It’s not an overstatement to say that protein is critically important. Protein plays a role in creating and maintaining every cell in your body. It helps build your bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and tissue, oxygenate your body, digest your food, regulate your hormones, and more.
If you’re looking to add more protein to your diet, a quick Google search pulls up results like meat, dairy, and eggs. For vegetarians and vegans, however, you may need to be more intentional about adding protein to your meals. It’s not difficult or impossible—it just takes a little extra pre-planning. Here are some of the best plant-based protein sources and how to incorporate them into your diet.