Vegan Protein Foods for Building Muscle and Losing Fat

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

Vegan Protein Foods - 8 Vegan Protein Sources

 

Vegan protein can taste good and is usually cheaper.

 

Despite the rumors, you can certainly build muscle if you learn how to eat a vegan bodybuilding diet.

 

Misconceptions about vegan food:

 

·         tastes bad

·         is expensive

·         doesn’t build muscle

·         not protein-rich and doesn’t offer complete proteins

 

The thing is, those who are curious about becoming a vegetarian for health reasons are also concerned about getting complete proteins that are readily available to meat-eaters.

 

All the dietitians I depend on for quality, unbiased information say that plant-based diets contain such a wide variety of amino acid profiles that vegans can easily get all of their amino acids.

 

The term “complete protein” refers to amino acids, the building blocks of protein. There are 20 different kinds that can form a protein, and nine that the body can’t produce on its own.

 

These are called essential amino acids—we need to eat them because we can’t make them ourselves.

 

In order to be considered “complete,” a protein must contain all nine of these essential amino acids in equal amounts.

 

You may have heard that vegan bodybuilders need complete proteins in most of their meals.

 

As long as you keep your meals varied with proteins, complete or not, collectively they will fulfill your amino acid needs.

 

There are plenty of ways to meet your protein needs as a vegan bodybuilder.

 

Vegan Protein Foods Sources: Foods with Complete Proteins

 

1. Peanut Butter Sandwich with Ezekiel Bread

​

Protein: 23 grams per 2-slice sandwich with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter

 

Let’s start this off right, because peanut butter sandwiches simply kick ass. They also happen to be protein-rich with a sizable amount of essential amino acids and plenty of healthy fats.

 

Why Ezekiel bread?

 

It has wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, sprouted grains, and spelt. These combined ingredients contain all the essential amino acids, and they are also high in fiber and vitamins.

 

2. Seitan

 

Protein: 32 grams per 1/2 cup serving

 

If you’re not gluten intolerant, this protein source rocks the house. Seitan is made by mixing gluten (the protein in wheat) with herbs and spices, hydrating it with water or stock, and simmering it in broth. But this one’s not complete on its own—it needs to be cooked in a soy sauce-rich broth to add gluten’s missing amino acid (lysine).

 

3. Soy

 

Protein: 30 grams per 1 cup serving (tempeh) – 30 grams per 1 cup serving (natto) – 20 grams per 1 cup serving (firm tofu)

 

While beans are normally low in the amino acid methionine, soy is a complete protein and deserves its time in the spotlight. However, beware of the GMO versions of this vegan food.

 

Tempeh and natto are made by fermenting the beans, but tofu is probably the best known soy product.

 

4. Quinoa

 

Protein: 8 grams per 1 cup serving, cooked

 

Quinoa looks much like couscous, but is more nutritious. Full of fiber, iron, magnesium, and manganese, quinoa is a terrific substitute for rice. It’s easy to cook up ahead of time for meal prep, and is a staple in my own vegetarian bodybuilding diet.

 

5. Spirulina (with grains or nuts)

 

Protein: 4 grams per 1 tablespoon

 

Contrary to popular belief, this member of the algae family is not a complete protein, since it’s lacking in methionine and cysteine. All that’s needed to remedy this is to add something with plenty of these amino acids, such as grains, oats, nuts, or seeds.

 

6. Hummus (and pita)

 

Protein: 8 grams per 2 tablespoons of hummus and 1 whole-wheat pita

 

The protein in wheat is pretty similar to that of rice, being only deficient in lysine. But the chickpeas in hummus have plenty, as well as a fairly similar amino acid profile to most legumes.

 

7. Chia

 

Protein: 4 grams per 2 tablespoon serving

 

Chia seeds are the highest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, and they contain more fiber than flax seeds or nuts. Chia is also a powerhouse of iron, calcium, zinc, and antioxidants, but the best thing about these little seeds is that they form a goopy gel when combined with milk or water.

 

8. Hempseed

 

Protein: 10 grams per 2 tablespoon serving

 

This has significant amounts of all nine essential amino acids, as well as plenty of magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium. They’re also a rare vegan source of omega-3s.

 

Vegan Protein Foods - 5 Vegetarian Foods for High-Protein

 

A common challenge for vegetarian bodybuilders is getting enough protein in their diet, but this doesn’t have to be a huge mountain to climb. Despite what the meat-eating industry would have us believe, there are many plant-based sources of protein.

 

Here is a short and sweet list of five easily accessible protein-rich sources:

 

1. Tempeh

 

This food made from soy is a must-have protein for us vegetarian bodybuilders. One cup has 30 grams of protein.

 

2. Lentils

 

We like to use these in our vegan burger recipes or veggie wraps. One cup gives us 20 grams of protein.

 

3. Kidney beans

 

One of our favorites because they are so versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as vegan chili or stir-fry. One cup of will give you 15 grams of protein.

 

4. Pumpkin Seeds

 

Because they have so many health benefits, we like to use these in many of our recipes. Extremely versatile, they can be used in anything from salads to cereals. A quarter cup of these seeds provides you with 10 grams of protein.

 

5. Dried Spirulina

 

Just add this to your smoothies, guacamole, or salads for an extra boost in protein. Two tablespoons of this seaweed will give you 8 grams of protein.

 

To get some vegan protein foods ideas, watch this video - WHAT I EAT IN A DAY BUILDING VEGAN MUSCLE | LEAN GAINS

 

Author Bio:

 

Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.

 

V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.

 

A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.

 

The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”

 

To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Vegan Protein Foods