Do Vegetables Contain Protein?

Though many people are referring to some form of meat when they discuss this macronutrient, there are also many different sources of vegetable protein that are very healthy and can be much more friendly to a heart friendly, low cholesterol, low fat, or weight loss diet.

It is very important to eat an adequate amount of protein every day, not only to make sure that your body runs properly and functions as it should, but also because protein is a slow release form of energy that will fill you up and leave you feeling much more satisfied than the same number of calories from a carbohydrate.

Vegetarians, vegans, and individuals who would like to eat less meat but still obtain the same amount of protein can all benefit from vegetable protein from various, easy to find sources. The FDA recommends that 10 percent of your daily calories be from a source of healthy and lean protein. It is best when this protein comes from a number of different sources to make sure that it obtains all of the different forms that it requires, as well as a variety of other vital nutrients.

Of the twenty types of proteins that the body needs to build and repair itself, it makes 10. This means that you will need to consume the rest of them in your food. By choosing a range of different protein sources, you will help to make sure that you are receiving all of the different types that you need.

Fortunately, there are many vegetables that are made up of 10 percent or more protein. These include green leafy vegetables, many forms of grains – particularly quinoa – and beans. One of the best ways to make sure that you are receiving a complete protein source is to eat your grains and beans together. By doing this, you’ll receive the same protein and amino acid combination that you would from eating a piece of chicken.

One of the more controversial sources of vegetable based protein is from soy. This is a unique form of protein because soy is among the only types of vegetable that contains all of the essential amino acids that your body needs. This makes it a very popular protein source for vegetarians and vegans. It is also known to help to decrease the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, it should also be noted that some studies are indicating that eating large amounts of soy can also increase the risk of other forms of cancer, so it should be consumed only in moderation.