7 Surprising Sources Of Protein That Are Meat Free

Our body needs protein and all other nutrients in order to live healthy, check out the article we found over at Healthy and Natural World.

Eating a vegetarian diet can be very healthy and rewarding. However, it is a common concern among vegetarians that they are not consuming enough protein. But there is no need for vegetarians to force themselves to eat meat, as there are many vegetarian foods which contain an abundant amount of protein and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). So, look no further than this list of protein-rich (meatless) foods for you to feast on!

1. Avocado

Avocados are full of good stuff. Don’t listen to those who say they are fattening. Avocados do contain fat, indeed, but good fat that your body needs. Avocados are also loaded with protein. To get the best out of it, chop it up and add it to salads, smoothies, or pop it on toast!

2. Chickpeas

Just half a cup of chickpeas contains more than 7 grams of protein. So why not make delicious homemade hummus by pureeing chickpeas with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and some olive oil. Alternatively, you can roast them for an on-the-go protein boost.

3. Lentils

The combination of a high fiber content and protein makes lentils a fulfilling meal choice while keeping your blood sugar levels stable, meaning more energy and less hunger cravings. Lentils are also packed with iron (6.6mg per cup cooked — over 80% of the daily recommended intake for men). Plus, lentils are easy to prepare and take less time to cook than most beans and legumes because they don’t need to be soaked beforehand. All you have to do is cook them in liquid, such as water or a stock/broth, in a 3:1 liquid to lentil ratio for just 20 to 30 minutes, until they are soft.

4. Beans

You can choose from many different types of beans. The choice is yours! Whether that’s black, white, pinto or heirloom, plus many more. Whichever bean you choose, you can rest assured that it will contain as much protein as the other. One cup of kidney beans, for example, contain around 15 grams protein.

5. Green Peas

Did you know that those little green balls contain about as much protein as a small serving of peanut butter? Just one cup of peas contains 8 grams of protein. Plus 100% of your daily vitamin C allowance, and lots of fulfilling fiber.

6. Sundried tomatoes

Sundried tomatoes are a delicious addition to your salad. But if their tastiness isn’t enough to entice you, then maybe the fact that 1 cup of them contains 8 grams of protein will!

7. Nuts

Like avocados, nuts contain lots of healthy fats and are packed with protein, making them an ideal snack. Pistachios, for example, contains 160 calories and 5 or 6 grams of protein per ounce. Just make sure you choose raw nuts as opposed to those full of salt and sugar. Nut butters are also a great choice for spreading on toast, or eating straight out of the jar! But again, make sure you choose nut butters which contain as less extra ingredients as possible, in order to make it more pure and healthy.

 Read full article: 13 Surprising Sources of Protein (Meat Free)