How to Get Your Protein Needs Without Eating Meat

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Protein is an important element of a well-balanced and healthy diet. But did you know that it is possible to meet your protein requirements without eating meat?

To meet your protein needs, it is important to eat small amounts of protein for the rest of the day, to make sure the body has enough supply whenever needed. The quality of protein is also very important.

Dairy foods and eggs are complete proteins, as these foods contain all of the essential amino acids. Most plant-based proteins, on the other hand, except some grains and soy beans, are considered to be incomplete proteins.

Therefore you should try to consume a variety of different protein sources for the rest of the day to provide all of these essential amino acids.

How to Get Your Protein Needs Without Eating Meat

1. Legumes

Lentil, beans and peas all belong to the food group, know as legumes. Legumes are rich in protein, iron and fiber as well. You can add legumes into your meals to replace meat, while still getting your much needed protein.

Legumes, 1 cup cooked Protein Calories Fiber
Soybeans 29 g 298 10 g
Lentils 18 g 230 16 g
Split peas 16 g 231 16 g
Navy beans 16 g 258 12 g
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) 15 g 269 12 g
Black beans 15 g 227 15 g
Kidney beans 15 g 225 11 g
Lima beans 15 g 216 13 g
Pinto beans 14 g 234 15 g

2. Nuts

Nuts are an excellent source of protein. Almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios and pine nuts. While halzelnuts and chestnuts contain the lowest protein. Also nuts provide fiber, antioxidant (vitamins A and E) and heart-healthy fatty acids.

Nuts, 1/4 cup Protein Calories Fat
Peanuts, raw 9 g 207 18 g
Almonds, dry roasted 8 g 206 18 g
Pistachios 6 g 171 14 g
Hazelnuts 5 g 212 21 g
Pine nuts 5 g 229 23 g
Cashews, raw 5 g 197 16 g
Walnuts 4 g 164 16 g

3. Seeds

Seeds contains phytochemicals and unsaturated fats, that helps a lot in fighting heart disease and preventing cancer. You can use sunflower seeds in salads and pasta and sesame seeds on steamed vegetables.

Seeds (1/4 cup) Protein Calories Fat
Hemp seeds 15 g 232 18 g
Pumpkin seeds, roasted 9 g 187 16 g
Flaxseed 8 g 191 13 g
Sunflower seeds, roasted 8 g 205 18 g
Sesame seeds, roasted 6 g 206 18 g
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4. Soy

Soy’s protein content are comparable to that of animal proteins. It is considered to be nutrition’s utility player. Between soy milk, tofu, tempeh and vegetable burger, take your pick!

Soy Foods Protein Calories Fat
Soybeans, 1 cup cooked 29 g 298 10 g
Tempeh, 4 oz cooked 21 g 223 13 g
Edamame, 1 cup shelled 20 g 240 10 g
TVP, 1/4 cup dry 12 g 80 0 g
Soy nuts, 1/4 cup roasted 11 g 200 1 g
Tofu, 4 oz raw 9 g 86 5 g
Soy nut butter, 2 tablespoons 7 g 170 11 g
Soymilk, 1 cup sweetened 7 g 100 0.5 g
Soymilk, 1 cup unsweetened 7 g 80 0.5 g

5. Dairy

Dairy products include cheddar, cottage cheese, etc. Other dairy products include eggs, ice cream and milk which can also provide an adequate amount of protein, while also providing the added benefit of high calcium content.

Dairy Protein Calories Fat
Fat-free cottage cheese, 1 cup 31 g 160 1 g
2% cottage cheese, 1 cup 30 g 203 4 g
1% cottage cheese, 1 cup 28 g 163 2 g
Fat-free plain yogurt, 1 cup 14 g 137 0 g
Low-fat plain yogurt, 1 cup 13 g 155 4 g
Parmesan cheese, 1 oz grated 12 g 129 9 g
Whole milk yogurt, 1 cup 9 g 150 8 g
Goat’s milk, 1 cup 9 g 168 10 g
1% milk, 1 cup 8 g 102 2 g
Swiss cheese, 1 oz 8 g 106 8 g
2% milk, 1 cup 8 g 121 7 g
3.25% (whole) milk, 1 cup 8 g 146 8 g
Low-fat cheddar/Colby cheese, 1 oz 7 g 49 2 g
Part-skim mozzarella cheese, 1 oz 7 g 72 5 g
Provolone cheese, 1 oz 7 g 100 8 g
Cheddar cheese, 1 oz 7 g 114 9 g
Blue cheese, 1 oz 6 g 100 8 g
American cheese, 1 oz 6 g 106 9 g
Goat cheese, 1 oz 5 g 76 6 g
Feta cheese, 1 oz 4 g 75 6 g
Part-skim ricotta cheese, 1 oz 3 g 39 2 g

6. Grains

Grains are very high in protein and are great for muscle-building and source of whole-grain carbohydrates.

Grains Protein Calories Fiber
Amaranth, 1 cup cooked 9 g 238 9 g
Quinoa, 1 cup cooked 9 g 254 4 g
Whole wheat pasta, 1 cup cooked 8 g 174 6 g
Barley, 1 cup cooked 7 g 270 14 g
Spelt, 4 oz cooked 6 g 144 4 g
Oats, 1 cup cooked 6 g 147 4 g
Bulgur, 1 cup cooked 6 g 151 8 g
Buckwheat, 1 cup cooked 6 g 155 5 g
Brown rice, 1 cup cooked 5 g 216 4 g
Whole wheat bread, 1 slice 4 g 128 3 g
Sprouted grain bread, 1 slice 4 g 80 3 g

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