If you’re looking to add more protein to your diet but don’t want to eat animal products, don’t worry.
There are so many delicious protein-rich meals that you can make that don’t include animal products at all.
The Truth About Protein: It’s Everywhere!
It’s important for us to realize that protein is found in all foods—even fruits and veggies have protein despite being a smaller amount than denser protein-rich foods.
For example, a cup of broccoli and asparagus both have 4 grams of protein each, almost as much as an egg which has 6 grams per whole egg.
Just ½ cup of cooked lentils contains 22 grams of protein, which is more than a serving of tuna, 3 eggs, and almost as much as a steak or hamburger. Plus, lentils offer not just protein, but fiber, minerals like magnesium, potassium for healthy blood pressure levels, and exceptional levels of iron.
Even spinach contains 5 grams of protein per cup either cooked or raw.
These are just a few examples of how easy it is to work protein into your day through common, healthy foods.
Most people are well aware that protein is found in all foods, just like you probably are. The problem normally comes when individuals who want to eat more plant-based meals go to prepare a meal for themselves.
Some people don’t know how to prepare a meal that will ensure they get enough nutrients without animal products. Others aren’t sure how the foods will taste, and many people fear that they just won’t like the food.
These may all be some concerns you’ve had if you’ve considered adding more plants to your plate and putting the animal products aside for a bit.
The Power of Plants: It’s Worth it!
The truth is, it’s worth it to eat more plant-based sources of protein.
Animal products have directly been linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and multiple digestive problems.
Cruelty and environmental issues aside, our country eats more animals now than ever before and we’re also sicker than we ever have been. It’s time for us to start looking to nature to get the nutrition we need. Plants are filled with nourishment from every single angle.
We also don’t need quite as much protein as we think. Our bodies run off glucose and carbohydrates—not protein. Although protein is essential to health, it’s not the most important macronutrient to consider. In fact, we need more micronutrients in our diet (minerals, vitamins, antioxidants) than we do protein, to say the least.
Luckily, plants package carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients all into one tasty package. So, let’s take a look at how you can take common, everyday ingredients and prepare a protein-rich meal with them.
Remember that whole grains, legumes, greens, nuts, seeds and even fruit all have protein. Your body can take all of these amino acids and form complete proteins with no special combinations needed like you might think.
Based on that fact, each of these recipes below contains well over 15 grams of protein. Pick one for your personal tastes or try them all out!
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Ideas That Are Full of Plant-Based Protein
Breakfast
Here are three different breakfast ideas you can try, one being a sweeter option, one being a more savory option, and one being a classic that might be similar to the breakfast you’re enjoying now.
1. Sweet: Protein-Rich Green Smoothie – Perfect for Travel!
This smoothie packs in iron, vitamins, minerals, protein, B vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants all in one glass. The oats provide creaminess, protein, and extra iron and the greens are loaded with fiber, iron, vitamins, protein, and minerals. You can enjoy it at home or take it to work with you for easy travel.
Fun Fact and Tip:
Spinach is one of the most protein-rich and most nutrient-dense greens of all; it’s also the least likely to taste bitter in green smoothies.
Freeze a small container of loose leaf spinach when you get home from the store. Then just open it up, pop it in the blender, and blend the greens frozen versus fresh. They add an extra frostiness and retain all their nutrition, but their flavor dissipates even more after being frozen so you’re less likely to taste them.
Ingredients:
2 cups loose leaf spinach (you won’t taste it, don’t worry!)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen blackberries
½ cup frozen pineapple
½ cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon of raw almond butter or 2 tablespoons of raw almonds
1 cup your choice unsweetened non-dairy milk
½ cup cold water
6-8 large ice cubes
Optional: 1 tablespoon of raw cacao, maca, chia, flax, and/or goji berries for more amino acids, fiber, and minerals
Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a blender in the order listed, then just blend and enjoy!
2. Savory: Black Bean Salsa Scramble
This scramble can be prepared in under 5 minutes and requires hardly any fancy cooking skills at all. If you used to love scrambled eggs, this is a great way to transition away from eggs and take in much more nutrition at the same time.
Fun Fact and Tip:
Black beans are one of the most antioxidant-rich and protein-rich foods on the planet. They’re also cheap, delicious, and they can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. When buying canned, go for those with no added salt and that come in BPA-free cans for optimal nutrition.
