Top Vegan Foods that Build Lean Muscle
Your body needs protein to help cells repair themselves and to build lean, healthy muscle. Although meat and dairy are touted as the best sources of protein – vegan sources are more abundant than you may realize. Additionally, plant-based sources of protein are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, something that can’t be said for animal sources of protein. Here are some of the best (and delicious we might add!) vegan sources for protein to build lean muscle.
Hemp Seeds (10g/3 tbsp)
Available in a variety of formats, hemp is a protein powerhouse. It can be easily added to pretty much any meal and is a great additive to smoothies to boost your protein intake for the day.
Peas (7.9g/cup)
Any food that’s in the legume family will provide a great source of protein – so it’s no wonder that peas are a common base for vegan protein powder. Fresh or frozen peas can be consumed steamed or combined to make hummus, soups, salads, even sauces.
Nuts & Nut Butters (5g/oz)
Often avoided due to their calorie content, nuts and nut butters are a great protein source and contain important fatty acids. Ideally, find nut butters that contain few ingredients and are sugar-free.
Chia Seeds (4g/2 tbsp)
Another quick and easy protein source is chia. This little seed can be sprinkled on salads or incorporated into smoothies and even can be made into pudding (see The 22-Day Revolution for a great recipe!)
Beans (varies)
It’s pretty amazing how much protein you can get from beans. For example, kidney beans contain 26 grams of protein per cup. You can use dried or canned beans and add them to sauces, salads, stews, soups, hummus, burgers – the sky is the limit!
Quinoa (8g/cup)
This delicious little seed contains every essential amino acid your body needs, making it a perfect protein. You can use quinoa just about anywhere – many food stores now carry quinoa flour and quinoa flakes for baking and breakfast.
Greens
Is there anything greens can’t do? While they might not be as protein-packed as beans and nuts, they do have a ton of minerals and vitamins to fill out your diet. Two cups of spinach contains over 2 grams of protein, use that as a base of your salad that contains other protein-rich foods.
Brown Rice (5g/cup)
High in fiber, brown rice is a good base for stir frys, wraps, and other meals, as well as providing a source of protein.
Pumpkin Seeds (5g/oz)
Delicious! Raw or toasted, pumpkin seeds are great added to soups, salads, and baked goods. They also make for an excellent snack by itself or combined with other nuts and seeds.
Sacha Inchi Seeds (9g/28g)
Found in our Plant-Protein Powder, sacha inchi seeds are a complete protein and quite delicious when toasted.
Broccoli (4g/cup)
Filling, fiber-full, and great all around, broccoli brings a lot to the table – so serve it on yours. Steamed, stir-fried, or raw with some hummus, you’re off to a good start when you include broccoli in your day.
Avocado (2g/100g)
Don’t discount good old avocado, it contains protein too! Even though it’s thought of as high in fat, the majority is monounsaturated (i.e. good fat). Throw some on your salad, wrap, sandwich, or make some guacamole. Olé!
Flax Seeds (4g/1 tbsp)
Like chia, hemp and other seeds, flax seeds are easily added to meals. They also are a great addition to baked goods to boost protein intake and dietary fiber.
Plant-Protein Powder (16g/scoop)
One serving of our Plant-Protein Powder contains 16g of organic, gluten-free, soy-free plant-based protein. With mouth-watering options like Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Natural, it’s a cinch to build healthy muscles with a smoothie as a meal replacement or before or after a workout. Who knew it was so easy to get healthy, lean muscles on a vegan diet? We did – now you do too!
