A Quote from Colin Campbell

I love the expression that "There are no nutrients in animal based foods that are not better obtained from plant based foods" although I find it is tough to get others to concur. Science supports this premise in infinite ways but I simply propose two. First, dietary fiber is a plant-based substance imperative for health. Second, the amazing array of antioxidants necessary to tame free radicals is found in plant-based foods. An animal-centric diet has not only its own detrimental effects but it replaces calories that could be packed with fiber and antioxidants with animal protein and fat, both unwelcome in an alkaline un-inflamed body. Complex carbohydrates, especially vegetables, produce well researched health results while animal food is often implicated in modern health crises. While a focus on macronutrients on packaged food labels and dietary trends toward low carb diets tend to allow people to eat without respect to which micronutrients they are collecting, that focus also makes people think that all proteins, carbs and fats are equal. It simply is not true that protein from an animal (steak, milk) which is not attached to fiber and micronutrients (like the protein of a lentil is), would be beneficial to health. The China Study proves the differences in the effects of protein of plants vs. animals but it also should be noted that the mere existence of protein without fiber and micronutrients is never going to be as beneficial as protein with the many vitamins and minerals and antioxidants found in a colorful plant-based diet. While protein is not what should be emphasized in the diet, gathering antioxidants throughout one's meals should cover all of an individual's macronutrient needs.