Other Sources of Protein

Besides your usual Chicken, Steak, Turkey, Pork…..There are other sources of proteins out there to be discovered. Here are some Plant Based items you can incorporate into your meals to help add some extra Protein in…

Seitan- it resembles the look and texture of meat when cooked. Found in the refrigerated section of most health food stores. (This should be avoided if you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease)

Tofu, Tempeh, and Edamame-they all originate from soybeans and they contain essential amino acids, have excellent fiber, and vitamins.

Lentils- You can get 18g of protein from a cooked cup of these beans! You can use these in so many different meals.

Chickpeas and Most other varieties of Beans- These contain about 15g of protein per cooked cup and provide an excellent source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium.

Green Peas- These are often overlooked or added as a side dish, but one cup of cooked green peas packs 9g of protein. Add them to your rice or veggies for an easy boost of protein.

Quinoa- similar to grains, this can add 8-9g of protein per cooked cup. Adding it with your rice or in place of can be a great option.

Ezekiel Bread and other Sprouted Grains- Bread? Yep! Two slices of Ezekiel bread contains about 8g of protein, not bad for some morning toast and nut butter.

Chia Seeds- If you enjoy smoothies, you can add these and get around 6g of protein and over 13g of fiber! They are rich in iron, calcium, and magnesium, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids. You can even bake with them or add them to your yogurt!

Nut and Seed Butters- Read the labels. These items can have around 8g of protein depending on the nut or seed used. Combining this with your Ezekiel Bread adds a great punch of that protein in you are having a hard time getting it in.

Veggies-Say what? Here are some veggies on the higher protein end of things: Broccoli, Spinach, Asparagus, Artichokes, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Brussel Sprouts. Not a total replacement, but an additive that we can all benefit from.