Our Top 5 Sources of Plant-Based Protein

What do elephants, gorillas and Popeye all have in common? They’re all 100% powered by plants! Today we’re sharing our Top 5 Sources of Plant-Based Protein because you, too, can be plant-powered.

Many people assume if you don’t eat animal protein with every meal, you must have a protein deficiency. They often equate a veggie-forward diet with not getting “enough protein” — the implication being you can only get adequate protein from eating meat.

Real protein deficiency is not as common as most people think. As a culture we’re actually over-consuming protein, which can cause a slew of medical conditions. And this is especially concerning given how many people consume high protein diets in an effort to build muscle quickly.

Elephants, gorillas, horses and even rhinos are all herbivores, meaning they eat only plants. And they certainly don’t lack any strength or muscle. Their bodies are adapted to extract the maximum nutrients and protein from the plants they’re eating. For humans, nutrition and diet are extremely bio-individual.

“Bio-individuality” means one person’s diet may not work well for another. We’ve evolved to be omnivorous, yet lots of people actually thrive on a plant-based diet. However, not everyone can feel their best without animal protein. But overall, the more plant-focused we can all make our diets, the better our health will be.

We created the Conscious Cleanse food plate with that theory in mind: ⅔ of your plate veggies with the other ⅓ being your choice of protein!

Personal preferences and protein grams aside, let’s take a closer look at this macronutrient. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein – but more on these guys in a second. Our body needs protein to build new cells and to maintain healthy tissues. We also need protein for healthy hair, strong nails and most of our body’s basic functions.

So we know protein is crucial to our health. But what are the best sources of protein?

Well, the answer to that depends on the person. After working with thousands of people on the Conscious Cleanse, we have real data which shows that some people thrive on a vegan diet while others need animal protein or fish to feel their best.

But one thing we know for sure is eating animal protein requires your body to work harder. Remember amino acids, those building blocks of protein? Well, when you eat protein from an animal source, your body has to break it down into a string of amino acid parts, and then reorganize it into amino acids before the body can actually utilize it.

When we eat plant-based sources of protein – things like nuts, seeds, beans, legumes and even dark leafy greens – we ingest the amino acids directly, skipping the extra steps where your body has to work harder.

The results? Extra energy and easier digestion!

So back to the original question, “where do you get your protein?” Below are our top favorite sources of plant-based protein.

Our Top 5 Sources of Plant-Based Protein

• Dark Leafy Greens and Other Green Vegetables – Spinach, watercress, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, cauliflower and cabbage provide some of the highest available proteins.
• Nuts and seeds – Think pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, walnuts, chia seeds and hemp seeds. We also love nut and seed butters like almond butter, cashew butter, and sunbutter.
• Spirulina and Chlorella – These forms of green algae provide up to 65% protein – a must if you are trying to minimize the amount of animal protein in your diet. They contain all the essential amino acids, so they’re great for athletes and anyone who’s on the go a lot.
• Beans and Legumes – Beans and legumes are generally inexpensive and provide long-lasting energy, thanks to their high protein and fiber content. They’re also a great source of calcium and other vitamins and minerals.
• Quinoa – Quinoa is technically a seed but it masquerades as a grain. It’s also a superfood! Hailing from South America, this Peruvian pseudograin is a complete protein, meaning it contains all 8 essential amino acids. It’s earthy and nutty and goes great with steamed veggies.

Do you thrive on plants or are you a die-hard meat eater? Do you ever think about reducing your animal protein consumption by 50%? Let us know in the comments below!

With love and green protein,

The Conscious Cleanse Team

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