{"id":2504,"date":"2017-03-31T02:48:17","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T02:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/?p=2504"},"modified":"2017-03-31T16:54:43","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T16:54:43","slug":"our-readers-ask-if-im-vegetarian-how-can-i-get-more-protein-into-my-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cookhappylivehealthy.org\/blog\/our-readers-ask-if-im-vegetarian-how-can-i-get-more-protein-into-my-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Readers Ask: If I’m Vegetarian, What Foods Can I Eat for Protein?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A quick search on “vegetarian sources of protein” pulls up a number of listings (“Top 17,” Top 26,” etc.)\u00a0 And each of those listings identify a different and random assortment of protein sources–which can make it confusing to keep track of them and, more importantly, to remember them when hurrying to put a meal together.<\/p>\n

Here’s an easy solution:\u00a0 Most vegetarian proteins fall into just five main categories–which makes it a lot easier to remember them.\u00a0 As you put meals together during the day, just tick through these categories, being sure to include something from at least three or four of the categories throughout the day.<\/p>\n

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  1. Dairy\u00a0\u00a0 (milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir, etc.)<\/li>\n
  2. Eggs<\/li>\n
  3. Beans\u00a0 (e.g., lentils, split peas, chick peas, pinto beans, red beans, white beans and surprise, green peas)<\/li>\n
  4. Soy Products\u00a0 (soy beans, edamame, tempeh, tofu and soy milk–they are beans, too, but since there are several helpful options they get their own category)<\/li>\n
  5. Nuts and Seeds\u00a0 (almonds, walnuts, pecans, hempseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, nut butters)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Beyond the big five categories there are a few lesser protein sources:<\/p>\n