For some reason, people have the idea that vegans and vegetarians don’t get enough protein. But there are more ways you can get protein from than just meat! There are tons of plant-based protein sources that give you just as many nutrients as a piece of chicken. So if you’re interested in going plant-based but don’t know where to get your protein from, here are some great ideas:
Chickpeas
You can roast them, blend them up into a hummus, or even make them into a cookie dough. Chickpeas are super versatile, with 15 grams of protein per one-cup serving. There’s chickpea everything- from pasta to flour.
Lentils
You can buy red, green, yellow, or brown lentils- and they all taste amazing. Lentils are super high in protein, with 18 grams per one-cup serving, and taste great in soups, curries, and more!
Edamame
My personal favorite source of plant-based protein is edamame. With 19 grams per one-cup serving, edamame is definitely one of the most nutritious options. Steam edamame with a little bit of salt for a great snack or throw it into a stir fry.
Tofu
The classic plant-based protein source: tofu. Tofu gets a bad rep, but when it’s cooked right, it’s absolutely delicious. And with 20 grams of protein per one-cup serving, it’s excellent for a plant-based diet. My favorite way to cook tofu is to put it in the air fryer with seasoning- it comes out perfectly crispy, every time.
Black beans
Another staple in every plant-based diet is black beans. Black beans are versatile, cheap, and good to stock up on. They are an excellent option for a last-minute meal and have 15 grams per one-cup serving.
Tempeh
Tempeh is another one of my favorite plant-based protein sources. It is made from fermented soybeans and is super high in protein, with 20 grams per one-cup serving. Similar to tofu, tempeh will take the flavor of whatever you soak it in!
