Good and Better Protein Sources for Vegetarians

Many people who are uneducated about  vegetarianism often claim that vegetarians cannot survive without meat because they do not get any protein… but that’s simply not true! In fact, there are a wide variety of sources from which non-meat eaters can get their protein, making vegetarianism a perfectly healthy dietary option. Here are three great, common protein sources for those who choose not to eat meat, and some options to avoid.

Organic, Plain Greek Yogurt over regular yogurt

Regular yogurts, which have traditionally been considered as the healthier options at the supermarket, often sneak in a lot of hidden sugars and artificial flavorings. Plain Greek yogurt, on the other hand, doesn’t need these add-ins, for it is naturally richer, fattier and more nutritious. If you need a little extra, add your own flavoring by mixing in a little organic honey, or some berries.

Quinoa over starchy beans (kidney, great northern, lima)

While beans are great veggies, they are much more limited in their protein content than most people realize and contain a high amount of carbs. Quinoa, on the other hand, has an extremely high protein content, and is even called a “complete protein” grain. Remember, this list is aimed at protein sources; beans do, in fact, provide other important nutrients that we need, and should not be considered unhealthy.

Almond butter over peanut butter

Because peanuts and almonds have very similar nutritional benefits and macronutrient profiles, one has to look at the way the butters are produced to determine which is healthier. Often times, the peanut butters that are sold in grocery stores have a lot of added sugar, salts and oils, making them less nutritionally beneficial. Almond butters, on the other hand, which are less common and more often found in health food stores, are usually produced without these add-ins.