Adding plant based protein into your meals is an incredible opportunity to add variety and micronutrients into your diet-but where do you begin?
A simple way to start would be to swap out half of the ingredients in your traditional meat based recipe-take chili for example. Instead of a full portion of ground beef-swap out a bit of beef for some additional beans. Another great option would be to try the same in a meatloaf, soup, salad, or taco recipe.
Want to swap out the meat in your traditional recipe entirely for a plant based substitute? Start trying this once a week to start. There are plenty of faux meats on the market now-from bacon, to ground beef, to grilled chicken, to my all time favorite, the veggie burger. If you tried faux meat in the past and were turned off by it (trust me, I was too) things have changed drastically over the past few years or so and I would highly recommend a re-do!
If you aren't yet ready to give up a full meal in lieu of a plant based option-but you could always start with a snack. Try a plant based protein shake! There are a variety to choose from now on the market-from soy, to pea, chia, pumpkin, hemp heart, or brown rice. Add your favorite flavor to a smoothie, mix in with a plant based yogurt, or shake it up in a shaker with some unsweetened almond milk for a velvety smooth snack on the go.
Not confident to try making your own plant based meal at home, or don't have time between all those kickboxing and strength training workouts? There are several restaurants in the area that are completely plant based that you could try-like J. Selby's, Stalk & Spade, and the plant based butcher shop, The Herbivorous Butcher. Most restaurants even have a plant-based option on the menu-just be sure to ask!
What is YOUR favorite way to incorporate plant based protein into your diet?
