It’s common for people to worry or at least wonder about getting enough protein. This is especially true when considering or hearing about individuals who live on uncooked foods derived from plant life.

I believe that "how am I going to get enough protein?" is not the correct question. The correct question is: "how am I going to get enough amino acids?"

On this topic, I’ve read lots and lots of resources, and have some favorite sources that I trust more than others. I have some expertise, but don’t consider myself an expert. Keep in mind that not all the "experts" agree on the subject of protein. Here is my synthesis which forms the basis for my own food choices.

Amino Acids

Many, many, many raw plant foods contain protein; and, as I said, it’s more helpful to think in terms of amino acids, which both comprise and form protein. As human eaters, we need the building blocks that create the protein in our own body, and those building blocks are amino acids.

There are 20 amino acids, of which 8 are called "essential." Calling them "essential" without qualification is confusing, as it implies that the other 12 are not essential. Just think of that as meaning "essential to get from food sources because the body cannot manufacture these amino acids inside the body." The body needs all of these amino acids, but can manufacture those that are not essential if provided the proper nutrition.

The term "complete protein" has come to mean that a food contains all the essential amino acids. But it’s also important to understand that — and let’s be in awe of the fact that — the body can take some amino acids from some sources and other amino acids from other sources at another time and through its wisdom make the protein the body needs.

Incidentally, enzymes (which are best thought of as catalytic) are also proteins. I will put together an article on enzymes in the near future. When I first understood the value of enzymes, it was like putting together the final puzzle piece in what was a mystery of proper physical health through foods.

Plant Protein Sources

Understanding the relationship of amino acids to protein makes it easier to embrace the importance of choosing a WIDE VARIETY of plant foods. In other words, you don’t need to sit at a calculator to figure anything out if you’re getting enough protein as long as you’re choosing from a wide variety. In making your choices, keep in mind:

PopEye knew. The best source of protein for human food is (… Drum Roll …) green leafy vegetables, the darker the better.

Goji berries contain all 8 essential amino acids plus some others. The added value of high amounts of Vitamin C, extensive shelf life, and portability (try putting kale in your purse and see how long that lasts!), these are orange gems.

The various super greens like chlorella, blue-green algae, Spirulina and some prepared green powers are concentrated sources of protein.

Hemp nut seeds and Flax seeds are both complete proteins and have the added value of fat sources that are healthy. More in future articles on these two favorites.

Sprouts of all types provide a variety of amino acids. I’ll be writing must more about sprouts and the process of sprouting seeds in future articles.

Bee pollen is a complete food, one of the food sources on which a person could sustain life without other foods. I find the flavor somewhat unappealing. Some people are allergic, so starting with small amounts is very smart.

Everyone Has an Opinion

Several years ago I attended a Vegetarian dining club in Santa Monica. Many are vegan who base their meals on grains and shun animal products, but seem to know very little about nutrition. The program that evening was on raw foods. The facilitator, in an effort to get audience participation, asked the group’s opinion on how raw foodists get their protein. He even offered a prize for the correct answer. Of course, most said "nuts." And he awarded the prize to the one who said it first.

While it’s the prevailing opinion, it’s not based on fact. It’s my understanding that almonds are the only "complete" protein among the nuts. In other words, they have all 8 of the essential amino acids and some of the other amino acids. However, if you adopt the model that the body requires a combination of three elements protein, fat, and carbohydrate (each body with a different ratio), nuts are not even classified as protein, but as fat.

I know that I have only touched the surface, but I want to get started on this important topic of nutrition of foods. Please add your comments or questions by clicking on the comment link just below.

In this blog, by "superfood," I mean a food that’s jam-packed with nutrients that the body can use. To me, a superfood is organic (preferably certified organic, but definitely free from pesticides), whole, raw, living, and with a wide variety of nutrients. They build the immune system and strengthen the body.

Goji Berries

I’ve sifted through a lot of the literature on Goji Berries over the last 10 years. I was first introduced to them by Ron Teeguarden, a Caucasian herbalist specializing in Chinese herbs and philosophy, when I took a course from him. He identified them as Lycium berries, from the Latin botanical name.

