Proteins have long been considered essential to the development of body muscles--totally untrue. Like other nutrients, proteins also provide the needed components of body's energy requirement We need proteins to supply the essential amino acids that our body does not synthesize. But then neither does the body of animals whom we eat. They get it from plant sources. Why not get to the source directly and cut the "middle-man "out. Legumes and beans are an excellent source of essential amino acids without the side effects associated with animal protein diets. If we must eat meat, it should only be poultry or fish. No red meat. There is absolutely nothing magical about red meat except its lethality..