Can you eat beans for protein?

Macronutrient mavens,

Can you eat beans for protein? Sure! You have our permission.

You have probably heard that you are probably not getting enough protein. Is it true? Does it matter? Is this really THE thing you need to be actively worried about right NOW?! No need to get worked up. Here’s the simple scoop on protein, bean protein, and what you can order from Moonbeans right now to get an adequate amount of protein for at least a little while.

The official Recommended Daily Allowance for protein is a 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound, or 54 g for someone weighing 150 lbs. However, this is a minimum. Most nutritionists recommend getting more, especially if you’re active, older, or pregnant. So, beans? Enough?

1 cup of cooked of cooked chickpeas has about 15 g of protein

1 cup of cooked adzuki beans has about 17 g of protein

1 cup of cooked lentils has about 18 g of protein

While these are all good sources of protein, you’ll want to pair your beans with a whole grain to make sure you’re getting a complete amino acid profile, “complete protein.” For example, if you have a cup of cooked lentils over a cup of cooked quinoa, you’d get 26 grams of protein with a balanced mix of every essential amino acid. So, just eat that three times a day! Boom. Plenty of protein.

Ok, counting macros is not the most fun we’ve ever had. Even if your eyes glazed over those numbers, I hope you feel assured that beans are a great source of plant protein and that chickpeas are a great source of feeling chic.