Vegan Protein Guide

18 items classified under standard Vegan guidelines.

This guide covers all 18 protein classified under Vegan guidelines. Vegan evaluates foods primarily by whether the food contains any animal-derived ingredients, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Black Beans Allowed 181kcal
Chickpea Flour Allowed 387kcal
Edamame Allowed 121kcal
Lentil Pasta Allowed 111kcal
Pea Protein Allowed 180kcal
Tempeh Allowed 192kcal
Tofu Allowed 94kcal
Kidney Beans Limited 177kcal
Protein Bars Limited 335kcal
Protein Powder Limited 388kcal
Protein Shakes Limited 119kcal
Soy Protein Limited 335kcal
Veggie Burger Limited 224kcal
Collagen Peptides Not Allowed 360kcal
Eggs Not Allowed 334kcal
Gelatin Not Allowed 381kcal
Greek Yogurt Not Allowed 105kcal
Whey Protein Not Allowed 339kcal

Classification Breakdown

7 Allowed — These protein are a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. 6 Limited — These items have usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. 5 Not Allowed — These are either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients.

The ingredient list matters more than the food category — hidden animal ingredients appear in foods that look plant-based at first glance.

Allowed Protein (7)

Black Beans

Allowed

With 181kcal calories per 100g, Black Beans earns a Allowed classification on Vegan. It is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Beyond the primary classification, black beans also provides 8.2g protein and 7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Pea Protein and Tempeh for calories, ranking 8 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry341kcal21.6g1.4g62.4g15.5g
Cooked (boiled)132kcal8.9g0.5g23.7g8.7g
Canned91kcal4.8g1.3g15.4g6.8g

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Chickpea Flour

Allowed

With 387kcal calories per 100g, Chickpea Flour earns a Allowed classification on Vegan. It is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Beyond the primary classification, chickpea flour also provides 22.4g protein and 6.7g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Gelatin at 381kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

387kcalCalories
22.4gProtein
6.7gFat
57.8gCarbs
10.8gFiber

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Edamame

Allowed

At 121kcal calories per 100g, Edamame falls into the Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. It is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Beyond the primary classification, edamame also provides 11.9g protein and 5.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Protein Shakes and Kidney Beans for calories, ranking 5 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

121kcalCalories
11.9gProtein
5.2gFat
8.9gCarbs
5.2gFiber

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Lentil Pasta

Allowed

At 111kcal calories per 100g, Lentil Pasta falls into the Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. It is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Beyond the primary classification, lentil pasta also provides 5.7g fat and 3.4g fiber per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, lentil pasta sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Protein Shakes at 119kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

111kcalCalories
3.7gProtein
5.7gFat
12.3gCarbs
3.4gFiber

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Pea Protein

Allowed

At 180kcal calories per 100g, Pea Protein falls into the Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. It is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Beyond the primary classification, pea protein also provides 14g fat and 2.7g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Kidney Beans and Black Beans for calories, ranking 7 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

180kcalCalories
3gProtein
14gFat
10.6gCarbs
2.7gFiber

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Tempeh

Allowed

Tempeh is classified as Allowed on Vegan, with 192kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. It also contains 20.3g protein and 10.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Black Beans and Veggie Burger for calories, ranking 9 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain192kcal20.3g10.8g7.6g
Cooked195kcal19.9g11.4g7.6g

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Tofu

Allowed

With 94kcal calories per 100g, Tofu earns a Allowed classification on Vegan. This means it is a fully plant-based food with no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal-derived additives. Among the 18 items in this category, tofu sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Greek Yogurt at 105kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Firm144kcal17.3g8.7g2.8g2.3g
Soft/Silken270kcal18.8g20.2g8.9g3.9g

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Limited Protein (6)

Kidney Beans

Limited

Kidney Beans is classified as Limited on Vegan, with 177kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.1g protein and 7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Edamame and Pea Protein for calories, ranking 6 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry337kcal22.5g1.1g61.3g15.2g
Cooked (boiled)127kcal8.7g0.5g22.8g7.4g

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Protein Bars

Limited

Protein Bars is classified as Limited on Vegan, with 335kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. It also contains 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Eggs and Soy Protein for calories, ranking 12 of 18. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Protein Powder

Limited

With 388kcal calories per 100g, Protein Powder earns a Limited classification on Vegan. It is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. Beyond the primary classification, protein powder also provides 55.6g protein and 5.6g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Chickpea Flour at 387kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

388kcalCalories
55.6gProtein
5.6gFat
28.9gCarbs
6.7gFiber

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Protein Shakes

Limited

Protein Shakes is classified as Limited on Vegan, with 119kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. Among the 18 items in this category, protein shakes sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Edamame at 121kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

119kcalCalories
3.1gProtein
2.7gFat
21.2gCarbs
0.3gFiber

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Soy Protein

Limited

Soy Protein is classified as Limited on Vegan, with 335kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. It also contains 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Protein Bars and Whey Protein for calories, ranking 13 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Veggie Burger

Limited

With 224kcal calories per 100g, Veggie Burger earns a Limited classification on Vegan. This means it is usually plant-based but commonly produced with hidden animal ingredients. It also contains 13g protein and 5.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Tempeh and Eggs for calories, ranking 10 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

224kcalCalories
13gProtein
5.2gFat
30.8gCarbs
3.5gFiber

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Not Allowed Protein (5)

Collagen Peptides

Not Allowed

At 360kcal calories per 100g, Collagen Peptides falls into the Not Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. It is either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients. Beyond the primary classification, collagen peptides also provides 90g protein and 300mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Whey Protein at 339kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

360kcalCalories
90gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Eggs

Not Allowed

At 334kcal calories per 100g, Eggs falls into the Not Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. It is either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients. Beyond the primary classification, eggs also provides 16.2g protein and 28.8g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Veggie Burger and Protein Bars for calories, ranking 11 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Egg (raw)143kcal12.6g9.5g0.7g0g
Egg White (raw)52kcal10.9g0.2g0.7g0g
Egg Yolk (raw)322kcal15.9g26.5g3.6g0g
FAQ (3 questions)
Are eggs vegan?
No. Eggs are an animal-derived food, so they are not compatible with a vegan diet.
Why do vegetarians eat eggs but vegans do not?
Many vegetarians include eggs, while vegans avoid all animal-derived foods. That difference is why eggs can be vegetarian but not vegan.
Are egg substitutes vegan?
Some are, but not all. Many plant-based egg replacers are vegan, but you still need to check the full ingredient list and the specific product.

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Gelatin

Not Allowed

Gelatin is classified as Not Allowed on Vegan, with 381kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.8g protein and 466mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Collagen Peptides at 360kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

381kcalCalories
7.8gProtein
0gFat
90.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Greek Yogurt

Not Allowed

With 105kcal calories per 100g, Greek Yogurt earns a Not Allowed classification on Vegan. This means it is either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients. It also contains 8.2g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 18 items in this category, greek yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Lentil Pasta at 111kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain (whole milk)97kcal9g5g4g0g
Plain (nonfat)61kcal10.3g0.4g3.6g

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Whey Protein

Not Allowed

At 339kcal calories per 100g, Whey Protein falls into the Not Allowed category under Vegan guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either an animal product or a food containing animal-derived ingredients. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.7g protein and 968mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Soy Protein at 335kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

339kcalCalories
11.7gProtein
0.5gFat
73.4gCarbs
0gFiber

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