Getting enough protein.

[pcm975]

I'm transitioning to veganism, I've found that artichoke hearts and pea protein have been great tools to get what I need. Anyone else have any go-to's to get enough?

[LZeeW]

@pcm975   This article lists many good sources: The 18 Best Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians. 

[Snidgen]

First, congratulations on your transition to veganism. I've been fully there for 15 years, and vegetarian before that for about 7.  For me, it was a more gradual transition, which I think helped the sustainability of my current dietary regime, along with supportive friends and help from a licensed dietician that helped educate and motivate me.

I've never had pea protein or artichoke hearts, but I do eat peas. In fact, I've started to include peas in my tempeh making hobby now and then.  I still use soybeans most often for tempeh, due to the ideal protein profile of soy. I do make tofu from soybeans and other legumes as well. My dietician estimated that I now consume on average nearly 2 grams (actually 1.8 g) of protein per kg of my body weight, which is way above dietary guidelines but apparently is still safe.  The idea is to average out a typical week with protein inputs and there is no need to worry about balancing types of proteins (amino acids) during a single meal. It's the weekly totality of variety that matters.  Whole grains, nuts, legumes, etc. make up the bulk of my protein sources, including of course processing I do at home such as making tempeh, tofu, and seitan. Fried brown rice containing chunks of marinated seitan is the bomb!  Suddenly I'm hungry. 

I used to keep a food diary that my dietician would analyze, but I don't even bother keeping track now. I used to worry about protein like yourself in the beginning, but now that it's part of my core lifestyle (along with cardiovascular exercise and resistance training), whether I'm getting enough protein or whatever doesn't even cross my mind. Veganism shouldn't be necessarily thought of as a restrictive diet that results in less fun with eating.  It should make it more fun.  I've never had anything close to the variety of tastes, textures, etc. before transition than I did after.  It literally opened up a whole new world for me because when I was a meat eater, food was just something I ate to keep alive - not to savor and enjoy.  I also learned how to cook.