It is essential to take the right amount of protein to feel good, but did you know that we can also find it in plant foods?
We know well that proteins are of fundamental importance for our health, and also that the main source of these substances is of animal origin . Meat is one of the most protein-rich foods, which is why it is recommended to include it at least a few times a week in a balanced diet .
What if I want to go on a vegetarian or vegan diet ? Don’t worry, there are several plant-based foods that contain good amounts of protein. Just find out what they are and bring them to the table daily, to avoid running into a dangerous deficiency for our body.
Plant proteins, what are they?
Although most of the proteins are contained in foods of animal origin, there are in good quantities also in foods such as legumes, fruits and vegetables . These are vegetable proteins, which differ from animal proteins in one aspect.
The latter in fact contain all 9 amino acids necessary for the proper functioning of our body, while those of vegetable origin are mostly deficient in one or more of these amino acids. The only exception is quinoa , a complete and therefore fundamental food in the diet of a vegetarian or vegan person.
Where are the vegetable proteins
Let’s now see which are the foods richest in vegetable proteins , that is those which should never be missing on our table. As for fruit and vegetables, excellent sources of these important substances are apricots, avocados, dried fruit, cabbage (and more generally cruciferous vegetables ), asparagus, artichokes, peppers and potatoes.
Even oilseeds and algae, especially spirulina algae , have large quantities of vegetable protein. Among the legumes, we point out beans, lentils, beans, lupins, soy and tofu. Finally, cereals : seitan, spelled and millet are certainly the best from this point of view.
What are proteins used for?
Protein has several functions, all extremely important. First of all they constitute the “building blocks” of our organism : they are found, for example, in the structure of bones, muscles, skin and hair. But if this is their best-known function, there are many others that are equally important.
They carry many substances within our body, regulate most of the chemical reactions that occur in the body and give rise to some types of hormones. It is therefore evident that it is necessary to respect the correct daily protein intake , through nutrition.
ultimo aggiornamento: 15-02-2020
