Let’s be clear: plant-based protein sources are not usually as protein-dense as animal-based protein sources.

But you don’t need to be chugging protein shakes or gnawing on grilled chicken 6 times a day to hit your protein goals.

Plant-based protein gets the job done just fine and your digestive system will thank you.

Lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, black beans, edamame, and oats are all solid players in the protein game. Add soy products to the equation and you have a recipe (pun intended) for easy protein on a plant-based diet.

You don’t have to go full vegan monk mode, either—just adding more variety makes your gut happy and keeps things interesting in the kitchen.

Never mind the decades of literature on plant-based dieting and some of the most difficult health obstacles most of us will face – cancer, heart disease, metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative disease.

Is plant-based protein a good source of protein?

Yes and no – it sort of depends. Some sources (like quinoa and soy) are complete proteins. Others aren’t—but if you’re eating a variety throughout the day, it all balances out.

In any event, here are my three favorite ways to go plant-based at dinner:

Beans and rice. This is a pretty common plant-based option and easy to inject into something like tacos or burritos. Honestly I’ll just cook the rice and then mix in the beans and that pretty much heats them up.
Oven-roasted chickpeas. Roast them at 400° until they’re crispy. I don’t even use oil or seasoning – I just add them to whatever I’m making and let the other flavors do their job.
Quinoa & vegetables salads. Quinoa is a great plant source of protein and a cold quinoa salad (made like a pasta salad) with a whole ton of diced vegetables is a great way to use the leftover veggies in the fridge and have a main course or a side dish.