(NaturalPath) According to an article published in Food Technology, there are three lesser-known alternative protein sources that aren’t tofu, tempeh and seitan. These are algae-derived proteins, super seaweeds and duckweed.
Algae are nutrient dense with varying amounts of vitamins A, C, E, folate, calcium, iodine, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein and a variety of other nutrients.
In terms of seaweeds, the red variety tends to have the highest protein content. The red species nori has an amino acid profile similar to that of peas or beans, contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid and is a good source of vitamin B12.
Duckweed is up to 45 percent protein, which is among the highest protein levels in the plant kingdom. Usually eaten by birds and fish, people in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Africa have been eating various duckweeds for centuries.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.