When following a vegetarian diet, it's important to meet your body's daily protein and essential amino acid requirements. Fortunately, with careful planning, vegetarian meal plans are sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of adults, pregnant women, and even children, notes the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Protein Requirements for Vegetarians
The protein requirements of vegetarians are the same as non-vegetarian protein guidelines. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for protein are as follows.
Age and Gender Groups |
Protein RDA |
Children 7 to 12 months |
11 grams |
Children ages 1 to 3 |
13 grams |
Children ages 4 to 8 |
19 grams |
Kids ages 9 to 13 |
34 grams |
Girls ages 14 to 18 |
46 grams |
Boys ages 14 to 18 |
52 grams |
Adult women |
46 grams |
Adult men |
56 grams |
Pregnant women |
71 grams |
Breastfeeding women |
71 grams |
Who Needs Extra Protein?
Athletes and people recovering from surgery, illness, severe burns, and other injuries often have protein needs higher than RDAs suggest. A 2014 issue of Today's Dietitian reports athletes often need 0.5 to 0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, which is 65 to 117 grams per day for a 130-pound athlete. People who are critically ill have protein needs similar to those of athletes but should check with their doctor or dietitian to be sure.
Protein-Rich Vegetarian Foods
Many meatless foods are rich in protein, so getting plenty of this nutrient in your diet as a vegetarian generally isn't a problem. The following foods are excellent sources of protein:
Food |
Protein Content |
Eggs |
6 grams in each large egg |
Cottage cheese |
28 grams per cup |
Low-fat milk |
8 grams per cup |
High-protein milk |
13 grams per cup |
Plain nonfat Greek yogurt |
17 grams per container |
Reduced-fat cheese |
8 grams per ¼-cup portion |
Tofu |
20 grams per cup |
Tempeh |
34 grams per cup |
43 grams per cup | |
Protein-fortified almond milk |
10 grams per cup |
Soymilk |
8 grams per cup |
Soy yogurt |
6 grams per container |
Soybeans |
22 grams per cup |
Other dried beans |
15 to 20 grams per cup |
Peas |
9 grams per cup |
Bean sprouts |
8 grams per cup |
Nuts and seeds |
6 to 8 grams per ounce |
Whey, casein, egg, or plant-based protein powder |
Varies by brand |
Complete Proteins for Vegetarians
Complete protein foods (those containing all essential amino acids) appropriate for vegetarians include:
- Eggs
- Dairy foods
- Soy-based foods
However, you don't have to always eat complete protein foods to get all the essential amino acids your body needs if you consume a variety of incomplete proteins throughout the day.
Incomplete Protein Pairings
There are several ways to pair incomplete proteins to form complete proteins, according to Iowa State University. It's important to note you don't have to consume certain amounts of incomplete proteins at specific times to get the essential amino acid combinations your body needs. MedlinePlus notes you don't have to eat incomplete protein pairings all at once, but rather get a good balance of protein foods throughout the course of the day.
Choose one portion of each food being paired. For example, combine 1/2 cup of rice with 1/4 cup of beans, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with one slice of whole-grain bread, one veggie burger with a whole-grain bun, 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1.5 tablespoons of nuts, or 2 tablespoons of hummus with one small whole-grain tortilla.
Grains Plus Legumes
Combining grains and legumes provides a complete source of protein. Examples of such pairings include:
- Rice and beans
- Veggie burger on whole-grain bun
- Bean burrito
- Lentil or split pea soup with whole-grain crackers
- Hummus on pita bread
Grains Plus Nuts/Seeds
Grains plus nuts and/or seeds also pairs to make a complete protein. Combinations may include:
- Nut butter on whole grain bread
- Trail mix made with nuts and seeds plus whole-grain ready-to-eat breakfast cereal
- Rice or couscous with almonds, peanuts, or cashews
Legumes Plus Nuts/Seeds
You can also combine nuts and/or seeds with legumes, such as:
- Salad with dried beans or peas plus nuts or seeds
- Rice with peas or beans plus nuts or seeds
Bottom Line
While getting plenty of protein is important when following a vegetarian diet, it's generally not a problem because numerous vegetarian protein-rich foods are available to choose from.