Protein goals impossible?!

hnaquin280
hnaquin280 Posts: 26 Member
edited September 2015 in Food and Nutrition
Okay. I know I'm going to get a lot of slack for this, but please help me meet my protein goals. I really don't like meat (I usually eat maybe one or two meals a week with meat) and I especially don't like chicken. I eat a lot of eggs and shrimp, but I'm not digging the sodium content of the shrimp. I try really really hard to eat things like almonds and yogurt and foods that I know contain protein, but 89 grams seems almost impossible in one day. Any suggestions?

[Edited by MFP Staff]

Replies

  • shrinkingletters
    shrinkingletters Posts: 1,008 Member
    Greek yogurt, cheese, milk, nuts, protein powder, protein bars, quinoa, protein rich breads (I like the Ozery One Buns), beans, lentils, hummus.....
  • hnaquin280
    hnaquin280 Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks! I do drink a 25 G protein shake but even with that I feel like I'm having trouble. Like I need to eat 5 pounds of nuts to come even close haha
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    You might find some ideas here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10232335/list-of-higher-protein-foods/p1

    Or here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also
  • shrinkingletters
    shrinkingletters Posts: 1,008 Member
    I've found I get the biggest protein bang for my buck with fish like tuna (not the canned) and salmon. Otherwise I fall back on yogurt, eggs, and convenience protein like quest bars. I average at least 100-110g of protein a day no problem. It was confusing and difficult to get enough at the beginning, but you'll sort it out.
  • MarvelGrrl
    MarvelGrrl Posts: 622 Member
    Some ideas for veggie protein :smile: 391qqpac16s9.jpg
  • janiep81
    janiep81 Posts: 248 Member
    I eat meat but still get a lot of my protein from dairy. Cottage cheese is comparable to yogurt in terms of protein. At my house we just started drinking ultra-filtered milk, which has higher protein than regular milk. We've only tried the Fairlife brand. I just started subbing the whole milk in my coffee in place of half and half and I'm pretty happy with the switch. I just told hubs to get the chocolate kind for post-workout drinks.

    And what about whey protein powder? I'm not a fan, but if you are, its an easy way to get some protein into your diet.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Cottage cheese, tuna, edamame, milk, eggs.

    Nuts are okay, but the calories you'd take in for the amount of protein...nuts just aren't a tremendous help.

    I struggle with protein, too. It's hard when you don't like meat!
  • biodigit
    biodigit Posts: 145 Member
    edited September 2015
    janiep81 wrote: »
    I eat meat but still get a lot of my protein from dairy. Cottage cheese is comparable to yogurt in terms of protein. At my house we just started drinking ultra-filtered milk, which has higher protein than regular milk. We've only tried the Fairlife brand. I just started subbing the whole milk in my coffee in place of half and half and I'm pretty happy with the switch. I just told hubs to get the chocolate kind for post-workout drinks.

    And what about whey protein powder? I'm not a fan, but if you are, its an easy way to get some protein into your diet.

    Love cottage cheese. I can eat those all day.

    OP, you can actually get a custom made whey protein by picking all your ingredients and whatever flavors to your liking. They're generally very high in protein, and 2 servings of them can get you close to 60g of protein. You can try it here: http://www.truenutrition.com/
  • abrooks54
    abrooks54 Posts: 45 Member
    1c of cottege cheese and a greek yogurt and your more than half way there
  • lauries8888
    lauries8888 Posts: 70 Member
    I have added 1/4 c of roasted soynuts daily at 10g protein and 140 cal to help me meet my goal because I eat very little meat and am allergic to milk.
  • biodigit
    biodigit Posts: 145 Member
    what are your macros breakdown? How much protein are you trying to consume?
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    If you have greek yogurt (danon light and fit) and 2 light cheese sticks (crystal farms) as a snack you'd be looking at 26 grams of protein with only 180 calories.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    hnaquin280 wrote: »
    Thanks! I do drink a 25 G protein shake but even with that I feel like I'm having trouble. Like I need to eat 5 pounds of nuts to come even close haha

    Maybe because nuts are a bad source of protein. Pizza has a better ratio of protein per calorie...
  • notcrazychef
    notcrazychef Posts: 15 Member
    If you enjoy fish cod gives one of the best protein returns for weight
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    hnaquin280 wrote: »
    Thanks! I do drink a 25 G protein shake but even with that I feel like I'm having trouble. Like I need to eat 5 pounds of nuts to come even close haha

    Try mixing it with 12 oz of milk, instead of water. That adds another 12g of protein or so :wink:
    shrinkingletters wrote: »
    I've found I get the biggest protein bang for my buck with fish like tuna (not the canned) and salmon.

