5 Powerful Sources Of Plant-Based Protein
People who follow vegan, vegetarian, or highly plant-based diets often get asked how they’re able to eat enough protein. Typical western diets use meat as the main source of protein, and that’s why we often see sausage at breakfast, turkey at lunch, and chicken or beef at dinner. With meat being such a staple in our culture, you might be wondering how a plant-based diet could possibly measure up.
The truth is, there are lots of protein-rich foods that don’t come from animals. Believe it or not, eating plant-based meals can help make your diet more clean, balanced, and nutritious. Whether you’re a high-performing athlete or not, everyone can get the protein, energy, and sustenance they need from plants. Here are some of the best sources of vegan protein.
SEEDS
Seeds have recently grown in popularity, and for good reason. Many of them are serious superfoods, packing lots of protein into their small shell.
Seed | Grams of protein in 1 cup |
Hemp seeds (or “hemp hearts”) | 56g |
Flaxseeds (or flaxmeal) | 30g |
Sunflower seeds | 24g |
Chia seeds | 21g |
All of these seeds are great in smoothies, baked goods, and power bowls. They also add some Omega-3 or Omega-6 fatty acids to your dish! Each seed has different properties and uses, so experiment and see which ones you like best. For example, both flax and chia seeds become soft when mixed with water. Keep in mind that flaxseeds provide the best health benefits when ground into meal.
BEANS
You’ve probably heard that beans are high in protein, and that’s certainly true. Many varieties of beans, such as black, kidney, pinto, red, and garbanzo (chickpeas) have about 15 grams of protein in one cup, cooked.
Beans make a good side dish or addition to a salad, but they can be used for much more than that. They can be turned into hearty burgers, fillings, casseroles, fritters, and more. Beans are a great way to make plant-based meals that are both satisfying and protein-packed.
NUTS
Nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts, are a good way to get plant-based protein from your snacks. Nuts also have lots of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and zinc. Substituting mixed nuts for junk food will help power you through the day.
Nut | Grams of protein per 1 cup |
Almonds | 30g |
Cashews | 25g |
Walnuts | 16g |
VEGETABLES
Here’s a secret: most vegetables actually contain protein. Although they’re known most for their vitamins and minerals, veggies like broccoli, spinach, and asparagus add a bit of protein to your meal. Don’t worry too much about packing in immense amounts of protein — it’s more plentiful in the plant kingdom than you might expect!
PROTEIN BARS
If you’d like an easy way to get lots of plant-based protein, check out TB12 Protein Bars. Many protein bars are loaded with chemicals, preservatives, and synthetic additives that are detrimental to your health. TB12 Protein Bars are a completely organic, raw, plant-based, and gluten-free fuel source for your body. Each bar is packed with 20 grams of plant-based protein and has no any unhealthy fillers, making them a great, natural way to boost your protein intake.
TB12™ PLANT-BASED PROTEIN
Peas shake up the protein game, which is why we developed TB12™ Plant-Based Protein. TB12™ Plant-Based Protein is a pure pea protein isolate powder without any preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavors, giving you all of what you need, and none of what you don’t. Always made with the highest-quality ingredients, our Plant-Based Protein is non-GMO, contains 24 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar per serving, and comes in two great-tasting flavors: Chocolate and Vanilla. It conveniently mixes into anything from water to your morning smoothie — leaving a smooth texture and a clean, great taste.