Protein!

dancewithme88
dancewithme88 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone,
I've been having trouble with the macro balance. My current goals are 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbs. I find that my current regime is too carb heavy. While they are "good" carbs/ complex carbs (bananas, apples, veggies, sweet potato), my macro break down at the end of the day shows my carbohydrate intake is still too high (> 40%).
I'm trying to find protein rich foods to add into my diet. Does anyone have any suggestions of protein rich foods that are low in calories?
Also, if my ultimate goal is weight loss, are my macros well balanced?

Thanks!!

Replies

  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    Macros don't matter for weight loss
    There are no bad carbs
    Eggs and chicken
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Greek yogurt, meat, nuts.
    There are not bad carbs.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    obscuremusicreference wrote: »
    Macros don't matter for weight loss
    There are no bad carbs
    Eggs and chicken

    This.

    You could eat 90% carbs if you realyl wanted and lose weight. You'd probably not feel great due to poor nutritional variation, but still.

    If no body composition goals (e.g. lose body fat and retain lean mass) then just eat the foods you desire within your calorie needs. Don't even bother tracking macros on your food diary.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I'm feeling ya. I set my goals 40-30-30 p-f-c. Which is pretty pointless lol because I'm consistently going over in my carbs and coming in under in protein and fat! ! Counting macros truly does my head in!! :s
  • carriejod
    carriejod Posts: 2
    Try eggs.
  • nmatthi
    nmatthi Posts: 8 Member
    I had the same problem as you and I can understand wanting to lower carbs. I get what the other posters have said, that macros don't matter for weight loss, and in theory they don't, but I have found that they do for me. Protein just keeps me full for a lot longer and helps me stay on track with my calorie goal, so macros definitely matter for me. I have tried eating eggs, chicken, yogurt and I still eat a lot because I really enjoy those foods, but I was definitely craving carbs all the time and then caving. I have recently introduced protein powders into my diet and started making protein pancakes, mug cakes, banana bread, etc and I find that my cravings are fully satisfied and I don't get as hungry as I used to when eating more carbs (my intake was usually at about 45-50%)
  • Codilee87
    Codilee87 Posts: 509 Member
    Egg whites are a low-cal, fat-free protein source. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be eaten at any meal for a huge hit of protein. Any lean cut of meat will provide big protein for just a few ounces. Greek yogurt, quinoa, beans, cheese and of course whey protein powder.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    As a diabetic in remission and post Bariatric surgery patient, I am required to track my protein. The easiest way to get enough is to include it in every meal. Protein is typically not "fluffy" like Special K so the only way you can control the calories is to watch the portions. Greek Yogurt has more protein than milk so I have that with my cereal. Snacks may be low fat cheese, nuts, hummus, peanut butter. I had Tuna salad for lunch today.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Here is a "fluffy" protein and also insanely tasty. http://www.lowcarbcanada.ca/products/moon-cheese-gouda-2-oz

    I forgot Edamame seed pods.
  • illyich
    illyich Posts: 195 Member
    What others have said, but lentils are a great source as well. Also, if you have the money, there's a brand of jerky named Perky Jerky that has a turkey one (yes, I know, Perky Jerky Turkey Jerky), and it's probably the best I've ever had. GREAT hit of protein, low calories, few carbs, no fat, and actually not crazy on sodium.

    Unfortunately, it's $5 for a 2oz bag here in TN.
  • Phaewryn
    Phaewryn Posts: 142 Member
    I'm in the same boat, except I'm also weight lifting during my low calorie diet. Since I used to weight train, I find it super easy to get back into, and generally see immediate muscle growth response every time I get back into it. However, I seriously doubt I'm eating anywhere near enough protein to actually build any muscle right now. I'm not even sure it's safe to weight lift on 800-1200 calories a day - but we'll see if I kill myself or not! ;P

