CLAIM: 

Non-veg food does not have more protein than vegetarian food

FACT: 

False. Non-veg food offers more protein, better for protein needs

A video clip from the famous Kapil Sharma Show features Bollywood star John Abraham suggesting that vegetarian food is also a rich source of protein and so can be preferred over non-veg food.

"It is absolutely wrong information that you get better protein from non-vegetarian food and not enough protein from vegetarian food,” Abraham can be heard telling Kapil Sharma, the renowned comedian.

"We feed animals vegetarian food and then slaughter them for meat. Where do they get their protein from in the first place?" Abraham says making a case for vegetarian food.

“From the grass, and trees,” the star answers his own question.

The clip has about 896,311 views and close to 37,000 likes.

What is the fact?

First Check spoke to Dr Kriti Bhardwaj, dietician based in Delhi,  to ascertain Abraham’s claims.

"Animal proteins are widely recognized for their higher biological value, as they contain all essential amino acids in proportions suitable for human needs," Dr Bhardwaj said.

A single egg or a portion of chicken breast provides complete protein, unlike many plant-based sources that lack certain essential amino acids, she explained.

“Animals convert plant-based nutrients into muscle protein, altering its composition. The protein derived from plants is not identical to the muscle protein humans consume as meat,” Dr Bhardwaj pointed out.

Research also underlines the superior protein content of non-vegetarian food. A study titled "Food proteins from animals and plants: Differences in the nutritional and functional properties" shows that animal-based proteins are more digestible and have a complete amino acid profile compared to most plant-based proteins.

While plant proteins can meet daily requirements, they often need to be paired strategically—for example, combining rice and beans—to provide essential amino acids.

Studies, however, affirm that vegetarian diets, when well-planned, can meet protein needs and offer health benefits such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Dr Bhardwaj still bats for non-veg food as far as our daily protein intake.

“Non-vegetarian foods inherently offer more complete and readily digestible proteins,"she said.

John Abraham's suggestion that non-vegetarian food does not provide better protein than vegetarian food is thus incorrect. Non-vegetarian foods like meat, eggs, and fish offer higher protein content per serving and superior protein quality, making them more effective for meeting dietary needs with minimal planning.

Also read: FACT CHECK: Are figs non-vegetarian due to wasp pollination? - First Check

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