One of the biggest concerns about being a pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan is the question of where to get their protein. Protein is not as hard to be consumed as it's thought to be. Animal meat is not the only source of protein out there and it is important to do your research.
I have been a pescatarian my entire life and have never had an issue with not consuming enough protein in my daily diet. Foods that contain protein, other than meats are better for you because they don't contain as much fat and unhealthy carcinogens that meats do.
Women should consume around 46 grams of protein a day and men should consume around 56 grams of protein. Protein is not as hard to consume as you think and some of the daily sources of protein I consume every day are as follow...
Eggs: Eggs are one of the easiest ways to get your daily protein in. I don't go a day without consuming at least two eggs. There are 6 grams of protein in every egg, which is a decent amount to consume right when you wake up. I'll either cook my eggs for breakfast, or add hardboiled eggs to my salads in the afternoon.
Quinoa: Quinoa is a type of grain, but contains more protein than almost any other type. As well as protein, it contains fiber and healthy unsaturated fats. There are 4 grams of protein for every half cup of quinoa. Instead of consuming rice as a part of a meal, add quinoa instead. More restaurants are serving quinoa based bowls and give you the option to add other foods on top.
Beans: Beans are a good source of protein and have a high satiety level because they break down slowly in your body. In just 1/2 cup of beans, you will get around 8 grams of protein depending on the type. Beans are good over salads or as a side to your dinner.
Edamame: Edamame are one of my favorite types of soy beans. You can eat these hot or cold, shelled or unshelled, and with any type of sauce. A half cup of edamame contains 21 grams of protein. You will most commonly find edamame in Asian restaurants served hot, in their shells and with soy sauce. I add cold, unshelled edamame to my salads or make bean salads with them.
Greek Yogurt: Yogurt should be a main part of your daily diet if you are trying to stay healthy, lose weight or consume more protein. 7 oz of yogurt contains 20 grams of protein. Yogurt is not a main source of protein that comes to mind, but 20 grams is a large amount of your daily intake.
Lentils: Lentils are one of the highest protein packed foods a non-meat eater can consume. There are 18 grams of protein per each cup of lentils. Lentils are great in soup or by themselves.
Chia Seeds: In my last article I wrote about the benefits of different type of seeds and chia seeds was one of them. One of the major benefits of chia seeds is the protein they provide. You will get 2.5 grams of protein for every tablespoon you consume. Chia seeds are good to put in smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal and they add a good source of protein.
