Joana Neziri, MS, NASM, is a writer, editor, and content strategist focusing on nutrition, fitness, and all things health. After earning a Master’s degree in Business from the University of North Florida, she began a career in research and digital marketing. When she isn’t writing, you can find her traveling throughout the world, exploring new cafes, or chasing Linguini, her miniature dachshund.
Lauren Torrisi-Gorra, MS, RD is a registered dietitian, chef, and writer with a love of science and passion for helping people create life-long healthy habits. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University, a Grand Diplôme in Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University.
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May 2, 2023
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Protein is key to a healthy diet, and it’s not just in meat, eggs, or your neighborhood health store’s vanilla protein powder. There are plenty of solid plant-based protein sources that are also full of nutrients.
To get a better understanding of plant-based proteins, we asked registered dietitians to explain their benefits, give us tips for incorporating them into our diets, and bust some myths. As a bonus, we prepared a grocery list of plant-based proteins to get you started.
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Health benefits of plant-based protein
1.
They contain more antioxidants and nutrients than animal proteins.
“Plant-based sources generally have more fiber and a higher micronutrient profile,” says registered dietitian Daniel Preiato, RDN, CSCS. “They contain vitamins and minerals that meat doesn’t have as much of.”
In fact, a study comparing over 3,000 foods1 found that plant-based foods were the most antioxidant-rich, far outpacing meat, eggs, and fish. Antioxidants2 are compounds that slow down or prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. By consuming more antioxidants, you can keep your body strong and healthy, while simultaneously fighting the effects of aging.
When you eat one cup (or 225 grams) of cooked spinach4, for example, you’re not only getting in six grams of protein, but also 60.6 milligrams of vitamin C, 134 milligrams of calcium, and 1600 milligrams of fiber—all essential nutrients for your body’s well-being that are lacking in meat products.
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2.
They tend to be more sustainable than animal proteins.
3.
They can help improve your metabolic health.
Despite the fact that protein is an essential nutrient, studies show those who consume large amounts of red and white meat are at greater risk of developing high cholesterol5 and high blood pressure6.
Balancing your protein consumption with plant-based options, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, or a quality vegan protein powder can help improve your metabolic health.
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4.
They can aid in weight loss.
Plant-based proteins like beans, brussels sprouts, and tofu are higher in fiber7 and usually lower in carbohydrates and fat, keeping you fuller for longer and preventing you from overeating.
Plus, most plant-based proteins are naturally high-volume foods, which means you can eat a larger amount of them for fewer calories.
5.
They can be very affordable.
Depending on where you live and the types of foods you buy, a plant-based diet can be significantly cheaper than a meat-centered one.
While pre-packaged vegan snacks can be pricey, whole plant proteins can help save you a lot of money.
“There are countless vegan whole-food options that are super affordable,” says Preiato, giving foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and tofu, as examples. “Focus on buying plant-based foods that are minimally processed as this will typically greatly reduce the cost,” he adds.
Often, local farmer’s markets are the best place to buy fruits and vegetables since they only produce what is in season, so the prices can be much lower than in grocery stores that import items.
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Drawbacks of plant-based protein
1.
They’re less bioavailable than animal proteins.
Plant-based proteins are less bioavailable than animal proteins, which means they’re not as easily absorbed by the body and may cause digestive discomfort.
“This is because many plant protein foods contain carbohydrates that must be broken down through fermentation in the intestines—producing gas instead of being efficiently absorbed by the GI tract,” says pediatric nutritionist Gabrielle McPherson, RDN.
Though, there doesn’t seem to be much to worry about, as the difference in absorption compared to animal products is only about 10 to 20 percent8. “If you eat these foods regularly, you should experience less gas over time,” adds McPherson.
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2.
They’re lower in protein than animal products.
On a per-serving basis, plant proteins provide less protein than animal products. In order to get about 30 grams of protein, you only need to consume about 100 grams of cooked chicken breast9, as opposed to 250 grams of tofu10 or 700 grams of quinoa11.
While you can vary the types of plant proteins you eat in a day, you will still need to eat larger servings of them to meet your daily protein needs.
3.
Most plant proteins are incomplete.
4.
They may contain allergens.
When fast-food chains began offering meatless burgers and animal-free chicken strips, the food industry was transformed. Mycoprotein is a type of protein that comes from a fungus and is often used to make these meatless alternatives. While mycoproteins are a great source of protein, there is conflicting information regarding its safety. The naturally occurring fungus or mold that makes up myoprotein is a potential allergen, and has been found to cause adverse reactions from vomiting to diarrhea13.
Which plant-based sources are the most nutritious?
You can get all the protein you need from plants, while still covering the rest of your nutritional bases. Here are 10 examples of plant-based proteins that are not only highly nutritious but also tasty and versatile.
Legumes are a family of plants that include beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. “Adding just ½ cup of beans to your meals can provide around eight additional grams of protein,” says Preiato.
Even though nuts are mostly fats, they provide a decent amount of protein too. Nuts also contain a wide variety of nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols, with walnuts containing the most polyphenols20. It’s also easy to add them to almost anything. “Do you make instant oatmeal when you get to the office? Bring a tablespoon of hemp seeds or ground walnuts to sprinkle into it,” says McPherson.
