Vegetarian Foods Packed with More Protein Than Meat (2024)

You already know that protein is an important part of ahealthy, balanced diet. But when you don’t eat a lot of meat, it can feel difficult to get in your recommended daily intake of protein. (The amount of protein you need will vary depending on a several factors, but protein should generally make up10 to 35 percentof your day’s total calories.) Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan or just an occasional meat-eater, there’s good news: You can get just as much protein as all the carnivores out there. Start by chowing down these seven foods.

1. BLACK BEANS.

They contain15g of proteinin just a 1-cup serving, more than the amount in achicken drumstick. Not only are black beans a great source of protein, but they’re also an excellent source of fiber and vitamins and minerals—plus they’re low in fat and have no cholesterol. Use them instead of chicken in aquesadilla.

2. LENTILS.

Much like beans, lentils check some important boxes for herbivores. One cup of cooked lentils has nearly18g of protein— more than the amount in ahamburger— and also contains a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Thiscurried red lentil soupis ready in about an hour.

3. TEMPEH.

A fermented soybean product, tempeh is a tasty substitute for bacon or chicken. In fact, a cup of tempeh has about33g of protein; by comparison, a slice of bacon has just under4g of protein. Try asmothered tempeh sandwich.

4.SOYBEAN.

Soybeans take on many forms and are rich in amino acids and B vitamins. One cup of soybeans has about31g of protein, more than a4-ounce turkey burger. Use them in theseedamame quinoa burgers.

5. QUINOA.

Consider quinoa the king of protein-filled grains. Just ½ cup cooked quinoa contributes about4 grams of protein. And it’s versatile: It can be used in cookies, bars, salads, bowls and more; try it in thesealmond butter-quinoa blondies.

6.SPINACH.

No wonder a can of spinach made Popeye’s muscles bulge – just one cup is equivalent to nearly5 grams of protein. What’s more: This popular green is a fantastic source of folate, important for healthy cells andreproductive health. No need for protein powder when you’ve got spinach in yoursmoothie.

© Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

Vegetarian Foods Packed with More Protein Than Meat (2024)

FAQs

Vegetarian Foods Packed with More Protein Than Meat? ›

One myth about protein is that the human body can only absorb or us 30g protein in one go. People who believe this say that if you eat anything more than 30g of the macronutrient protein in one meal, the rest will either turn to fat or will be excreted through urine.

Which vegetarian food is highest in protein? ›

The values below match the cooking method indicated for each food.
  1. Edamame. Total protein: 18.4 grams (g) per cup (prepared from frozen) ...
  2. Lentils. Total protein: 17.9 g per cup (boiled) ...
  3. Pinto beans. Total protein: 15.4 g per cup (boiled from dried) ...
  4. Chickpeas. ...
  5. Mung beans. ...
  6. Fava beans. ...
  7. Lima beans. ...
  8. Green peas.

How to get 40 grams of protein a day vegetarian? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  1. Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  2. Soya beans. ...
  3. Quinoa. ...
  4. Nuts. ...
  5. Seeds. ...
  6. Cereals and grains. ...
  7. Quorn™ ...
  8. Dairy.

How to get 30g protein vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian Meal Ideas with 30 Grams of Protein
  1. Lentil Soup: Lentils are an excellent source of protein and make a great base for a hearty soup. ...
  2. Chickpea Curry: Chickpeas are a versatile legume that can be used in many dishes. ...
  3. Tofu Stir-Fry: Tofu is a great source of protein and can be used in many dishes.
Feb 10, 2024

How can a vegetarian get max protein? ›

Vegetarian Protein Sources
  1. Lentils.
  2. Black beans.
  3. Fava beans.
  4. Chickpeas.
  5. Garbanzo beans.
  6. Kidney beans.
  7. Lima beans.
  8. Soybeans.
Aug 31, 2023

What veggie has the most protein? ›

And what are the best sources for protein?
  • Green peas. Green peas are at the top of the list of the most protein-filled vegetables. ...
  • Spinach. A big crisp spinach salad is certainly refreshing, especially on a hot day in the South. ...
  • Collard greens. ...
  • Sweet corn. ...
  • Mustard greens. ...
  • Lima beans. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Broccoli.

What is the 30g protein breakfast myth? ›

One myth about protein is that the human body can only absorb or us 30g protein in one go. People who believe this say that if you eat anything more than 30g of the macronutrient protein in one meal, the rest will either turn to fat or will be excreted through urine.

Does avocado have protein? ›

A 50g serving of fresh avocado contains 1 gram of protein and a whole 5-oz. fresh avocado (3 servings) contains 3 grams of protein. Though fresh avocados do not contain a significant amount of protein, they can be a creamy and delicious addition to a variety of meal plans and menus.

Which nuts have high protein? ›

Proteins. Nuts are a rich source of proteins and essential amino acids as indicated by the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference [10] and as presented in Table 1. The major sources of proteins are peanuts, almonds, and pistachios, while chestnuts are the poorest in proteins.

What food to eat to gain muscle as a vegetarian? ›

High Protein Vegetarian Diet Plan – A Guide for You
Meal TimingMenu
Early MorningMixed Nuts & Seeds
BreakfastCow's Milk with Protein Powder and Grains
Mid- MorningAny Sprouts or Roasted Chana with Nuts/ Buttermilk
LunchGreen Salad, Tofu/ Paneer, Steamed Vegetable & Grains
4 more rows
Feb 3, 2023

Can you get enough protein from plants? ›

The good news is there's a wide variety of plant-based foods that contain adequate amounts of protein. Plant protein sources are also filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – plus they're naturally low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol.

Which vegetarian food has the highest protein? ›

1. Lentils. Lentils, also called daal, is a popular addition to an everyday meal in India. Each cup of lentils contains about 18 g of protein making it an excellent source of vegetarian protein.

Is hummus high in protein? ›

Hummus is a great source of plant-based protein.

More specifically, hummus provides close to 8 grams of protein per serving, making it prime for a midday power boost that can help you stave off hunger pangs and avoid overeating throughout the day. Pair it with broccoli for a powerful, protein-packed punch.

Which vegetarian food has more protein than egg? ›

Seitan. Seitan—a plant-based protein derived from wheat gluten—is another great high-protein, vegetarian meat substitute.

What vegetarian foods have more protein than meat? ›

VEGETARIAN FOODS PACKED WITH MORE PROTEIN THAN MEAT
  • LENTILS. Much like beans, lentils check some important boxes for herbivores. ...
  • SOYBEAN. Soybeans take on many forms and are rich in amino acids and B vitamins. ...
  • QUINOA. Consider quinoa the king of protein-filled grains. ...
  • SPINACH.

Which protein is best for vegetarian? ›

Top Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians
  • Tempeh. In Pascale's opinion, the “foremost” protein source for vegans and vegetarians is tempeh, which she describes as a fermented alternative to tofu that's made with a whole soybean. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Nut Butters. ...
  • Hemp Seeds. ...
  • Tofu.
Jan 23, 2024

What vegetarians eat in a day for high-protein? ›

High-Protein Vegetarian Foods to Focus On:
  • Beans and lentils.
  • Nuts, including natural nut butters.
  • Seeds (chia, flax, hemp, pumpkin and more)
  • Peas.
  • Dairy (such as cheese, unsweetened yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese)
  • Whole grains (such as oats, quinoa, bulgur, brown rice, freekeh and whole wheat)
  • Soy, tofu, edamame.
  • Seitan.
Jan 14, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 6353

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.