Day 26 - Are you sure you are getting enough protein?

Why did it take me so long to discover delicious Almond Milk? I use it every morning with my oatmeal and now I can't live without it. It is SO good!!!!! I can't stand milk of any kind: cow's, goat's, soy, or rice, but almond milk is just too good to pass up. I just love it.

We are on day 26 of eating vegan. I have lost 13 pounds!!!! I am so excited. I went to the doctor yesterday and she said my cholesterol was "fantastic." But when I told her that I was eating vegan, she looked up concerned and said, "Are you sure you are getting enough protein?"

I know we can get protein from beans, quinoa, nuts, almond milk, tofu, and some vegetables. But how much does one need on a daily basis? I had to google it and this is what I found:

The average person needs about .36 grams of protein per pound that they weigh. For example, someone who weighs 150 lbs., needs only 54 grams of protein per day to maintain her current muscle. There are many vegan staples that are really high in protein:

• Tempeh - 41 gm/cup
• Seitan - 31 gm/ 3 oz.
• Soybeans - 29 gm/cup
• Lentils, cooked - 18 gm/cup
• Black beans, cooked - 15 gm/cup
• Kidney beans, cooked - 13 gm/cup
• Veggie burger - 13 gm/patty
• Chickpeas - 12 gm/cup
• Pinto beans - 12 gm/cup
• Tofu, firm - 11 gm/4 oz.
• Peas - 9gm/cup
• Peanut butter - 8 gm/2 T.
• Spaghetti, cooked - 8 gm/cup
• Almonds - 8 gm/ .25 cup
• Soy milk - 6 gm/ cup
• Oatmeal - 6gm/cup
• Whole wheat bread - 5 gm/2 slices
• Brown rice - 5 gm/cup
• Spinach - 5 gm/cup
• Broccoli - 4gm/cup
• Potato - 4 gm/cup

Now I think I am going to keep a little food journal for a week so I can record how much protein we are getting and adjust the amount we are eating, if necessary.

Today's lunch was a corn and avocado salad and dinner consisted of leftover Pesto.

More later...