25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (2024)

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Written by Ashley Laderer

Updated

This article wasmedically reviewedbySamantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City.

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25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (1)

  • For vegans, getting enough protein may seem difficult at first but there are numerous options.
  • The best vegan protein sources include lentils, chickpeas, and whole grains like oatmeal.
  • Most people, including vegans, should aim to eat between 50 to 70 grams of protein per day.

25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (2)

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25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (4)

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One of the main concerns vegans may have is how to get their protein when they aren't consuming what many consider to be the traditional sources of protein.

In addition to avoiding meat, vegans take their diet a step further than vegetarians because they cut out all animal byproducts including protein-rich foods like eggs, Greek yogurt, and certain brands of dry-roasted peanuts that contain gelatin, which is made from animal collagen.

Despite these numerous dietary restrictions, "as long as the diet includes a variety of protein-rich plant foods, consuming adequate protein is not a problem for vegans," says Samantha Heller, MS, senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Health.

An average healthy, active adult should get between 50 to 70 grams of protein per day, or about 0.4 to 0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

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Vegan protein sources

Below are 25 of the best vegan protein foods, broken up into six categories:

Legumes

  • Chickpeas: 1 cup cooked contains 14.5 grams of protein
  • Lentils: 1 cup cooked contains 17.2 grams of protein
  • Beans (black, pinto, kidney, lima): 1 cup of black beans contains 8.9 grams of protein
  • Peas: 1 cup contains 15.1 grams of protein
  • Peanuts: 1 serving size (28 grams) contains 7 grams of protein

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Soy

  • Soy milk: 1 cup contains 6.3 grams of protein
  • Tempeh: 1 cup contains 33.7 grams of protein
  • Tofu: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains 10.1 grams of protein
  • Edamame: 1 cup contains 16 grams of protein

Nuts and nut butters

  • Almonds: 1 cup of dry roasted contains 29 grams of protein, or two tablespoons of almond butter gets you 6.7 grams of protein
  • Cashews: 1 cup of dry roasted contains 21 grams of protein, or two tablespoons of cashew butter gets you 3.9 grams of protein
  • Pistachios: 1 cup of dry roasted contains 26 grams of protein, or two tablespoons of pistachio butter gets you 6 grams of protein
  • Walnuts: 1 ounce (28 grams) of dry roasted contains 4 grams of protein, or two tablespoons of walnut butter gets you about 5 grams of protein

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Seeds

  • Sunflower seeds: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains 11.67 grams of protein
  • Flax seeds: 1 cup contains 30.7 grams of protein
  • Chia seeds: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains 15.4 grams of protein
  • Hemp seeds: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains 30 grams of protein

Vegetables

  • Spinach: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains about 2.35 grams of protein
  • Broccoli: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains about 2.7 grams of protein
  • Kale: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains about 3.54 grams of protein
  • Green beans: 3.5 ounces (100 grams) contains about 2.35 grams of protein

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Grains

  • Whole-wheat bread: Once slice contains about 6 grams of protein
  • Whole-wheat pasta: 1 cup contains about 12 grams of protein
  • Quinoa: 1 cup contains about 8 grams of protein
  • Old fashioned oats: 1/2 cup raw oats contains 10 grams of protein

Complete protein for vegans

Edamame, tempeh, tofu, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and quinoa are all considered complete proteins.

A complete protein source is one that contains all nine essential amino acids. We need each of these nine amino acids for a healthy diet — hence why they're called "essential" amino acids.

Many animal products and byproducts, like steak and eggs, are complete proteins, which is one of the main differences between many vegan and non-vegan diets.

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Insider's takeaway

As a vegan, you can still get all nine essential amino acids either by eating plant-based complete proteins, like the ones included in the list above or by eating a balanced diet of incomplete proteins from the various sources listed. It may just take a little more effort.

If you're not feeling your best and are concerned that you aren't getting enough protein as a vegan, consider working with a registered dietitian who can identify any gaps in your diet and make sure you're meeting your nutrient needs.

25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (5)

Ashley Laderer is a freelance writer from New York who specializes in health and wellness. Follow her on Twitter@ashladerer

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25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy (2024)

FAQs

25 protein-packed foods that vegans and vegetarians can enjoy? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

What do vegetarians and vegans eat for protein? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

How to get 20g of protein vegetarian? ›

Soy products are proven to make up for some of the richest vegetarian protein sources. Tempeh is an excellent nutrient-packed superfood made from fermenting whole soybeans. A 100-gram serving of Tempeh contains approximately 20 grams of protein.

What vegetable has the most protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What does 30g of vegetarian protein look like? ›

Tofu can often be a staple source of protein for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet: 1 1/2 cups of cooked tofu can provide 30 grams of protein along with some healthy fat. Because tofu is made from soybeans, it's considered a complete protein even though it's from plants.

What fruit is the highest in protein? ›

The recommended daily allowance of protein for adults is 0.36 grams per pound of bodyweight. The fruits that have the highest protein content include avocados and guava.

Which bean has the most protein? ›

According to Palinski-Wade, out of the beans listed above, the highest protein source comes from soybeans with 30 grams per cup, which is good news if you enjoy snacking on edamame or prefer soymilk as your choice of non-dairy milk.

What to eat instead of meat for protein? ›

Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. They're loaded with protein, fiber and many key nutrients including calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.

How do vegetarians get full protein? ›

Tofu, tempeh, and edamame are all made from soybeans and are excellent plant-based complete protein sources. Tofu is made from condensed soy milk pressed into white blocks. It comes in a variety of textures, including: silken.

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Well, the short answer is yes! Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

What foods are high in protein but not meat? ›

Whole soy foods, such as edamame, tofu, tempeh, soy milk and soy nuts, are great sources of lean protein. Unlike most vegetarian proteins, soy is a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids for optimal use by your body.

Do vegans eat eggs? ›

People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.

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