1. Go for Faux Meats
If you enjoy hamburgers, meat sandwiches or foods with meat in them but want to go vegetarian, add faux meats to your foods. Soy or wheat are the primary ingredients in faux meats, which, for the most part, taste like real meat. Faux meats are easy to find in supermarkets and many restaurants will substitute faux meats for the real thing. Tofu is a popular faux meat, especially in Asian cuisine. It gives you a healthy protein boost and tastes best when marinated or soaked in a sauce. Another faux meat choice is tempeh made from whole soybeans. It's thicker than Tofu and needs soaking in sauces to make the flavor a little milder. Seitan is another faux meat often used to replace poultry in recipes.
2. Choose Legumes
Legumes such as pinto, navy, kidney and garbanzo beans are all great protein replacements. They'll also give you a good fiber, Vitamin B and zinc boost which is a huge plus. Other legumes good for a protein replacement include lentils, peanuts and black-eyed peas. Legumes are easy to add to salads, soups, casseroles and Mexican dishes such as burritos, nachos and tacos.
3. Try a Protein Milkshake
You can add whatever fruits and vegetables you want to your protein shake. Adding milk or yogurt will also give you a protein boost in the milkshake, or you can add egg whites for a protein boost. If you still want more protein, add a protein powder to your milkshake. Protein powder often changes the flavor but is a good meal replacement.
4. Eat More Dairy and Eggs
One way to find healthy protein replacements is with dairy and eggs. Cheese is an excellent source of protein, though in high amounts it may lead to weight gain. Yogurt is also healthy, especially low fat yogurt with live cultures. Yogurt with live cultures is especially good for women, but it also keeps the digestive system of both men and women healthy. Milk is a good protein source, especially fat-free milk. If you're lactose intolerant, products made with soy milk are a good protein replacement. Finally, eggs in small dosages are great protein replacements. If you have high cholesterol though, you should avoid eggs.
Member Comments