Protein is one of the most important parts of our daily diet. We’re focused on it as a society. It’s one of the cornerstones of the food pyramid, and most of us look towards meat to try and get enough.

Yet meat has its problems. It’s higher in saturated fats, and can increase your risk of heart disease.

Why not look at plant protein instead?

Lentils

Lentils come in many different colors and provide different ways to add them to your diet. Try the red ones; they’re quick cooking and will break apart easily to add a creamy texture to soups. Try black, green, or brown; they hold their shape better and make perfect additions to salads. You can also mix them into your favorite vegetarian burgers, or add them to a bolognese for the perfect pasta sauce.

Pepitas

You might know them as pumpkin seeds, but no matter what you call them, they’re a great addition to everything you eat. Add them to homemade granola. Mix them into a batch of muffins. Grind them up into a sauce. Or simply eat them by the handful for a great in-between meal snack.

Edamame

Edamame is the least processed form of soybeans you can buy. And they’re super easy to use; just boil or steam them and add them to your favorite meal. You can also blend them up into sauces or dips to enjoy any time of the day. Just be sure you select organic edamame to avoid potentially harmful chemicals.

Spinach

While it may take quite a bit of spinach to meet your protein needs, luckily it’s easy to include large amounts in many things you cook. Wilt it and it to a lasagna. Throw a few handfuls into the blender to add to a smoothie. Whether you eat it alone in a spinach salad or mix it up with other ingredients, it’s a great way to make your meals a little more nutritious.

Hemp Seeds

While hemp seeds aren’t a complete protein, if you mix them into salads with nuts, lentils, dried beans, or grains, they help increase all kinds of essential amino acids. Plus they’re easy to use in just about everything you cook. From smoothies to salads, to pasta, or sauces, you’ll love the rich, nutty flavor.

What’s your favorite plant-based protein?