HEARTY & HEALTHY

Eating soybean-based products is the perfect way to increase your protein consumption. Studies have shown that when you eat more plant protein in your diet, as opposed to more carbohydrate, it has more benefits, including:

• Reduces appetite and hunger levels
• Increases muscle mass and strength
• Good for your bones
• Boosts metabolism and increase fat burning
• Lowers your blood pressure
• Reduces craving and desire for late-night snacking
• Helps maintain weight loss

Here are some of the best meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans.

a) Tofu (20 grams of protein)

Tofu is condensed soy milk that manufacturers press into blocks of varying firmness, similar to how dairy milk becomes cheese. It is a good source of protein, calcium, iron and amino acids.

Tofu (also known as bean curd) is very popular in Malaysia, Japan and China.


b) Tempeh (33.7 grams of protein)
Tempeh is a soy meat product that has a few differences from tofu. The main difference is that tempeh is made from the whole soybean, not soy milk, and they use a fermentation process. It has a drier texture, and some of them may contain a mixture of other beans or grains.

Tempeh can be a great barbeque meat substitute or it can be sautéd or stir-fried (to be added to salads or sandwiches).


c) Edamame (18.5 grams of protein)

Edamame beans are whole, immature soybeans sometimes referred to as vegetable-type soybeans. It is high in protein as 155 grams of cooked edamame provides around 18.5 grams of protein. It provides all the essential amino acids your body needs. It can lower cholesterol and it doesn’t raise blood sugar.