Relying too heavily on animal-based proteins can make you fat, a new study finds. Fortunately, vegetarian sources are easy to come by.By Emily Main, Rodale.com We all need protein to survive. But theres a common misconception that we need all our protein from meat, milk, and other animal-based sources. Past studies have shown that relying too heavily on red meat as a source of protein can impair your vision and shorten your lifespan, and new research published this week out of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland has found that it can also increase your risk of colon diseases.According to a different study, also published this week, choosing vegetarian sources of protein can help you lose weight. Belgian researchers studied the diets of just over 3,000 adults and found that men and women who ate more plant proteins had lower BMIs and smaller waist circumferences.Adults need about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, and its pretty easy to get your protein requirements from the following plant sources:
