How to Increase Protein in Vegan Meals — These 5 Hacks Can Help You Lose Weight

I know it sounds weird to add beans to smoothies, but because they're virtually flavorless, you'll never even realize they're there. They not only add a wonderful creamy texture, but they're chock-full of fiber and protein, two must-haves to make your smoothie extra filling.

Here are three smoothies that are made with beans:

• high-protein banana milkshake smoothie: 335 calories, 13.6 grams fiber, 20.3 grams protein
• blueberry-mango-kiwi smoothie: 366 calories, 14.7 grams fiber, 12.2 grams protein
• metabolism-boosting smoothie: 343 calories, 8.1 grams fiber, 30.4 grams protein

If you don't have time to open up a can of beans, freeze pureed beans, so when you're ready to make your smoothie, you can just throw two cubes into your blender.

Add mashed beans to cooked oatmeal or overnight oats. Chickpeas and white beans work for vanilla or fruit-flavored oatmeal, and black beans work for chocolate oatmeal.

Mash beans and potatoes together and this creamy side dish will offer more protein and fiber. Once you try it, you'll never make regular mashed potatoes again.

This chocolate chip cookie dough fudge is made using lentils! Mixed with the other sweet ingredients, you'll never know they're there! Here are some other dessert recipes using beans:

• chocolate doughnuts
• black bean brownie bites
• chocolate hummus
• chocolate pudding
• peanut butter oatmeal raisin cookies
• chocolate mousse cups

Mash beans into tomato sauce to use in baked ziti or a spaghetti squash pasta bake, or to top spaghetti as a replacement for ground beef. And since tofu is made from soybeans, you should know you can use it to replace ricotta in lasagna or stuffed shells.