefore the dal-chawal that is best known as the common Indian meal has associated health benefits as well. A combination of 20 percent lentils and 80 percent rice has all the essential amino acids. A complete and wholesome source of proteins for vegetarians.
Dal chawal is a safe bet but endeavour to discover what works best for you. Stick with your traditional eating habits and do not make any sudden changes.
