Top 11 Vegan Protein Sources To Add To Your Diet

What’s all the hubbub around protein? Well, studies have suggested that the vegan diet may be lacking in sufficient protein intake. That’s why finding the right vegan protein sources is important. 

Finding the best vegan protein sources means that you won’t have to go out of your way to get some nutrients in. You can seamlessly incorporate them into your diet, which is always better. It shouldn’t be a chore!

We’ve got some pretty nifty ideas on vegan protein sources. Read on and find out what they are!

Oats

Let’s start with something familiar. Everyone knows about oats but there are some unaware of their protein-rich goodness! Oats are delicious, versatile ingredients that can be served as simply or as creatively as you want. What’s more, it’s a low-cost vegan protein option.

Other than regular, rolled or instant oats, you can also get some protein from oat milk, too!

Beans

Beans, like pinto and kidney beans, are rich in protein! Raw pinto beans have 21 grams of protein per 100-gram serving. For the same serving amount, raw kidney beans have 24 grams. Beans are probably one of the best vegan protein sources for bulking up meals.

Whether tinned or dried, beans are another low-cost, vegan source of protein. Every home probably has some already!

Soybeans

Tofu, tempeh, and seitan are three vegan sources of protein made from soybean. These come in many different food forms. Think tofu scramble, seitan slices, and marinated tempeh.

Raw soybeans can contain as much as 36 grams of protein per serving (100 grams)! Soy milk could be one of the plant-based milk with the highest protein content, too. You get 8 grams a cup! If you’re looking for non-dairy alternatives to cow’s milk, then this is one you might go for. It’s even more common nowadays!

Peas

Another regular household ingredient, peas, makes our list of affordable and versatile vegan protein options. Boiled peas actually provide 5.36 grams of protein per 100-gram serving.

If you need some more protein, bring out the bag of frozen peas or canned ones from your pantry. These make quick, delicious protein sources! Add them to soups, give them a little butter, or mush them down. It’s an easy ingredient that you can work with.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are nutritious and snackable vegan protein options. These seeds can be added to salads, soups, and cereals for that bulk and crunchy texture. These are also wonderful ingredients for baked treats!

Hemp seeds contain roughly 10 grams of protein per serving (that’s about three tablespoons). It could vary depending on how your hemp seeds are prepared but that’s looking pretty good to us!

Vegan Protein Shakes

We’ve talked about ingredients, now let’s get to more unique vegan protein options! We can also enjoy creamy and convenient protein shakes like the gym folk do. These protein shake blends are protein-rich but, also importantly, low in calories.

Why do we emphasize on VEGAN protein shakes? Well, regular shakes might have ingredients like eggs, dairy, and whey - that’s what we don’t want!

Protein Powders

Are pre-made protein shakes not your thing? Well, you can add your own protein to your morning smoothies or shakes through the use of protein powders. You can opt to make pancake or waffle batter with a scoop of it to bulk them up.

Protein powders can be made of familiar ingredients like chickpeas, hemp, mung beans, fava beans, and even yellow peas. 

Plant-Based Eggs

If you want something that looks and tastes like and looks like eggs, then get some plant-based substitutes! Vegan alternatives have almost no cholesterol compared to regular eggs. Also, these protein-rich vegan eggs are a great way to get some savory proteins in since a lot of the ones we’ve got here are leaning towards the sweet side.

As for protein, it really depends on what kind you get. But some vegan eggs have 7 grams of protein per serving, give or take.

Vegan Deli

A protein-packed sandwich? Sure! Meatless deli slices can come packed with protein and flavor. They can bulk up those wraps and sandwiches pretty fast! Just 3 to 5 Vegan deli slices can bring 7 to 16 grams of protein. That still depends on the brand, so that’s worth remembering!

Like regular deli meat, vegan deli slices can be enjoyed straight out of the pack. No need for any preparation, just plop them straight onto a toasty loaf and munch away!

Plant-Based Burgers

Let’s get into another savory selection. We know that animal byproducts are often linked to protein - they’re practically synonymous with the word! That said, we’ve still got plant-powered burgers that are still delicious as they are packed with protein. 

Plant-based burgers are a great way to add more protein to your diet while still keeping things in the realm of the normal food you’re used to eating.

Protein Bars

We can’t finish this list of the best proteins for vegans without mentioning power bars! Often made with a wonderful blend of seeds, nuts, and cereals, protein bars deliver just that - a lot of plant-based protein!

This is a convenient way to top up your nutrition while on the go. Just bring a couple and you’ll have a bulky snack ready to eat whenever you need a boost! Plus, they’re available in so many different flavors. You won’t get tired of eating them at all!

Packing Protein

Get your vegan protein sources like a pro and have them delivered straight to your home! That’s what we do here at Vegan Essentials. All you need to do is to click on whatever you fancy and we’ll take care of the rest!