plant-based protein hacks

Per my expression in the photo above - I am very enthusiastic about this topic.

Although we live in a time and culture where schedules are often packed to the brim, having a lot going on in life does not mean any of us are ever too busy to sacrifice taking good care of ourselves by eating well.

Whether or not we eat meat, avoid dairy, or are obsessed with kale, to me this act of self-care means feeding ourselves as many whole, unprocessed, sustaining foods as possible on a daily basis.

A common misconception among non-meat eaters, and one of many concerns voiced by my Italian grandmother when I first stopped eating meat, is that plants do not provide enough protein, and so Nana was nervous I would end up under-nourished.

Those of us with similar fears may fail to recognize that plants do pack a protein punch; for some people it is quite enough to satiate and fuel the body. One does not have to rely on a heavily meat-centric diet to feel energized and balanced.

Dr. Michelle McMacken is a reliable source for plant-based nutrition information, and did research to conclude that "...protein does not make us lean and fit. Rather, excess protein is stored as fat or turned into waste. To make matters worse, most of the protein we eat is animal-based. Animal protein is a key driver of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes - the leading reasons people visit the doctor!"

So how do we keep our food choices clean, simple and sustainable for a healthy body and mind? My personal practices are relatively easy: choose whole foods [especially plants and veggies] to prep at home as often as humanly possible, and incorporate them into as many meals as possible on a daily basis [especially greens].

Click here to read the full post, including my top plant-based hacks for those who are curious about incorporating more plants into your diet without sacrificing protein.

Still seeking some inspiration? Follow me on Instagram for ideas, including my project with Paige @goddessbrunch for delicious, simple, whole food concoctions.

Most importantly - we can all continue learning how to listen to our bodies. Our body is wise, it cares about our wellbeing, and it knows what is best for our unique system.

What do you do for plant-based protein, or how would you like to incorporate more plants into a protein-heavy diet?

Please feel free to comment or ask questions on the blog - we can learn so much simply by sharing and being there for each other along the way.

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Photo: Renee Choi.