Discover 30 vegan protein sources with complete calorie and macro breakdowns. Learn which plant proteins are complete and how to combine them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get enough protein on a vegan diet?
Yes. A well-planned vegan diet easily meets protein needs. The RDA is 0.8 g per kg of body weight, and research shows vegans average about 0.99 g/kg. Eating a variety of legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds throughout the day provides all essential amino acids.
What is the highest protein vegan food?
By weight, spirulina (57 g per 100 g dry) and nutritional yeast (50 g per 100 g) lead the list. Among whole foods eaten in larger portions, seitan provides about 21 g of protein per 100 g cooked, and tempeh provides roughly 19 g per 100 g.
Do vegans need to combine proteins at every meal?
No. The idea that plant proteins must be combined at the same meal has been debunked. Your body pools amino acids over the course of a day. Eating a variety of protein-rich plant foods throughout the day is sufficient to get all essential amino acids.
Which vegan proteins are complete proteins?
Soy products (tofu, tempeh, edamame), quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, hemp seeds, and nutritional yeast all contain the nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, making them complete protein sources.
How much protein do vegan athletes need?
Vegan athletes should aim for 1.4 to 2.0 g of protein per kg of body weight daily, the same range recommended for all athletes. Prioritizing high-PDCAAS sources like soy and combining legumes with grains helps meet these targets.