    Great thread, really helpful for me right now. I only managed to eat 20 grams of protein today, even though I ate a WHOLE CAN of black beans! SO frustrating! Yesterday I had 45 grams - that was because of lentils... and I love lentils, but I weigh 136, and so I'm still less than half of where I need to be with the protein intake. I wish there was some way to add protein to everything like I do with fiber. Protein is SO hard to supplement because all the protein supplements taste so obvious, you can't hide them in anything other than the milkshake mixes that add so many calories. Soy tastes horrid. Whey is dairy, correct? Can't they isolate protein from another source, for a different flavor? If nuts have protein, why can't we have nut protein isolate? Or does that exist? Does anyone know where I can buy small sample size packs of the different types of protein concentrates online? I'm on a limited budget and can't afford to buy a whole tub of something I can't make myself eat/drink. There are no GNC's and such here... there aren't any MALLS here, I do most of my shopping via amazon, and my searches there didn't turn up much. Also, Brand/Formulas that are more geared towards people who are *just* trying to up protein intake without all the "power boosting" formulas geared towards bodybuilders? In order to add a typical "protein shake" I'd have to NOT EAT ANY MEALS, and I actually enjoy the sensation of solid foods at least once a day! Also, are there any protein powders without the sweetness, without all that fake tasting "sweetness"! I just did a google search, and there's BEEF protein isolate... but it's FREAKING VANILLA FLAVORED! Why can't they make BEEF flavored BEEF protein! I could add that to my quinoa with some herbs and call it "stuffing"! Look, http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclemeds/carnivor.html beef protein comes in all these flavors: Blue Raspberry, Cherry Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Pretzel, Fruit Punch, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and Vanilla Caramel... BUT NOT BEEF! *eyeroll* Seriously, though, I'd love to try this stuff (all the various types of protein concentrates and isolates), anyone know where to get sample sizes (under $10, preferably under $5)?

    Anyway, I will try the food suggestions given. I was already eating beans and lentils, but I wasn't eating ANY dairy since I use almond milk and was avoiding cheese due to fat calories. I'll eat meat, but since it spoils it tends to get frozen, and once meats enter the freezer, it takes a lot for them to ever see light again because I lack the patience to defrost them and then cook them. I generally don't eat much meat, just because cooking it bores me so much (my microwave is insanely underpowered). I don't eat fish because I can't afford to buy fish - I wish I could, but at $8 a pound, it's outside my budget. I will pick up canned tuna, I have found it is quite tolerable straight out of the can (drained of water, of course) with fresh lemon juice squeezed over it. Does anyone here know off hand which nuts are the lowest in calories? Are almonds better than pecans, for instance? They all have the same amount of fat, correct? But it's unsaturated "healthy" fat? In all nuts?

    Sorry to hijack your thread, but seemed pointless to start another one for the exact same topic.
  • Phaewryn
    Phaewryn Posts: 142 Member
    Oh, I just found this too, looks promising, a good reference, although obviously, one has to pick and choose around some of this to get the lower fat, lower calorie options out of it: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ultimate-list-40-high-protein-foods.html
  • Phaewryn
    Phaewryn Posts: 142 Member
    edited February 2015
    I just discovered that some brands of Beef Gelatin have 9 grams of protein per tablespoon. No fats, no carbs! I'm going to try it as a base for making "gravy" along with fat-free beef broth and tomato juice (and maybe it might need cornstarch). I'll come back and let you know if it works. I don't see why this couldn't be stirred into all things "meat dinner-like" though. The reviewers say they are making normal "jello" with it, so it's probably tasteless. They are adding to their cocoa. Seems like a great solution to me, something that can be mixed into anything liquid. I like this. Seems like a product I can add to my morning coffee to add protein without adding flavor.
    http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Gelatin-Natural-Powder/dp/B000MGR302/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1422860586&sr=1-2&keywords=gelatin+beef&pebp=1422860591965&peasin=B000MGR302

    Anyone have any input about this?
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