maxmalrichtig

It is. But in the mind of these people, this is a valid concern and we need to be able to lead them away from this mindset. We have to guide them to new insights, not fight them over it. (Not that I would imply that YOU were trying to fight.)

It was not the first time I got that response. I genuinely don't know where people get this from?!

it’s important to not mock those ridiculous questions

Totally! It might be the first time a person gets to think about the matter in a deeper way. It is normal for them to be all over the place.

I think my answer at that time was something along the lines of:

It's true that these wild animals need to do that. But you are not a wild animal. You are an intelligent human, that has anything they could ever think of in the supermarket right around the corner. While a lion might not have another choice in order to survive, we as humans are not not in the same position. We can choose to eat something different while still enjoying our food and live a happy healthy life. So would it still be right for us to kill other sentient beings, if we are not forced to do so?

I normally think of my discussion partners as intelligent people that are able to reason. I won't let them off the hook easily, but there is no reason to "fight" with them as this will improve exactly nothing.

Eating meat is considered [...] as an evolutionary trait

Correct. But these early humans had no supermarkets or global trade systems. We (and our food selection process) has very little to do with the constraints that these previous generations had. Your argument basically boils down to "it is natural for us to eat meat. This is called "appeal to nature" and is a logical fallacy (i.e. not a very good argument).

cattle industries have gone too far

Kudos to you for acknowledging that.

meat is still one of the easiest ways to give yourself the nutrients required

I do not agree, as meat is lacking in some of the essential nutrients or has a suboptimal composition of them. But even if it was the best source, that would not necessarily justify everything we do (i.e. harm other sentient beings) to get it. To give you an (over the top) counter example: Human meat would even be much better in terms of it's nutrient composition - but no one would argue for canibalism because of that fact.

I had the genuine question asked once about "But lions do eat meat and how would you stop them?" In a discussion about why I am vegan. 🙈

See, here is where I would immediately be skeptical about the article:

enzymes that make the digestion of protein incredibly difficult

Enzymes are protein structures and are therefore very susceptible to heat. (I.e. when you would cook an egg and it turns "white" this is proteins beeing degenerated by heat)

You would NEVER eat raw soy (or other legumes thereof). They should always get cooked thoroughly. And in tofu production, you would also cook the soy milk in the process.

I'm not 100% knowledgeable about these specific proteins, but it sounds like big strawman to me from the getgo.

Ich weiß: die Titelfrage ist clickbaity gemeint. Aber die ist so zum in den Tisch beißen... 😬

Eben! Wo schreibt denn auch die Autobahn schwarze Zahlen?

It's 0.8 - 1 g protein per kg body weight (for a normal BMI) if you are not doing excessive workouts or being pregnant for example.

You know that other dietary associations than the USDA exist in other countries, right? They pretty much are consistent with this guideline.

Yes this is true, but only if you almost exclusively eat WHOLEFOOD plant based with only little added fats.

I generally agree with the underlying sentiment that it is not too complicated to get your needed protein on a plant diet, but it is totally possible to not reach the recommended amount if you are just eating random stuff.

They have a great taste, but they are much more soft and less chewy than the "original". Tasty but not exactly a drop-in replacement for some.

Und der Robin machts! Krass wie der das abgefahren ist.

On the topic of fatigue: They to eat enough. It sounds silly, but you burn quite some calories while riding a bike and you will need to fuel yourself. Have something with carbs after the ride or even a snack during. You will also get used to it more and more over time. The first rides are always the hardest.

And it might really not be possible in the place where you live, but prefer smaller paths/roads over the main roads. It might add a couple of km to your ride but you will reach your destination much more relaxed.

Wish you all the best.