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
AllowedWith 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 341kcal | 21.6g | 1.4g | 62.4g | 15.5g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 132kcal | 8.9g | 0.5g | 23.7g | 8.7g |
| Canned | 91kcal | 4.8g | 1.3g | 15.4g | 6.8g |
Chickpea Flour
AllowedWith 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
Edamame
AllowedAt 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
Lentil Pasta
AllowedAt 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
Pea Protein
AllowedAt 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
Tempeh
AllowedTempeh 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain | 192kcal | 20.3g | 10.8g | 7.6g | — |
| Cooked | 195kcal | 19.9g | 11.4g | 7.6g | — |
Tofu
AllowedWith 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 144kcal | 17.3g | 8.7g | 2.8g | 2.3g |
| Soft/Silken | 270kcal | 18.8g | 20.2g | 8.9g | 3.9g |
Limited Protein (6)
Kidney Beans
LimitedKidney 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 337kcal | 22.5g | 1.1g | 61.3g | 15.2g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 127kcal | 8.7g | 0.5g | 22.8g | 7.4g |
Protein Bars
LimitedProtein 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
Protein Powder
LimitedWith 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
Protein Shakes
LimitedProtein 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
Soy Protein
LimitedSoy 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
Veggie Burger
LimitedWith 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
Not Allowed Protein (5)
Collagen Peptides
Not AllowedAt 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
Eggs
Not AllowedAt 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Egg (raw) | 143kcal | 12.6g | 9.5g | 0.7g | 0g |
| Egg White (raw) | 52kcal | 10.9g | 0.2g | 0.7g | 0g |
| Egg Yolk (raw) | 322kcal | 15.9g | 26.5g | 3.6g | 0g |
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.
Gelatin
Not AllowedGelatin 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
Greek Yogurt
Not AllowedWith 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain (whole milk) | 97kcal | 9g | 5g | 4g | 0g |
| Plain (nonfat) | 61kcal | 10.3g | 0.4g | 3.6g | — |
Whey Protein
Not AllowedAt 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