It’s the question every plant-based eater has heard at some point. “If you’re vegetarian, where do you get your protein?” And it’s kind of like…what? Plant-based protein is everywhere and it can be so delicious! Because the truth is, protein comes from more than just animals! I decided to round up some of my favorite protein-rich meals that you can use as an easy reference for days when you need to add a little extra something to your food lineup.
Protein Quality Vs Quantity
Oh hi, Sarah here, a degreed nutritionist popping in to get food nerdy with you for a sec. When thinking about protein, it’s important to remember two things: amount and quality. According to Harvard Health, the average person needs 50 to 60 grams of protein each day (that’s about 200 to 250 calories of protein), an easy number to reach on a plant-based diet. But you also need to think about protein quality. Protein is made up of amino acids, and there are nine essential amino acids that we need to get from our diet. Most meat products are complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. Plants, on the other hand, are often incomplete proteins. This simply means that you need to eat a variety of plant protein sources to ensure your body gets all the amino acids it needs! Here are a few plant-based protein combos that when eaten together make a complete protein source (we call these complementary proteins!):
Rice + Beans (like Spanish Rice) Wheat + Legumes (like hummus and pita) Legumes + Corn (like Chickpea Corn Salad) Wheat + Nuts (like PB&J)
High Protein Vegetarian Recipes
Whether you’re a full vegetarian, participate in your fair share of Meatless Mondays, or just like to enjoy meat-free dishes once in a while, check out these vegetarian meals filled with ample protein and mouth-watering flavor.
title: “79 High Protein Vegetarian Meals Includes Grams Per Serving Live Eat Learn” ShowToc: true date: “2024-11-09” author: “Eugene Miller”
It’s the question every plant-based eater has heard at some point. “If you’re vegetarian, where do you get your protein?” And it’s kind of like…what? Plant-based protein is everywhere and it can be so delicious! Because the truth is, protein comes from more than just animals! I decided to round up some of my favorite protein-rich meals that you can use as an easy reference for days when you need to add a little extra something to your food lineup.
Protein Quality Vs Quantity
Oh hi, Sarah here, a degreed nutritionist popping in to get food nerdy with you for a sec. When thinking about protein, it’s important to remember two things: amount and quality. According to Harvard Health, the average person needs 50 to 60 grams of protein each day (that’s about 200 to 250 calories of protein), an easy number to reach on a plant-based diet. But you also need to think about protein quality. Protein is made up of amino acids, and there are nine essential amino acids that we need to get from our diet. Most meat products are complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. Plants, on the other hand, are often incomplete proteins. This simply means that you need to eat a variety of plant protein sources to ensure your body gets all the amino acids it needs! Here are a few plant-based protein combos that when eaten together make a complete protein source (we call these complementary proteins!):
Rice + Beans (like Spanish Rice) Wheat + Legumes (like hummus and pita) Legumes + Corn (like Chickpea Corn Salad) Wheat + Nuts (like PB&J)
High Protein Vegetarian Recipes
Whether you’re a full vegetarian, participate in your fair share of Meatless Mondays, or just like to enjoy meat-free dishes once in a while, check out these vegetarian meals filled with ample protein and mouth-watering flavor.
