My Top 10 High Protein Vegan Foods

by Ravi Raman on December 26, 2007 · 3 comments

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I get asked what I eat on a weekly basis. Most people can’t fathom being vegetarian, let alone vegan. I don’t find it hard at all. Even travelling abroad is a doable thing as vegan, you just need a little preparation and willpower. Here are some of my favorite high protein vegan foods. Unlike meat, these foods all have a fair amount of carbohydrates. This isn’t a problem. It just means that you eat more of them to get enough total protein, while limiting intake of other more carb-rich sources of food (e.g. pasta, rice, bread) to keep overall calories in check. Lastly, I’ve found that when you eat a more balanced diet based on whole foods, your body runs more efficiently and the fat starts to melt off, even though you are ingesting a fair amount of carbs. So here it is, my top ten favorite high protein vegan foods:

  1. Tofu: it is a staple of my diet. I’ll go through 32 ounces a week. I try to avoid soy-protein isolates and soy-milk. I prefer to ingest actual soybeans (edamame) or tofu in stir-fry’s and soups.
  2. Sprouts: I buy packs of sprouts and take them to work. I prefer the crunchy variety (as opposed to alfalfa or broccoli sprouts). Mung bean sprouts are the best.
  3. Black Beans: great in wraps/burritos.
  4. Quinoa: It’s a grain that is really high in protein. I eat it in the same way you would eat rice. It has a much lower glycemic index (which means it causes less of an affect on blood sugar) and has a more complete amino acid profile than other grains. The Inca used to subsist on this grain, corn and potatoes for the bulk of their calories.
  5. Raw Almonds: I just eat them whenever I feel like a snack. It is better if you soak them for a few hours first. This is supposed to activate enzymes in the raw nuts that helps your body break them down faster/more effectively.
  6. Hemp Seed Powder: I don’t use soy protein, and this is a great substitute. It is really high in Omega fatty acids, and tastes much better than soy (in my opinion). I love Manitoba Harvest brand Hemp Protein.
  7. Cliff Builder Bars: In a pinch, these do the trick. They also taste really good and have a nice consistency.
  8. Soy Dogs: I don’t have a favorite variety, but they cook really fast, are pretty inexpensive and have a % of calories from protein. I’ll usually chop them up and throw them into a stir fry, or just toast them and eat them with ketchup and mustard.
  9. Meatless Meatballs: I usually get’s Nate’s variety. Good with any pasta. I’ll usually crush them to make a “meat sauce” with pasta.
  10. “Chicken” Patties: I prefer the Boca brand “Chik n Grill” variety. These fake chicken patties that have a more meaty texture. I will just eat a few of these plain with some type of sauce or make a sandwich out of them.  

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  2. Broccoli and Protein
  3. The Top Five Reasons Why Vegans Stop Being Vegan
  4. Increasing the Calories, eating more cooked food
  5. Vegan Holiday Festival Recap
  6. The drive to 165
  7. Vegan Thanksgiving

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Diet » My Top 10 High Protein Vegan Foods
December 27, 2007 at 2:48 am

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jul January 26, 2008 at 8:54 am

Living in Germany, I totally miss those Boca Chik n Grill things. I think even the Boca bratwurst is better than the veggie bratwurst I’ve found here so far.

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2 Kate February 28, 2010 at 10:56 am

Great list :) I’m newly vegan (for a month and some) and am always looking for articles and tips on doing it healthily! Thanks!

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