5 Signs Of A Protein Deficiency & How To Up Your Intake Using Plants (2024)

Whether you're interested in cutting back a bit on animal products or becoming a full-fledged vegan, squeezing enough plant-based protein into your daily diet is crucial. However, with meat, eggs, and dairy taking center stage in so many recipes out there, figuring out how to fit morevegan protein sources into your meal plan can be tricky.

In this article, we'll explore some of the pros and cons of vegan proteins, along with some of the top sources and signs that you may not be getting enough, according to the experts.

Benefits of vegan proteins

There are plenty of reasons to consider swapping animal products for plant-based proteins in your diet. Below, we take a closer look at a few of the top benefits of vegan proteins:

In addition to the ethical benefits of selecting vegan protein sources over animal proteins, there are some impressive perks for the planet as well.

Researchers found that vegan diets1 are associated with 50% less greenhouse gas emissions than omnivore diets1, not to mention significant reductions in the use of natural resources. In fact, pound-for-pound, it's estimated that beef requires nearly 14 times more land, eight times more water, and nine times more fertilizer to produce compared to beans.

Interestingly, a study compared the costs of different diet plans, including plant-based diets. Vegan and vegetarian diets focused on whole grains and legumes rather than animal products took the top spots as the most affordable eating patterns2, even beating out other popular plans like the pescatarian diet.

Many high-protein vegan foods pack quite a punch when it comes to nutrition. "Unlike animal proteins, plant-based proteins3 have fiber, vitamins, and minerals and have no saturated fat or cholesterol," says Rhyan Geiger, RDN, a registered dietitian and chief vegan officer at Phoenix Vegan Dietitian.

According to Geiger, limiting both saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet can help keep your heart healthy and prevent cardiac events, such as heart attack or stroke. Plus, plant-based diets have been associated with a long list of other potential health benefits, ranging from better blood sugar control4 to a reduced risk of chronic conditions like cancer5 and diabetes6.

12 vegan protein sources

So, what vegan foods are high in protein? Here, we take a deep dive into 12 of the top vegan protein sources, plus a few ideas for how you can incorporate them into your daily diet.

With 18 grams of protein in each cooked cup, lentils are one of the few plant-based foods that can compete with animal products like meat when it comes to protein content. Plus, in addition to delivering a hearty dose of protein, lentils are also a great source of fiber, iron, folate, and copper.

Versatile, affordable, and nutritious, tofu is widely considered one of the best vegan protein sources available. It's an especially great source of soy protein, which is a high-quality protein with a PDCAAS score of 1.0010, rivaling certain animal products like meat and dairy. Even better, it's also high in iron11, a nutrient that many vegans and vegetarians are lacking.

Spelt is a type of ancient grain known for its nutty flavor and impressive protein content. It also packs a good chunk of fiber, manganese, and zinc into each serving, along with essential B vitamins like niacin.

Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a high-protein legume that can be enjoyed in a wide range of recipes. With 12.5 grams of fiber per cup, chickpeas can also help increase feelings of fullness14, support regularity, and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Peanuts are one of the most nutrient-dense nuts available. They contain all 20 amino acids, along with an assortment of other valuable antioxidant compounds. They also provide phytosterols, which are compounds that can help block the absorption of cholesterol16.

Nutritional yeast (aka nooch) is known for its ability to bring a nutty, cheesy flavor to a variety of vegan dishes. Though most recipes only call for a small amount, sprinkling a bit of nutritional yeast onto your favorite foods can be an easy, inexpensive, and tasty way to bump up your protein intake. Plus, it's an excellent source of vitamin B1218, an important micronutrient that's primarily found in animal products.

Beans are a plant-based pantry staple, especially if you're on a tight budget. Available canned, dried, or fresh, there are many types available, which each have slight variations in taste, texture, and nutritional value. Besides boosting your intake of protein22, beans can also bring extra fiber and complex carbs to your diet to help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Peas are a vibrant and versatile plant-based protein, perfect for adding a pop of color to your plate. They can also up your intake of essential nutrients like vitamin C, which regulates immune function24 and inflammation.

Frequently featured in sweet and savory recipes alike, almonds can bring a satisfying crunch and added dose of protein to plant-based dishes. What's more, almonds also act as prebiotics, providing fuel for the beneficial bacteria in the gut to support digestive health26.

This beloved breakfast food is higher in protein than most other grains, earning it a well-deserved spot on our list. It also contains a specific type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan, which has been studied for its ability to reduce cholesterol levels28, enhance gut health, and improve immunity.

Drawbacks of vegan proteins

While there are plenty of pros for plant-based proteins, there are definitely a few drawbacks to consider as well:

Vegan proteins that are low in one or more of these essential amino acids are typically deemed "incomplete proteins." This means that many plant-based foods—including most types of nuts, seeds, and legumes—are lower in the essential amino acids (like leucine or lysine) that your body needs and generally have a lower PDCAAS score30, which is used to measure a food's protein quality.

That being said, it's totally possible to fit enough of these amino acids into a vegan or vegetarian diet32 unless you're not eating enough protein or calories overall. The key is to add more diversity to your diet by enjoying a variety of vegan protein sources rather than eating the same two or three foods on repeat.

The reason for this is twofold. For starters, the plant's cell walls can interfere with the digestive process. Not only that, but certain antinutritional compounds (aka antinutrients) found in many plant foods can make it more difficult for your body to extract and absorb nutrients from the foods that you eat.

Fortunately, certain processing methods (like cooking, soaking, or fermentation) can actually boost the digestibility of vegan protein sources, so this probably isn't a problem for most people.

Though plant-based proteins are generally leaner than animal proteins, Nelson notes that you typically have to consume a higher amount30 to meet your protein needs. This is because most vegan-friendly foods contain a lower amount of protein per serving than animal products.

Therefore, while it may be pretty easy to knock out your protein requirements with a big slab of steak or a scoop of whey protein powder on a non-vegan diet, it might take a bit more effort to fit enough protein into your diet through plant-based proteins alone.

Sample meal plan

Ready to start ramping up your protein intake? Check out the sample meal plan below for a few flavorful ideas to help get you going.

Day 1:

Day 2:

Signs of protein deficiency

Most people will want to consume at least 100 grams of protein per day. Protein deficiencies are rare, even among vegans and vegetarians. Still, learning to recognize the signs of when you might not be meeting your needs is important.

If you're experiencing loss of muscle mass or are frequently feeling sick, a lack of protein in your diet could also be to blame. Plus, because protein plays a key role in satiety34, it might be best to dial up your protein intake a bit if you find that you're constantly feeling hungry between meals.

The takeaway

Including more vegan protein sources in your diet is a great way to save money, support your health, and minimize your environmental footprint. Though most vegan proteins are lower in certain essential amino acids and contain a lower amount of protein per serving, enjoying a variety of foods rich in protein as part of a balanced diet can help fill in the gaps. A doctor or dietitian can also provide personalized guidance on how you can modify your diet to make sure you're meeting your protein needs.