The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get around 50 grams of protein each day. If you're thinking about following a raw diet -- where you aim to eat a high percentage of uncooked foods -- you may worry that you won't be able to get protein, since you'll no longer be consuming meat and dairy products. Fortunately, there are many ways to get enough protein on a raw diet.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds offer a good source of protein for anyone's diet, but they can be particularly useful for those following a raw diet. Take care that you purchase raw nuts and seeds, as many varieties that you can purchase in the store are toasted and not suitable for the raw diet. You can puree the nuts to make nut butters or nut milk rather than eating as-is.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables, like kale, romaine lettuce and broccoli, contain a high percentage of protein. In fact, broccoli contains more protein than steak, when compared on a per-calorie basis rather than a per-ounce basis. Blend these into a smoothie to pack a lot into your diet.
Sprouted Beans
Sprouted beans, like lentils or mung beans, are also a raw source of protein. You can purchase these at the store or make your own at home in a jar. Add these to your salads or sandwiches. You can also blend them into a green smoothie.
Grains
Though most people cook grains like rice, oatmeal and barley, you can also prepare them to fit into a raw diet by simply soaking the grains for a long time. These grains contain protein.
Raw Protein Powder
If you're concerned about whether you'll get enough protein in your diet, you may want to boost levels with a raw protein powder. Companies make these from sprouted beans. It has a mild taste that blends well with others. You can simply mix it with a glass of water or nut milk, or you could add it to a smoothie.
Member Comments