Protein intelligence

[mizliz]

So, classes start in two weeks. I'm worried that my lack of protein will inhibit my ability to think and excel in classes. I heard protein increases brain power. What can I eat/do to make my brain power increase? :confused:

[rabid_child]

Why do you have a lack of protein, exactly?

You can increase you protein intake by increasing your intake of nuts, (and nut butters), legumes, tofu, seitan, tempeh, tvp, soy products, mock meats... just about everything has protein in it. What are you eating currently??

[mizliz]

Well, I'm sort of new to this whole veggie diet thing. I'm drinking soy milk now. I've been trying to eat more peanut butter, nuts, and eggs, but I feel tired all the time, and I associate that with lack of protein. Maybe I'm nuts, I really don't know.... :confused:

[rabid_child]

I don't know the exact number of grams of protein one needs in a day, but the average veggie gets more than twice that in a day. Omnis eat sooo much more protein than actually necessary! Try counting up how much protein you're getting in a day. Its probably more than you think.

Fatigue could be a result of anemia or another vitamin deficiency. You could try taking a multivitamin every day and see if that helps.

[SouthernSky]

I agree that you're probably eating more protein than you think, and it's almost certainly enough for good health. Many foods have small amounts of protein, even veggies that you wouldn't realize. If you eat a varied diet and sometimes include beans and nuts, you should be eating enough protein to meet your needs. You only really need 5-10% of your daily calories to come from protein, and you can get that from vegetables and grains easily. Plus you're adding soy foods, so I really don't see how you could be getting insufficient protein.

Do you still eat eggs and dairy (just no meat)? Then there's practically no way you're short on protein.

Perhaps you feel tired all the time because you're not getting enough calories?

[Oatmeal]

Originally posted by mizliz
So, classes start in two weeks. I'm worried that my lack of protein will inhibit my ability to think and excel in classes. I heard protein increases brain power. What can I eat/do to make my brain power increase? :confused:

LOL! Well are you noticing that you're any less intelligent since you are veg*n? I'd be surprised. Try a crossword puzzle and see for yourself.

If you're sleepy then sleep, and make sure you eat enough and that you don't eat the same food day in day out. :)

[Cissy]

Originally posted by Oatmeal
LOL! Well are you noticing that you're any less intelligent since you are veg*n? I'd be surprised. Try a crossword puzzle and see for yourself.

If you're sleepy then sleep, and make sure you eat enough and that you don't eat the same food day in day out. :)

Off topic, but crosswords kick ass.

If you're tired, maybe you're not getting enough sleep, iron, carbs, or calories. Try a multivitamin, or going to bed a little earlier. Or talk to your doctor if things don't improve.

[rainbowmoon]

My guess is that this is an issue with b12 or iron instead of protein.
How long have you been following a veggie diet? How long have you excluded meat? b12 is stored your system, so if you just recently quit eating meat, you shouldn't have used up your "store" yet and the issue is probably iron. Both b12 and iron deficiency can be associated with a feeling of tiredness. You should try to up your intake of them, or take a multivitamin with iron and b12 in it. Both probably wouldn't hurt, since b12 is somewhat hard to come by in food.
Foods containing iron:
Lentils, Beans, Hummus, Soymilk, Split peas, tahini, nut butters, fortified cereals, quinoa, wheat germ, oatmeal, wax beans, potato with skin, peas, broccoli, bok choy, kale, hijiki and nori seaweed, prunes, dried apricot halves, blackstrap molasses, and egg.
Foods containing b12:
fortified cereals and RedStar nutritional yeast flakes.
hope this help a bit.
lovenlight,
linz

[mizliz]

Thanks so much for all of your help -- the culprit is probably iron...I need to get some bloodwork done to see for sure. But until then, I will eat what you guys suggested -- thanks again!

[Coney]

Brazil nuts are brain food. Keep some of those around to snack on.

[ebola]

Since going veggie and vegan, my grades in college (this is the closest I have to an objective measure of my intelligence) have stayed rather consistent. If anything, I'm doing better than ever.
On the other hand, in humans, fluid intelligence (one's ability to learn and solve problems, intelligence that is not dependent on how much knowledge one has acquired) peaks at around age 22. Pretty sad.

ebola

[Tova]

Brewers yeast for protein and other nutrients.

I second what jwnyc said about brazil nuts. In Brazil they grind up the nuts in a milkshake before an exam to increase their mental clarity. I think it's the boron on them that does it.
Also make sure to get your Omega 3's.

[anodekraft]

I just found out that that protein complementary thing...is actually additive! For example.. Say veggie A has 2 grams of protein and veggie B has 4. If they are complementary and you eat them together and you can get... not 6 ...but 10...or even more!!!! I didn't really understand that before and I've been a vegetarian for 5 years! See how hard it is NOT to get enough protein!

From what I understand...small amounts of fats are more for proper brain function than protein. And biochemically ...carbohydrates are what fuel the brain!!! Proteins can only if they are broken down into carbohydrates. If you are tired...drink more water!! Most of us are chronically dehydrated!

[ebola]

well, protein compliments only really have to be combined over the course of a day, not by meal. our bodies are neat like that.

ebola