No clue what to do about proteins

I've realized that I am not getting enough protein. I eat meat at pretty much every meal, not a fan of beans, and can't eat eggs. I don't what else to do. I thought about getting protein powder, but there's so many kinds and I have no clue what to even look for. I don't want a lot of additives or any artificial sweeteners. I'm trying to change my diet to more natural foods. How can I get enough protein?

Replies

  • glenner
    glenner Posts: 160 Member
    Cheese and nuts?
  • jar819
    jar819 Posts: 45 Member
    Nuts, nut butters, Greek yogurt...all good sources of protein
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    cottage cheese
    yogurt (greek has even more)
    cheese
    Milk
    egg whites? (in stead of eggs??)
    Tofu
    tempeh

    protein powder is good for upping it.. but i know you said you don't want it..

    maybe cliff or quest bars? They are about as close to all natural as you'll get with a protein bars..

    Nuts are a fat source.. not a protein source..

    High protein veggies:
    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vegetables-high-in-protein.php
  • 17Delts
    17Delts Posts: 9 Member
    Do you know how many grams of protein you are getting on a daily basis right now? Secondly how much do you weigh right now? Technically you should be consuming 1g of protein per 1lb of body weight. I can recommend various protein powders, just let me know.
  • OverDoIt
    OverDoIt Posts: 332 Member
    There are many natural proteins out there. If you want to stay away from whey protein, then another option is brown rice protein. It is very bio-avail, and relatively cheap. I would stay away from soy if I were you, however that is my opinion. Stay away from proteins with high carbs and fat. For the most part, 80 % of your protein should come from your diet. I would need to know more about your activity level, goals, and diet to help any further.
  • Maybe try getting a protein supplement, many different flavors and types! I'm sure there's one for you
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    More meat.

    I easily get 175-200g and more grams of protein without protein powder.

    Ok, I have always liked meat anyway - so having 150g of chicken slices in a roll earlier doesn't seem out of place for me.

    quote] For the most part, 80 % of your protein should come from your diet. [/quote]
    Ignoring that a protein drink is part of a 'diet' :)... why?
  • seamonster1203
    seamonster1203 Posts: 118 Member
    c26-B000QSNYGI-1-s.jpg
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    I think Quinoa is pretty high in protein for a grain. .. peas, broccoli, seitan, some seeds,.. unsweetened coco powder as 1g per tbsp.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Do you like dairy? I get a good boost to my protein numbers from milk. Lots of people add greek yogurt or cottage cheese to their day to get more protein.
  • jar819
    jar819 Posts: 45 Member
    cottage cheese
    yogurt (greek has even more)
    cheese
    Milk
    egg whites? (in stead of eggs??)
    Tofu
    tempeh

    protein powder is good for upping it.. but i know you said you don't want it..

    maybe cliff or quest bars? They are about as close to all natural as you'll get with a protein bars..

    Nuts are a fat source.. not a protein source..
    Actually they are:

    High protein veggies:
    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vegetables-high-in-protein.php
    Nuts, seeds, soy products, cereal, eggs and dairy are all good meatless protein choices. These groups of food each contain different amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and different levels of protein quality. There is no need to consume certain foods in special combinations as nutritionists once thought! When your diet includes a variety of each of these types of foods, you can rest assured that you're consuming all the amino acids you need for muscle growth and cell repair.
  • jar819
    jar819 Posts: 45 Member
    cottage cheese
    yogurt (greek has even more)
    cheese
    Milk
    egg whites? (in stead of eggs??)
    Tofu
    tempeh

    protein powder is good for upping it.. but i know you said you don't want it..

    maybe cliff or quest bars? They are about as close to all natural as you'll get with a protein bars..

    Nuts are a fat source.. not a protein source..
    Actually they are:

    High protein veggies:
    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vegetables-high-in-protein.php
    Nuts, seeds, soy products, cereal, eggs and dairy are all good meatless protein choices. These groups of food each contain different amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and different levels of protein quality. There is no need to consume certain foods in special combinations as nutritionists once thought! When your diet includes a variety of each of these types of foods, you can rest assured that you're consuming all the amino acids you need for muscle growth and cell repair.



    Nuts may be a source of fat, but vegetarians and vegans rely on nuts for protein.not sure why so many posters on MFP always have to try and correct posters.
  • ktstacy
    ktstacy Posts: 14 Member
    I get about 70-80g on a good day going off of what mfp calculates and I weigh 139.8 and I'm wanting to start gaining muscle.
  • ktstacy
    ktstacy Posts: 14 Member
    I can't eat nuts for the same reason I can't eat eggs. I do eat some cheese and drink milk but probably not as much as I should. Cottage cheese grosses me out. I'm not against protein powder, but every time I go to that aisle in the store I get overwhelmed.
  • seamonster1203
    seamonster1203 Posts: 118 Member
    I can't eat nuts for the same reason I can't eat eggs. I do eat some cheese and drink milk but probably not as much as I should. Cottage cheese grosses me out. I'm not against protein powder, but every time I go to that aisle in the store I get overwhelmed.

