What are my recipient options for getting my proteins everyday

KrishnakumarIP14MP

I am a strict vegetarian and have been able to get my act together on the calories and also seeing a promising weight loss gradually. Worry is I am unable to reach my protein goals fully.

AnnPT77

I'm not strict vegetarian, I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian. Still, this thread helped me, and I think it could help you:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

As a vegetarian, you'll need to scroll past the mostly meaty/fishy things at the top of the linked spreadsheet, but you'll find plant foods further down the list.

You probably know that with plant protein sources, bioavailability and completeness (in essential amino acids, EAAs) is a consideration. I don't have specific advice on bioavailability, but it's a thing you can research for specific foods. (Look for information about PDCAAS or even better DIAAS.)

Basic definitions and explanation of PDCAAS and DIAAS here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_Digestibility_Corrected_Amino_Acid_Score
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestible_Indispensable_Amino_Acid_Score

For EAA completeness, the spreadsheet in the above link has some basic info, and as a practical matter, routinely varying your protein sources widely will possibly be helpful. You can also use web searches to find protein complements, i.e., combinations of foods that are more complete than each food is individually. These needn't strictly always be combined all in one dish, but combinations in a meal or across the day may help a bit as well.

As another reference, this site is a good resource with helpful information about plant-based nutrition generally but also plant protein specifically:

https://veganhealth.org/

I know you said "strict vegetarian" not "vegan", but there's overlap of course. You probably know that there are some wild vegan advocacy sites on the internet that distort nutrition science to try to sell veganism. This site is not one of those. The content is by registered dietitians who are also vegan, and it's quite science-based.

Beyond that, if you can't hit your protein goals, protein supplements (protein powder or bars) are an option, as are some fake meats. There are fully plant based versions of those. There again, look for EAA complete, bioavailable versions. Be careful about fake meats: Some are relatively high protein, but some are just meat-like in terms of how they can be used, and not high protein at all. Read labels! I personally don't find supplements/fake meats tasty or satisfying, so don't use them . . . but I don't think there's anything wrong with them if they help you.

It's always good to get some major protein source in each meal or snack, much as omnivores center meals on a meat or fish thing. For me, the major plant proteins are often tofu, tempeh, legumes/pulses of many types, seitan (gluten). (Some of those things are more complete or bioavailable than others.)

In addition to that, it helped me get adequate protein on reduced calories when I worked to get small amounts of protein in nearly everything I eat. There are slightly higher-protein breads, grains, veggies, fruits, snacks, flavoring ingredients, etc. (The spreadsheet mentioned above will help you find some.)

In those categories, some things that help me are edamame/soy pasta, dry-roasted soybeans or crispy broad beans/lentils/chickpeas for snacks, and flavoring items like miso, nutritional yeast, peanut butter powder or almond butter powder. Seeds or nuts can be added in small amounts for some crunch and healthy fats as well as a small protein contribution (but they're calorie dense, so care is needed).

For me, adding some of those things in various places in my eating patterns was a help. Those small amounts of protein from many sources add up by the end of the day.

I hope this may help. If you have any specific questions you think I might be able to help with, please follow up with a reply here. Best wishes!

Zinka61

Beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds are all full of protein, and even vegetables (like broccoli) have lots. Nutritional yeast can add some protein to a recipe too, but in my diet, beans and whole grains supply most of my protein. Make sure you aren't cutting your calories too low. Normally if a person is eating enough (not excess) calories, they will get enough protein.

sollyn23l2

Zinka61 wrote: »

Beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds are all full of protein, and even vegetables (like broccoli) have lots. Nutritional yeast can add some protein to a recipe too, but in my diet, beans and whole grains supply most of my protein. Make sure you aren't cutting your calories too low. Normally if a person is eating enough (not excess) calories, they will get enough protein.

While you're mostly right, and beans are definitely a great source of protein.... brocolli is not. You'd have to eat pounds of it in a day to get any noticeable amount.

neanderthin

KrishnakumarIP14MP wrote: »

I am a strict vegetarian and have been able to get my act together on the calories and also seeing a promising weight loss gradually. Worry is I am unable to reach my protein goals fully.

I suspect this could be cultural. Around 80% of the Indian population for example is protein deficient. Maybe increase dairy, cheese for example and pulses and reduce any refined products like cereals or desserts, liquids like pop, fruit juices that can creep into diets, especially vegetarian diets. Cheers.

AnnPT77

sollyn23l2 wrote: »

Zinka61 wrote: »

Beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds are all full of protein, and even vegetables (like broccoli) have lots. Nutritional yeast can add some protein to a recipe too, but in my diet, beans and whole grains supply most of my protein. Make sure you aren't cutting your calories too low. Normally if a person is eating enough (not excess) calories, they will get enough protein.

While you're mostly right, and beans are definitely a great source of protein.... brocolli is not. You'd have to eat pounds of it in a day to get any noticeable amount.

Are you vegetarian? We tend to like veggies.

My last serving of broccoli had about 16g protein, which is meaningful though not huge.

Yes, raw that's around a pound of broccoli. Roasted, it's just a nice-sized bowl.

Perhaps a larger problem is that it's short in 3 of the 9 essential amino acids, isoleucine, leucine and methionine (although it does have all the EAAs, technically - just not balanced).