6 Surprisingly Protein-Packed Veggies

We all know how important it is to eat enough protein every day. After all, protein keeps us feeling full and satisfied, so we’re not running to the vending machine for a candy bar after lunch.

Despite everything we know about protein and healthy eating, many of us simply don’t get enough of it in our diets.

Eating lean meats every night gets expensive pretty quickly, while tofu may start tasting a little bland over time.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to eat more healthy protein, without running to the store for chicken breast or another package of tofu.

The answer? Vegetables. While veggies aren’t typically known for being packed with protein, there are actually a few that contain quite a bit.

Here are the top 6 vegetables that offer you the most protein:

1. Spinach: According to Women’s Health, just ½ cup of spinach contains 3 ½ grams of protein.
2. Brussel Sprouts: With 2 grams of healthy protein per ½ cup, Brussel sprouts are a seriously healthy addition to any salad or stir-fry.
3. Broccoli: We all know broccoli as a fiber-packed cruciferous veggie, but did you know that it contains almost as much protein as it does fiber? For ½ cup of broccoli, you’ll get 2.6 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein, according to Women’s Health.
4. Peas: Bet you never thought peas would be on this list! Believe it or not, just ½ cup of peas contains a whopping 3 ½ grams of protein.
5. Baked Potato: You probably don’t think of potatoes as healthy veggies. But you might look at them differently now that you know a medium sized baked potato packs 3 grams of protein.
6. Corn: Though corn is technically a grain, it is always found in the produce aisle. With two grams of protein in each ½ cup of these tiny kernels, corn is an excellent side dish at any meal.

As Emily Gilbert, R.D., explains to Women’s Health, it’s very important to keep in mind that plant proteins are actually “incomplete” proteins.

This means that they don’t contain all of the essential amino acids that you need in your diet. For a well-balanced meal, always eat your veggies with whole grains!

What do you think of these protein-packed vegetables? Tell us in the comments!

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