For the last few decades, we’ve been led to believe that the only way to get enough protein in our diet is by consuming animal products, especially poultry, fish, and eggs.
It’s such a deeply held belief that many people will outright deny that it’s possible to get enough protein by only eating plants – but countless studies have proven that not only can we get plenty of protein, but we also attain the many protective benefits that plants have to offer.
Switching over to a completely plant-based diet doesn’t have to be necessary, but with the constantly rising cost of meat as well as the worry of food poisoning, it’s a relief to know that there are plenty of plant-based sources of protein.
Lentils
Lentils are considered by many nutritions to be as close to a real superfood as we can get. Packed with more antioxidants and nutrients than any other kind of legume, even chickpeas, lentils offer enough protein to an athlete that they can completely remove animal products from their diet. Not only are they great for making soups, but they can easily be fashioned into burgers.
Chickpeas
Right behind lentils we have chickpeas, which most people commonly know as the main ingredient of the popular side dish, hummus. Chickpeas are generality quite cheap, easy to prepare, and provide plenty of protein on top of a wide variety of nutrients and minerals. They can be turned into the aforementioned hummus, but also roasted into a crunchy and delicious snack.
Tofu
Tofu has long been touted as a great replacement for meat, and there’s plenty of science to back that claim up. For starters, tofu is one of the few plants in the world that can provide all nine essential amino acids, meaning it’s considered a complete source of protein. Along with that, tofu is packed with potassium and iron, making it a great substitute for just about any dish.
Nuts And Seeds
Leading experts agree that eating a handful of nuts a day can lead to a number of health benefits, such as decreased chances of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Not only are nuts a healthy source of fats, but they also contain enough protein to keep an athlete going all day, whether it’s at the gym or at home checking out great gaming guides.
At 6 grams of protein per serving regardless of the variety of nut in question, adding these as a daily snack is a great way of getting in a little extra without too much effort.
Quinoa
Often difficult to say (keen-wah), this seed has become extremely popular in recent years thanks to its nutrient content, much of which is made up of proteins. It can be used in place of other grains, such as rice and pasta, and like soy, has all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa can be eaten throughout the day, making a great addition to any breakfast, lunch or dinner.
With all these plant-based sources of protein, it’s easier than ever to get all the protein we need without having to buy any animal products.