    never buy in the store. save 50% and order online. Ebay or bodybuilding.com The gold standard whey is pretty much standard proven protein. Its super low carb/fat and taste pretty darn great
  • I would first recommend trying to get your protein from real foods before adding a supplement. Since you're eating meats, just increase the quantity by about 20%-30% per meal. Also add some snacks throughout the day of string cheese, greek yogurt, maybe some rolled up turkey or lean deli meat. This should all make a huge difference.
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    Good to know!!
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
    Greek Yogurt, which has been mentioned.
    Walmart Deli has the "Double Deal." A pound of their lunch meat, I do chicken breast and 1/2 pound of cheese for $9. I do ultra thin sliced swiss. I roll two pieces of the meat in a piece of the cheese for a high-protein snack.
    Also great for protein is Ricotta Cheese, part-skim. It can be made into a savory or a sweet treat. My current fave is 1/2 cup of Ricotta with 2 pieces of Dole Dark Chocolate Strawberry Dippers, blended. A chocolate covered strawberry cheesecake-y treat!
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I have found that fish, such as salmon, tuna, swordfish, etc. has a crapload of protein and very few calories.
  • mxmkenney
    mxmkenney Posts: 486 Member
    I like 100% whey protein (Cytosport - Costco). It has 27 grams of protein, no added sugar (4 carbs per scoop), and 140 calories per scoop. Drink one or two shakes a day (mix with skim milk for an additional 9 grams of protein per cup).

    Also, cottage cheese is really high in protein, as is Greek yogurt. Either is great with fresh fruit, no added sugar needed.

    Do you not eat eggs due to an allergy or do you not like them?
  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    I don't rememberer seeing it mentioned (maybe it was) but lentils and split peas are a very solid source of protein, fiber too. I sneak in some extra protein with some types of pita bread, specifically from Joseph's, though other brands may work too. Jerky is a snack I'll eat if I find myself behind on my protein target.

    If you can deal with the taste (or adjust it to your liking), plain Greek yogurt can pack a massive amount, much more than the flavored ones, I've found.

    I find if I have Canadian bacon in the morning, in lieu of regular bacon or sausage, I get a lot more protein per calorie.

    I'll even just snack on a can of tuna to make up protein deficits in a day.
  • AmyTyo
    AmyTyo Posts: 11
    I know you're trying to go more natural but alot of breads if you look can give you alot of protein. A slice of some might give you as much as 5g of protein. So one sandwich you're adding 10grams to the meat. I've been using greek yogurt for alot, you can use it to make dips (I do a hidden Valley ranch) and smoothies (and you can add protein powder and flax seed for an extra protein boost) and other things to add a few extra grams of protein throughout your day if you don't like the taste of the greek yogurt.

    Oh and although they have a lot of sodium pork rinds have protein in them. i'll dip them in my ranch dip with greek yogurt!
  • Jay Robb protein powder is the best I've ever tried, however it's costly and I buy jillian michaels, I think now it's just called pure protein I believe they took her pic off the canister, you can get it at walmart.....I live on protein shakes tons of protein, low in fat and sugar, it's a win win....
  • manda1978
    manda1978 Posts: 525 Member
    When looking for a protein powder, look at how many grams of protein per 100gr serve it has. The ones I use are 90gr of protein in 100gr of powder, so 90% of the product is protein which is pretty good.

    If its a lowish percent then the product will contain fillers, sugars etc.

    I just got a delivery of this powder, its cheap and has good macros - http://www.bulknutrients.com.au/buy/wpi-flavoured-1kg/WPI01KGF
  • Tevajane
    Tevajane Posts: 24 Member
    Go to a GNC store and get a recommendation. Do some research before you shop and wright down or print them out. Then stick to your guns and purchase one that meets your requirements. If you have an Organic Foods section at your local grocery store check out the options there. Better yet, Find a local FOOD CO-OP. The one in St. Peter has a person on staff that can answer all the questions you may have about anything in the store and will council you on making the right choices. I know that most of the HY-Vee grocery stores partner with a Dietitian and you can often find them in the store. If you really need some professional advice I could offer my Sister's contact information and you could speak with her. She is a registered Dietitian in Dallas, Texas please let me know if this information was helpful.
  • enchantedgardener
    enchantedgardener Posts: 214 Member
    My favourite protein powder is Whey Gourmet Naturelle Vanilla Bean. Amazing great taste on its own (can drink it stirred into a glass of water), mixes well without a blender, and well priced. No artificial flavours, no artificial sweeteners, only a few ingredients (whey, cane sugar, stevia, natural flavour, calcium carbonate, guar gum).

    There are unflavoured, unsweetened protein powders out there as well. Lots of them, in fact. Obviously they don't taste great on their own. They're great for use in smoothies, but some might not mix well without a blender. I currently have some Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 50. Only one ingredient, and that's hemp protein. It tastes like the hemp nut butter I once bought...kinda grassy and slightly nutty. It's fine mixed in a smoothie, but super gross on its own.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    I think Quinoa is pretty high in protein for a grain. .. peas, broccoli, seitan, some seeds,.. unsweetened coco powder as 1g per tbsp.
    Not compared to calories - lean meat (and protein powder) is by far the best as far as protein amount vs calories.
    I wasn't disapointed to find I though quinoa was disgusting after I looked at the nutrition information to find it's mostly carbs anyway.
  • jar819
    jar819 Posts: 45 Member
    :drinker: ha...
  • jar819
    jar819 Posts: 45 Member
    cottage cheese
    yogurt (greek has even more)
    cheese
    Milk
    egg whites? (in stead of eggs??)
    Tofu
    tempeh

    protein powder is good for upping it.. but i know you said you don't want it..

    maybe cliff or quest bars? They are about as close to all natural as you'll get with a protein bars..

    Nuts are a fat source.. not a protein source..

    High protein veggies:
    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vegetables-high-in-protein.php




    Guess someone flagged your nut butter posts...they've been removed...detention for you..:laugh:
  • per 1 gram of protein there's 4calories