23 High Protein Vegetarian Foods List For Vegans

Today, in this post we are going to share the top high protein-rich vegetarian foods list for vegans. We know how difficult it is for vegetarians to fulfill their protein requirements especially if they are trying to build muscles or lose weight.

Protein plays a very important role in the proper functioning of your body as well as it helps you to achieve your fitness goal.

People are becoming increasingly interested in vegetarianism, as well as minimizing their usage of animal products. With more enriched and nutritious plant-based meals available, moving away from animal products is becoming simpler.

I am sure that a large piece of an omelet with bacon may come to mind when you think about protein. However, protein isn’t just found in animal-based meals. Plants are also high in protein.

So, whether you’re thinking of being vegetarian or vegan, or just cutting back on meat a few days a week, you can still obtain the nutrients you need.

In reality, a diet rich in whole plant foods can help you reduce your risk of numerous chronic conditions while also making you feel better overall. Vegetarian and vegan diets are often blamed for being deficient in protein.

There are many experts who, however, believe that a well-planned vegetarian diet may contain all of the nutrients you require, including protein.

However, certain plant foods have much more protein than others, and new and older research suggests that higher-protein diets can help with muscular strength, satiety, and weight reduction. firstly let me tell you why is it necessary to have protein in your diet.

Protein is the most important component of your body. It’s necessary for the formation of muscles, tendons, and skin tissues, as well as for the production of antibodies to combat infections.

Healthy people should consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight on a daily basis. For a 150-pound adult, that equates to 54 grams.

Let us now know about some of the vegetarian protein sources:

High Protein Rich Vegetarian Foods List For Vegans

1. Seitan

It is a popular source of vegetarian and vegan protein. Unlike many other soy-based artificial types of meat, it closely resembles the appearance and feels of real flesh when cooked.

It’s also known as wheat meat or wheat gluten, and each 3.5 ounce (100 grams) has about 25 grams of protein, making it one of the most protein-dense plant meals available. Seitan is also a good source of selenium and contains small amounts of iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

2. Beans

A half-cup of any bean variety has 6–9 grams of protein and 6–8 grams of fiber, which will keep you satisfied. Beans may also help with cholesterol-lowering and the growth of beneficial gut flora.

Beans with a high protein content per serving include kidney, black, pinto, and most other kinds. Most bean types include about 15 grams of protein per cooked cup (170 grams).

Complex carbohydrates, fiber, iron, folate, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and a range of phytochemicals are all abundant in them.

Furthermore, eating a diet rich in beans and other legumes has been proven in several studies to help in lowering cholesterol and managing blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, and even reducing belly fat.

3. Chickpeas

Cooked chickpeas have a high protein content of 7.25 grams every 12 cups. Chickpeas may be eaten hot or cold, and a variety of recipes can be found online.

After being seasoned with paprika, they may be used in curries or baked in the oven. On a sandwich, hummus, which is made from chickpea paste, may be used as a nutritious, which acts as protein-rich alternative to butter.

4. Edamame, Tofu, and Tempeh

Tofu, tempeh, and edamame are all made from soybeans. Soybeans are an excellent source of complete protein and this implies that they provide your body with all of the essential amino acids. So you should add it to your diet.

Edamame is a kind of immature soybean with a grassy flavor. They must be steamed or prepared before eating. They can be eaten on their own or in soups and salads after that.

Tofu is manufactured by squeezing bean curds together in the same way as we do with cheese. Meanwhile, tempeh is made by compressing ripe soybeans into a block after slightly fermenting and boiling them.

• The protein content of firm tofu (soybean curds) is roughly 10 g every 12 cups.
• 8.5 g protein every 12 cups of edamame beans (immature soybeans)
• 12 cups of tempeh have roughly 15 g of protein.

5. Lentils

Lentils, whether red or green, are high in protein, fiber, and essential elements like iron and potassium. Peas get a bad rap, but however, they’re a great source of protein.

The protein content of cooked lentils is 8.84 g per 12 cups. Lentils are an excellent protein option to include in your lunch or supper routine. They may be used to boost the protein content of stews, curries, salads, and grains.

6. Peanuts

Peanuts are high in protein, not only this, they contain healthy fats, and may help with heart health. They have about 20.5 grams of protein every 12 cups.

Peanut butter is particularly high in protein, at 3.6 g per tablespoon, making peanut butter sandwiches a nutritious full-protein snack.

7. Nuts

The peanut, while being a legume, contains the highest protein of all the regularly eaten nuts (9 grams per quarter-cup serving).

With 7 and 6 grams, respectively, almonds and pistachios are close behind. Grab a handful as a snack, or add a spoonful of nut butter to your morning cereals to boost protein and satisfying fats.

8. Nutritional yeast

It is a yellow powder or flakes made from an available commercially inactive strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.

It has a buttery flavor and is commonly found in mashed potatoes and tofu scrambles. Nutritional yeast may also be used as a savory topping on popcorn or sprinkled on top of pasta meals.

This full-plant protein source provides 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber every half ounce (16 grams). Zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese, and all of the B vitamins, including vitamin B12, are abundant in fortified nutritional yeast.

9. Teff and Spelt

This category includes ancient cereals like spelt and teff. Other ancient grains include einkorn, barley, sorghum, and farro.

Spelt is a gluten-containing wheat type, whereas teff is an annual grass that is naturally gluten-free. With 10–11 grams of protein per cooked cup, spelt and teff have a higher protein level than other ancient grains (250 grams).

Complex carbohydrates, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese, among other minerals, are abundant in both. There are also B vitamins, zinc, and selenium.

