The Best Protein Sources for Vegans

You probably already know about all the health benefits that come from following a vegan diet – in fact, you’re probably bored to death with the subject. But despite the reduced risk of chronic disease, lower cholesterol, and improved gut microbiome, there’s no getting around the fact that it can seem pretty hard to find high-protein vegan foods. Well, you’re in luck. We’re here to help you find the best vegan protein sources to make sure your bones stay healthy and your muscles keep growing while following a plant-based diet.

There’s no getting around it – protein is really, really important. Ever heard of amino acids? These are the building blocks that make your skin, bones, muscles, organs, hair, and nails, and protein is full of them. The body produces some of these amino acids by itself but some can only be provided through diet, which is why it’s essential to stock up on high-protein vegan foods if you’re following a plant-based diet.

And if these crafty amino acids aren’t enough to convince you to load up on plant-based protein, it also has loads more benefits: protein can help to fight infection, speed up chemical reactions, make hormones, and transport oxygen. Basically, vegan or not, protein should be your new best friend.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or you’re trying out a plant-based diet for the first time, soy products are guaranteed to be on your radar. Tofu, tempeh, and edamame are all rich in vegan protein and can be easily found in your local supermarket. Plus, we have loads of genuinely delicious soy recipes, from Crispy Sesame Tofu Curry & Rice to Tempeh Noodles and beyond. Tofu is versatile and can be dressed up and down depending on the occasion; slather it in Sichuan sauce, coat it in batter and fry it up, or serve it steamed and simple.

We have loads of delicious soy recipes. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Immunity Tofu & Ginger Protein Bowl

• Crispy Sesame Tofu Curry & Rice

• Tempeh Noodles

Edamame has loads of health benefits as well as being a great source of vegan protein. They’re also high in fibre, rich in vitamins and minerals, and high in antioxidants. Basically, you’re going to want to add these babies to your diet. Give these Miso Mushroom Noodles with Edamame a go if you need any convincing.

Some more of our favourite high-protein vegan foods include lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and soybeans. These are all incredibly versatile – just take a glance at the Mob homepage and you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. High in protein, completely plant-based, and entirely delicious, legumes are one of the best vegan protein sources around. Take this Lemony Spiced Chickpea Soup, for example, or these Cheesy Lentils & Fridge Raid Greens. You might want to give them a try.

Some of our favourites include:

• Cheesy Lentils & Fridge Raid Greens

• Lemony Spiced Chickpea Soup

• Black Beans de la Ola

Some of the best vegan protein sources are wholegrains such as quinoa, farro, oats, and brown rice, as well as nuts and seeds such as almonds, peanuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds. As well as being high in plant-based protein, you’ll also get the added benefit of extra fibre and healthy fats.

Some of our favourites include:

• Mob’s Buddha Bowl

• Peanut & Aubergine Stir Fry on Creamy Butter Beans

• Gluten-Free Banana Chia Bread

Finally, there’s always the option of adding plant-based protein powders to your dishes. These include pea protein, hemp protein, and brown rice protein, and can be used as a plant-based supplement.

There are loads of benefits to eating high-protein vegan foods, aside from their nutritional value. Firstly, choosing plant-based proteins helps to minimise your contribution to industries that rely on factory farming and animal exploitation. It also has a much lower environmental impact; producing vegan protein sources such as lentils, tofu, and grains tends to use fewer resources compared to meat production. Similarly, livestock farming is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and switching to vegan protein sources can help to decrease your carbon footprint.

While it might seem harder to hit your protein goals while following a plant-based diet, we’re here to make it easier. Simply fill your shopping basket with plenty of tofu, tempeh and edamame, scour the shelves for lentils, chickpeas and beans a-plenty, and you’ll be on the right track. You definitely don’t need meat or fish to meet your protein requirements – in fact, just take a look at our tasty high-protein vegan dishes and recipes for a bit of inspiration.