Why is consuming high protein foods important?
We have been taught since the beginning of our lives to make sure to eat enough high protein foods in our daily nutrition! So how do our bodies utilize protein in our daily processes? And what benefits can we experience through adding proper amounts of protein into our meals? Protein plays a vital role in every cell in the body – it serves as the fuel for cells, making it a building block for bones, muscles, skin, blood, and much more. It is also utilized for assisting the body with many other processes.
Above all, protein is comprised of a long chain of amino acids, and it is known as a “macronutrient,” as our bodies use it prominently in daily functions. In addition, through properly supplying our bodies with protein, we are promoting the wellbeing of all of our cells, which in turn affects whole-body health! After that, check out our superfoods list below of 7 foods with an abundance of protein for your daily meals!
Plant based nutrition choices for protein content
Black beans
Black beans are an excellent source of protein, with 15 grams of protein per cup! In addition, legumes have been known throughout history as wonderful foods for endurance, as even the strong, mighty gladiators in ancient times had diets focusing on these particular foods. Above all, legumes are one of the best high protein foods for plant-based eaters! In addition, other similar legumes to eat for your daily protein include chickpeas (around 14.5 grams per cup) and kidney beans (approximately 13 grams per cup).
Wild Rice
The nutrient-dense food in its raw form has a whopping 24g of protein per 1 cup! In addition, an excellent benefit about this food is that it is a species of grass and not a grain, yet it has a consistency similar to grains. Above all, this makes wild rice an excellent addition to your diet if you are eating grain-free and looking for delicious, easy to prepare substitutes. For instance, you can easily prepare raw wild rice by sprouting it. Fill a bowl with wild rice and allow it to soak in the water on your kitchen counter for 1-2 days.
Avocado
The famous green fruit has about 3 grams of protein per cup! You can enjoy this food sliced into salads, in a smoothie, or even alone with a dash of Himalayan salt added to it!
Broccoli
The fibrous vegetable can provide you with almost 3 grams of protein per cup of chopped Broccoli! In addition, it is an excellent addition to salads, or to be eaten as a snack with a vegetable dip.
Spinach
We’ve all heard of Popeye, the strong, muscular cartoon figure whose favorite fit food was spinach. You will receive 1 gram of protein per 1 cup of spinach you consume. It is an excellent addition to meals, salads, and smoothies!
Lentils
Just one cup of these legumes has 18 grams of protein! Enjoying a lentil soup or a spiced lentil dish is an excellent way to add them to your diet.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a powerhouse of organic protein. In comparison, 1 cup of Spirulina has 64 grams of protein! You will likely not be eating this much Spirulina at once. We would recommend 1-2 tablespoons for example, which would give you 4 to 8 grams to protein respectively. Above all, it is a rich source of protein which will fuel your day on a plant-based diet!