Don't be left out!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Non-Meat Protein Sources

Close your ears, or really eyes, vegetarians and vegans… I love meat.  Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, I love it all.  A meal does not feel complete without meat.  In our house, we build our meals around protein which almost always comes from meat source and the rest is just a bonus.  And please, save your "red meat is bad for you" lecture.  This is what works for us, what we enjoy and what we believe in.  

With that said, I was having a conversation with a friend a while back about her health goals and naturally her daily nutrition came up.  After lots of questions, we agreed she should try to get more protein in her diet.  I was thinking, "easy peasy.".  Just add some chicken to her lunch salad she's already eating and done!  But then she told me she doesn't eat meat.  

What do you mean you don't eat meat?!


One of my all time favorite movies right there.  

Anyways, I was a little disappointed with my lack of non-meat protein suggestions for her and with the Lenten season upon us I decided to do some searching for foods high in protein (that wasn't meat of course).  These are a few of the more popular vegetarian and/or vegan high protein foods I found: 
   



Weather you eat meat on a regular basis or not these foods are great sources of protein!  Green peas have 8 grams in 1 cup.  Yes, that's a lot of peas but who knew?  

Your turn:  What is your favorite vegetarian and/or vegan protein source?


12 comments:

  1. I don't eat meat (or dairy) and really a lot on nuts, quinoa, lentils, beans, soy for my protein and it shocks people when I tell them I have no issues meeting my protein needs even as a runner and through strength training.

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    1. That's great! I love beans. I don't know why I don't cook with them more. Any great recipe ideas?

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  2. Almost every one of those things (in addition to protein powder) is a staple in my diet since I don't eat any beef or pork and rarely eat chicken or turkey (holidays usually.) I don't however, eat a lot of soy.

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  3. Yum! I love this post. This is such a great resource!

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  4. I also love meat! I tried to give it up once and I did for 3 weeks, but I ended up eating more carbs than anything else. I did get a ton of veggies in, and still try to, but being a veg is not for me. Thanks for the non-meat protein sources! I do try to have at least one meatless day a week and focus on more greens.

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    1. I just read an article about how vegans/vegetarians typically have to eat more carbs to meet their daily protein requirements because the foods higher in protein can also be higher in carbs. Makes sense I suppose!

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  5. Amen to meat! But if I had to choose it would be peanut butter hands down!! Great list ��

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  6. I love meat, but I don't eat a lot of it, so it's good to know which other foods have protein.

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    1. I'm so impressed by people who don't eat a lot of meat for whatever reason. I'd be lost with out it!

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