the food and nutrition industries have capitalized on the importance of protein as a large component of a healthy diet. however, the evidence for wide-ranging benefits of plant-based diets is expanding and gaining momentum. are the concerns associated with a plant-based diet (namely amino acid deficiency and availability) valid, and can they be mitigated? provide clear examples of how a plant-based diet might introduce nutritional challenges. also clearly provide the rationale behind specific techniques for implementing these diets safely. beware: a lot of the information out there will be contradictory, as this is a complex argument that fuels several lucrative industries. seek and verify several sources before responding.