We’ve all been brought up to believe that the main portion of our plates should be protein and that starch and vegetables should be the side portions. We’ve also been told that we don’t eat enough vegetables and that we need to take a multivitamin to make up for the absence of vitamins and minerals.

Did you ever wonder why? Probably not because it’s just how things were (and still are) done, and why would we question something that’s been ingrained in our minds since childhood? The truth is, however, that the average American consumes 1.5-2 times the recommended daily intake of protein.

Read this article to learn more about the detrimental effects of consuming too much protein has on our bodies, especially from animal sources.  Animal protein can quickly age us due to it’s acidic nature and how we metabolize it. In addition, a high-protein diet can contribute to constipation, headaches, osteoporosis, heart arrhythmias and more.

So why not consume a little less protein and more vegetables? Veggies are more beautifying and nourishing for our bodies, and eating them in abundance  will provide us with much needed nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber, and protein (yep, I said protein).

I challenge you to make vegetables your main dish and have protein or starch as the side dish.

Have a big dark leafy green salad or a bunch of lightly cooked veggies and reap the benefits. Eating more vegetables will improve your water, nutrient, and fiber intake, which means you’ll feel fuller faster.

Are you up for the challenge?

Photo Credit: Kimberly Snyder