Plant Based Protein - The Healthy Home Cook

Originally posted May 24, 2015.

Many people still believe you can only find protein from animal products. People often ask me "but, where do you get your protein?" Believe it or not, you can survive without animal protein and actually thrive without it!

Where do you get your protein from? Here is a list of a few plant based products and the amount of protein included in each.

Protein is an important building block for different components of the body including bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Eating a balanced diet that includes protein is found to be helpful in controlling your weight. One of the main reasons is that protein keeps you fuller longer, resulting in less snacking throughout the day. The amount of protein you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. You can find more specific guidelines on chosemyplate.gov.

Even if you are not a vegetarian or strict vegan, I recommend trying to get your protein from sources other than animals. There are much less calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat with plant based proteins. Plus, there are so many different options to get protein without the standard meat, milk, and cheeses you often associate with "protein". For anyone who has ever asked "where do you get your protein from?" below is a list of a few plant based products and the amount of protein included in each.