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For several decades, soy has been the go-to product for people seeking protein alternatives. As the public has become more interested in eating a healthier diet that does not rely on meat consumption, people are turning to vegetables packed with protein.
There are a lot of reasons for wanting to find another way to get more protein. If you only eat organic, the prices of grass-fed or free range poultry and red meat could take up too much of your food budget.
Meat, peanuts, soy, dairy, are all foods that people associate with protein, but protein is going green. Whether you are a vegetarian, or you simply want to cut some meat out of your diet, find out why algae is becoming the next super food.
Demand for Protein Alternatives Is Rising
The search for protein alternatives gained steam, thanks to more interest from the public. The demand for meat substitutes has increased and soy has always been the most popular choice. In recent years, consumers have started turning to other plants for protein, including peas, beans, rice, and potatoes.
While there are many different vegetables that contain a healthy source of protein, microalgae are between 50 to 60 percent protein. It also packs an abundance of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as fiber and other minerals. The main issues preventing microalgae from becoming the next superfood include the price and the taste. If you cannot get your hands on microalgae, consider eating other healthy micro-organisms.
Macro-Algae and Micro-Algae
Algae falls into one of two different categories – macro-algae and micro-algae. Macro-algae tends to be larger, and includes varieties, such as kelp and other seaweeds. Micro-algae includes thousands of different species and has more use than as a protein source – with potential application as a biofuel.
Two species of micro-algae, Spirulina and Chlorella, have been used in various food supplements and health food products, such as green smoothies.
Micro-Algae Powder
Getting people jump on the micro-algae bandwagon may be difficult, as Western consumers have mostly avoided eating insects and other unusual protein sources. In the US, a company called Solazyme, based out of San Francisco, has focused on making plant-based fuels; though, they recently have begun work on a micro-algae powder that will be available for use in baking, cooking, and making your own smoothies.
The use of micro-algae is already spreading, with companies other than Solazyme working to come up with edible uses of Chlorella. Right now, the costs of producing this algae are too expensive to begin marketing their products to consumers.
Hopefully, as more research and technology is devoted to ways of producing algae for food consumption, the prices will be made more affordable. With energy costs that are currently higher than other food production, it may be some time before algae lines the grocery store shelves.
Other surprising Protein Sources
Since it may still be a while before you can purchase affordable algae for your protein needs, perhaps you could use some other protein alternatives. The following foods offer a healthy dose of protein and the selection might surprise you.
Avocados
Avocados have always been considered a healthy food with a good amount of antioxidants and unsaturated fats. What many people do not realize is that avocados contain quite a bit of protein. Each cup of avocado includes more than 4 grams of protein. Find some tasty avocado recipes to start adding this protein source in your diet.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a popular item in the whole food market. A half a cup of chickpeas has over 7 grams of protein. It can be added to salad, hummus, or roasted as a protein-filled snack. Chickpeas are also often used in the production of various health food products.
Green Peas
Green peas contain about the same amount of protein as an equally sized serving of peanut butter. You can get 8 grams of protein from a cup of green peas, along with all the vitamin C you need.
Gruyere Cheese
Gruyere cheese is a type of hard cheese that offers more protein that most other cheesy choices – 8 grams of protein per ounce. Eat with whole grain crackers or fruit as a light snack that is full of protein.
Hemp Seeds
The use of hemp seeds continues to be limited, due to the close association with marijuana, even though hemp cannot be used as a drug or medication. Despite this negative stereotype, hemp seeds contain 6 grams of protein per ounce. Add a sprinkling of crushed hemp seeds to any meal, including cereal, rice, or salads.
Pumpkin Seeds
When Halloween comes, many people carve pumpkins and throw out the seeds. This is a waste of perfectly good protein. One ounce of pumpkin seeds has around 9 grams of protein. Add pumpkin seeds to your oatmeal or make a pumpkin dessert.
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes can be used in more than just pasta. Add more flavor to bean dishes, such as chili or add to your salads or salsa. One cup of sun-dried tomatoes has about 8 grams of protein.
From hemp seeds and chickpeas to microalgae, some of the best sources of protein may be surprising. While you wait for algae to become readily available, start including some of the foods mentioned in your daily diet, for added protein. You can begin eliminating your dependence on meat and focus on healthier options and protein alternatives.
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