Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine

Weight for weight, our ordinary dry beans, peas, and lentils contain about the same percentage of protein as does fresh meat (or about twice as much as do grains); peanuts and peanut butter contain rather more; and soybean flour contains much more.

Peas, beans (including soybean flour), and peanuts (including peanut butter) are outstanding economical foods in view of their nutritive values, while the tree nuts, though not quite so cheap, are of such high nutritive value as to make them economical as well as attractive and convenient foods. While they are treated by many people as "extra" foods, they are fully comparable weight for weight with meat and eggs.

The most economical source of protein is from legumes, whole grain products, and potatoes. Nuts and seeds are also economical, as only small quantities are used at a meal.‍

COMPARISONS: For a mere fraction of the cost of a sirloin steak, the housewife can give her family the same amount of protein plus essential trace elements, vitamins, and minerals not found in meat.‍

ADVANTAGES OF NON-ANIMAL PROTEIN:

‍No cholesterol

No infectious diseases