    Fish is a good source of protein, too. For me, the canned tuna and salmon are inexpensive and have plenty of protein. I eat them right out of the can most of the time (once or twice a week).
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    I don't do well with protein either. I'm starting to use things like a tablespoon of gelatin in my coffee, protein powder in smoothies, hard boiled eggs, real protein bars, jerky, and even sometimes a pouch of tuna.
  • zinra
    zinra Posts: 31 Member
    MarvelGrrl wrote: »
    Some ideas for veggie protein :smile: 391qqpac16s9.jpg

    Exactly what I was looking for!

    I've got a low protein intake according to this app but I'm vegan.
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    I wouldn't worry. 89 grams is probably more than you need. .7 grams/lb. lean body mass is plenty
    for most folks. :)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,162 Member
    I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian, and usually get 85-100g within 1400 cal net ( usually 1400-1800 gross).

    I think it's pretty achievable if you familiarize yourself with the better sources in each category (veg, grain, legume, beverage, snack, etc.), and pick some you like as your go-tos, weaving the protein foods throughout your day as opposed to trying to eat it as one 'big' protein at each meal.

    My go-tos are greek yogurt (on my oatmeal, seasoned as salad dressing, as a sour-cream sub), quinoa, all kinds of beans, spinach, broccoli, peanut butter (as a spread, in stir-fry, in soups), cottage cheese, pepitas, eggs in many forms, dry-roasted soybeans for snacks . . . .
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
    Eggs and protien shakes was my favorites whwn I was a vegetarian but still it was hard to get there!
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Tofu, protein shakes, jerky, quest bars, nut butters, quinoa, string cheese, feta cheese, beans, egg whites (tuna, chicken, tilapia, mahi mahi).
  • hnaquin280
    hnaquin280 Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks for all the helpful answers!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    hnaquin280 wrote: »
    Okay. I know I'm going to get a lot of slack for this, but please help me meet my protein goals. I really don't like meat (I usually eat maybe one or two meals a week with meat) and I especially don't like chicken. I eat a lot of eggs and shrimp, but I'm not digging the sodium content of the shrimp. I try really really hard to eat things like almonds and yogurt and foods that I know contain protein, but 89 grams seems almost impossible in one day. Any suggestions?

    [Edited by MFP Staff]

    Would it be easier for you to eat meat in stir fries or stews where it is small and mixed in rather than a big slab?

    If it's a texture thing, different cooking techniques produce different textures.

  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
    Protein powder, meats, fish, egg whites. Have you tried liquid egg whites? Just chug 'em. I use Muscle Egg, and prefer the pumpkin spice and chocolate mint brownie flavors.
    I routinely go slightly over my 140g a day. If you're lifting, your body wants it.
  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    Eat the whole egg.

    Egg whites is NEVER the correct option.
  • Kullerva
    Kullerva Posts: 1,114 Member
    Mushrooms and lentils are some of my go-to sources of protein. (I make a mean mushroom meatloaf.) I'm practically pescatarian (I eat chicken once in a while) so I don't eat much meat. My average protein intake hovers between 65-80 a day, without protein shakes.
  • dragthewaters91
    dragthewaters91 Posts: 7 Member
    I'm vegetarian and depending on the day, I can sometimes eat over 100g of protein. On a typical day I have protein sources from:
    *Breakfast: Greek yogurt, oatmeal and a shake using pea protein powder
    *Lunch: nuts and cheese
    *Snack: Kind Bar or Lentil/Snapea Crisps
    *Dinner: pasta, rice, bread, eggs, tofu, beans, etc.
  • vegemitesandwich
    vegemitesandwich Posts: 66 Member
    For yoghurt, I've found Chobani to be the highest protein by far. For example, the 140g pouch I had for lunch today had 11g of protein, vs the 4 in the yoghurt my MIL had of about the same size.
  • bellaa_x0
    bellaa_x0 Posts: 1,062 Member
    89 g is no where near impossible.. i eat 154g a day. try eating beans, eggs, nuts, greek yogurt, protein powder/bars, peanut butter, milk, cheese, fish, etc.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    If you incorporate a little protein in every meal, every snack it adds up quickly. I looked up if shrimp was that bad, sodium-wise. It has about four times the sodium of roasted chicken breast, so OK. But a single serving (85g) is still only 8% of your daily requirement.

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