Protein: A word once reserved for creatine-dry-scooping gym bros and high school biology classrooms has become the latest health fixation. With claims to boost satiety, aid muscle growth and support healthy hormones, it feels more important than ever to get the macronutrient in.

When you add dietary restrictions, such as vegetarianism and the geographical restriction of being on a college campus, that goal can start to feel increasingly out of reach. Nevertheless, it is not a hopeless pursuit. Whether you are a longtime vegetarian, a meatless Mondays participant or just trying to diversify your protein sources, Vanderbilt has options for you.

Note: Due to the commonality of vegetarian protein sources such as eggs and yogurt at breakfast, this article will not focus on that mealtime.

Rand

Centrally located Rand usually offers a few rotating options at each station. You can see the menus for the stations up to six days in advance on NetNutrition, a website where you can also find detailed information about the macros — including the protein — of the food at nearly every dining center on campus.

The Fresh Mex bowls offer a variety of vegetarian protein sources, including a main that is usually lentil-based or plant-based sofritas, as well as protein-rich toppings such as black beans. The Mongolian station also generally provides a hot vegetarian protein featuring tofu, tempeh or beans. 

Of course, if you don’t feel like waiting in the regularly arduous lines for either of these stations, you can always rely on the salad station. With toppings available such as plain tofu, chopped egg, various cheeses, chickpeas and kidney beans, the salad station holds the most convenient and diverse variety of vegetarian protein sources in Rand.

EBI

In the new EBI smoothie station, you can always bet on being able to get pea protein powder in your drink alongside other nutritious ingredients such as fruit and sunflower butter.

Aside from its smoothies, EBI tends to serve ever-changing dishes — which makes it a bit tricky — but they usually offer a vegetarian entree option with protein. Look out for their bean and tofu-based dishes. 

Rothschild

Rothschild is another golden vegetarian protein location. Though the curry dishes change, you can usually find one with vegetarian protein such as a chickpea curry or a tempeh stir-fry. 

At the soup station — pho at lunchtime and ramen at dinner — they always have a vegetarian protein source like tofu. An added bonus, the ramen station also serves soft-boiled eggs at dinner, providing two vegetarian protein sources in the soup station alone. If you don’t like the ramen, you can also ask for the soft boiled eggs on their own.

At both lunch and dinner, they always have tofu poke available at the salad bar, along with crumbled hard-boiled egg and edamame. 

Commodore Pizza Kitchen

New and improved as of the end of the fall semester, the Commodore Pizza Kitchen boasts numerous ways for students to customize their pizza. 

With options for crusts that have up to 17 grams of protein according to NetNutrition, there are a few key ways for vegetarians to pack protein in at this dining location. 

Namely, cheese, which is generally generously packed on, and their “Italian Crumbles” topping. This topping features vital wheat gluten, a high-protein ingredient common in imitation meats, and nutritional yeast, a nutritious protein source that gives food an umami flavor.

Zeppos

Like many dining locations on campus, Zeppos features multiple rotating hot mains. In these mains, there is almost always one based around a vegetarian protein. If you aren’t a fan of uncertainty, rest assured that they have a few much more consistent protein sources.

At their salad bar, you will always find a few different beans, namely chickpeas and red kidney beans, as well as their “Sweet Chili Garlic Marinated Tofu.” Their pasta station also always is stocked with the aforementioned “Italian Crumbles,” which NetNutrition states has 24 grams of protein in one serving.

Blenz

You may not think of protein when you think of smoothies and smoothie bowls, but think again! In addition to shakes that feature peanut butter, almond butter and spinach, you can add a variety of protein powders such as vanilla whey, peanut butter chocolate whey, and collagen to any smoothie, adding approximately 18-30 additional grams of protein.

It should be noted that in any menu item where protein powder is not presently listed, there will be an extra charge of $2. However, the charge can be paid for with meal money, or for those of us who always have a few extra meal swipes at the end of the year, you can use an extra swipe. 

Grins

As Grins is a vegetarian restaurant, it shouldn’t be too shocking that they are featured on this list. Located in the Schulman Center for Jewish Life, Grins is also kosher-certified. 

Their menu changes a bit, but some main-stayers are the breakfast burrito, the grilled cheese and the egg and cheese bagel. These all feature a protein source of either eggs or dairy. Most of the items listed on their breakfast menu can be ordered at any time, giving a wider variety of options throughout the day.

Just be mindful of their schedule when planning a trip to Grins because they are not always open at the times listed on NetNutrition. You can typically find updates on Instagram @grinsvegetarian.

Munchie Marts

Munchie Marts are the apex of guaranteed vegetarian protein. While not exactly a dining location, they are a key accomplice for any vegetarian who wants to ensure they can hit their protein goals. 

Although there are a few vegetarian entrees that pack a good amount of protein such as their egg and cheese bagel (20 grams of protein), black bean burger (27 grams of protein) and veggie frittata (15 grams of protein), the true shining stars at the Munchie Marts are the sides. 

Some of the best sides at Munchie Marts for protein are the two-packs of hard-boiled eggs, Chobani yogurt cups and the vast wall of protein bars. If you get them alongside an entree, you can get two of any of these sides, but if you forgo the entree you can get three. 

And of course, at Munchie Marts you will find the king above all other vegetarian protein sources on-campus: the non-fat Fage yogurt. Each one of these bad boys packs 18 grams of protein. This means you could get 54 grams of protein for one meal swipe if you manage to snag three of these, although that is a feat in itself. These are usually restocked on Thursday mornings and often run out by the next day.

When all else fails and you’re in a pinch, just look out for dishes that focus on egg, dairy, tofu, tempeh or beans, and remember, one meal is not going to make or break you. You are more than your macros!