# Eliminating animal protein **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426 "2019-04-12T02:11:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/1 "2019-04-12T02:11:05Z")
Since I have Stage 3 kidney disease, my nephrologist told me to cut way down, or eliminate, animal protein (among other things). I understand this includes all animal flesh, but does it include other animal products like eggs, dairy and gelatin? ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/2 "2019-04-12T02:15:34Z")
not meant as snark but why not ask him? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/3 "2019-04-12T02:40:26Z")
I didn’t think to ask him when I saw him… and now he’s out of town. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/4 "2019-04-12T02:44:35Z")
When my dad was in kidney failure, he got the same advice from his doctor & the doc explained that animal protein included animal flesh, eggs, & dairy. Not sure about gelatin though. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/5 "2019-04-12T02:46:42Z")
Gelatin is animal protein too. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/6 "2019-04-12T02:48:11Z")
Same as vegan. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/7 "2019-04-12T02:51:51Z")
Do you have access to a registered dietician? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/8 "2019-04-12T12:24:42Z")
In addition to going vegan, I also have to cut way back on sodium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C. I’ve been eating more protein and fewer carbs, both in order to lose weight and to treat my diabetes. I’m gonna have to rethink this. And yes, I’ll look into seeing a dietician. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/9 "2019-04-12T17:28:37Z")
Vegan/plant-based diets are easier than ever with lots of new products and options available. [Vegan Starter Kit](https://www.internationalvegan.org/vsk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFreM6H-P81Q7xI0A_Ogbq7eTKLuCs9j4XR_uea-Z8T72CD8CafYuakaAq2KEALw_wcB) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/10 "2019-04-12T19:49:11Z")
Plan on eating a ton of beans. My wife and I have been working on reducing animal protein and refined grains. We have found beans to be the most satisfying/filling food category. Tons of different beans, can be cooked/seasoned tons of different ways. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/11 "2019-04-13T00:55:21Z")
Try the [Impossible Burger](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/impossible-burger-2-review-vegan-burger) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/12 "2019-04-13T06:49:29Z")
Both the impossible burger and beyond burger are really good. Jus’ sayin Tofu. Go to a really Chinese, Japanese or Korean store/restaurant where they know how to make and serve about 20 different kinds of tofu. There are other pretty good substitutes these days for chicken and other items. Whole grains can have decent protein. Check Dave’s Killer Bread or a really nice dark rye bread. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/13 "2019-04-13T12:40:53Z")
I’m replacing some of the animal protein in my diet with hemp protein. I make a low carbohydrate waffle mix that I used to use whey protein in that I recently substituted hemp protein for. The hemp has all nine essential amino acids, but is very low in a couple, so is not really a complete protein. I still get half my protein from animal sources, split up 50/50 between marine/land based. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/14 "2019-04-13T13:13:42Z")
The impossible burger sounds good… except that it’s only 3 ounces, and contains way too much sodium, not counting whatever it comes with. Probably potassium too. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/15 "2019-04-13T13:20:33Z")
I know a vegan who swears by peanut butter for her protein. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/16 "2019-04-13T14:34:21Z")
Not sure if you like to cook, **panache45** , but I came across this online cookbook for kidney patients: [https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/docs/kidney\_cookbook\_lr.pdf](https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/docs/kidney_cookbook_lr.pdf) Given that you are stage 3, you could sub all meat with tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, or any of the meat substitutes that are available. There is a product called Quorn (available in your grocer’s freezer section) that tastes exactly like chicken. If you aren’t a cook, take up cooking so that you’ll know exactly what you are eating. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/17 "2019-04-13T16:09:01Z")
You can get a lot of mileage out of seitan, Quorn, and tempeh. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/18 "2019-04-13T16:17:25Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Not sure if you like to cook, **panache45** , but I came across this online cookbook for kidney patients: [https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/docs/kidney\_cookbook\_lr.pdf](https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/docs/kidney_cookbook_lr.pdf) > > Given that you are stage 3, you could sub all meat with tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, or any of the meat substitutes that are available. There is a product called Quorn (available in your grocer’s freezer section) that tastes exactly like chicken. > > If you aren’t a cook, take up cooking so that you’ll know exactly what you are eating. Jackfruit is a negligible source of protein, though. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/19 "2019-04-13T17:10:20Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Jackfruit is a negligible source of protein, though. Yes and I just looked up the nutritional content of jackfruit & it is high in potassium, so probably should be avoided by the OP. Thanks (I had vegan on the brain when I typed that). And the kidney failure diet seems very contradictory to what I’ve always considered ‘healthy’. Check out these foods to avoid: > **[17 Foods to Avoid If You Have Kidney Disease](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-kidney-disease#section19)** > > If you have kidney disease, reducing your potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake can help manage it. Here are 17 foods to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426/20 "2019-04-13T18:58:53Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I know a vegan who swears by peanut butter for her protein. My wife makes a wonderful “ground-nut stew”. It is best with fresh ground peanuts with no sugar or salt added. Can someone explain how animal protein differs from any other. A protein is just a polymer of amino acids and the digestion process breaks it into the constituent acids. Then the body (specifically, the ribosomes) build the proteins the body needs. Since we are animals, I assume that the proteins from animal sources are a better match to the amino acids we need than plant proteins, assuming they are actually different. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-animal-protein/832426.md?page=2)