If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you’re probably familiar with the misconception that dairy is the only protein source available. But did you know that soy, quinoa, legumes, and seeds are also excellent protein sources? Protein is an essential nutrient for vegans and vegetarians, and it’s important to include in your diet.
Here Are the Best Protein Sources That Are Not Meat:
- Quorn.
By now, most people have heard of the vegetarian-friendly meat substitute Quorn. While some people have a hard time with the thought of eating a vegetarian product, others swear by it. Quorn is made from wheat protein, which is derived from gluten. So if you’re allergic or intolerant to gluten, Quorn may not be the best choice for you. Despite popular belief, protein is not only found in meat. On the contrary, many non-meat products contain protein. Some great vegetarian and protein sources are Quorn, tempeh, lentils, and beans.
- Soya beans.
Soya beans are a great source of protein. 100g of soya beans contains approximately 20g of the popular protein source. Now, most diets will advise you to stay away from meat and limit your protein to sources like meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. However, protein can come from many sources, and soya beans are one of the best. Soya beans are high in protein and are found in so many everyday foods it’s hard to imagine they would be considered a boon for weight-loss efforts. But they’re a great source of protein, as well as a great source of dietary fibre and manganese. Eaten as part of a vegetarian diet, they can also help you meet your daily calcium needs.
- Pulses.
The protein found in pulses like chickpeas, lentils, and beans is high in essential amino acids, so it’s a good alternative to meat for vegetarians. Pulses also have fewer calories, fat, and cholesterol than animal products. And unlike meat, pulses are cholesterol-free. Protein is essential to keeping us healthy, but it needs to be eaten regularly. Because protein is such an important nutrient, many different foods contain protein. However, not all proteins are created equal, and some are better than others. Whey protein, for example, is the most popular form of protein. It contains all of the essential amino acids, making it one of the best protein sources for vegetarians and vegans. Pulses are one of the best protein sources for non-meat eaters since they’re high in fibre and many important minerals.
- Seeds.
Eating protein is vital for healthy weight loss and maintenance. Protein builds muscles and tissues, provides energy, and controls appetite. However, incorporating protein into your daily diet can be difficult, especially if you don’t eat meat. Luckily, there are other protein sources, such as seeds, that offer healthy, high-protein meals.
- Cereals and grains.
Cereals and grains are widely touted as “whole grains.” However, while it is true that they are high in fibre, most of the grains and cereals we eat are refined, meaning the fibre has been removed.
- Quinoa.
Most people think of meat when they hear the word protein – after all, protein is meat, right? But, there are plenty of sources of protein that are great to add to any diet, including those who don’t eat meat. Quinoa, for instance, is one of the best sources of plant-based protein, and, unlike most meat, it’s a good source of complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids.
- Nuts.
Protein is an essential nutrient, especially for people trying to lose weight. But one of the big problems is finding protein sources that are high in protein without being high in fat. Nuts are a great choice for any diet since they consist of healthy fats, protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Try mixing nuts into your diet with salads, trail mixes, smoothies, or adding them to homemade trail mixes.
- Dairy.
Protein is important for our health and for your body to replace tissues, organs, and muscles and is generally recommended for individuals over age 18 since protein helps build muscle, which slows down with age. Milk is a great source of protein. However, not all dairy products are created equal. In addition to milk, several other sources of protein are ideal for the vegan diet.
- Tofu.
Proteins are essential to a balanced diet, but meat is not exactly the most appetizing ingredient. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious, nutritious, plant-based protein sources. One that is particularly popular with fitness buffs and vegans is tofu. Tofu cooks quickly and is widely available in stores. You can also add a variety of flavours to it. Unfortunately, most tofu comes in flavourless packages, so it’s easy to turn your blandly packaged tofu into a flavorful dish without much effort.
While meat can be a rich source of protein, vegetarians and vegans should still be sure to get their protein from other sources. Protein is essential to building muscle and maintaining healthy muscles, and meat isn’t the only source. While meat provides the building blocks of protein, protein can also be found in beans, dairy, and nuts. Some beans contain more protein than meat, and so can some species of fish and plant milk.