Final answer:
Vegans avoid animal products and must combine various plant proteins to get all essential amino acids since most plant proteins are incomplete. Protein combining involves eating a variety of plant-based foods to achieve a complete amino acid profile.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vegans follow a diet that excludes any animal products or by-products, which means they do not consume meat, eggs, or dairy products. As a result, vegans must ensure they are intaking a variety of plant-based proteins to obtain all essential amino acids required for bodily functions since most plant proteins are not 'complete' proteins. Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own. Therefore, by consuming a diverse range of plant foods such as legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables, vegans can achieve a complete amino acid profile through a concept known as protein combining.
This way of eating not only helps in providing necessary nutrients but also aligns with vegans' ethical, environmental, or health reasons for avoiding animal products. It is important for vegans to focus on nutritional balance, which might require more planning and knowledge about food composition to maintain optimal health and fulfill protein needs.