Hi there! So if you've been a vegetarian/vegan for a long time or you've just started, the question you're probably already tired of hearing is "Where do you get your protein?!". Before you start vegangelizing, you have to think about the awesome opportunity before you. You've got the chance to look smart and make vegetarianism/veganism look as good as it actually is. The challenge is in doing it without sounding annoying or making the other person get mad at you. So, here are some pointers to giving a calm, normal answer to this incredibly annoying question.
First of all, we need to get something straight. What is protein? Proteins are biological molecules made up of chains of aminoacids. What protein does is help the body create new cells, build and repair new tissue. It's obviously a big deal. But consuming protein without eating meat (or any other animal products) is really not that hard. In fact, many people consume too much protein! Your first thought probably is "Well, the more the better, right?". Well not really. Consuming too much protein for an extended period of time can cause some serious problems on your bones and organs.
So, let's cut to the chase here. What are some good sources of protein for us vegetarians/vegans? Well, there are tons! All plants have protein (Some more than others evidently) so we don't really need to look so far. Here are my personal favorites!
- Beans beans beans!: Lentils, black, chickpeas, soy! They're all super tasty, super awesome and super healthy! Beans contain more protein than any other vegetable source, so they are an absolute must in your diet! They are also very high in fiber, so they'll make you feel full for hours (totally awesome aid in wheight loss! I think... I hope! Haha)!
- Nuts: Self explanatory: Nuts about nuts!
- Whole grains: Grains are great to pack a protein punch into you diet! Rice is always a great option, but quinoa (even though it's technically a seed) is worth a try too!
- Green veggies: Yep! Green veggies! Kale, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard are full of protein! For instance, every 100 grams of Kale contains 4,3 grams of protein! Amazing right?
- Seeds: These are like the best addition to any meals! Flaxseed, chia, hemp, you name it, it's good for you! They're so easy to add to your diet you can't not try them! High in fiber, omega-3 and protein.
- Plant milk: You've got soy, almond, oatmeal, hemp, hazelnut, coconut! They all have their advantages; protein, calcium, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, manganese, etc.
So, these are my six personal favorites. Do you guys eat any of the things I mentioned? And If you do, how do you add them into your diet?
All comments are welcome!
Thanks for reading!
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