Protein is an important component of all cells and tissues in the human body. All important components of the body require the participation of protein, which accounts for about 18% of the total mass of the human body. Without protein there is no life.

However, there are also good and bad proteins. Generally speaking, they contain 9 kinds of essential amino acids for the human body and are called complete proteins.

Essential amino acids mean that the human body cannot synthesize or the synthesis speed cannot meet the needs, and must be provided by food. They are especially important to the human body.

Animal food is the main source of complete protein. How should vegetarians who are sensitive to animal food choose?

Today I will introduce 6 sources of high-quality protein from plants that are not inferior to meat.

(1) Quinoa

Quinoa is not the “whole grain” or “grain” in our impression, and it is essentially different from rice and wheat. Quinoa, the seed of the quinoa plant, is gluten-free and Paleo-friendly because it’s not a grain.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommends it as the most suitable whole-nutrition food for humans, and designated 2013 as the International Year of Quinoa. It is also listed as the only food in which a single plant can meet the basic nutritional needs of the human body. NASA became a fan of it.

Quinoa is rich in protein, and it is a complete protein. Every 185g of quinoa contains 8g of complete protein. Many European and American vegetarian protein powders use it as one of the raw materials.

(2) Chickpeas

Chickpeas are rich in plant protein, with a pure protein content of over 28%, 5% fat, 61% carbohydrates, and 4-6% fiber. Chickpeas contain more than 10 kinds of amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids for the human body. And the content is more than 2 times higher than that of oatmeal.

Among the fats in chickpeas, 75% are unsaturated fats, linoleic acid accounts for 43%, and the fatty acid structure is also good.

(3) Hemp seeds

Hemp protein is known as the most outstanding plant protein, which can be directly used as a protein nutritional supplement for the human body, and is widely used in medicine, food, beverage and daily chemical industries.

Hemp seed protein is composed of 2/3 edsein and 1/3 albumin, and contains 21 kinds of amino acids, including 8 kinds of essential amino acids needed by the human body, and the composition of amino acids is even and reasonable

(4) soybean

In recent years, studies have found that the amino acid composition of soybean protein is similar to that of milk protein. Except for slightly lower methionine, the other essential amino acids are rich in content. It is a complete vegetable protein, and its nutritional value is comparable to that of animal protein.

Soybean is not only high in protein content, but also rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soybean lecithin, with low cholesterol content, which can prevent coronary heart disease, prevent arteriosclerosis, etc. Soybean isoflavones contained in soybeans can regulate hormone levels and delay aging. It is the best choice for female.

(5) Chia seeds

Chia seeds contain 8 essential amino acids needed by the human body, and the protein content is between 15-23%. Compared with traditional grains such as wheat and rice, it is much higher.

Chia seeds are gluten-free, which is very friendly to some partners with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts.

Chia seeds are also very rich in antioxidant components; there are many other plant compounds, among which chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and so on are more typical

(6) Buckwheat

Buckwheat, like quinoa, is a gluten-free, protein-rich plant food.
The protein content of buckwheat is about 9%, and the amino acid composition in the protein is relatively balanced, containing 8 kinds of “essential amino acids” for the human body.

Buckwheat is also rich in dietary fiber, 6.5 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams of buckwheat, of which 20% to 30% is soluble dietary fiber, these dietary fibers have a good effect on intestinal health and prevention of constipation.