The big myth we still believe about vegetarian protein

You complete me. No Images? Click here       If anyone tries to tell you plant-based protein isn't as "complete" as protein from meat, you can tell them they're wrong.  A friend tried to convince me that eating black beans wouldn't provide me with the same nutritional value I'd get from meat, but that complementing those black beans with another type of bean would. Fueled by skepticism and curiosity, I reached out to experts and delved into research to get to the bottom of the issue.  It turns out the belief that vegan and vegetarian protein is "incomplete" has been discredited by the medical community, and studies have proven that every plant-based protein is a complete protein. In fact, it'd be almost impossible to design a vegan or vegetarian diet that provides inferior nutrients to a diet that includes meat. Read the full story below to find out what exactly a "complete" protein is, how this myth got spread in the first place, and how much protein we really need to eat every day. (It's a lot less than you'd think!) Then go share it with all your vegan and vegetarian friends. READ THE FULL STORY HERE To celebrate one of our favorite vegetarian proteins, we've also got some deliciously unconventional recipes that show you how to eat quinoa for breakfast, along with some eye-opening facts about the grain (or is it a seed?). Check it out below! XO, Kristen   Quinoa for breakfast By now, most of us know what quinoa is and that it's a complete vegetarian protein. But not many of us think to incorporate it into one of the most important meals of the day, breakfast. It's common to eat quinoa for breakfast in Peru, where quinoa grows, and it can be for you, too. Whether it's eaten as porridge, added to granola or baked into breakfast bars, there are many delicious ways to eat quinoa in the morning. We've got 25 recipes for you right here. GET THE RECIPES   Do you even grow, bro?   Quinoa doesn't just magically appear in boxes: It starts out as a gorgeous flowering plant in South America. Take a look at these beautiful photos of quinoa before it's harvested, and you'll appreciate your next grain bowl a whole lot more.   WATCH THE MAGIC HAPPEN     There's a reason quinoa tastes like dirt That off flavor you may taste in quinoa isn't actually dirt. It’s just saponin. Saponin is a naturally occurring chemical that’s found in many plant structures, coating every tiny grain of quinoa to ward off insects and birds. But it definitely tastes bitter and even soapy. Pre-rinsed quinoa helps get rid of that flavor, but not always completely. To minimize it, rinse quinoa under running water in a fine mesh sieve for at least a minute, moving the quinoa around with your fingers until the water runs clean. Then you should be in the clear.   Eat on: Healthy Peanut Butter Recipes That Satisfy Your Cravings So THAT'S Why You Should Be Eating Quinoa The Best Vegetarian One-Pot Recipes    .     No moon dust. No B.S. Just a completely essential daily guide to achieving the good life. Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Can't get enough? You'll also love: HuffPost Must Reads. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe