Vegetarian proteins

Beans, lentils and nuts are all good sources. There is this soup mix called I believe "Hams 15 bean soup". It is very inexpensive and comes in different flavors. I use the cajun one since there is no meat broth used. It makes quite a lot but I usually will make the whole thing then freeze the rest in serving sized containers. It is really good. I have also been on this homemade cashew nut butter kick recently. It is a little higher in calories but I only use 1 Tbs instead of 2 as a serving (220 per serving) and put it on half of a wheat bagel for breakfast.

Peas, broccoli, asparagus, and yeah ... nuts, beans, and sprouts. Don't forget the hummus ... yum ...

YES...HUMMUS...

cool, I'm going a vegetarian too and will try that soup!

Here we go:

http://www.bodyforlife2.com/incompletprotein.htm

Animal Protein Versus Vegetable Protein
In general, animal proteins (meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, and eggs) are considered good sources of complete proteins. Complete proteins contain ample amounts of all essential amino acids.

Food for Thought
Gelatin is the only animal protein that is not considered a complete protein.

On the other hand, vegetable proteins (grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and other vegetables) are incomplete proteins because they are missing, or do not have enough of, one or more of the essential amino acids. That's not such a big deal. You already know that grains and legumes are rich in complex carbohydrate and fiber. Now you learn that they can be an excellent source of protein as well; it just takes a little bit of work and know-how. By combining foods from two or more of the following columns—voilà—you create a self-made complete protein. You see, the foods in one column may be missing amino acids that are present in the foods listed in another column. When eaten in combination at the same meal (or separately throughout the day), your body receives all nine essential amino acids.

You can combine the following vegetable proteins to make complete proteins.

Sources of Complementary Proteins
Grains Legumes Nuts/Seeds
Barley Beans Sesame seeds
Bulgur Lentils Sunflower seeds
Cornmeal Dried peas Walnuts
Oats Peanuts Cashews
Buckwheat Chickpeas Pumpkin seeds
Rice Soy products Other nuts
Pasta
Rye
Wheat

Combinations to Create Complete Proteins
Combine Grains and Legumes Combine Grains and Nuts/Seeds Combine Legumes and Nuts/Seeds
Peanut butter on whole-wheat bread Whole-wheat bun with sesame seeds Humus (chickpeas and sesame paste)
Rice and beans Breadsticks rolled with sesame seeds Trail mix (peanuts and sunflower seeds)
Bean soup and a roll Rice cakes with peanut butter
Salad with chickpeas and cornbread
Tofu-vegetable stir-fry over rice or pasta
Vegetarian chili with bread


Also, by adding small amounts of animal protein (meat, eggs, milk, or cheese) to any of the groups, you create a complete protein. Here are some examples:

* Casserole with a small amount of meat
* Salad with beans and a hard cooked egg
* Yogurt with granola
* Bean and cheese burrito
* Macaroni and cheese
* Oatmeal with milk

Round-up
Complementary proteins are two incomplete proteins in a food that compensate for one another's shortfalls when combined.

No problem.