Statistics from Viva show that half of the UK population is cutting down on their intake of meat, with 3% of the public (around 2 million people) already identifying as being vegan. It is clear that young people are paving the way for a more sustainable planet for future generations, with the survey suggesting that more people are going to be adopting a more plant-based diet.
However, Veganuary has proven to be a popular topic in the media this year, but it brings a wave of controversy surrounding plant-based diets, with one of the most commonly asked questions being “is there enough protein in vegan diets?”. Green Chef has debunked the myths and shown the public how eating a vegan diet is a lot easier than you think.
What are the vegan-friendly foods with the highest protein content?
- Pumpkin seeds: 24.4g protein per 100g – more than the amount of protein found in many types of fish, such as cod (19g protein per 100g)!
- Edamame beans: 11g of protein per 100g
- Black rice: 9g protein per 100g
- Black beans: 8.8g protein per 100g
- Lentils: 8.1g protein per 100g
- Butter beans: 8g per protein 100g
- Chickpeas: 7.7g protein per 100g
There are so many high-protein vegetables, grains and more you can use to create high-protein vegan meals, like a fish-less pie with butter beans, peas and capers or a creamy tomato and chickpea curry.
Speaking to recipe box service Green Chef, registered nutritionist Anna Tebbs said: “According to the UK Eatwell Guide, we need 0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight. This is usually around 45g per day for the average woman and 55.5g for the average man. Despite the controversy that often surrounds vegan diets and protein, it’s actually very easy to get the amount you actually need per day following a plant-based diet. In fact, cutting down on your meat intake can actually reduce your chances of getting heart disease or diabetes. Some easy ways to introduce vegan dishes into your diet more regularly is by swapping out meat in dishes like chilli and stews for a plant-based alternative like beans or lentils.”
Turning plant-based has never been easier thanks to debunking this vegan myth. For more plant-based alternatives and high-protein vegan meals, check out Green Chef’s options to start reducing your meat intake today.
