The 16 best high-protein foods for vegetarians, according to a registered dietitian

Finding good and good for you protein options when you’re a vegetarian can seem like a difficult feat. But before you make yet another veggie burger for lunch (yawn), check out the most recent episode of You Versus Food, where Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, shares her favorite vegetarian protein foods (including some unlikely picks) that will keep you full and focused all day long.

One of Beckerman’s favorite options is chickpea pasta (such as Banza Chickpea Elbows, $13 for a two-pack, or Explore Cuisine Organic Chickpea Fusilli, $25 for a six-pack). “Eating chickpea pasta is a super easy way to deliver some high-quality amino acids to the bod,” she says. Plus, a two-ounce serving can pack in around 14 grams of plant-based protein, she says, which will keep your energy levels sustained much longer than your typical linguini.

She also says that you can get some sneaky proteins from whole grains. No, they’re not just carbs—Beckerman says grains like oats and quinoa have a decent amount of protein per serving, too. (Oats have six grams of protein per cup cooked, while quinoa offers up eight grams per cup cooked, ICYMI.)

Wait, but didn’t she mention more vegetarian proteins than this? Sure thing—but you should watch the full video to get the gist of it. You won’t be choking down a sad veggie burger again any time soon with her ideas.

Check out our ranking of the best vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes. And if you’re still nailing down your summer travel plans, consider adding the most vegetarian and vegan-friendly cities in America to your list.