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Eating a balanced diet is incredibly important for not only our health, but also our mood as well. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t getting a balanced diet and the area that most of us struggle with most is our veggies. Vegetable and plants are an incredibly part of a balanced diet. They provide us will incredibly valuable nutrients and keep our bodies working at their best. Also, as more and more people become vegetarian or vegan, they become an even larger part of a regular diet.
Unfortunately, something that many vegetarians and vegans struggle with is low protein. While many turn to artificial ways to get their protein, there is another way. Did you know that there are many plants and vegetables out there that are quite high in protein? Well, it’s true! Instead of going for the protein powder, all you need is to plant a vegetable seed or two and you could be well on your way to getting more protein.
With that in mind, this blog post is going to look at five different plants that are high sources of protein, and can be a great addition to any diet.
Lentils
Lentils are far and away one of the best sources of plant protein on the market today. In fact, just a single cup of lentils will have nearly 20 grams of protein. In addition to having a ton of protein, lentils also provide individuals fiber, amino acids and even some potassium.
Lentils can also be consumed in a variety of different ways. You can cook them, eat them plain, mix them into a hummus, or even create a veggie burger with them. The opportunities are truly endless. They also have other health benefits, including being able to help you control and lower cholesterol, as well as help bring down your risk of heart disease.
Edamame
Edamame, which are also known as cooked soybeans, are an incredible source of healthy protein. Per cup of edamame, you are looking at getting around 18 grams of protein. It is also a complete protein, meaning that all amino acids are present within the protein.
Chemically, they are incredibly close to animal protein and thus can provide you with great benefits. In addition to being good for you, Edamame are incredibly tasty and make a great appetizer before a meal. Of course, not all edamame are created equal, so make sure to find some that haven’t been modified or treated with a lot of pesticides, if at all possible.
Spirulina
If you want your plant protein to pack a punch, spirulina is a great option for you. By weight, spirulina is made up of well over 50% protein, which is much higher than most other plant offerings. It is also jam-packed full of other nutrients that can do everything from protect against anemia to potentially even reduce your blood pressure.
Also, spirulina is a complete protein and can be added to a number of different dishes in a number of different ways. It can be added to smoothies, put on top of your dish or infused right into it. The anti-inflammatory properties of spirulina also make it a popular way for people to get their plant protein.
Asparagus
While it is a lower protein count than some of the nuts and beans on the market, asparagus offers about as much protein as you will find in any standard vegetable. For every cup of asparagus, you will get about 3 grams of protein. Eating asparagus will also get you nutrients such as vitamins A, B and K, folate, magnesium and so much more.
It also has prebiotic benefits and has been shown to have anticancer properties, as well. Perhaps the biggest benefit of asparagus is just how many different ways it can be used. You can fry it, cook it, grill it, boil it or add it to a number of different meals and dishes on it’s own. No matter how or what you like to eat, there is a good chance you will be able to fit asparagus into your diet in some way.
Hemp Seeds
Adding a couple tablespoons of hemp seeds to any meal or dish can be a great way to boost the protein of the dish. You will get around 3-4 g of protein per spoonful, which is a very healthy amount. In addition to their sky-high protein counts, hemp seeds also provide a variety of amino acids and also fatty acids, such as Omega 3, which are good for your heart.
These seeds have a light and nutty flavor, and are incredibly small. This means they can be added to nearly anything from a smoothie, to your yogurt and nearly anything in between. Another great option if hemp seeds aren’t your style is chia seeds. They can be used in a similar way and provide a lot of protein and other benefits as well.
Hopefully this article has been able to help you identify some plants that are high in protein. Introducing these into your diet can have major benefits to your health and wellness.
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