Frequently Asked Question
Health“Plant protein is inferior”
Last reviewed: January 9, 2026
Summary
Many plant foods contain all essential amino acids; what varies is amino-acid profile and digestibility. In practice, eating enough total protein and a variety of plant foods across the day meets essential amino acid requirements for most people.
Evidence Summary
- “Incomplete protein” is a simplification; complementarity can occur across meals and food patterns.
- Soy and many legumes are high-quality protein sources; grains + legumes are complementary. Evidence quality: Moderate (guidelines/technical reports + consensus) Limitations / nuance: In older adults or those with low appetite, higher protein targets and leucine-rich sources (e.g., soy, legumes) can help.
Supporting Evidence
The "incomplete protein" concept is a simplification; complementarity occurs across meals and food patterns.