When looking to improve your body, you need to maintain a healthy diet as part of your lifestyle. A big priority for muscle building is eating foods that are high in protein.

However, vegetarians and vegans often mistakenly assume they cannot acquire protein easily without meat. Yet, the fact is there are plenty of vegan foods with abundant levels of protein.

1.Nutritional Yeast

As a plant-based resource, harvested from molasses, nutritional yeast is a great source of protein with 14 grams per 1 ounce of yeast.

In terms of texture, nutritional yeast can be most compared with parmesan cheese. Thanks to its similarities with cheese, this yeast can be readily added to existing dishes to improve the flavour or add a thicker texture.

2.Brewer’s Yeast

As the name might suggest, this is a form of nutritional yeast made from the brewing process. It is created from the hops and has readily been enjoyed for as long as breweries themselves have been around.

Brewer’s yeast offers plenty of protein and is fit for human consumption, although you can also give it to your pets and use it to improve other meals you might eat.

3.Buckwheat

Often used as a popular alternative to rice, Buckwheat is especially enjoyed by those with an intolerance to gluten. It offers a healthy alternative, created from various fruit seeds.

Aside from the helping of protein, some research suggests that, if you eat 4 ounces of buckwheat on a daily basis, you can lower your cholesterol levels, improving your LDL to HDL ratio.

4.Quinoa

Known for its delicious seed, quinoa is actually a type of goosefoot grain. It offers numerous benefits, not least of all providing 24 grams of protein per cup when raw.

Aside from this, the grain also has large volumes of copper, magnesium and manganese, as well as a complete range of amino acids. As an added bonus, quinoa will give you double the fibre compared to regular grain.

5.Beans

Beans are a fantastic food source for vegetarians. In addition to the sheer variety, beans offer antioxidants, minerals, fibres, vitamins and a high level of protein. Just ensure you soak them before cooking, to release the enzyme inhibitors.

The effects depend on the type of beans or lentils you choose, but you will receive something between 8 to 22 grams of protein per cup.

As an added bonus, studies have shown that bean consumption is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even various strains of cancer.

6.Plant Based Protein Powders

When it comes to isolate powders, there are a wide variety of plant based options, including wheat, rice, hemp and soy.

By choosing the right powder, you can acquire any missing amino acids in your diet. Some options, notably whey protein and casein protein, can provide a complete amino acid set on their own.

Get Your Nutrition Right…

Ultimately, there’s no one easy answer for fitness and dieting. Yet you should never feel like you need to eat meat to get your protein requirements.

As this list shows, a little research can unveil easy ways to get your intake while still choosing the food that is important to you.