I was thinking on this some more, and another source that I didn’t mention was mycoprotein and other fungal proteins. These aren’t as common, but you could look for Quorn (note that many, but not all, of their products do contain egg) or Meati. Mushrooms have a good % of calories from protein, but they do tend to be rather expensive so really more of a way to round things out. Nutritional yeast is more of a seasoning than a food per se, but you might get a gram or 2 here and there. I put it on popcorn and mix into some sauces.
There are also some non-wheat grains that I would consider modest sources of protein: oats and quinoa. These aren’t heavy hitters and aren’t enough on their own but can help fill in the gaps and provide some variety. Oats at least are also very inexpensive.
It’s worth mentioning that I specifically avoided introducing myself using the “v-word” (vegan). Although I consider it to be the ideal to strive for, I take “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” to heart and find that discussing a reduction in animal products to be a more approachable goal for many people. I’m not a dietician and won’t claim that everyone can make it work without animal proteins, particularly those with multiple allergies, unique requirements, or limitations on what food is actually available to them. From your earlier comment, I agree with your assessment on lab-grown meat and am a huge supporter of these technologies. You should know that lab-grown dairy protein (whey) already exists and is available in commercial products. I have had ice cream and cream cheese using this animal-free dairy protein.
I’m sorry if my previous comment came off a bit aggressive. I think I had misread your intent, but now it is clear that we are on the same page.
It’s definitely warmed my heart hearing your thoughts and insights.
I do actually think Quorn is around in some retailers, but it is expensive - it’s not terribly expensive though. I liked it when I consumed it in the past and it agreed well with me. Beyond/Impossible have a small amount of amount of problematic ingredients (like avocado oil in one of them - which I am allergic to, not just sensitive to), but the main issue I simply can’t afford them.
I recently moved back to a rural area and I don’t access to a Kroger/Whole Foods/Wegmans (not that supporting any chain is really something I’m proud of), so admittedly my options are limited. This interaction prompting me to find out that chickpea tofu is available locally and that pumfu is available (though a bit far from my location) is completely life-changing.
I’ll have to get nutritional yeast, I didn’t realize it was an (albeit small) protein source - it’s a great seasoning. The defatted peanut powder seems very good to order in bulk. I had no idea about lab-grown dairy protein, it sounds great and I will consider it as well. I didn’t realize quinoa had a modest amount of protein, so I will have to incorporate that. And I’ll have to trial oats to see if they bother me. I take a plant-based multivitamin for vegans (Ora) already so I should be good to transition over anytime I want to a fully plant-based diet.
I have always aspired to go vegan, and was a practicing vegetarian for many years. It was wrecking my health, and I really almost didn’t know what to do. It took me a while (and many years in denial) to realize wheat and soy were the culprits that were specifically bothering me. So for many years, I have mainly ate fish, a moderate amount of beans, some cheese, or ate some free-range eggs, and small amounts of poultry (which does not bring me any joy to admit). None of the aforementioned (besides beans) are things I’m particularly fond of consuming for various reasons (which we likely are 110% on the same page on), but I admit on some levels I’d had given up on trying to find what agrees with my body.
Our interaction has renewed my interest in exploring my options though. I probably misread your intent too, I know I err on the side of naive optimism and that usually doesn’t result in the best interactions with people who are informed on the state of the world, but damn it, I’m just tired of giving up and seeing others give up.
Thank you for exposing me to your knowledge once again. I am sorry to have reacted strongly earlier too. It was unfair to you.
I was thinking on this some more, and another source that I didn’t mention was mycoprotein and other fungal proteins. These aren’t as common, but you could look for Quorn (note that many, but not all, of their products do contain egg) or Meati. Mushrooms have a good % of calories from protein, but they do tend to be rather expensive so really more of a way to round things out. Nutritional yeast is more of a seasoning than a food per se, but you might get a gram or 2 here and there. I put it on popcorn and mix into some sauces.
There are also some non-wheat grains that I would consider modest sources of protein: oats and quinoa. These aren’t heavy hitters and aren’t enough on their own but can help fill in the gaps and provide some variety. Oats at least are also very inexpensive.
It’s worth mentioning that I specifically avoided introducing myself using the “v-word” (vegan). Although I consider it to be the ideal to strive for, I take “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” to heart and find that discussing a reduction in animal products to be a more approachable goal for many people. I’m not a dietician and won’t claim that everyone can make it work without animal proteins, particularly those with multiple allergies, unique requirements, or limitations on what food is actually available to them. From your earlier comment, I agree with your assessment on lab-grown meat and am a huge supporter of these technologies. You should know that lab-grown dairy protein (whey) already exists and is available in commercial products. I have had ice cream and cream cheese using this animal-free dairy protein.
I’m sorry if my previous comment came off a bit aggressive. I think I had misread your intent, but now it is clear that we are on the same page.
It’s definitely warmed my heart hearing your thoughts and insights.
I do actually think Quorn is around in some retailers, but it is expensive - it’s not terribly expensive though. I liked it when I consumed it in the past and it agreed well with me. Beyond/Impossible have a small amount of amount of problematic ingredients (like avocado oil in one of them - which I am allergic to, not just sensitive to), but the main issue I simply can’t afford them.
I recently moved back to a rural area and I don’t access to a Kroger/Whole Foods/Wegmans (not that supporting any chain is really something I’m proud of), so admittedly my options are limited. This interaction prompting me to find out that chickpea tofu is available locally and that pumfu is available (though a bit far from my location) is completely life-changing.
I’ll have to get nutritional yeast, I didn’t realize it was an (albeit small) protein source - it’s a great seasoning. The defatted peanut powder seems very good to order in bulk. I had no idea about lab-grown dairy protein, it sounds great and I will consider it as well. I didn’t realize quinoa had a modest amount of protein, so I will have to incorporate that. And I’ll have to trial oats to see if they bother me. I take a plant-based multivitamin for vegans (Ora) already so I should be good to transition over anytime I want to a fully plant-based diet.
I have always aspired to go vegan, and was a practicing vegetarian for many years. It was wrecking my health, and I really almost didn’t know what to do. It took me a while (and many years in denial) to realize wheat and soy were the culprits that were specifically bothering me. So for many years, I have mainly ate fish, a moderate amount of beans, some cheese, or ate some free-range eggs, and small amounts of poultry (which does not bring me any joy to admit). None of the aforementioned (besides beans) are things I’m particularly fond of consuming for various reasons (which we likely are 110% on the same page on), but I admit on some levels I’d had given up on trying to find what agrees with my body.
Our interaction has renewed my interest in exploring my options though. I probably misread your intent too, I know I err on the side of naive optimism and that usually doesn’t result in the best interactions with people who are informed on the state of the world, but damn it, I’m just tired of giving up and seeing others give up.
Thank you for exposing me to your knowledge once again. I am sorry to have reacted strongly earlier too. It was unfair to you.