Vegetarian or Vegan protein ideas?

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Anyone have any suggestions for veg. meal ideas that are not eggs and not carb heavy? Finding myself eating the same things.
Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

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  • antigravity_x
    antigravity_x Posts: 7 Member
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    Are you wanting to completely avoid carbs, as in no dietary fiber? Because anything with a lot of beans is going to be very high in protein, but also full of fiber, which adds to your carb count.

    Seitan is excellent. You can make it at home yourself or buy it pre-made. It's got a meaty texture and is absolutely delicious. I use it to replace about 99% of meat in dishes that really need that protein punch.

    Cauliflower is another good one, about 3g of protein per serving.
  • kklemarow
    kklemarow Posts: 167 Member
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    TOFU! You can use silken tofu to make delicious smoothies (or add some cocoa to it for a high protein 'pudding') or use firm/extra firm tofu in stirfries, soups, crumble it into spaghetti sauce, etc.. It will soak up whatever flavours you're cooking with.
  • swordsmith
    swordsmith Posts: 599 Member
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    Tofu, peanut butter, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, kale, seitan

    Have a ball with the below list- also many of the Morningstar Farms, Quorn and other mock meats have decent protein

    http://www.nomeatathlete.com/vegetarian-protein/

    Best Protein Sources for Vegetarians
    I’ve compiled a list of some of the best protein sources within different food groups, comparing what could be considered a normal serving:

    Food Amount Calories Protein Notes

    Nuts and Seeds

    Pumpkin/squash seeds 1 oz, 85 seeds 126 cal 5 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Black walnuts 1 oz 173 cal 7 gm low in lysine

    Pine nuts 1 oz, 167 kernels 190 cal 4 gm low in lysine

    Roasted almonds 1 oz, 22 count 171 cal 6gm low in lysine and methionine

    Pistachios 1 oz 49 count 161 cal 6gm all aa in proper ratio

    Sunflower seeds 1 oz 166 cal 5 gm low in lysine

    Peanuts without shells 1 oz 160 cal 7 gm low in lysine

    Cashews 1 oz 18 kernels 164 cal 4 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Hemp seeds 2 T 160 cal 11gm all aa in proper ratio

    Flax seeds 1 T 100 cal 4 gm



    Dairy Products


    Ricotta cheese lowfat ½ c 171 cal 14 gm all aa high in lysine

    Romano cheese 1 oz 108 cal 9 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Cheddar cheese 1 oz 113 cal 7 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Provolone cheese 1 oz 98 cal 7 gm all aa high in lysine

    Mozzarella 1 oz 71 cal 7 gm all aa high in lysine

    Parmesan 1 oz 116 cal 7 gm all aa high in lysine

    Gouda cheese 1 oz 100 cal 8 gm all aa high in lysine

    Swiss cheese 1 oz 100 cal 8gm all aa high in lysine

    Feta cheese ½ c crumbled 200 cal 21 gm all aa

    Cottage cheese 2% low fat 1 cup 163 cal 28 gm all aa

    Egg 1 whole 77 cal 6 gm all aa

    Egg whites 1 whole 16 cal 4 gm all aa

    Milk 1 cup 137 cal 10 gm all aa

    Yogurt low fat 1 cup 137 cal 14 gm low in tryptophan



    Vegetables

    Corn yellow canned 2/3 cup 80 cal 3 gm high in lysine

    Sun-dried tomatoes ½ cup (1 oz) 72 cal 4 gm lacks 5 aa

    Soy beans 1 oz 35 cal 4 gm all aa, but a little low in methionine+cystine, phenylalanine+tyrosine

    Peas 2 oz 70 cal 4 gm low in tryptophan

    Cowpeas (blackeyes) 2 oz 74 cal 4 gm all aa

    Navy beans 4 oz 88 cal 8 gm all aa, low in methionine + cystine

    Peas 4 oz 108 cal 8 gm all aa except no trypotophan

    Lima beans 4 oz cal 88 cal 5 gm all aa, low in methionine + cystine

    Brussel sprouts 1 cup 65 cal 6 gm. low in leucine, lysine, methionine + cystine, phenylalanine + tyrosine

    Spinach 1 cup chopped 65 cal 6 gm low in methionine + cystine

    Broccoli 1 cup spears 52 cal 6 gm low in methionine + cystine

    Potato 1 med with skin 161 cal 4 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Asparagus ½ cup 20 cal 2 gm all aa in proper ratio



