Veganism in sports is something that isn't talked about nearly as much as it should be. Many people call it a fad, but it really is a lifestyle that numerous athletes have adopted and will likely continue to adopt. In fact, several notable professional athletes including Venus Williams, Alex Morgan, and Kyrie Irving have spoken about their plant-based lifestyle. 

As athletes, it's extremely important to consume a sufficient amount of protein for muscle recovery and growth. When eating a plant-based diet, meeting your protein needs can be a little difficult to do, but we're here to help! We've found some of the best protein sources to incorporate into your diet as an athlete.

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Peanuts

Peanuts are one of the most protein rich foods you can consume! There're so many ways to eat them–but I think most of us enjoy it in peanut butter form. You can mix it in with yogurt, incorporate it into smoothies, or even in a PB&J sandwich. At 8 grams per serving of peanut butter, it's sure to help you meet your protein goals.

Beans

If you eat plant-based, I'm sure beans are a big part of your diet–and if they're not, they should be! Not only do they have numerous other benefits, but they weigh in at 8 grams of protein per serving, which is essentially the same as a serving of meat.

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Soy Products

Soy is another extremely high protein plant product that is popular in plant based diets. Soy products range from tofu, to edamame, to soy milk. Soy protein shakes can contain up to 20 grams per serving, making it  the highest protein item on our list.

Potatoes

This one might surprise you as potatoes are mostly known for being a simple carbohydrate, but they're actually also high in protein! Potatoes can be eaten in so many different ways and their versatility is what makes them so easy to incorporate into diets.

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* Originally published on September 14, 2022, by Celeste Gutierrez