Healthy alternatives of non-veg food include legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, mushrooms, tempeh, jackfruit, seitan, quinoa and spirulina. Legumes such as lentils, beans and peas provide abundant proteins, minerals and fiber; nuts such as almonds walnuts cashews provide both proteins and healthy fats while flaxseeds hempseeds and chia seeds provide fiber and proteins too! Likewise mushrooms provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants with mushrooms being an excellent source of vitamins minerals and antioxidants! Finally Tempeh (fermented soybean product made by fermentation of soybean) is another great source of proteins while mushrooms provide vitamins.
Healthy Alternatives
1) Protein Power
With health concerns increasing around the world, more and more people are adopting non-vegetarian diets to get adequate amounts of protein. But that doesn’t have to be true – you can still find plenty of it from vegetarian sources that are both easily available and highly beneficial to your health! While protein can be found anywhere food sources exist, most of its sources lie within this vegetarian category.
2) Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds make an irresistibly nutritious snack and are also an outstanding source of protein. Packed full of zinc, manganese and magnesium – as well as tryptophan an amino acid linked with reduced anxiety and improved mood – pumpkin seeds provide so much nutritional goodness they have often been called the natural multivitamin! They boast B vitamins and copper while being packed full of antioxidants iron and vitamin E as well. All these components together combine to make pumpkin seeds an efficient and highly effective protein source.
3) Spinach
Spinach is often recommended for its many health benefits. Packed with iron, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium as well as protein – making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans who need additional sources of protein in their diet – spinach contains not only these vital elements but also numerous other important ones including vitamins A,C K and B6 that contribute to maintaining a healthy immune system and body functioning.
4) Tofu
Tofu can be made into delicious snacks by following these steps.
Tofu, or bean curd, is a soft and spongy bean curd made from soybeans that comes in various varieties such as soft, firm and extra firm. Tofu is low-calorie food packed with protein as well as iron, calcium and Vitamin B12. As such it can be recommended for people suffering from anemia. In addition, Tofu often serves as an ideal vegetarian alternative to meat and can even be found as dessert such as Tofu Pie!
5) Quinoa
Quinoa is an abundant source of protein. Commonly referred to as a “superfood”, quinoa boasts abundant minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber and protein; making it gluten-free as well as vegan friendly as it provides all nine essential amino acids needed for balanced diets. With its mildly nutty taste and convenient size for salads or other dishes, quinoa makes an excellent addition or replacement to rice-based meals.
6) Lentils
Lentils, an excellent source of protein and rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and iron. Lentils are commonly found in curries and soups; sprouted varieties can even be sprouted to be used as salad toppings! There are various varieties of lentils to choose from; red and yellow ones cook quickly making them an excellent option for salads and soups while green and brown lentils work better in curries.
7) Chickpea
Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein and other important nutrients such as fiber, iron, zinc and B vitamins, making them a nutritious protein-packed alternative to meat in curries and salads. Chickpeas may even be sprouted for sprouted salads!
8) Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds for Snacking* at Home on a Spoon at Night (Closeup).
These tiny seeds are an excellent source of protein and are also loaded with fiber, calcium, and iron – making them a valuable ingredient in dishes like oatmeal, salads, smoothies, as well as using them to replace eggs in many recipes such as egg-free pancakes and vegan crackers.
9) Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Peas mes are an excellent source of protein. In addition, they’re loaded with fiber, iron, zinc and B vitamins – making them a nutritional powerhouse! Used often in curries and salads.
10) Broccoli
Asparagus is a rich source of protein, fiber, calcium and iron. You can enjoy this food raw or cooked – often used in stir fries! Due to health concerns worldwide, people across the board are turning towards non-veg diets; however it doesn’t mean you must be one yourself to gain enough protein. Actually it is possible for vegetarians to get more than enough from a diet without meat! The great thing is that each vegetarian source of proteine provides their own unique set of benefits!
Also Refer:- 6 Fruits You Should Eat For A Healthy Lifestyle
