It is a known fact that core of muscle building lies with the consumption of protein-rich food products. With animal protein sourced from pork, lean beef and fish, being the highest and most powerful source of protein, it is often believed that vegetarians cannot take up bodybuilding as their profession or interest. In case that you are interested in body building and are also a vegetarian, you no longer need to be disheartened as there are enough and more protein rich vegetarian foods, naturally availed to us that can be consumed to meet the protein requirement of a body builder.
Some of the protein rich vegetarian foods you should be settling for
There are multiple choices in protein rich vegetarian foods for bodybuilding. The consumption of these food products keeps the protein level adequate in the body, even after intense workouts. Hence, here are some of the essential sources of protein for vegetarians:
Nuts
If you are going nuts over bodybuilding, the first source of protein that you should be considering for yourself in from the Nuts. Nuts such as cashews, almonds, peanuts, etc. are very high in terms of their protein and calorie content, and this proves them to be the ultimate body building food. Additionally, the level of fibre in these nuts also help the muscles to build and strengthen, teamed with all the vigorous exercise. The regular hit of protein from one cup of almond is about 30 gms. The protein from cashews comes about on the same level, as well. The added fact that these fuelling protein foods are portable and can be had in their natural form increases their worth to the body builders and makes them an important part of their high protein vegetarian diet for bodybuilding.
Quinoa
Amino acids along with proteins make the best combination of fuel for any and every bodybuilder. Quinoa provides us with enough and more energy that can be utilised during strenuous exercise sessions, and the protein it extends is used to build muscles. Quinoa also has a number of other vitamins and minerals in it, such as complex carbohydrates, iron, magnesium and calcium. All of these unite to make it the perfect body building food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Quinoa can be cooked similarly to rice and pairs best with leafy vegetables and other root vegetables. You can up its protein content by combining it with a healthy dose of high protein vegetables.
Seeds
If you are aiming towards a well built and sculpted body, your diet can never be complete without a sufficient supply of seeds. There is an extensive variety of seeds that you can include in your daily protein , some of these include- chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. These can be consumed in the form of granola bars, balls or for that matter with your daily dose of salads. These up the protein level in any meal by quite a lot and can help in muscle building like no other food product.
Beans and Legumes
Beans are a solid source of protein for vegetarians. Beans such as kidney beans, white beans and baked beans come forward as some of the highest and most potent sources of protein. These natural proteins are easy to digest and form the ultimate energy bank for lengthy and crucial exercise sessions, participated in, by the body builders. Pulses such as chickpeas contain as much as 40 gms of protein in a single cup. Hence, if you are vegetarian and want to invest your energy in body building, you should make these beans and pulses a serious part of your high protein and body building diet.
Fruits and vegetables
Leafy vegetables like spinach and other green vegetables like asparagus are fairly high in their content of natural protein. Also, there are oodles of fruits that suffice the need for extra protein for a body builder.
By consuming this protein-rich food for vegetarians, the vegetarians can really achieve those much-desired bumpers on their arms and fantastic looking abs.
