You’ve heard from several celebrities exclaiming that a plant based diet is the way they lost weight, stay in shape, look beautiful, etc, etc, etc. But you didn’t give it much thought, cause, I mean who can give up Taco Tuesday?!? 

No worries! I’m not going to stand between you and your tacos. 😉I’m all about moderation. But I do want to give you a starting place to consider going meatless one day a week. Why not give Meatless Monday a chance before your Taco Tuesday? Ready to give it a try, but not sure where to start. Give one of these plant based proteins a chance to replace your meat, and you’ll see it is easier than you think. 

Quinoa – this amazing seed contains every essential amino acid necessary to make a complete protein. It is a better source of protein than most others on this list. It has high levels of dietary fiber, B vitamins and minerals. It is a great nutrient dense food that is extremely diverse in its ability to prepare. Try to substitute it for rice in your next recipe or try out this favorite Quinoa Salad.   

 Chickpeas – this legume is a protein packed food that most of us know from its use in a great dip, HUMMUS! It is also used to make falafels. Chickpeas are high in fiber, iron and phosphorous. It can be used in multiple ways, from being rapidly boiled all the way down to full cold salad topping. It is a great and easy way to implement some extra protein into your diet. There are even great products out there now that make chickpeas into pasta. My kids love it. See if you like this Moroccan Stew that is a great plant based protein recipe. It has chickpeas and quinoa!

Tempeh – I know this one isn’t super popular.  It is similar to tofu, but it is basically a compressed cake of soybeans and grains (wheat and barley usually). They ferment the soybeans to make them easy to work with before compressing them into a firm patty. This is a great meat substitute and most of the recipes you’ll see with it use it as such. The protein is jam packed with 15g per serving, so it’s definitely worth trying. If you are ready to try something new check out Sweet and Spicy Tempeh Sweet Potato Sandwiches. 

Black beans – my favorite plant based protein! (because it goes so well with my love for Tex-Mex) 😊 Black beans can commonly be found in chili’s, stews and soups due to how dense and filling they are. They allow for a lot of variation, high protein and fiber with great taste and options. Black beans are a great starting point for your meatless meals! See if you like this Vegan Chili. (it even has beer in it!) 

Be adventurous and give Meatless Monday a try. Leave a comment and tell me which one you are going to try first! Happy eating!