12 Complete Proteins Vegetarians Need to Know About

There are plenty of reasons to eat more meat-free meals: They’re nearly always cheaper, lower in calories, and better for the environment. It’s easy to get enough protein without eating animals, but the doubters often have another concern: Are these meat-free protein sources complete? The term "complete protein" refers to amino acids, the building blocks of protein. There are 20 different amino acids 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. Yes, meat and eggs are complete proteins, and beans and nuts aren’t. Still, some people want complete proteins in all of their meals. Photo: Tattooed Martha 1. Protein: 8 grams per 1 cup serving, cooked A food so healthy that NASA hopes we’ll grow it on interplanetary space flights, quinoa looks a lot like couscous, but it’s way more nutritious. Go-to recipes: 2. Protein: 6 grams per 1 cup serving, cooked 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Vegan | Matt Frazier How do vegans possibly do it? Even after I became vegetarian, I turned this question over and over in my mind. I knew that I wanted to quit eating animal products but just couldn’t imagine making it work. I had even tried a vegan diet for a month, only to learn in the process that I wasn’t ready. The commitment to officially say “I’m vegan“ was a decision I deliberated about for a long time. In the end, it took two full years before I completely cut out eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. Two and a half years later, now that this once extreme lifestyle now feels familiar, I have just enough perspective to wish I could go back and give my pre-vegan self (or someone else in my shoes) a few pointers. So whenever they give us the promised time machines and jetpacks and I get the chance to go back and talk to that guy, here’s how I’ll help him prepare: 1. So get used to them, and understand that they don’t necessarily indicate a lack of respect. Get used to the jokes. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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