As vegans we’ve all heard it a million times: “where do you get your protein??” The general public has been led to believe that the only source of protein in a well balanced diet is from animals. Absolutely false. In fact, animal protein has been linked to many fatal conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Also, did you know that beef contains only 20% of usable protein where plant sources can contain 75-80%?! Plant-based protein is more nutrient dense as well making it a more healthy choice overall.
Here are some easy ways to get your fill of protein from plant sources:
1. Legumes: 1 cup of lentils packs an amazing 18 grams of protein, tempeh (made from soy beans) – 30 grams, black beans – 15 grams. There are so many way to incorporate legumes into your diet: on salads, in soups, as veggie burgers, hummus…the list goes on and on.
2. Hemp Seeds: 3 TBSP of hemp seeds offers 11 grams of protein! I often sprinkle these on top of my meals to give an extra punch of protein, add them to granola or stir them into your non-dairy yogurt.
3. Almonds: 1/4 cup = 8 grams. Keep a bag of raw almonds in your pantry at all times. Grab a handful to snack on or use them to make your own almond milk.
4. Chia Seeds: 2 TBSP offers 3 grams of protein and these little guys can be used in numerous ways: added to smoothies, egg replacer in baked goods, thicken soups or make your own gluten-free crackers.
5. Protein Powders: Sunwarrior makes the best vegan protein powder on the market. Each serving boasts an impressive 17 grams of protein and it comes in vanilla, chocolate and natural flavors. I swear this stuff tastes like cake batter and it blends easily with no grainy or chalk-like texture. I start each morning off with a Sunwarrior protein smoothie and have mad energy the rest of the day.
See how easy it can be to get enough protein even on a plant-based diet! Now tell me your best response when someone asks you where you get your protein!
