Quick easy ways to get protein in?

Rainydaygirl1

I bought a thing of unsalted nut mix. Lot's of protein and it helps me get in those extra calories. Also my protein whey powder a drink with some almond milk after exercise

970Mikaela1

I grill 8 lbs of chicken every Sunday. find a spice you like and Coat them well. about 8 or 9 minutes per side over a medium heat. cut the biggest one open to make sure there's no pink. easy.

williams969

(All prices for my region of U.S.)
These are the cheapest sources of protein I know about, for comparison, when looking at the cost of what seems to be "expensive" protein powder. I consider all of these to be very inexpensive sources of protein.

The cheap Walmart protein powder = $.006 per gram of protein
Tunafish = $0.016
Canned salmon = $0.026
Frozen raw chicken breasts = $0.019
Frozen raw ground turkey = $0.018
Cottage cheese = $0.027
Whole eggs = $0.037
Mozzarella = $0.028
Dry Lentils = $0.013
Dry navy beans = $0.015

Glad to see I'm not the only number lover who's done the math, lol! Every penny counts in my household, and this list is very close to my shopping list (except not canned salmon--I choose sardines--I like the taste better and I need the fish oil/fats).

I get lots of protein (100+ grams/day, more than I "need", but I'm a girl, so there's that) just from food. And...I save money since I don't buy protein powder that the rest of my family won't and don't need to take. But, I do see the very good necessity for protein powders for those who need it. Get what you like, what you want to pay, and what is readily available.


ETA: Oh, and my diary's public, for those who want to get an idea of "how I do it." With 1-2 times a month exceptions (especially this last weekend, lol I regret nothing), I hit my protein needs on food only (90-100g minimum of protein, on a 1500 cal/day average).:flowerforyou:

KylaDenay

I eat a container of greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder. That is 45 g of protein alone just for a snack!

_runnerbean_

I don't think I need a huge amount of protein but I get mine from cashew nuts, eating hoummous on bagels and eating yogurt every day . For those drinking protein shakes etc, is that to build muscle mass when weight training?

Protein does not "build muscle." Getting an adequate amount of protein is important in any diet, but especially if you're working out and definitely when you're doing strength training (which everyone should be doing if their goal is to look good). 1 g/lb of lean body mass is pretty standard, and many people that lift heavy will take in 1 g/lb of body weight.

I'm not sure why you don't think you need much protein.

I eat my 20% protein as recommended on the basic MFP guide but I meant I don't need extra as I mainly do cardio.

beckydragonpoet

Mahi mahi, easy to cook, tones of proten, low in calories.

matth71

I grill a lot of chicken breasts with an electric griddle (Cuisnart Griddler). I use different spices to mix it up (e.g. Lemon Pepper, Mrs. Dash, Mojo marinade, BBQ sauce). I cook several breasts at a time and prep veggies or rice to go with them. This way I have several days worth of meals prepared in advance.

I have several flavors of protein powders which I'll mix with either greek yogurt or skim milk. Plus I throw in different fruits to get the added nutritional benefits of those.

This has helped me to boost my protein intake to over 100 grams with little effort.

Good luck!

Hmm protein powder in yogurt.... will try this.

+1 sounds a great idea

rondaj05

I eat a container of greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder. That is 45 g of protein alone just for a snack!

^^ I do this too!

perseverance14

I like ARO whey protein isolate powder, I buy it from Vitacost. 1 serving (2 scoops) 30 grams of protein. Last time I bought it, I got 2 5 lb. containers for $50 ($25 per container) because of a BOGO deal, you just have to get it at the right time.

aylajane

I pimp up my greek yogurt even more - add protein powder and body360 whey protein crunchies. 1/2 scoop has 24g protein and its flavorless - just adds crunch to the yogurt.

Protein pancakes - 2 scoops protein powder (flavors like vanilla ice cream or cinnabun or banana cream or chocolate candy or anything fun), 4 oz any milk (i use so delicious almond milk plus protein) and 1 egg. Stir and cook like pancakes (It makes 3-4 for me). Not all powders work as well for this... I top it with sugar free fruit preserves and light whipped cream... yummy...

Add protein powder to hot tea or coffee instead of cream. I use white chocolate powder and sugar free white chocolate syrup into earl grey tea and its like white hot cocoa. Caramel syrup and toffee flavored protein etc work well too.

1HappyTurtleRunner

I eat a container of greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder. That is 45 g of protein alone just for a snack!

I am going to try this, great idea!

bciloveme2014

I usually buy:
Cereal with protein,( between 8 to 11 grams of protein)
Starkish tuna pouch ( 14 grams. to 18 grams of protein) What I like about it is that it has a flavor so I don't have to add anything.
Turkey meat in a little can.
String cheese is (between 6 to 7 grams of protein)
But chicken breast is the best source of protein.

whovian67

egg whites, greek yogurt, string cheese, protein shake (get a nutribullet )

xmichaelyx

So you just buy a package of chicken breasts, sprinkle some salt and pepper then bake?

Either grill it or broil it - either way, make sure it cooks slowly. Baking or stovetop cooking will dry it out.

Make a ton at once and freeze it in individual bags.

Also, Optimum Nutrition's Whey Protein is cheap and delicious. i make a shake with Vanilla Ice Cream whey, milk, and a banana for breakfast every day (because I'm too lazy to do anything else in the morning).

arnostbilej

Very true. My current favorite is NOW Whey Protein Isolate, 5 lb. for less than $60 - that's about a month's worth of protein, assuming you take 2 servings per day. You can't beat that by buying meats, fresh or canned.

semipossible

I like to sautee chicken breast chunks in a skillet with some olive oil and salt and pepper. It's surprisingly good given how simple it is. Cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs are good to keep on hand for quick protein. Greek yogurt can also be a good choice.

