THE 5 BEST SOURCES OF VEGAN PROTEIN

The good news is that you don’t actually need to consume any kind of meat to be able to achieve healthy levels of protein in your diet – and some of the foods you already eat on a day-to-day basis are probably providing you with protein that you didn’t even realise.

A diet high in protein is not only beneficial for our healthy growth and overall well-being, but every cell in the human body contains protein, and so requires it for some of the most fundamental processes. This means getting protein into your diet is extremely important.

So, what are you waiting for? Here are some great sources of protein for vegans…

Best Vegan Protein Sources

If you’re a bit lost on where to start – this list will set you up nicely. Our top picks list isn’t exhaustive: there is a whole range of vegetarian and vegan protein sources out there that you can include in your diet, but we selected these as we feel they are the easiest to add to your daily routine, and really pack a protein punch!

Nuts and Seeds

Chia Seeds

One tablespoon of Chia seeds packs 2g of protein and are great to bulk out smoothies to make them extra thick and delicious. For vegans looking for baking substitutes, soaking chia seeds in water for 20 minutes also creates a fantastic substitute for eggs.

Almonds

For every 6 almonds, there is around 3g of protein. A great way to incorporate this protein into your diet is through the addition of almond butter to your breakfast or smoothies, or even by making your own trail mix of nuts and dried fruits.

Hemp

There is a whopping 5g of protein per tablespoon of Hemp. Hemp seeds are extremely rich in healthy fats and proteins and have even been noted to reduce the risk of heart disease. You can add these to your salads, rice dishes, smoothies, and shakes – making this another really easy protein integration method.

Cashews

Cashew nuts are a snack favourite for their tasty flavour – and with 3g of protein for every 10 cashew nuts, they’re a really popular alternative protein.

Pumpkin Seeds

One tablespoon of pumpkin seeds gives you the equivalent of 4g of protein. Perfect as a healthy snack by themselves, or sprinkled over a salad for some extra crunch, this is a really easy method to introduce more protein to your plant-based meals.

Quinoa

The popularity of Quinoa has grown in recent years for its inexpensive health benefits. You can eat both the seeds and the leaves and is a really delicious alternative to rice and pasta. Quinoa salads are also a huge hit and a great way to introduce this protein into your diet – with 8g of protein per 125g/cup!

Peanut and Nut Butter

Many of you will be thrilled to know that your yummy morning peanut butter is a great source of protein! We know we are.

When selecting your nut butter, ensure there are no added oils, salts, or sugars in the ingredients list to ensure you are getting the best out of this protein source. One heaped tablespoon will give you 3g of protein – so one piece of peanut butter toast.

It’s important to note that nuts are high in healthy fats, so if one of your fitness goals is to try and lose weight, it might be a good idea to choose alternative protein sources, like the ones below…

Vegetables

Nice and easy – there is a huge range of vegetables that include protein. We all know the benefits of getting in your 5-a-day, so why not tackle two health hurdles at once?

Asparagus

For every 6 spears of asparagus, you gain 2g of protein, so this is a great side to add to your meals.

Avocado

An Instagram favourite, avocados are popular not just for their aesthetic nature, but their health benefits too. One-half of avocados have 0.5g of protein.

Broccoli

With almost 3g of protein in every 80g of broccoli, this vegetable is about to become a fridge staple and is a great source of protein for vegans.

Brussel Sprouts

One of the more controversial vegetarian protein sources, Brussel sprouts is a very love-it-or-hate-it food. Similar to broccoli, there is around 2g of protein per 80g of this vegetable.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a great way to bulk up a plant-based meal and comes in many forms. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower cheese, and even cauliflower curries – this vegetable is really flexible and holds 1.5g of protein per 80g.

Brown and Wild Rice

A meal-time staple, ditch your white rice in favour of brown and wild rice varieties. Packing 4g of protein per 100g of rice, this is a great way to add healthy plant-based proteins to your lunch and dinners. These rice are high in fibre, too!

Oats

The perfect breakfast– oats slowly release energy throughout the day to keep you performing at your best all day long. With 10g of protein per 100g of oats, pair an oat breakfast with your favourite fruit toppings to start your day the right way.

Tofu

One of the most popular sources of protein for vegans, tofu can be used as an addition to a range of meals. With 8g of protein per 100g of tofu, it’s not hard to see why this is a popular choice.

Some great ways to enjoy tofu include:

• Tofu Stir Fry

• Tofu Salad

• Tofu Ice Cream (yes… really)

• Tofu Scramble (goodbye, eggs!)

Bonus: Protein Supplements

If you’re still looking for ways to introduce protein into your diet, protein supplements and powders are a great option. Often flavoured with choices like chocolate, coffee, and caramel, these can be a great fix for those with a sweet tooth!

Check out The Health Protein which has a special, vegan protein formula.

Summary

We think that it’s incredibly easy to introduce a great level of vegan protein into your diet without the consumption of meat – with some really tasty alternatives available. Why not replace your meat with these plant-based sources and make a difference to your diet and have a positive impact on the environment too!