Islamic Help’s #nomeatweek, which ran from the 14th to 21st September, not only proved a success at raising awareness for Qurbani 2015, but also got many of you to take on the no-meat challenge.

In light of this, we decided to put together a few ideas for delicious non-meat protein sources, for those who want to ensure their bodies get all the right nutrients, whilst they carry on with a post-Qurbani meat detox. See below for more.

Protein Source: Tofu
Tofu is derived from soya. Soya milk is curdled, cooled and solidified; just like cheese. It is a brilliant source of iron and calcium, amongst other nutrients and is widely used in Chinese and Thai cuisine. It can be served in many different ways and is an excellent source of protein.

Protein Source: Quinoa
Quinoa is widely used today as an alternative to wheat, rice and couscous. It is of a grainy texture and softens as it is cooked, with a slight bite. Quinoa is packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and calcium. It can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Protein Source: Seeds & Nuts
A lot of seeds and nuts hold immense nutritional value; being higher in amino acids and lower in saturated fat than a lot of foods. Some worth trying are sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, along with almonds and walnuts for a great protein kick.

Protein source: Eggs
Eggs are an extremely popular choice for people looking to introduce more protein into their diets. Beware though, the white of the egg contains more protein than the yolk, so too much can become fattening. Again, eggs can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner, and are therefore an extremely versatile source of protein.

Protein source: Beans
Beans are packed high in fibre and are an excellent source of protein; soybeans being one of the highest in protein value, closely followed by kidney beans and black beans. They are an important part of our daily diet and also stimulate and aid digestion, not to forget lentils too!

So there you have it, who said meat is the only source of protein? A big thank you to all of you who participated and raised awareness for Qurbani during #nomeatweek. We hope you will continue to support us and donate towards a good cause with Islamic Help this year.