In the last several years we have become more concerned as a society about what we eat. Many diets have come, and many have gone. One lifestyle change that many people have adopted is veganism. Why has being vegan become so popular in recent years? Many people have found some serious health benefits associated with a meat and dairy free lifestyle. People find that being vegan makes them not only feel better, but look better too.
Most people when considering a vegan diet stress about finding nutritious vegan sources of protein. They worry that they won’t get all the protein their bodies need. We hear so much about complete proteins that we feel worried relying on only plants instead of meat to meet our needs. A complete protein contains all the amino acids that we can’t produce ourselves. While it is easy to get all these amino acids in a day, there are non-meat options that are complete proteins as well. Let’s take a look at 6 nutritious vegan sources of protein.
Quinoa
This is a versatile food that has 8 grams of protein per each 1 cup serving. It’s is also full of fiber, iron, magnesium, and manganese. You can find many recipes to make healthy, tasty versions of foods you love.
Soy
This is the food most people immediately call to mind when going meatless. Soy is a complete protein and boasts 10 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving of firm tofu. This is also what makes tempeh and natto, both of which are excellent sources of protein as well.
Rice and Beans
This simple staple combines to provide a complete protein. There are many ways that these can be cooked to suit your tastes. Aside from being a very filling meal, rice and beans contains 7 grams of protein per 1 cup serving.
Hummus and Pita
Wheat protein is similar to that of rice in that it is missing lysine. Just as beans make up for that lack when served with rice, chickpeas do the same for wheat here. You’ll even find the similar 7 grams, but here the serving is 1 whole wheat pita and 2 tablespoons of hummus.
Peanut Butter
When made into a sandwich you get 15 grams of protein from 2 slices of bread with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Aside from protein peanut butter has healthy fats as well. Healthy varieties that leave out the sugar are of course best.
Hempseed
This relative of marijuana contains all of the amino acids, though it is low in lysine so it isn’t considered a complete protein. You’ll get a whopping 10 grams of protein from 2 tablespoons of seeds. These are also a good source of essential fatty acids such as Omega-3.
It’s possible to live a vegan lifestyle and still get all of what your body needs. Have fun trying new foods to see what you like, and enjoy the variety that a meatless diet can offer. If you still find yourself needing to supplement your beauty routine after all the natural benefits of a vegan diet be sure to buy quality natural products. You can find a wide selection of natural beauty and health products at Siberian Health, all made from top quality Siberian herbs.