The berries that Ron imports (or at least did when he taught this class) are from Tibet. They contain more vitamin C than any other food known and other vitamins that make them a powerful antioxidant. The 18 amino acids and other nutrients put this little orange goody into a class by itself.

They grow wild in Tibet, in an area where pesticides are not used, nor is the designation "certified organic." They are naturally "dried" by the sun and harvested by shaking the bushes (so they are untouched). Many Asians attribute their beauty, strength, and longevity to Goji berries.

In Ron Teeguarden’s book, "The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs," (and also re-told by Dr. Earl Mindell in "Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret"), is the story of Li Qain Yuen who is documented to have lived 252 years. His main food was the Goji berry. Goji berries are also used by the long-lived Hunza people throughout the Himalayas. And they are revered by Chinese women in China.

Some products called Goji berries may or may not be, and their place of origin does determine the nutrient density. Look in credible supply places and for words like "wild crafted," "organic," or "certified organic." Except for "certified organic," these are loose terms, but at least give you an indication. I was first introduced to the Tibetian Goji berries, so I’ve learned more about them. However, places in China also produce goji berries with equivalent nutrients.

For Purchase and Further Reading

Dragon Herbs Goji berries (Ron Teeguarden’s Place)

SunFood (David Wolfe’s Place)
(My recommendation and where I purchase most)

Eat Raw (I’ve purchased here as well)

Kitchen Doctor
I’ve not purchased them here, but it has a nice synopsis and some recipe ideas.

Goji berries tend to appear pricey on the retail market. They are surely worth it, though, as a few are jam-packed with bioavailable nutrition. Be wise in your purchase. Trust your source. As with many items, especially purchased on the Internet, you can get a look-alike. Wolfberries are generally inferior (although not always), are often sold in Chinatown shops in the US, and can even be chemically treated and colored. You do not want these!

A Secret of the Goji

So here’s a secret, shhhhh. Most of the long-lived persons drink the soak water of the goji berries. They also eat the berries, but the soak water is treasured even more. The soak water is more alkaline; the berries are more acidic.

It takes several hours for the nutrients to be drawn into the soak water. Goji berries soaked in water overnight give your morning a healthy start. You can also put them in a water bottle that you carry with you (and keep adding water to the same bottle). Great for joggers.

For consuming warm, put them in a tea pot on a warming tray that maintains a heat under 113º and sip the warm tea. (Caution: Do not boil the water or cook the berries.) If you want to alter the flavor of this "tea," add some vanilla.

If you choose to eat the plump berries in your goji liquid, you’ll find them a pleasant surprise in the middle of a sip of water or tea.

Fasting and Cleansing

In future articles, I’ll write about fasting and cleansing. When doing either a fast or a cleanse, consider incorporating Goji berry soak water. Fasting or cleansing is a great way to move from a highly acidic diet to one which is more alkaline. During a fast or cleanse, strain the tea and only drink the soak water. I usually drink until there are only berries and sometimes I discard them.

Eating Goji Berries Dry

You can certainly eat them right out of the bag. However, if you have any sensitivity with that practice, just soak them for a while to soften them and activate the alkalinity. Likely they are just too acid for you if you get a tummy ache.

Once, a friend called me to say, "Yuck, I hate these. I don’t like the taste and they upset my stomach. I bought four bags, do you want them?" First, I assured her I’d take them off her hands. Then I made some of the suggestions you find here. She called the next day to say that she was no longer eager to get rid of them. She had fallen in love with the goji tea with a little snip of vanilla bean.

Bottled Goji Juice

There are products called "goji juice" in bottles, which I’m unlikely to purchase, as these would be processed, probably with heat or additional ingredients or preservatives. What is marketed as "goji juice" is different from this soak water. Buyer beware. Check the ingredients. Ask questions. Make the choices that are best for you.

Enjoy Goji Berries for a Very Long Time!

Goji berries are one of the most wonderful foods in nature. When you start incorporating them and other such superfood items in daily eating, craving for unnatural foods disappears. It’s so much more fun to eat wonderful foods you like than to be concerned with restricting yourself. Living a long life is only fun if you’re healthy.