The best vegan protein sources if you’re trying to avoid mock meat

The rise in plant-based meat alternatives is taking the world by storm. However, with any new processed food product, it’s important to take a very close look at exactly what you’re consuming. This is especially true when you’re talking about highly processed food items.

@naturallystefanie My top vegan protein sources ☝🏼 #fyp #vegan ♬ GOOD VIBES – Ellen Once Again

While new meatless alternatives — such as Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger  — are great for the environment, we can’t forget that these foods aren’t automatically healthy just because they’re environmentally friendly. Plant-based meats are highly processed products, foods that have undergone processing (frozen, canned, dried, baked pasteurized) and contain additives such as “a lot of extra sugar, salt, oil, and calories.” Highly processed foods generally contain the big no-nos for a healthy diet including dextrose and maltose — forms of processed sugar — trans fats, and hydrogenated oils.

Vegan influencer, Naturally Stefanie shared her top vegan protein sources if you’re looking to reduce your consumption of processed foods.

Tempeh is a fermented form of soy that’s high in protein, easy to digest, and rich in probiotics. A favorite among many people, it’s a meaty ingredient you should at least try, and contains a whopping 12 grams of protein per cup! Tofu is a classic vegan staple that can be flavored however you want and adds a rich, creamy texture or chewy texture to your food. It contains about 10 grams of protein. per cup, depending on the brand. Chickpea pasta is a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta. Made from chickpea flour, this popular choice is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and has about 14 grams of protein per serving!

You can also follow Stephanie on TikTok and Instagram for more vegan nutrition and fitness content!

Related Content:

• Are Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Healthy? Should We Be Eating Them?
• 5 Healthy, Whole Food Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
• Research Shows Increase of Ultra-Processed Foods in Adolescents’ Diets

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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