Wait!  What??  There is protein in vegetables.  Yes. Yes, there is.  Protein is an important macronutrient and most of us are pretty obsessed with getting enough protein in our diet.  I know that I just don’t feel like I can wake up in the morning unless I get just a little protein to clear the cobwebs.  We need protein to grow “big and strong”.  That is to say we need protein for our muscles and bones.

Meat and poultry contain protein, but if you are trying to buy organic meats, it can be pretty expensive.  One of the strategies I use for my family is that I look for vegetables that can supplement our protein needs, especially on “Meatless Mondays”.

This has become especially important in my house as my daughter has decided that she feels better when she doesn’t eat as much meat.  It’s pretty cool to see a kid who is so in tune with her body.  She is still growing, so there is no way that I want to take protein out of her diet completely.  Instead, we look for vegetables, legumes, and seeds to fill this need for her.

Although this isn’t a complete list of vegetables that include protein, I think it serves as an important introduction to the fact that vegetables can be a good source of protein in your diet.

Vegetables that are high in protein:

• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Corn
• Asparagus
• Potatoes
• Artichoke
• Spinach
• Green Peas
• Edamame
• Butternut Squash

You don’t need to be a vegetarian to include more vegetable protein in your diet.  Vegetables have less calories than meat so they are a great way to get your protein content if you are trying to maintain or lose weight.  They also pack lots of micronutrient power.  Try a couple of meals without meat and see how you feel afterwards. You might be surprised that you actually feel better………..more energetic and less belly-aches.  I’ve read that vegetables are easier to digest than meat.  Your body can do a lot more things if it isn’t spending all day digesting your last hamburger.

What are your favorite non-meat sources of protein?  Do you eat meatless once in a while?  Have you noticed the difference in how you feel when you eat meat and when you do not?  Tell me your stories.  I can’t wait to hear from you.

 

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