Juliane_

Protein shakes don't have to be expensive. Shop around and look for whey isolate. You get the most protein for your calories.

I also eat mini babybel cheese. 50 calories and 6g protein. You don't have to be a chef to make chicken ahead of time. I also cook large batches at a time.

Easy recipe: 1 jar salsa (like for chips); 3-4 chicken breasts--Add both to the crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hrs. Once it's done shred the chicken and mix. Save in a tupperware to eat throughout the week. Great over rice or as taco filling. I also eat some over toast and some cheese on top.

For grilled chicken or oven cooked chicken I cut the chicken breast in smaller pieces and season with just garlic salt and a little sprinkle of spanish sazon (red powders) to give it some additional color. Just go easy on how you sprinkle so it's not salty...mix in a shake or two of soy sauce and vinegar....let it sit a few minutes to marinade and cook in the oven or grill.

It really isn't hard to cook chicken...and if you don't have any intolence to eggs...it is one of the best foods to eat too.

Jkj95

Greek yogurt is fantastic. The flavored kinds taste similar to regular yogurt on their own and the unflavored kind tastes similar to sour cream and can be a great sauce/dip substitute.

dawnmitchell6766

Thin sliced turkey or chicken from the deli - 2 oz for a snack gives me 9 gr protein. Real simple, no cooking involved

Booda101

Lean cuts of beef or pork are also good to grill. They make for a nice break from chicken .

1911JR

I struggle getting my protein in and I'm not a good cook. Anyone have some quick, easy ways to get protein in?

Chicken and ground turkey. I use a griddler, like a big George Foreman grill. Place on grill, close lid. Done in a few.

And like I am sure has already been said, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, tuna and protein powder. I buy it by the 5 lb can, ON Whey Isolate for about 50 bucks at the Vitamin Shoppe. I like the cookies ad cream. Mixes great in water or milk.

Best of luck..........

mallorytravels

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and if you have a little time to cook, chicken breasts.

hmontigney

Chicken Breasts are definitely easy to get some good protein. All I do is buy skinless, boneless chicken breast and sprinkle some pepper on it and throw it in the oven to bake for about 20 minutes. Once it's done, I cut it up and save it for lunch/dinner throughout the week.

As for Protein shakes, that's another great idea. I know Walmart has a big tub of Whey protein for around $18 in Vanilla or Chocolate flavors. I haven't gotten as far as making protein shakes yet but I'm going to soon. I plan on freezing some Strawberries and Bananas so I can use them for my shakes.

Good luck!

RavenLibra

Bang for the buck you are going to get more protein out of a supplement (whey or whey isolate) than you will out of a "meat" source. a single chicken breast will cost you? then how much time and effort to cook it and eat it? ... a protein shake takes about 2 minutes... and you can do all kinds of recipes with it... Pudding, oatmeal, you can even add it to like an iced coffee...

Ludka13

1. Cottage cheese
2. Greek yogurt
3. Protein shakes (get a blender bottle, easy to use, easy to clean, you don't need a blender)
4. Canned tuna
5. Canned salmon (you can find skinless and boneless)
6. Canned chicken
7. Precooked chickens at the supermarket
8. Boca Burgers (you can nuke them)
9. Sliced turkey at the deli counter

Also try adding some protein boosters to things, like add soy grits to cereal or yogurt or whatever, or peanut butter 2.
http://www.bobsredmill.com/soy-grits-defatted.html

RavenLibra

cheap whey protein? is like accepting the lowest contractor's bid to build your house... YOU are going to get what you pay for,,, DO some research on Protein supplements... try to source New Zealand products, they do not feed their cattle herd antibiotics, Steroids OR Hormones... OR you can source your protein from soy, or goats... which will also reduce the amount of "extras" found in other whey protein sources.

db34fit69

HANDKÄSE!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkäse

This wonderful German cheese has 1 or 2% fat, and 30 grams of protein and 124 calories per 100 grams!

That's 4.13 calories per gram protein. This ratio beats the following foods:

Raw chicken (4.78)
Cottage Cheese (7.92)
Plain Yoghurt (20.3)
Tuna (4.46)
Quinoa (28.8)

And they come in little 50-gram rolls that are useful for bringing with you and snacking.

WBB55

1. Cottage cheese
2. Greek yogurt
3. Protein shakes (get a blender bottle, easy to use, easy to clean, you don't need a blender)
4. Canned tuna
5. Canned salmon (you can find skinless and boneless)
6. Canned chicken
7. Precooked chickens at the supermarket
8. Boca Burgers (you can nuke them)
9. Sliced turkey at the deli counter

Also try adding some protein boosters to things, like add soy grits to cereal or yogurt or whatever, or peanut butter 2.
http://www.bobsredmill.com/soy-grits-defatted.html

I would also like to add a recommendation for TVP (textured vegetable protein). You can add it to soups, stews, and anything you can add ground beef to. So, things like tacos, chili, spaghetti sauce, hamburgers. It comes dehydrated, so you have to re-hydrate it or cook it with something that already has a lot of moisture that it can soak up.

MdmAcolyte

Chicken is an easy protein fix. And really, for what you pay for a whole chicken to go home and cook it, you can get the same value with one already rotisseried at the grocery store. Boom. Chicken fix.

Jezebel_Barbie

I've been struggling with this too, as a vegetarian meat products are out for me and when I researched protein rich foods I was pretty disheartened to see it's all foods I have never liked. I've put a few on my next shopping list and am going to try and force myself to eat some, but I suspect I'm going to struggle to get it all via diet alone.