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Holy Cow! Five Soy-Free Meat Alternatives You’ll Love

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MeatAlternatives2Whether you are a vegetarian, a vegan, or are just looking to cut back on your meat consumption, it is helpful to have some tasty alternatives to meat products. The default substitute tends to be soy products, but because soy can carry some health risks of its own, many people wish to avoid or limit their use of soy. Rest assured though, passing on the meat does not have to mean overloading on soy; instead try these yummy, nutritious, and protein packed meat alternatives that the whole family will enjoy.

  1.       Mushrooms. Not only do mushrooms offer a rich, meaty flavor, they also have three grams of protein, B vitamins, and two grams of fiber per serving. Give it a try: the next time you are grilling, throw some portobello mushroom caps on the grill instead of ground beef patties.
  2.       Beans. Many dietians describe beans as nature’s perfect food. They get this high honor for several reasons: they are rich in fiber, offer around 13 grams of protein per cup, are versatile for a range of recipes, and are an inexpensive way to add nutrition to any plate. Give them a try: try creating your own burrito bowl at home by layering beans, salsa, cheese (optional), and bell peppers on a bed of lettuce.
  3.       Nuts. Go nuts over all the benefits nuts provide. This soy-free meat alternative gives you healthy fat in addition to 5 to 6 grams of protein per cup. Give them a try: Peanut butter is good, but experiment with almond butter and cashew butter on your sandwiches!
  4.       Seitan. If you aren’t familiar with seitan, now could be a perfect time to give it a try. This meat alternative offers an astounding 31+ grams of protein per three ounce serving and has a similar consistency to meat. If gluten sensitivity is not an issue for you, this may be a great addition to your menu. Give it a try: serve seitan with barbeque sauce and a bun for a meat-free bbq alternative.
  5.    Quinoa. This ancient food has earned a reputation as a super food as of late. With eight grams of protein per cup, plus fiber and antioxidants it’s no wonder it’s earned this rep. Give it a try: Use quinoa in place of rice to make a veggie packed stir fry (note: use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep your meal soy-free!)

 

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Author: kimyoung

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