One cup of cooked oatmeal contains about five grams of protein26 and four grams of fiber, both of which are essential for your daily needs. Even better? Whether you want yours savory or sweet, there’s no end to the toppings you can use on your bowl of oats. Quinoa is another nutrient- and antioxidant-rich grain, plus it’s gluten-free and contains the right amounts of all nine essential amino acids27.
Some seeds are considered superfoods for a reason. Take chia seeds: “They’re packed with nutrients like magnesium, calcium, fiber, omega-3’s, and even antioxidants32 to help fight disease,” says women’s health dietitian Valerie Agyeman, RDN. “They’re loaded with protein too—just one ounce contains five grams33.”
High-protein seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds can be added to virtually anything, including yogurt, smoothies, or salads, making it easy for you to incorporate them into your diet.
Soy products37, such as tempeh, tofu, and edamame, make an excellent meat substitute for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Tofu and tempeh provide protein as well as vitamins C, A, and calcium, while 2/3 cup of edamame38 delivers nine grams of protein, making them a satiating snack (sprinkle with salt if you want more flavor!).
6.
Plant protein powders
mbg’s picks for clean plant protein powders:
7.
Vegetables & leafy greens
When you think of protein, you probably don’t think of leafy greens or vegetables. But with four grams of protein 42and fiber per cup, Brussels sprouts are one protein-rich plant. They also provide 24% of your daily recommended value for vitamin A as well as over 100% of your daily value for vitamins C and K. Other high-protein vegetables include spinach, asparagus, and artichoke hearts.
In case anyone needed any more motivation to eat potatoes, it turns out that they actually are quite nutritious when cooked properly. There are approximately four grams of protein47 in a 100-gram (medium-sized) potato. Baked potatoes are also a great source of potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure48 and maintain normal muscle and nerve function.
For a more nutritious and flavorful potato, avoid frying it in vegetable oil, and instead bake or broil it with some garlic to enhance its flavor.
While the best part of nutritional yeast is definitely its cheese-like flavor, it doesn’t end there; nutritional yeast is also a great source of B vitamins like thiamine and riboflavin, high in zinc and fiber, and it contains plenty of protein, with just two tablespoons containing three grams.52 As an added bonus, it can be used as a flavoring on a variety of foods, including pizza, popcorn, rice, or vegetables.
Myth #1: You can’t fill your protein needs from plants
While you may have to be a bit more strategic when following a vegan diet, you can certainly get enough protein from just plants. Foods such as green vegetables, tofu, seeds, quinoa, and legumes have significant protein content, offer other nutrients essential to health, and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
Myth #2: Plant protein won’t help you build muscle
Milk-derived whey protein is often associated with muscle building, but the myth that plant protein won’t promote muscle growth has long been debunked53. If you want to grow muscle, both animal and plant proteins can help—but you’ll need to pair them with resistance exercises that put your muscles under stress too.
Myth #3: Plant proteins cost too much
Finally, eating plant-based does not necessarily mean spending a lot. Buying foods in bulk, such as grains and vegetables, plus complete proteins like quinoa, could cost you about $30 a week, which is about the price of one quality steak.
Tips for eating more plant-based protein
Work it into breakfast: “A lot of people don’t get a good amount of protein at breakfast time, making it pretty difficult to make up for it throughout the day,” Agyeman says. Adding plant-protein food sources will keep you feeling energized, satiated, and ready to start your day.” She recommends whipping up a tofu scramble, breakfast burrito with beans, chia pudding, or pistachio muffins in the mornings, or prepping them the night before for a protein-packed breakfast.
Use it as a thickener: “To slightly thicken a soup and make it more plant-powered, you can puree white beans and stir them into your soup,” recommends McPherson.
Incorporate it into dishes you already eat: “Adding plant proteins to the foods you already enjoy is the best way to start eating more,” McPherson says. For example, if you already drink a smoothie after weight training, why not add a scoop of vegan protein powder to the mix? For your next taco Tuesday, consider swapping meat for a quinoa-based taco filling. “Salads and power bowls are amazing vehicles for plant proteins, too—swap croutons for homemade crunchy roasted peas or chickpeas,” McPherson suggests.
Don’t forget about the snacks: Eating plant-based high-protein snacks like nuts or seeds can help you meet your protein needs and sneak in some extra nutrients, says Preiato. You can add them to smoothies, rice cakes, yogurt bowls, or oatmeal, or eat them straight up!
Frequently Asked Questions
What plant-based food is high in protein?
Plant-based foods, such as beans, green vegetables, and nuts, are protein-rich, with 10-15% of their calories coming from protein. Lentils are particularly high in protein, delivering 18 grams per cup (not to mention, a ton of other nutritional benefits).
How do you get protein on a plant-based diet?
Most plant-based foods or snacks such as legumes, broccoli, and green peas, are protein- and fiber-rich, thus helping you meet your daily nutritional requirements and stay full for longer. Soy foods like tofu and tempeh, nuts like almonds and pistachios, and whole grains like oats and quinoa, are also great sources of protein for a plant-based diet.
Can you eat too much plant protein?
Even if it seems that consuming more plant protein would provide more benefits, it is possible to overdo anything. Excessive consumption of plant protein (well above 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight) over a long period may cause adverse reactions such as nausea and discomfort. Those with existing kidney and liver issues will also want to monitor their protein intake more closely.
The takeaway
Getting enough protein from a plant-based diet is easier than you might think. Besides being delicious, plant proteins offer unique health benefits and tend to be less harmful to the environment.
