Lesson #12: So...what is a meatless protein?

Let's unpack this for my fellow carnivores.

Seems like a crazy time to ask after the week’s theme has already been announced, but…what is a meatless protein??

Though vegetarian and vegans have to source these supplements for their daily diets, I am (1) apparently a huge carnivore and (2) apparently hesitant when it comes to trying new things.

Since I’m not vegan, my research includes vegetarian options (like eggs or dairy-based dressings), though we will also look at purely plant-based options.

If you were interested in a plant-based diet, the primary sources of protein to substitute for animal meat are:

• Greek yogurt

• Cottage cheese

• Lentils

• Beans (i.e. black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans)

• Nuts & seeds (i.e. almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds)

• Green peas (…kinda shocking) & black-eyed peas

• Quinoa

• Peanut butter

• Eggs

• Soy products (i.e. tofu, tempeh, edamame)

• Nutritional yeast (a.k.a. “nooch”)

Source: EatingWell

But what do we do with these items? What are the flavors we’re working with here so we know how best to use them? How do we prepare them?

Let’s break it down.

What, Exactly, Are Legumes?

Legumes, to me, have a connotation of being part-vegetable, part-bean, and part-third thing.

They are, somehow, all of the above.