10. Spirulina

Spirulina is a kind of blue or green algae that contains around 8 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons. Iron, B vitamins — but not vitamin B-12 — and manganese are among the minerals found in them.

Spirulina is sold as a powder and it goes well in water, smoothies, and fruit juice. It may also be sprinkled on salads or snacks to boost the protein content.

11. Quinoa

Quinoa is a high-protein grain that is also a complete protein. let me tell you that per cup of cooked quinoa, there are 8 grams of protein.

Other minerals included in this grain include magnesium, iron, fiber, and manganese. It’s also quite adaptable. Quinoa may be used as a pasta substitute in soups and stews. It can be served as a side dish or as the main dish.

12. Hemp seeds

Hemp seeds are from the Cannabis sativa plant, which is the reason why they are often criticized since it is connected to cannabis.

Hemp seeds, on the other hand, contain just tiny amounts of the psychotropic element in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Hemp seeds, although not as well-known as other seeds, it contain 9 grams of protein in every 3-tablespoon (30-gram) meal.

Hemp seeds are high in magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium. They’re also high in the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids that are recommended for human wellness.

13. Ezekiel bread, as well as other sprouted grain bread

Organic whole grains and sprouted legumes are used in the making of Ezekiel bread. Wheat, millet, and barley are among them, as are soybeans and lentils.

Ezekiel bread has around 8 grams of protein per two slices, which is much more than most other types of bread.

14. Green Peas

Green peas include about 9 grams of protein in every cooked cup (160 grams), somewhat more than a cup of dairy milk (237 mL).

A serving of green peas also provides more than 25% of your daily fiber, thiamine, folate, manganese, and vitamin A, C, and K requirements. Green peas are also high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and a number of B vitamins.

15. Mycoprotein

Mycoprotein is a protein derived from fungi. The protein content of mycoprotein products is roughly 13 g per 12-cup serving.

Mycoprotein-based products are frequently sold as meat alternatives and come in the shape of “chicken” nuggets or cutlets.

Many of these goods, however, include egg white, so consumers should read the labels carefully. Only a small percentage of people are allergic to Fusarium venenatum, the fungus that produces the Quorn mycoprotein brand.

If you have a history of mushroom allergies or have a lot of food allergies, you might want to look for an alternative protein source.

16. Oatmeal with oats

Oats are a simple and tasty method to increase protein in any diet. Half a cup of dried oats contains around 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

Magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and folate are also found in oats. Although oats are not considered a complete protein, they do contain better quality protein than rice and wheat.

Oats may be used in a wide range of dishes, from porridge to vegetarian burgers. You may also grind them into flour and use it in baking. Oats are a delicious and easy way to add protein to your diet.

17. Potatoes

Each serving of a big baked potato has 8 grams of protein. Other minerals found in potatoes include potassium and vitamin C.

Though Potatoes have a reputation as a starchy carb, they are good sources of nutrients, including protein.

18. Vegetables high in protein

Protein may be found in a variety of dark-colored leafy greens and vegetables.

These foods alone do not provide enough protein to satisfy daily requirements, but a few veggie snacks can help to boost protein consumption, especially when coupled with other protein-rich meals.

For example, Broccoli has roughly 4 grams of protein in a single medium stalk.

19. Wild Rice

Other long-grain rice varieties, such as brown rice and basmati, provide around 1.5 times as much protein as wild rice.

In addition to fiber, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and B vitamins, a cooked cup (164 grams) has roughly 7 grams of protein.

Wild rice, unlike white rice, is not stripped of its bran. This is beneficial from a nutritional standpoint, as bran includes fiber as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals.

20. Chia seeds

The Salvia hispanica plant, which is native to Mexico and Guatemala, produces chia seeds. Chia seeds merit their place in the list of best plant-based proteins because they provide 5 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per ounce (28 grams).

Iron, calcium, selenium, and magnesium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other important plant chemicals, are abundant in these tiny seeds.

Their mild flavor and ability to absorb water and produce a gel-like material make them extremely flexible. Because of this, they may be used in a wide range of dishes, from smoothies to baked products or even in chia pudding.

21. Dairy products

Dairy Products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are high in protein and calcium. Choose cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt to get the greatest protein and that too at a cheaper rate.

Both are high in protein, with at least 13 grams per serving, and may be dressed up with fruit, nuts, or granola for a substantial breakfast or snack.

SOME DRY FRUITS RICH IN PROTEINS:

1. Cashews

Cashews have a high protein and dietary fiber content. Cashews come in a wide range of flavors, including spicy, nutty, and a variety of other flavors.

Cashews are excellent for avoiding or lowering the risk of heart disease and obesity.

2. Pistachios

The king of nuts is the pistachio. Protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants abound in them.

They provide around 17 grams of protein per cup or about 17% of the recommended daily intake (RDV). Pistachios are also a wonderful choice of protein for vegetarians.

Pistachios include 4.7 grams of fat per cup, with just roughly 3 grams of monounsaturated fat.

3. Apricots

Apricots are high-protein food. They are delicious and, more importantly, they can be enjoyed without spending too much.

They include a variety of beneficial elements, such as fiber, minerals, and vitamins, that provide a variety of health advantages to your body.

4. Almonds

Almonds include 16.5 grams of protein in a 12-cup serving. They also contain a lot of vitamin E, which is beneficial to the skin and eyes.

Final Thoughts:

So, these were the high protein vegetarian foods list for vegans, If you are a vegetarian then you can consider adding these foods to your diet list.

If we have missed any other vegan foods which have high protein content then please share them with us in the comment section below and we will update this post.

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