Protein. We’ve gotta have it! This oh-so-important macronutrient is a key ingredient for happy, healthy living, and despite what you may have been led to believe, you can find plant-based protein in abundance.
Yep, that’s right – you don’t need to give up your vegan ways to enjoy a diet that’s rich in the good stuff. We won’t lecture you on the ins and outs of plant-based protein – but what you do need to know is that there are plenty of tasty sources that are ripe for the picking.
Plant-based Goodness to Boost Your Protein Intake
Ready to give your meals a little more love? We’ve got you! Here are eight nutritionally dense goodies that are free from meat and fresh from the Earth.
Tofu & Tempeh
If you haven’t already, it’s time to give the soy siblings – tofu and tempeh – a chance. These both bring a little something extra to dishes (think tofu satay, tempeh stir-fries, and so on) and offer generous amounts of protein.
Not sure where to get started? Give your morning some flavor with our Breakfast Tofu Scramble recipe.
Quinoa
Quinoa is easy to cook, highly versatile, and a plant-based protein powerhouse. As a complete protein, offering all nine of the essential amino acids (protein building blocks) that our bodies need extra help with, it’s fair to say that quinoa is a grain with serious game.
Edamame
According to Nutrition Data, one cup of edamame beans offers more than 16g of protein. This – combined with the fact that eating these little green beans can boost your folate, calcium, and vitamin K intake – means we’re sold on edamame.
Lentils
The medal for ‘One of the Most Affordable Forms of Plant-based Protein’ has to go to the humble lentil, a must-have addition to every vegan’s kitchen. Plus, lentils can be added to curries, soups, pasta dishes, and stews quickly and simply. That’s what we like to hear.
Green peas
Green peas don’t pack the biggest protein punch, but like lentils, they’re affordable and easy to cook with. This means they’re a great food staple for vegans and non-vegans alike. They also contain fiber, iron, and vitamin C. What’s not to love?
Hemp seeds
Sprinkle them on oatmeal, blend them up in falafel, or use them in salads for extra crunch – hemp seeds have a lot of potential! They’re also a great plant-based source of protein, with up to 10g in just three tablespoons.
Almonds
Almonds are in everything nowadays, from dairy-free milk to flour (like we use in our Delicious Veggie Pizza recipe). This is good news for us vegans, as they’re another plant source with an impressive nutritional profile – not just in terms of protein, but also magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, and manganese.
Here at NuBerry Health & Wellness, we’re all about connecting you to the holistic advice you didn’t know you needed – from vegan recipes to financial well-being tips. Pour a cup of coffee, browse our blogs, give our podcast "The Cultivated Vegan" a listen, and let us know your thoughts. Let’s cultivate a healthier, happier you!