Vegetarian Protein Guide

18 items classified under standard Vegetarian guidelines.

Vegetarian classifies foods based on whether the food is the flesh of an animal. Of the 18 protein evaluated, 11 are classified as Allowed, 5 as Limited, and 2 as Not Allowed.

Quick Reference

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

Classification Breakdown

11 Allowed — These protein are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). 5 Limited — These items have usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. 2 Not Allowed — These are meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian includes dairy and eggs. Hidden traps: animal rennet in cheese, anchovies in Worcestershire, lard in baked goods.

Allowed Protein (11)

Black Beans

Allowed

At 181kcal calories per 100g, Black Beans falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.2g protein and 7g fat per serving. 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

Chickpea Flour is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 387kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 22.4g protein and 6.7g fat per serving. 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

With 121kcal calories per 100g, Edamame earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). 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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Eggs

Allowed

With 334kcal calories per 100g, Eggs earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 16.2g protein and 28.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. 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

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Greek Yogurt

Allowed

Greek Yogurt is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 105kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.2g protein per serving. 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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Kidney Beans

Allowed

At 177kcal calories per 100g, Kidney Beans falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, kidney beans also provides 8.1g protein and 7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Edamame and Pea Protein for calories, ranking 6 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

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

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Lentil Pasta

Allowed

At 111kcal calories per 100g, Lentil Pasta falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 5.7g fat and 3.4g fiber per serving. 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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Protein Powder

Allowed

With 388kcal calories per 100g, Protein Powder earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 55.6g protein and 5.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Chickpea Flour at 387kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

388kcalCalories
55.6gProtein
5.6gFat
28.9gCarbs
6.7gFiber

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Tempeh

Allowed

Tempeh is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 192kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.3g protein and 10.8g fat per serving. 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 Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). 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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Veggie Burger

Allowed

At 224kcal calories per 100g, Veggie Burger falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 13g protein and 5.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Tempeh and Eggs for calories, ranking 10 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

224kcalCalories
13gProtein
5.2gFat
30.8gCarbs
3.5gFiber

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Limited Protein (5)

Pea Protein

Limited

Pea Protein is classified as Limited on Vegetarian, with 180kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14g fat and 2.7g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Kidney Beans and Black Beans for calories, ranking 7 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

180kcalCalories
3gProtein
14gFat
10.6gCarbs
2.7gFiber

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Protein Bars

Limited

Protein Bars is classified as Limited on Vegetarian, with 335kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. Nutritionally, it also delivers 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Eggs and Soy Protein for calories, ranking 12 of 18. 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

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Protein Shakes

Limited

At 119kcal calories per 100g, Protein Shakes falls into the Limited category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. Among the 18 items in this category, protein shakes sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Edamame at 121kcal. 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

119kcalCalories
3.1gProtein
2.7gFat
21.2gCarbs
0.3gFiber

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Soy Protein

Limited

At 335kcal calories per 100g, Soy Protein falls into the Limited category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. Nutritionally, it also delivers 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium per serving. 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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Whey Protein

Limited

Whey Protein is classified as Limited on Vegetarian, with 339kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. 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. 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

339kcalCalories
11.7gProtein
0.5gFat
73.4gCarbs
0gFiber

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Not Allowed Protein (2)

Collagen Peptides

Not Allowed

With 360kcal calories per 100g, Collagen Peptides earns a Not Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes. It also contains 90g protein and 300mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. 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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Gelatin

Not Allowed

Gelatin is classified as Not Allowed on Vegetarian, with 381kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes. 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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