Ingredients:
½ a can (about ½ cup) of canned, no salt added black beans
½ cup diced red bell pepper
Onion flakes
Garlic powder
Black pepper
½ cup loose spinach
Salsa to garnish
Directions:
First, drain and rinse the black beans and set aside.
Heat a skillet on the stovetop to medium-high heat, and add 2 tablespoons of water in the pan (versus oil).
Add the drained and rinsed black beans and cook just until warm (about 2 minutes), scrambling as you go so they don’t stick.
Next, add in the pepper, seasonings, and the spinach. Scramble for 1 minute.
Put the lid on the skillet and turn the heat off. Let it sit on the skillet for 30 seconds while you grab a plate and the salsa.
Remove the skillet lid, scrape the skillet mixture onto a plate and top with your favorite salsa.
Enjoy!
3. Classic: Overnight Pecan Oatmeal with Fruit and Flax
Oatmeal is a breakfast you probably already enjoy are accustomed to eating. If you’re new to eating more plant-based foods, sometimes it can help to start with something more familiar if you’re not into trying new options yet.
Fun Fact and Tip:
This recipe provides heartiness, plenty of protein, and so many antioxidants from the pecans, fruit, and flax. It’s also extremely filling and contains ingredients that can help improve metabolic, heart, digestive, and brain health. Oatmeal is also one of the best sources of plant-based protein, iron, and fiber too!
Ingredients:
½ cup rolled oats (choose gluten-free if needed)
1 cup your choice non-dairy milk
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds (also called flax meal)
½ cup frozen blueberries or your favorite berries
2 tablespoons raw pecan pieces
½ a ripe banana
Optional: raw almond butter, natural peanut butter, or chia to garnish and for more protein
Directions:
First, add the oats to a bowl and the non-dairy milk. Stir just to incorporate.
Next, stir in the flax and the frozen blueberries. The flax will thicken the recipe up overnight and it adds extra omega-3 fatty acids. The blueberries will defrost overnight and act as a natural sweetener as they release their juices.
Finally, stir in the pecan pieces and cover the bowl with a paper towel. Pop in the fridge and let it sit overnight.
In the morning, top with slices of the fresh banana, and even add a dollop of raw almond butter, natural peanut butter, or some chia seeds for more natural protein!
Lunch and/or Dinner:
Lunch is a great time to pack in as much nutrition as you can since the 3 p.m. slump can be greatly reduced or even eliminated if you have a proper lunch. Refined/processed foods all contain ingredients that rob your energy levels. Choose something fresh made from whole foods that you can prepare quickly and easily such as any of the options below.
These recipes can also easily be enjoyed at dinner and are great if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands. Pick one out and give them a try!
4. Sweet Potato Bowl With Greens and Lentils
The only prep required to make this meal is for you to make the lentils and sweet potato ahead of time.
Lentils can be cooked on the stovetop in just 15 minutes and require no soaking whatsoever (though you probably should give them a rinse before cooking).
Sweet potatoes can be roasted on a pan anytime of the day, even in the morning while you’re getting ready. Roast a sweet potato (or more) for 45 minutes at 400 degrees and that’s it!
Fun Fact and Tip:
Red lentils and sweet potatoes are two of the highest antioxidant-rich foods on the planet. They also both provide fiber and potassium, two essential nutrients you need for healthy blood pressure levels, a healthy weight, and optimal blood sugar levels. Both can be cooked ahead of time, (such as the night before or on the weekend) so that this meal comes together in less than 2 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 medium sized sweet potato
½ cup cooked lentils (red are sweeter than brown or green lentils and easier to digest)
2 cups loose romaine lettuce, spinach, or baby kale
¼ cup medium heat salsa
Optional: ¼ cup raw cashews or hemp seeds as a tasty garnish
Directions:
Add the greens to a bowl and chop the sweet potato up into cubes. Add the sweet potato to the greens.
Next, add the lentils, salsa, and the cashews or hemp seeds if using.
Add any additional seasonings you want, chop it all up, and enjoy!
5. Raw Energy Mix
Raw foods can be easier to digest for many people and can be quick and easy to prepare. Here’s a lunchtime mix that’s raw and full of plant-based energizing ingredients!
Fun Fact and Tip:
Cashews and almonds are great sources of magnesium and monounsaturated fats that protect your heart. Soaking your nuts overnight can help increase their nutrition content and make them even easier to digest. Avocados are also a natural source of protein as are sprouts and leafy greens.
