6 Protein Packed Veggies To Include In Your Diet

6 Protein Packed Veggies To Include In Your Diet

Protein is super important for like, so many reasons.

We’ve covered it before, but it’s worth repeating, because facts about protein always bear repeating, because protein is awesome.

Your body needs protein for a lot of important reasons. Most importantly, protein is made up of amino acids, which your body uses for pretty much every single process vital to your continued living.

Here’s 9 reasons you should be eating more protein

Amino acids help your brain work better. They help your body build muscle. They’re great and necessary.

Oh, and protein also keeps you feeling fuller longer, meaning you resist the urge to snack more and are more likely to lose weight. What could be better than that?

However, a lot of people complain about protein, because they think they need to eat meat or protein supplements to get it. And if you’re vegetarian (or don’t like the taste of protein supplements), that means you’re out of luck.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you are not out of luck. In fact, there are 6 veggies that are absolutely jam packed with protein (as well as other nutrients) to give your body everything it needs.

However, there is one thing to note: the protein in these veggies doesn’t have every amino acid that your body needs to function. Make sure to eat some whole grains too to get the complete profile.

Try these 6 protein packed smoothie recipes

Ready? Let’s go:

1. Peas

Aside from being small, round, delicious, and great if you want to eat like a hundred of something without feeling fat, peas are packed with protein. Every half cup of peas you eat contain 3 and a half grams of protein.

2. Spinach

Spinach has a ton of protein – not immediately obvious because it looks like a giant leaf. Just a half cup of spinach gets you 3 grams of protein.

3. Baked Potato

Worried that there were no starches on this list? Worry no longer! Baked potatoes are great for protein, as medium sized potatoes contain 3 grams. Try pairing them with some cheese for a delicious dish.

4. Broccoli

Broccoli is great for you for a lot of reasons. It contains 2.6 grams of fiber per half cup, which is super important to keeping your digestive system happy. It’s also got 2 grams of protein per serving – what more could you want?

Here are 6 reasons women do very well on the paleo diet

5. Brussels Sprouts

If you stopped eating brussels sprouts because you were forced to as a kid and you hate the taste, seriously revisit your aversion. As a kid, I hated them, as an adult, they taste amazing .

more: Take The Quiz – Do You Know The Unique Veggies That Burn Abdominal Fat?

They’ve also got 2 grams of protein per half cup of sprouts. Oh, and other nutrients your body needs like vitamin K and potassium. Discover your love for brussels sprouts and reap the rewards.

6. Corn

I know, I know, corn isn’t a vegetable, it’s a grain, thank you semantics expert you really got me there. Corn comes in the aisle that all the other vegetables do in the supermarket, and I’m counting it as one for this article so there . Oh, plus a half cup has 2 grams of protein. It’s great for you.

In summary…

The Best Protein Packed Vegetables

  1. Peas
  2. Spinach
  3. Baked Potato
  4. Broccoli
  5. Brussels Sprouts
  6. Corn

best protein packed vegetables

If you loved this article, then check out these other must-see related posts:

Top 10 Foods Highest in Protein You Can’t Miss

17 High-Protein Snacks You Can Eat On the Go

10 Meatless High-Protein Foods

26 comments… add one
  • Hilde Lococo   August 1, 2015, 12:30 pm

    When you are at the grocery store, these are the first things that should be in your cart. Getting these fresh veggies into your diet is a must. Thanks for the tips!

  • Angeles Wunder   July 31, 2015, 12:38 pm

    Great list of healthy options for any time of the day and any diet! Thank you!

  • Queen Gadberry   July 31, 2015, 12:30 pm

    You can cram most of that into one salad and be protein packed most of your day!

  • Melanie Ferguson July 30, 2015, 1:31 pm

    Putting cheese on your potato is a great way to add protein as well.

  • Jennifer Marshall July 29, 2015, 2:28 pm

    More veggies has never hurt anyone…..right? Just make sure they are included with a couple meals per day and you should be feeling pretty good on the inside!

  • Alison Walker July 29, 2015, 2:16 pm

    I love broccoli and always have. I never really thought about the nutrients that you get from it, but it is nice that protein is one of them.

  • Julia Stewart July 28, 2015, 11:33 am

    This is why veggies are supposed to be a part of your normal, daily, diet routine. Get them in your belly and it will be full of good things!

  • Theresa Fraser July 28, 2015, 11:20 am

    Great to know! More ways that you can pack protein into your diet without too much hassle. NOTHING wrong with that!

  • Vanessa Pullman July 25, 2015, 6:09 pm

    Protein is great for your diet. Along with fiber and stuff like that you can really build a good diet that does your body right.

  • Hannah Greene July 25, 2015, 5:47 pm

    When I became vegetarian, everyone asked where I was going to get my protein from. Guess I should just point them to this post :)

  • Yvonne Ellison July 23, 2015, 9:23 am

    High protein diets are great!

    • Nicola Berry July 25, 2015, 6:19 pm

      That is why veggies are so important!

  • Stephanie May July 23, 2015, 9:12 am

    Veggies are great for your body in so many ways. I like to mix things up and take my veggies in a smoothie once in a while.

  • Theresa Fisher July 22, 2015, 9:28 am

    Great links! Great blog and all of the information that you provide. It is like a breath of fresh air coming here each day.

  • Mary Paterson July 21, 2015, 9:09 am

    When starting a new diet, this is the type of information that is well worth knowing so you can plan accordingly!

  • Samantha Henderson July 21, 2015, 8:55 am

    Since I switched from romaine lettuce to spinach in my salads, I have been feeling real good. Maybe it is about protein?

    • Cecile Straw   August 1, 2015, 12:42 pm

      Yes it is. Good luck!

  • Sally Ross July 19, 2015, 1:08 pm

    Veggies are a great addition to any diet. When they can pack some more protein into your diet that is EVEN better.

  • Sarah Oliver July 19, 2015, 12:57 pm

    ALL very good foods to add to your diet. Very good post!

    • Jane Chapman July 22, 2015, 10:01 am

      I agree. The health posts are really good information!

  • Zoe Glover July 18, 2015, 9:39 am

    When it comes to dieting, every body is different and that is a good reason why one diet can work for one person, but not the next. Having the knowledge is the first step.

  • Deirdre Cornish July 18, 2015, 9:14 am

    I have been trying to eat healthier for the last month or more and it has not been that easy. I just try and make sure there is plenty of fruits and veggies like these in the fridge.

    • Yvonne Quinn July 25, 2015, 5:56 pm

      That is a great way to ensure that you are going to be eating healthy. Make sure you leave the junk food somewhere else!

  • Melanie Hemmings July 17, 2015, 12:17 pm

    Awesome, I just started a new diet and have been trying to find different things to put in my fridge. This list looks like a great place to start!

  • Rebecca Manning July 17, 2015, 12:16 pm

    Brussels sprouts are so good! I am happy to see them on this list :)

    • Kristina Martin July 30, 2015, 1:41 pm

      Yes they are. They are a good source for so many nutrients for your body and a good thing to have on plate any change you can.

Leave a Comment