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2015

16 Vegetables With The Most Protein

Published: Feb 13, 2015 | Matt Grey

16 Vegetables With The Most Protein

Eating vegetables is a great way to get your fiber and vitamins for the day. But did you know that some vegetables also contain loads of protein? Protein is an essential macronutrient your body needs to repair muscle tissue and damaged cells. Vegetarians especially need to find alternative protein sources to get their minimum daily requirements of protein. These vegetables are all a great source of protein and they taste great too.

Kale

Kale

1 cup of kale contains about 3 grams of protein. Besides being a great source of protein, kale is also great at reducing inflammation in the body. This makes kale a great choice for anyone suffering from an autoimmune disease.

Artichokes

Artichokes

One medium artichoke provides 4 grams of protein. That's about 8% of your daily value of protein. Artichokes are also loaded with fiber.

Broccoli

Broccoli

Broccoli has 2.6g of protein in each half cup. It also contains a lot of fiber and is full of flavor.

Corn

Corn

Corn is the staple for many American diets. 1 cup of corn contains 16 grams of protein, making it a protein powerhouse.

Technically corn is a grain, but many people associate corn with vegetables. Rock on corn.

Asparagus

Asparagus

One spear of asparagus contains about 0.5 grams of protein. Asparagus also contains Vitamin K and Vitamin A. The best part about eating asparagus though is that it is a natural aphrodisiac.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms

1 cup of sliced mushrooms contains about 2 grams of protein and yields about 1 gram of fiber. If you're skipping meat, portobello mushrooms can make a great substitute.

For a nice flavorful dish, try cooking some mushrooms with chopped red onions with a splash of olive oil. Yum!

Mung Bean Sprouts

Mung Bean Sprouts

One cup of Mung bean sprouts contains 49 grams of protein. This is over 80% of your daily protein needs alone! These are typically found within Oriental cooking because of their bitter flavor. Mung bean sprouts are also high in vitamins A, B, C and E.

Figs

Figs

Figs contain 0.4g of protein per cup. Dry figs are particularly high in protein. In fact, they can contain several times more protein than in fresh figs.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

1 cup of sun dried tomatoes contains 8 grams of protein. Not only do these taste amazing, they are incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower

1 medium head of cauliflower yields about 11g of protein. Smashed cauliflower is a great substitute for mashed potatoes for anyone on a low starch diet.

Peas

Peas

Peas contain 3.5g of protein in a half cup serving. They’re also a good source of vitamin A, C, thiamin, phosphorus, iron, carbohydrate and fiber. Peas are not only great for your health, they taste amazing.

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce contains 1g of protein per 85g of lettuce and is one of the only vegetables that contains all 9 essential amino acids making it a complete protein.

Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts get a lot of flack. They have a bad reputation because they are apart of the cabbage family. However, if you give brussel sprouts a chance, you will see that they are little balls of bliss.

You can get 2 grams of protein from half a cup of brussel sprouts. To enhance the flavor of your brussel sprouts try finishing them with a touch of balsomic vinegar.

Spinach

Spinach

When preparing salads, baby spinach makes a great base. Unlike iceberg lettuce, spinach is packed with nutrients.

Spinach contains 3g of protein per half cup. It is high in fiber, low in calories and contains a bunch of micronutrients such as vitamin A, K, C, iron, potassium and magnesium.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have 2.1g of protein in 1 cup. They can also help prevent oxidative damage in your cells. Plus they promote healing within the body too.

Avocados

Avocados

Avocados contain 2.9g of protein in 1 cup (sliced). Although this superfood is actually a fruit, it's included on this list because it pairs well this a ton of vegetables and has amazing health benefits.

Final Thoughts

It's best to get your daily servings of vegetables from a variety of sources. Everyone has their favorites, but you should never close your mind to new foods that each contain unique health benefits.

If you haven't tried any of the foods discussed in this article, make it a personal challenge to try something new the next time you cook dinner. You never know, you may fall in love with vegetables all over again.

Published: Feb 13, 2015 By: Matt Grey


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