Question of the month: what is your favorite source of protein and why?

Vegetarian Times, March, 2005

Beans. There are so many different kinds, so eating them never gets old. You can add them to just about any dish.

Mary J. Canup

Atlanta, GA

Tofu--it's so versatile!

Janis Lindenberger

Mechanicsburg, PA

I vote for nuts--mostly cashews, pistachios and almonds (roasted and salted, of course). Nuts satisfy the urge for something crunchy and salty, and sometimes sweet. They're also a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Stacy Bowman

Via email

Seitan. I am very active (I lift weights and run), and I feel my best when my protein intake is high. Seitan allows me to easily get enough protein in my diet.

Susan Foix

Via email

I enjoy soy products and have given up dairy completely. One of my favorites is Continental 8 soymilk. I enjoy vanilla in my organic cereals, and the chocolate is a treat at night (it's delicious warmed up as well).

Paige Mathison

Schnecksville, PA

My version of ferried beans--pinto beans from a can, cooked and mashed with garlic and sauteed onions. They are a delicious and healthy source of protein that goes great with corn tortillas, imitation ground beef flavored with taco seasoning, and all the veggie fixings. They also make great leftovers for a quick meal at work: Pile a bunch of vegetables on them in a microwavable container, and you have a great protein-packed lunch. I add cheese, but a vegan wouldn't miss it.

Rebecca Diaz

Southfield, MI

Free-range brown eggs. They are delicious and easily digestible.

Langan Smith

Via email

Soy. It comes in so many shapes, sizes, flavors and textures, including tofu, edamame and soymilk. And it's low in fat and high in protein. I'm female, and soy is a good food to help ward off breast cancer. Love it!

Missy Teel

Via email

Soymilk. I try to use it on my oats every morning.

Kenny Schiller

Via email

I don't have a single favorite. Because there is some protein in just about all foods in a vegetarian diet, eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains has always been my approach.

Elaine H.

Avon Lake, OH

Soy. It comes in so many varieties and fits into so many different meals.

Terry Wise

Via email

Vegetarian jerky from Lumen foods. It comes in regular and spicy flavors, is very chewy and full-flavored, doesn't cause flatulence and can be used in a multitude of ways. My husband and I take about 12 pieces and microwave them for 1 minute as a terrific bacon substitute for breakfast.

Bea Conway

Las Vegas, NV

Trader Joe's Soy Pita Bread. It has an unbelievable 22 grams of protein per pita and tastes great.

Gene Ariani

Via email

I love Morningstar Sausage Patties. I eat at least two every morning.

Nancy Ellen

Via email

Soy is my protein of choice. Aside from being lactose intolerant and recently diagnosed with a multitude of food intolerances (including almonds, garlic, eggs, green and kidney-shaped beans, and bananas), I have always found soy to be prolific, versatile, yummy (most of the time; I do make spectacular mistakes!), and the handiest protein source around. My morning mochas, my cereal and my mashed potatoes are all prepared with EdenSoy Extra soymilk. Our dinners often include prepared proteins such as Veat Bites, which I stir into any dish, whether it's a Thai stir-fry, a winter stew or a simple saute. Edamame (soybeans) are a delightful appetizer or snack and are readily available at Trader Joe's and most grocery stores. I can't seem to stop finding ways to eat soy! Considering my recent health discoveries, I am even more grateful for the versatility and tastiness of this wonder bean!

Suzanne Patterson-Griscom

Seattle, WA

VT Staff Picks

Veggie burgers. I keep a four-pack in the fridge all the time and crumble them into whatever I'm eating--salads, soups, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce. They're an instant, ready-to-eat protein boost. And sometimes I even eat them as a burger! But then I usually make my protein special: half a soy pita, a smear of low-fat ricotta, another smear of red-pepper hummus and one toasted veggie burger. I figure I get half my day's protein in just one sandwich.

Val Weaver

Editor in Chief

Mine are beans, any kind. They're so versatile; I can do a lot with them, and I don't feel like I'm eating the same meal again and again. My favorites are chickpeas and black beans.

Shane Speer

Health Editor

Tofu and black beans. I used to dislike beans (because of their texture, I think), but I kept trying them, and now I love them. And I love tofu. There are so many easy recipes using it.

Lisa Barley

Editorial Assistant

Yogurt, BBQ baked tofu and black beans. I keep a big tub of vanilla yogurt handy for snacking, or I'll eat it for dessert. I also like baked tofu right out of the package; it's also yummy diced into salads or layered on a sandwich. And I can't say enough good things about black beans. A favorite meal is a bowl of black beans and brown rice, with a dollop of nonfat sour cream on top. I also love black bean soup and black bean quesadillas.

Carla Davis

Managing Editor