There’s a common misconception that you can’t get enough protein on a plant-based diet. However, this just isn’t the case. There are so many ways to amp up your protein intake, whether you are on a plant-based diet, or just looking to add more plant-based proteins to your diet.
With all the added health benefits plant-based foods bring to the table, it just makes sense that we should be focusing on getting more protein from plants vs. animal foods.
Let’s take a look at five plant-based ways to get more protein into your diet, no protein powder required!
5 Plant-Based Ways to Get More Protein Into Your Diet
#1 Almonds: Almonds are a great plant-based snack that also happen to be a rich source of plant-based protein. In a one-ounce serving, you’ll pack in about six grams of protein. So, snack on a handful, toss them into a smoothie or try making homemade almond butter.
#2 Add Superfood Seeds to Your Diet: To help add a little more plant-based protein to your diet, consider sprinkling some chia, flax, or hemp seeds into your smoothies, or over your morning bowl of oats. These seeds may be small, but they are a mighty source of both protein and fiber.
#3 Enjoy More Lentils: Lentils are a plant-based protein superstar. In just ½ cup of cooked lentils, you’ll get about 12 grams of quality plant-based protein! So, try making a lentil Bolognese sauce, or add some cooked lentils on top of your salad.
#4 Quinoa: Quinoa is considered a complete plant-based protein, so it’s a great option to add to your well-balanced diet. In one cup of cooked quinoa, you’ll pack in about 8 grams of protein! That’s quite a bit, so consider enjoying quinoa in place of things like refined white pasta or white rice.
#5 Chickpeas: Chickpeas make a great salad topper, healthy snack, and base for homemade hummus. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, so they are a great plant-based option for a balanced diet.
Power to the Plants!
As you can see, it’s pretty easy to get enough protein from plants. From foods like legumes to nuts and seeds, with a variety of plant-based foods, not only will you get enough protein each day, but you’ll pack in added benefits like fiber and antioxidants.