Don't men have to eat meat to maintain strength and masculinity?

For most men, consuming meat (protein) is associated with "muscle, vitality, strength, power, energy, vigor, aggressiveness, and liveliness." This image comes from clever marketing tactics, promoting the sale of meat as superior protein that sustains masculinity. The truth is, a Starch-Smart® diet provides sufficient nutrients for men of all ages to thrive and build muscle. The role of protein is to build tissues, yet our bodies require only a fraction of what men are consuming today. Human breast milk, which contains only 5% of its calories from protein, supplies ample nourishment to infants during their greatest time of growth. Likewise, the largest of all animals, elephants, hippos, and giraffes, grow very large consuming purely vegetarian diets. Our bodies do not store protein; excess protein overworks the kidneys and liver which is then excreted in the urine. Protein deficiency is essentially unknown, as long as calorie needs are being met. Scientists have known for over a century, that consuming protein beyond our needs overburdens our bodies and has damaging effects such as heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and sexual dysfunction.

For more details, see:

(1) Current Protein Recommendations Flawed

(2) Gladiators Were Vegan

(3) How important is Protein in the development of Muscles?

(4) Building Your Own High-Performance Athletic Body

(5) Eat like a Gladiator