    Fruits

    Apricots dried ½ cup 190 cal 3 gm low in methionine + cystine

    Peaches dried ½ cup 185 cal 3 gm low in trptophan and lysine



    Cereal, bread, grains and pasta

    Oat bran 1 oz 59 cal 5 gm low in lysine

    Oats 1 oz 109 cal 5 gm low in lysine

    Wheat flour 1 oz 95 cal 4 gm low in lysine

    Spaghetti, whole wheat dry 2 oz 198 cal 8 gm low in lysine

    Egg noodles dry 2 oz 219 cal 8 gm low in lysine

    Buckwheat 1 oz 96 cal 4 gm all aa in proper ratio

    Couscous dry 1 oz 105 cal 4 gm low in lysine

    Bulgur dry 1 oz 96 cal 3 gm low in lysine

    Millet raw 1 oz 106 cal 3 gm low in lysine

    Bread, pumpernickel 1 slice 65 cal 2 gm low in lysine

    Bread, reduced cal white 1 slice 48 cal 2 gm low in lysine

    Rice, brown long grain cooked 1 cup 216 cal 5 gm low in lysine

    White rice, cooked 1 cup 194 cal 4 gm low in lysine

    Whole wheat bread 1 slice 69 cal 4 gm low in all aa except tryptophan

    White bread 1 slice 67 cal 2 gm low in lysine

    Oatmeal bread 1 slice 73 cal 2 gm low in lysine

    Rye bread 1 slice 83 cal 2 gm low in lysine

    Whole wheat pita bread 4” diameter 74 cal 3 gm low in lysine

    Pita white enriched 4” diameter 77 cal 3 gm low in lysine
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
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    (in case it's too small to read): avocados, black beans (beans in general, i say), lentils, peas, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, sunflower seeds, tempeh, veggie burgers

    tumblr_mhxkau4kGr1rnnnzao1_500.jpg

    Also, tofu, seitan, and natto (http://greatist.com/health/7-alternative-proteins-meatless-mondays/)

    Feel free to check out my vegetarian pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/crista_b/living-the-veg-life/
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
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    Chia seeds
  • Erin0164
    Erin0164 Posts: 64 Member
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    Quinoa. Chia Seeds (I sprinkle them in soup - tends to thicken the soup a little). Tofu.
  • Shaansmum
    Shaansmum Posts: 21 Member
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    Wow, that will be a start! Thanks!
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
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    Not sure if you are lacto-ovo, but greek yogurt is a good low carb protein food. Of course, that is if it's something that doesn't a bunch of additives like the oikos ones. I like the fage one best. Oikos has a nasty after taste to me that was chemically.

    Then of course you can use protein powder to shakes or smoothies, beans are good protein. I cook my own beans because the canned ones are full of salt and I'm watching my sodium.

    Do low-carb breads if you have bread or try and sub bread for something else like a healthy startch like a potato or sweet potato or a side of beans.
  • dananaya
    dananaya Posts: 1 Member
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    This list is awesome, thanks for posting! :)
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
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    Greek Yogurt... it is a LIFESAVER for me ;) And PB2!
  • Angimom
    Angimom Posts: 1,463 Member
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    bump for later
  • shantibk
    shantibk Posts: 6 Member
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    Lentils, tofu, quinoa, beans, tempeh, nuts & seeds, almond milk, hemp protein powder
  • howie4four
    howie4four Posts: 54 Member
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    bump
  • sheltony
    sheltony Posts: 73 Member
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    TVP---it's awesome and versatile. If you have a Whole Foods store near you, they sell it in bulk. Tempeh is very tasty and has good protein in it, too.
  • wastelander92
    wastelander92 Posts: 25 Member
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    Seitan! The recipe I use has 7g carbs and 27g protein (according to MFP) per patty,

    Dry:
    1 1/2 cup wheat gluten
    1/3 cup nutritional yeast
    1/4 cup unbleached white flour
    seasonings (any you want, I made an italian chickn one using better than bouillion 'no chicken' base, coriander, and italian seasoning)

    Wet:
    1 1/2 cups broth (any, I've used veggie and 'no chicken' bouillion)
    2 tablespoons olive oil

    Combine wet and dry, knead until fully mixed, seperate into 6 patties, wrap in foil, steam 30 mins, serve. Can be stored in fridge or freezer for later use
  • girlykate143
    girlykate143 Posts: 220 Member
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    my latest breakfast is this:
    1 cup or 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (plain, unsweetened, Libby's brand here in the states)
    1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or walnuts
    2 tbsp. organic ground flax seed
    1 tbsp. soaked chia seeds (soaked in a bit of water so they're slimy looking)
    powdered BP (sometimes)

    It's my breakfast of choice most days and no I don't eat vegan.
  • sesko1961
    sesko1961 Posts: 10 Member
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    Wow - this post is great. I will share when I am more experienced and have something worthy.
  • DECAFLiving
    DECAFLiving Posts: 31 Member
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    bump
  • rjdunn87
    rjdunn87 Posts: 385 Member
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    I love tofu but only eat it once a week or so, don't want to go crazy on the soy. Quinoa is a great one! It's so easy to make, even easier than rice (I think) and you can throw anything you want in there to flavor it. It's a super fast, easy side or you can even make it a meal with some veggies and beans and chopped greens, or whatever.
  • hmjohnson25
    hmjohnson25 Posts: 100 Member
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    Lentils are versatile and filling. I love 'em and eat 'em almost daily.