Micronutrients & recovery
Increasing the proportion of animal-based protein in cereal-dominated diets significantly improves nutritional status by providing complete essential amino acids and enhancing the bioavailability of critical minerals like iron and zinc.
If you live in a region where meat is expensive or culturally reserved, prioritize adding small amounts of animal products (meat, milk, eggs) to your staple cereal/legume meals. This improves the quality of protein you get and helps your body absorb iron and zinc from your food. Focus on local, indigenous livestock breeds which are often more sustainable and affordable.
evidence has shown that adding even small amounts of animal products to a plant-based diet can yield large improvements in maternal health and child development... research has shown that the addition of even a small amount of animal products could significantly increase the absorption of the minerals iron and zinc.
Why this rating
This is a review paper citing FAO/WHO data and observational studies; it lacks a single primary clinical trial but synthesizes robust global data.
Source
Dietary protein quality and malnutrition in Africa
Hettie C. Schönfeldt et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2012
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →