Although there has been some debate in terms of the high-protein diets that people are partaking in, there is no denying the importance of protein as a daily element in our lives. It serves numerous functions for our bodies which can be proven by the fact that it makes up 75% of our weight and can be found in our bones, skin, and hair. Protein is made up of amino acids and enzymes which provide a type of power source for the chemical reactions that take place in our bodies.
Many people though, think that they can only get their necessary amount of protein by eating meats, however, this is not the case. Of course, people can get a complete amount of protein from animal sources whether it is meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs. But this is not the only source of protein that one can consume. One of the best non-meat sources of protein that you can try is soy which comes in an abundance of products such as tofu. Many people cringe when they hear of tofu and do not think that it is anything that they themselves would like to try, but tofu is virtually tasteless and can be used in a variety of ways such as in the form of a smoothie. My mother used to trick us into eating tofu by adding it into our orange strawberry smoothies! My sister and I never even noticed until we got older and she told us. Not only is an orange strawberry tofu smoothie good for you and high in protein, but it is incredibly easy to make. Just blend ½ of a package of tofu with 1 cup of orange juice and a ½ cup of frozen strawberries and you have yourself a tasty summer treat!
If you are willing to try tofu, then you could actually have an entire tofu-based meal since you can get tofu hamburgers and hot dogs. Just something to think about next time you decide to have a cook-out. However, if you still are not interested in trying tofu, there are so many other soy-based products on the market such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
And if the thought of soy in general just doesn’t seem appealing, there are plenty of other foods that can be consumed as sources of protein such as nuts, legumes and beans, peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, and any whole grain products. Consider starting with something simple like having whole-grain toast for breakfast with peanut butter!
If you STILL are wary of these alternative sources of protein and want something easier, there are always protein supplements such as protein shakes and bars. Regardless of how you get your daily protein intake, it is essential that you find some way to make protein a part of your daily diet.
Reference:
Top 10 Protein Options in a Vegetarian Diet. http://www.womenfitness.net/protien-option.htm