Ingredients:
¼ cup soaked almonds and cashews, rinsed (combined)
3 cups loose leaf greens of choice
1 cup broccoli or alfalfa sprouts (also good sources of protein)
¼ an avocado, chopped and diced
1 large Roma tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons of a red onion, chopped and diced
½ of a red bell pepper, chopped or diced
½ a cup of shredded carrots
Juice of one lemon
Pink of sea salt
Optional: black pepper to taste
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the greens, sprouts, and tomato. Toss to combine.
Next add in the avocado, red bell pepper pieces, carrots, and the onion pieces. Toss to combine further.
Finally, squeeze the juice of one lemon over the top, add a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of the salad, and then the black pepper if using.
Top with the soaked almonds and cashews, and enjoy!
6. Tahini Turmeric and Tempeh Wrap
Tahini is a natural source of protein, iron, and plant-based calcium—no dairy needed! It’s also super creamy and has a nutty, savory flavor making it a perfect ingredient for salads.
Tempeh is a fermented soy product that cooks up just like bacon but offers healthy fats, a complete protein source, and probiotics that improve gut health. If you’re a meat or fish eater, give this recipe a try as a replacement to your normal lunchtime wrap.
Fun Fact and Tip:
Tempeh is one of the most popular plant-based sources of protein even among people who hate tofu and other soy products. It’s sold in the produce department with the other refrigerated products.
Turmeric is another very popular ingredient that can improve inflammation and add a savory flavor. Keep ready-to-go tempeh in your fridge for easy meal prep in just minutes!
Ingredients:
2 sprouted grain wraps or a gluten-free wrap (such as a raw coconut wrap)
4 pieces of pre-cooked tempeh
1 cup shredded lettuce (such as romaine) or baby spinach
¼ cup diced carrots or pre-cut carrot strips
2 tablespoons raw tahini
¼ cup diced celery
2 tablespoons raisins for sweetness
¼ tsp. turmeric
Dash of black pepper
Juice of ½ a lemon
Directions:
In a large bowl, add the lettuce, carrots, tahini, celery, turmeric and black pepper. Toss well to coat. Add the juice of a lemon and toss again.
Open up a wrap and add 2 pieces of tempeh with ½ the lettuce and tahini mixture above. Wrap up tightly. Repeat again for the second wrap with the other 2 pieces of tempeh, the remaining mixture, and the remaining wrap.
Serves 1-2 (depending on how hungry you are).
7. Set it and Forget it Slow Cooker Soup
Who doesn’t love their slow cooker, right? Use the well-loved appliance of many to make an easy protein-rich dinner in just minutes, then serve up the leftovers for lunch the next day or two. The recipe below is super easy to make and is packed with nutrient-dense ingredients.
Fun Fact and Tip:
Zucchini, butternut squash, tomatoes, and potatoes are all filled with heart-protecting nutrients for your body. Chickpeas are one of the easiest legumes to digest and they offer exceptional amounts of protein, B vitamins, iron, and potassium. They also have a nutty flavor that makes them well-loved by many.
Ingredients:
½ cup chopped or frozen zucchini
½ cup a yellow onion, chopped and diced
½ cup butternut squash, fresh and chopped or frozen and cubed
1 can of no salt added fire-roasted tomatoes
1 sweet or yellow potato, washed, diced and chopped
1 can of no salt added chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans)
½ cup wild rice, rinsed
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
A pinch of fine sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
3 cups cold, filtered water
Directions:
Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and stir well to incorporate.
Cook on 4 hours at high heat or 6 hours on low heat. Serves 4-6
See how easy that was? Try out one of these breakfasts, lunches, and dinners this week and turn your dessert into a healthier one while you’re at it. It’s really so easy to get enough protein and if you ate one of each of these meals per day, you’d easily get all the protein you need.
Speaking of Getting Enough Protein… How Much Do You Need?
Men need at anywhere from 50-55 grams of protein per day and women need right around 40-45 grams of protein per day, on average.
More protein than necessary has been associated with inflammation and weight gain. If you’re active or an athlete, you can easily add a scoop of plant-based protein powder to your oatmeal, smoothie, or just shake it up with water and ice before or after a workout.
For more protein-rich meal ideas that don’t include animal products, check out this article for more healthy advice!
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