“Protein can only be found in animal based sources, right?” Nope!

Plants contain protein too! This question is one of the most common questions I get from clients- regarding where to find protein in plant-based sources—simply, it’s everywhere! Protein is found in animal-based sources (roughly 20-25 grams per 3 oz) but it’s also found in plant-based sources too in ranging amounts; therefore, almost everything we eat (including grains and vegetables) contribute to total amount of protein we need every day.

If you’re someone who aims to get most of their protein from plants, it can sometimes be overwhelming to think of the places to find it and also to know how much you’ll be getting. So to help you out, here’s 18 sources of plant protein to add into your diet:

1. Edamame – 8 g per ½ cup

2. Tempeh – 18 g per 3.5 oz cooked

3. Cashews – 5 g per ¼ cup (18 pieces)

4. Lentils – 9 g per ½ cup

5. Seitan – 18 g per 3 oz cooked

6. Spinach – 5 g per 1 cup cooked

7. Green peas – 8 g per 1 cup

8. Quinoa – 8 g per 1 cup cooked

9. Almonds – 6 g per ¼ cup serving

10. Chickpeas – 7 g per ½ cup boiled

11. Tofu – 15-16 g per ½ cup

12. Broccoli – 4 g per 1 cup (chopped)

13. Hemp seeds – 10 g per 3 Tablespoons

14. Chia seeds – 5 g per 2 Tablespoons

15. Seeds: Sunflower, sesame – 7 g per ¼ cup

Plant-based protein powders

These are great sources of protein too and can be added to smoothies, juices, and even to oatmeal! You want to make sure you purchase an unflavored, unsweetened, plain protein to avoid getting extra additives and chemicals. Here’s a few to keep an eye out for:

1. Sprouted rice protein: 17 g per 1 scoop (21 g)

2. Hemp hearts or protein: 10-15 g per 3 Tablespoons

3. Pea protein: 24 g per 1 scoop

What about complementary proteins?

For some time it’s been thought that in order to create a complete protein source in our bodies (that means all 9 essential amino acids are present in one meal), complimentary proteins (foods with a few of those 9 amino acids with another food containing the missing amino acids) needed to be consumed within the same meal; however, we’re finding that’s not the case. In fact, they really only have to be consumed within the same day or so (~24-48 hours) and that alone can help to ensure complete protein source.

The Take-Home

If you’re someone who eats mostly plant-based sources of protein, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting enough to properly fuel your body. You want to make sure you’re conscious of where you’re getting your protein and that you’re including dishes and food items that have some of these richer sources of plant-based protein on a regular basis.

Here are a few tips for adding more plant-based protein sources into your everyday:

• Swap in quinoa for brown rice
• Have a snack of almonds or other nuts or nut-butter
• Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder to your juice or smoothie
• Choose edmame as a snack
• Make a dark-green juice
• Add hemp seeds to oatmeal or to a smoothie

This post was originally created for Reboot with Joe- click here for the article.