Meatless Monday is back again! Going meatless once a week is not only good for your health but is also great for the environment. But how do you think will you get your daily dose of protein without meat? Don’t fret. Vegetables, fruits and other food items also contain enough protein to keep your body healthy and happy. We bring you 8 food items that you must eat to get your daily protein dose.
Beans
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One of the best and cheapest sources of protein are lentils and beans. The best part about beans and lentils is that you can use them in any cuisine. You can have great Indian food using beans, white beans in Italian pasta is also a great option. Mexicans live on beans, right from tacos to quesadillas, beans are used in almost all their preparations. Make sure you start eating beans to get the much needed protein.
Dry Fruits
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Did you know that walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, and other nuts are a great source of protein? When you are eating cereal for breakfast, you can add chopped nuts to the bowl to add to the protein content. Also, flax seeds and chia seeds are a great source of protein and can be added to salads or simply eaten raw.
Tofu
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Tofu is often known as the vegetarian white meat. Although the protein content in tofu is slightly less than chicken, but, it is one of the best meat substitutes. It has been used in various cuisines as a replacement of meat for decades. Originated in ancient China, tofu comes in various textures and forms. You can add it in soup, stew or eat it in a burger.
Eggs
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Sunday Ho Ya Monday, Roz Khao Anday. Well, there is obviously a reason why egg is one of the most popular breakfast options. The protein content in an egg has the highest biological value of how well it supports your body's protein needs. So, to get the required amount of protein on a meatless Monday, make sure you eat at least one egg for breakfast.
Avocados
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Usually, vegetables have around 1 to 2 g of protein per cup, but avocados which are categorized as fruits contain way more than the given amount. Avocados are loaded with nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. This magic fruit boosts your immune system and prevents your body from catching a cold.
Milk and Soy Milk
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Both soy milk and milk are a great source of protein and promote weight loss. Also, both of these drinks contain calcium to help you have stronger bones and teeth. Milk as well as soy milk not only provide your body with the much needed amount of protein but they also do not add a lot of fat and calories. You must add a glass of milk to your diet every day.
Spinach
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Well, there was a reason why Popeye needed a spinach can right before his battles. Spinach is loaded with protein and can be used in various forms. You can use spinach as a pizza topping or you can also make a smoothie out of it. One thing you need to make sure while buying spinach is to ensure it is fresh.
Broccoli
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We all know that broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables. Well, part of the reason is because it is loaded with protein. Other aspects of broccoli that make it a healthy vegetable are the fibre content in it and that it is a cruciferous vegetable. These vegetables are known for their health benefits and also help in battling against cancer as well as preventing heart diseases.
This meatless Monday, give yourself a dose of protein without eating meat.
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