The Mediterranean Diet strongly recommends a high reduction of meat consumption. The problem here is that meat is your best source of protein. How will you get enough protein if you do not eat generous servings of meat? The answer is simple: scallops.

Although you live far from China, scallops [http://the-mediterranean-diet.com/benefits-of-scallops.html] are pretty much available all over the world. It's just that China accounts to 80% of the world's scallop supply. True enough, scallops are expensive, ranging from $7 to $10 per pound compared to beef which is only at $4. However, the price you pay is nothing compared to the benefits you will get. Keep in mind that scallops are different from oysters. Characterized by two types of meat inside, scallops have both white and red meat. It has a very mild and sweet flavor that anyone-even those who do not like fish and seafood-would surely appreciate.

For every 113 grams of scallops, you get these top three nutrients:
Protein : 23.11 grams
Tryptophan : 0.26 grams
Phosphorus : 302.05 mg

Protein
Proteins are essential in metabolism. Proteins are also involved in defending the body against harmful organisms. What protein does is to freeze these foreign invaders so the white blood cells can destroy them. Without adequate protein, the body will not get enough support for the immune system and this will lead to diseases that can get complicated over time.

Proteins also help in expediting the chemical processes that occur in the body. Without these catalysts, the digestive process will not optimize what it has and as a result, the body will be weaker because it cannot absorb the nutrients that it needs from the food taken. Without protein, the different tissues and organs of the body will also fail to coordinate with one another. For example, lack of hormonal proteins such as the somatotropin-a growth hormone-will result to slow physical growth in children and teenagers.

Tryptophan
Typtophan is one of the top 20 essential amino acids that a human needs in his diet. The human body cannot produce its own essential amino acids and therefore it is imperative for it to be a part of the diet. This type of nutrient is responsible for regularizing your sleep cycle and it also helps regulate appetite. With 0.26 mg of tryptophan for every 113 grams of scallops, you actually get more than what you would on beef. Beef of the same serving size will only give you 0.23 mg of tryptophan.

Tryptophan is a common food supplement issued to people in a weight loss program. It can also reduce the likelihood of being impatient, depressed, anxious, and irritability. Deficiency of this essential amino acid can cause depression, insomnia, violence, and even suicide.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus is not a vitamin but it is a mineral. In fact, 1% of our total body weight is comprised of phosphorus. Essentially, this mineral serves as the owner of bone and teeth formation. About 85% of the phosphorus in the human body is found in the bone. We all thought that calcium is the only necessary mineral for developing bones and teeth but phosphorus has a pivotal role in how bones and teeth form and it is also responsible for how our entire body uses fats and carbohydrates. With adequate amounts of phosphorus, you are guaranteed to highly reduce the risk of getting osteoporosis.

Between scallops and beef, beef can only give you 173 milligrams of phosphorus, just about half of what scallops can give you. Although phosphorus is pretty much available in many types of foods, scallops is one of those that have the highest content of this mineral

A deficiency in phosphorus can lead to anemia, lack of energy, physical weakness, and susceptibility to infection.