Are there days you want to have a balanced meal and need to add some protein to make the meal more fulfilling and nourishing? It can be easy to boil pasta, create a salad and whip up some vegetables, but a little more difficult to pair it with a vegetarian source of protein. Below are just a few delicious options with several nutritious benefits to complement your meal. 

1. Shelled edamame beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein and an easy addition to your next stir fry recipe! Add ½ cup to your salad, stir fry or noodle recipe.

2. Pumpkin Seeds are a great source of iron, magnesium and are high in antioxidants. Simply add ¼ cup of them to your soup or salad for a quick protein boost. They are also a great addition to plain Greek yogurt, overnight oats and as a topping on your avocado or nut butter toast.

3. My trip to Sicily a couple years ago inspired me to use pistachios in more non traditional ways. Pistachios are a versatile nut and can be used as a tasty complement to many dishes. For example, chopped pistachios can be a delicious topping to a simple pasta dish. You can add ¼ cup of finely chopped pistachios right before serving your pasta dish. They are a great source of magnesium and add a nice crunch to any entree. 

Additionally, going plant based at least one day a week can have a significant, positive impact on both your health and our environment. A plant based diet has shown to lower incidences of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Going plant based doesn’t have to be complicated or mean you have to follow and prepare recipes that take the whole day. Plant based foods can be eaten fresh or with minimal cooking. All it takes is a quick trip to your farmers market and some creativity to whip up a wholesome, plant based meal.