The Best Plant-Based Paleo Proteins

Why protein is crucial for your health

Protein is a building block of the body—literally. Found in every cell, this macronutrient plays a role in everything from carrying oxygen in the blood, to building muscle, to producing antibodies, to regulating thousands of chemical reactions.

Protein is made up of amino acids, some of which the body makes, and some that we must get from food. There are nine essential amino acids that we must get from food: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Animal sources, such as meat, poultry, and fish, contain all nine, earning them the title “complete proteins.”

Plenty of plant-based foods contain protein, too, but most don’t have all nine essential amino acids (making them “incomplete proteins”). Consequently, you need to pay special attention to eating a variety of plant foods to ensure you’re getting the whole protein package. For example, broccoli is a good source of methionine [1] but doesn’t contain other essential amino acids. On the other hand, portobello mushrooms deliver high concentrations of some of the big nine, but not methionine or phenylalanine.[2]

What’s more, the higher-protein staples of many vegetarian diets—lentils, beans, quinoa, tofu—fall into the categories of grains and legumes, which aren’t Paleo. Neither are dairy products, which also contain complete proteins. So where does that leave us?

The best plant-based proteins

Nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables can help fill in the gaps when it comes to Paleo-friendly proteins. Here are the top vegan options for getting your fill of essential amino acids.

Nuts and seeds

These crunchy favorites are a good source of protein, as well as fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.[3] Among the tree nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios rank high; cashews and pecans also contribute some protein.

Seeds are particularly packed with protein, too, especially hemp seed. This tasty seed not only has a high protein content, but it’s also a highly digestible form of protein.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Data Central

Vegetables

Did you know veggies also contain protein? It would be very challenging to get your daily target intake with veggies alone, but they can add to your everyday dose.

Artichokes top the list, followed by Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and broccoli. And though they’re technically fungi, portobello mushrooms also deserve a nod.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Data Central

How do plants stack up?

It’s worth noting that animal foods dwarf plants when it comes to protein. One cup of braised steak has 41 grams, one cup of chicken breast has 40, one cup of salmon has 35, and one egg alone has 6. What’s more, we digest the protein in meats more easily than those in plants [4]. Thus, animal-based proteins deliver more bang for the buck.

What to eat to get all your amino acids

While any Paleo-approved vegan food will likely be low in certain essential amino acids, that doesn’t mean you need to be overly worried about protein planning. You don’t have to consume all nine essential amino acids with every single meal or snack: As long as you eat a variety of vegetables, nuts, and seeds every day, you’ll be covering your nine.

Want to be a bit more mindful about getting your fill of plant-based protein? Try these recipes:

• Toss together this tasty garden harvest salad with walnuts and mushrooms (hold the chicken for a vegetarian version).
• Roast up these crispy Brussels sprouts and serve with this creamy dip.
• If you’re an almond fan, whip up this rich salad or make a batch of these easy energy bars.
• Eat your asparagus with a spoon in this bright soup!

The bottom line

While animal products are the best sources of protein, there are vegan sources that will help fill your daily need. Nuts, seeds, mushrooms and veggies can supply needed amino acids, as long as you’re careful to eat a wide variety of them. Even easier: Those who prefer a primarily plant-based diet can take a “flexitarian” approach and add eggs or fish to the menu. Even small servings of these Paleo foods will go a long way when it comes to protein.

References

[1] Kemmerer AR, Acosta R. The Essential Amino Acid Content of Several Vegetables. The Journal of Nutrition. 1949 Aug; 38(4). doi: 10.1093/jn/38.4.527

[2] Bano Z, Srinivasan KS, Srivastava HC. Amino Acid Composition of the Protein from a Mushroom (Pleurotos sp). Applied Microbiology. 1963 May; 11(3).

[3] Graziany Machado de Souza R, Machado Schincaglia R, Duarte Pimentel G, Mota JF. Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 Dec; 9(12):1311. doi: 10.3390/nu9121311

[4] Ciuris C, Lynch HM, Wharton C, Johnston CS. A Comparison of Dietary Protein Digestibility, Based on DIAAS Scoring, in Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Athletes. Nutrients. 2019 Dec 10; 11(12): 3016. doi: 10.3390/nu11123016