Revealed: Vegetables That Provide Protein for Vegetarians

Protein plays a vital role in our bodies. Many people mistakenly think protein is only found in meat, fish and eggs, but it's also found in vegetables. So if you're vegetarian, take a look at these protein-providing vegetables.

1. Peas

When it comes to protein-rich legumes, you can't overlook peas. Just ½ cup of cooked peas gives you about 2.8 grams of protein and 4.4 grams of fibre.

Peas are very high in protein

Popular dishes featuring peas include soups, stews and curries.

2. Edamame

Did you know that a cup of edamame cooked in their pods contains as much as 18g of protein? Like other soybeans, edamame may be genetically modified and sprayed with pesticides, so to protect your health, look for organically grown edamame.

Cooking with edamame is fairly simple. You can stir-fry the beans with a little oil and salt, or serve them alongside noodle dishes. For something even simpler, boil them with a pinch of salt.

3. Asparagus

10 asparagus spears provide 4 grams of protein. You can cook asparagus in many ways, such as grilled, stir-fried, in pasta, in stews or in soups.

4. Beetroot

Beetroot is a root vegetable with a fairly high protein content. It also contains healthy polyunsaturated fats that are very good for the body. Just one cup of sliced beetroot contains about 2.2 grams of protein. Combine it with other protein-containing vegetables to give your body enough essential protein.

5. Potatoes

Potatoes are very high in carbohydrates, and their protein helps balance out the carbohydrates. According to experts, one medium potato provides about 4 grams of protein. So a large potato, a serving of mashed potato or a big plate of sautéed potatoes gives you a decent amount of protein.

6. Broccoli

One cup of broccoli gives you about 2.5 grams of protein for just 31 calories. A cup of steamed broccoli doubles that, to 5 grams of protein and 62 calories.

Many people choose broccoli for vegetarian meals

According to many scientific studies, eating plenty of broccoli can reduce the risk of certain cancers such as breast, prostate and lung cancer.

To make broccoli dishes more appealing, cook it in stir-fries, stews, curries or soups.

7. Lentils

Lentils are one of the most protein-rich legumes. They contain a good amount of fibre along with beneficial micronutrients such as folate, thiamin, phosphorus and iron. You can use them in many dishes, such as soups and stews, or in salads.

There are actually many protein-rich vegetables. If you're eating vegetarian, don't overlook the ones above. Enjoy your tempting vegetarian meals!