Top 6 Sources of Protein for Vegetarians
Protein is very important for muscle building and general health. To remain healthy and maintain the muscle structure in the body, a woman needs about 46 grams of protein and a man about 56. You can get protein from a variety of food sources like meat, vegetables and lentils. However, there is a common misconception that when people go vegetarian or vegan they miss out a lot on protein. This is not true as there are a lot of vegetarian foods out there that give you as much as protein as meat does. And the best part about vegetable based protein is that you do not have to worry about the high fat content that comes along with meat. Here are some top protein sources for vegetarians.
1. Quinoa
Quinoa is cultivated in the high altitudes of Bolivia and Peru and has remained the staple food of people living there for centuries, thanks to its high protein content. Every 185 grams of quinoa contains 8.14 grams of protein. Quinoa can also be cooked in a lot of ways making it a tasty alternative to meat based protein.
2. Tempeh
Tempeh is also a great source of protein for vegetarians. It is fermented, thick and chewy and beats any other processed food like tofu. A cup of tempeh has about 15 grams of protein. It is also soy based and has fiber content which makes digestion easier. Although not tasty as meat, it does offer equal amounts of protein.
3. Almonds and butter made out of Almonds
A handful of almonds every day is enough to give your body the protein content it needs. The butter made out of almonds is also less toxic and you can use it instead of regular butter or peanut butter. You can also use almond oil for cooking, although you will lose some of the protein in the cooking process.
