What Plant Foods Are a Good Source of Protein?

We all know that protein plays a vital part to our health, without it we wouldn’t be able to function properly. You wouldn’t be able to concentrate or remember things so well, you’d most likely have mood swings, your blood sugar levels would be all over the place, you’ll feel fatigue, have a hard time building muscle and struggle to maintain or lose weight.

For dieters, foods high in protein are great as they make you feel full, boost your metabolism and the body has to work harder to digest it.

When we think of protein, the first foods that comes to mind is meat, fish and eggs, very little thought is given to plant foods. When in fact there are many plant foods that really pack a protein punch.

Here are 5 of them you can easily include in your diet.

5 Plant Foods That Are a Good Source of Protein

Peanuts

Peanuts contain 26g of protein for every 100g serving. They make a nice healthy snack, and besides the protein, they’re also a good source of B vitamins, antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats. If you’re worried about the calories, just stay within your daily allowance and you’ll be fine, a small handfull should be enough to satisfy you.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas contains 19g of protein for every 100g serving. If you’re trying to lose weight, chickpeas or any pulses should be included in your diet.

Study shows just one 130 gram serving a day of pulses – three-quarters of a cupful – could lead to weight loss by making people feel fuller and by vastly reducing ‘bad cholesterol’ levels. – Cited from Express.co.uk

Here’s a recipe for a nice warm chickpea Salad

Spinach

Spinach contains 2.9g of protein for every 100g serving. Now, before you say “that’s not much”, I know, but I wanted to include foods on the list that were practical and easy to get hold of. Also there are many other benefits to eating spinach.

Other than being a tasty vegetable, a source of protein, iron and low in fat. It has many other nutritional benefits too.

It is well known for its nutritional qualities and has always been regarded as a plant with remarkable abilities to restore energy, increase vitality and improve the quality of the blood. Quote from bbcgoodfood.com

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds contains 19g of protein for every 100g serving. These little seeds are stuffed with nutrients, they’re rich with protein, fiber, iron, zinc, healthy fats, magnesium, antioxidants and free radicals.

After all they are seeds that need to provide all the nutrients for a plant to grow.

They are the perfect snack for on the go as they don’t need refrigerating and taste incredibly delicious too.

Lentils

Lentils contains 26g of protein for every 100g serving. A superfood that’s filled with nutrients and the perfect food for dieters. It’s such a versatile food, you can use it in so many different dishes, it works great in salads, casseroles, soups and if you haven’t, you should try making an Indian Dhal.

Lentils contain hardly any fat and the high fibre content will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

What’s your favourite protein vegetable? Share your recommendations below, and if you found this post helpful, do share with your friends, they might find it helpful too.