How can I get more protein as a vegetarian?

Question

I am a newbie vegetarian and only eat fish occassionally. What can I eat that can give me more protein in my diet since I don't eat beef, pork or chicken?

Answer 1

There are a lot of vegetarian sources of protein. For example: beans, cheese, eggs, vegetarian "meats" (burgers, hot dogs, meatballs, etc.), nuts, protein/energy bars, and soy milk. A lot of people seem to think that vegetarians have a really hard time getting enough protein, but that's not usually the case. There are a lot of non-meat foods that provide a lot of protein.

Answer 2

I hate to tell you, but if you consume anything other than a plant-based diet, you are not vegetarian. But to your question: the whole protein thing is a myth. Yes, of course you need it, but you get all the protein your body needs from dark greens, beans and a healthy, varied, plant-based diet. You would be hard-pressed to ever find anybody that ever suffered a protein deficiency.

Answer 3

Tofu, beans. Soybeans and soybean products are particularly good. You don't really need to be too concerned that you are getting enough protein if you are eating an otherwise balanced diet. You should buy a good vegetarian cookbook.

Answer 4

If you eat fish you are not vegetarian.

But to get protein, you can drink soymilk, which has all 9 essential amino acids that your body doesn't already produce for you.

Also, you can have some incomplete proteins (not all 9 amino acids) like nuts and beans.

Answer 5

Some combinations of plant foods that provide complete protein are:
-rice and dried beans
-rice and green peas
-bulgur (wheat) and dried beans
-barley and dried beans
-corn and ddried beans
-corn and green peas
-corn and lima beans (succotash)
-soybeans and seeds
-peanuts, rice and dried beans
-seeds and green peas

I personally would recommend vitamin fortified soy milk because it's the easiest way.

Check out these sites for more vegetarian diet recipe:

www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/00...
www.vrg.org
www.vegweb.com
www.peta.org

Answer 6

Vegetable do not give quality proteins--there is Amino Acid imbalance--and their PER value is very low, compared to Animal Proteins.I am a Vegetarian but taught Nutrirition to M.S.students

Answer 7

Beans, nuts, and soy products are excellent sources of protein...Trust me, I've been a vegetarian for years...When you really familiarize yourself with the wide variety out there, you will be truly surprised.

Try www.vegsource.com

Answer 8

You can make protein shakes which are simple and contain no animal extract. There are also protein bars which have anywhere from 13g-30g of protein which ranges from about 15% of your Daily Value- 67% of your daily value.

Answer 9

Very common question that I've answered many time with some pretty good answers I think, if you'd care to read... hm, they are hard to find:

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Basically, you have the wrong information. Protein is everywhere in everything you eat. Our bodies make protein form amino acids. Some amino acids we make ourselves, and some we get from our food. We store these and use them as needed. No need to combine foods etc. at one meal. Just read the links above for my previous answers, and read the resource below, it will set your mind at ease. Just forget about that silly protein myth. Even bodybuilders don't need extra protein, they are just totally ignorant.

Source(s):
Good resource:
http://www.bestbread.ca/quick_-_referenc...

Answer 10

Nuts
beans
if u are not a vegan u can drink milk
Tofu
Soy
wal nuts
Avocado
some other fruits but u need to eat twice as much