One of my biggest pet peeves as a vegetarian is getting the question:
“So how do you get your protein?”
When I hear it, my jaw clenches up, steam comes out of my ears, and I want to yell every curse word I know. Everyone thinks that meat is the only way to get protein, but they are in fact very wrong. And if anyone actually did some research, they would know humans have never had such a thing as a “protein deficiency.” In fact, Americans eat way too much of it, if anything!
One of my go-to protein fixes is beans. I know that can be a little worrisome for some people considering their reputation, but eating them sparingly is a great way to go. I love having beans in Mexican food, such as in my Chipotle bowl, or I try to add them into food I cook at home. One of my favorite meals is just sautéing Cannellini beans with broccoli, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Hummus is another great way to get your protein fix. I love Whole Foods fresh hummus, since I usually try to stay away from packaged brands that can have a lot of preservatives in them.
One of my staples as a vegetarian and a convenient secret protein is…drum roll…quinoa! Now I know I have talked about it before but I cannot rave enough about this magical grain. It is so versatile and is a great healthy replacement for rice or pasta as your starch in a dish. Plus the protein doesn’t hurt!
Nuts are also a great source of protein. I LOVE peanut butter and will even eat a spoonful a day. My favorite way to eat it is on toast with bananas though. I also love chocolate flavored peanut butter, which is basically Reese’s in a jar, something I know no one can say no to. In addition to peanut butter you can go for any kind of nut butter or just eat nuts plain! I love snacking on either plain or flavored almonds. I usually add almonds, walnuts, or pecans in my oatmeal as well!
Another one of my favorite ways to get protein is through eggs and dairy products. Personally, I’m not a huge milk fan but I love yogurt and cheese. I try not to eat those things as often but a little nibble of brie or a Chobani every now and then certainly doesn’t hurt! I also love having eggs either for breakfast or dinner in an omelet or scrambled. I usually add veggies in to make it even healthier.
Overall, it is really not that hard to get your protein as a vegetarian. There are so many different options and even some vegetables like spinach have it. You just have to be sure you are eating a balanced diet of everything else. It’s time to show the meat lovers who is boss!