How to increase protein (when you don’t like much protein?)

dontcallmecandi
dontcallmecandi Posts: 17 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey folks,

I am trying to increase my protein (especially since I am exercising more) and lower my reliance on carbs. The problem is, I’m definitely a carb lover and not much of a plain protein kinda gal.

Im not a fan of protein shakes, cottage cheese or yogurt. I do so-so with eggs (but generally prefer them with toast or bacon 😬) and generally enjoy chicken, beef and pork, however it seems odd to just eat a slab of steak mid-day bc I’m hungry.

I’m curious what everyone does. I’ve been toying with the idea of keeping my carbs around 30%, but to date I’ve just focused on counting calories and haven’t payed much attention to carbs/protein/fat.

I’d definitely love some input (also open to new friends as well!). My weight loss is been slow (I guess that comes with age) and I’m really frustrated by the lack of overall fat loss.

SW: 253
CW: 236
GW: undecided

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    How much protein are you currently getting?
  • dontcallmecandi
    dontcallmecandi Posts: 17 Member

    TavistockToad wrote: »
    How much protein are you currently getting?
    Truthfully I haven’t been paying attention. Just counting calories. I just upgraded to premium so I can keep a closer eye on things.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    FWIW I totally eat a piece of steak or chicken midday if I’m low on protein
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,103 Member
    dontcallmecandi wrote: »
    Hey folks,

    I am trying to increase my protein (especially since I am exercising more) and lower my reliance on carbs. The problem is, I’m definitely a carb lover and not much of a plain protein kinda gal.

    Im not a fan of protein shakes, cottage cheese or yogurt. I do so-so with eggs (but generally prefer them with toast or bacon 😬) and generally enjoy chicken, beef and pork, however it seems odd to just eat a slab of steak mid-day bc I’m hungry.

    I’m curious what everyone does. I’ve been toying with the idea of keeping my carbs around 30%, but to date I’ve just focused on counting calories and haven’t payed much attention to carbs/protein/fat.

    I’d definitely love some input (also open to new friends as well!). My weight loss is been slow (I guess that comes with age) and I’m really frustrated by the lack of overall fat loss.

    SW: 253
    CW: 236
    GW: undecided


    Why not have a slab steak (or chicken or pork) with something, like veggies and a small serving of a starchy carb? Or slice your animal protein up and have it over a salad? Or slice your animal protein up in hot broth with a few noodles and whatever veggies you fancy? Honestly, just about every culture has a whole array of traditional meals built around a combination of foods, including animal protein. No need to sit down to just a slab of steak if that doesn't appeal to you.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,762 Member
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    FWIW I totally eat a piece of steak or chicken midday if I’m low on protein

    I make this simple chicken thingy in the crockpot, cut it up, and snack on it during the week at work.
  • Luciicul
    Luciicul Posts: 415 Member
    There’s no reason you can’t have bacon with your eggs! They also taste good with avocado, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or a little bit of crumbled feta cheese, or in a salad with a vinegarette, or in a wrap with vegetables.

    How about chicken salad? (Shred the chicken up with salad vegetables - no “slab”)

    Or a tuna salad wrap (tip: tuna and avocado go really well together, plus carrot, lettuce, baby spinach, beetroot, or whatever veggies you like. Wraps have fewer carbs than sandwiches).

    Or left over meat & veggie stew or oven bake or spaghetti bolognaise etc - whatever you like for dinner reheated for lunch. Depending how low-carb you go, you can swap out the “starch” portion for vegetable spirals or cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash. But if your main aim is to increase the protein, can eat the starchy foods alongside it.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    I was expecting to read this and see that your didn't like or didn't eat meats, which is why you struggled with protein. But if you like chicken and beef, you already like two of the best sources of protein out there. I will totally have grilled chicken breast that was pre cooked and throw it in the microwave and add some cheese or hot sauce. That's a meal in and of itself. If you are going to add fruits and veggies, great. But if you like chicken and steak have at least one of them every single day, multiple servings if you can. That will get you your protein.
  • TheMiniKeto
    TheMiniKeto Posts: 31 Member
    Unflavored collagen protein in your coffee or tea. I like the Bulletproof brand, can buy online or I buy it from Whole Foods.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Here's the Protein thread with the great charts of protein sources:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10244142/list-of-foods-with-highest-protein-calorie-percentage/p1

    With that said, unless you are truly low on protein (which you say you don't know,) then don't worry about it right now. Eat your meals, log your food and tweak where you can. Carbs are set at 50-%, Fats at 30% and Protein at 20%. With as much weight as you have to lose, this is a fairly low issue right now. You can have a fairly small piece of protein a couple times a day, have some dairy and I'm sure you will be fine. Carbs are not the devil.
  • Dilvish
    Dilvish Posts: 398 Member
    edited March 2019
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Here's the Protein thread with the great charts of protein sources:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10244142/list-of-foods-with-highest-protein-calorie-percentage/p1

    I wouldn't count that chart as accurate. Looking at the USDA food composition database for example that posters list states peanuts (raw) have 25g of protein per 100g serving. The calorie count is right but the protein content is way too high. That same serving on the USDA website is just under 18g of protein per 100g serving.

    Anyway having said that try this Google search instead

  • Janiceramos26
    Janiceramos26 Posts: 1 Member
    For a quick snack I pack crackers with cheese. I sometimes add cold cuts which ups my protein intake. I do one serving of Ritz crackers with two servings of Colby Jack cheese and one serving of pepper jack cheese from that I get 19 grams of protein. When I add cold cuts I'll do two servings of any cheese and two servings of cold cuts with the one serving of crackers. That'll give me a min. Of 24grams of protein.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,672 Member
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Here's the Protein thread with the great charts of protein sources:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10244142/list-of-foods-with-highest-protein-calorie-percentage/p1

    With that said, unless you are truly low on protein (which you say you don't know,) then don't worry about it right now. Eat your meals, log your food and tweak where you can. Carbs are set at 50-%, Fats at 30% and Protein at 20%. With as much weight as you have to lose, this is a fairly low issue right now. You can have a fairly small piece of protein a couple times a day, have some dairy and I'm sure you will be fine. Carbs are not the devil.

    I think this was an update of the same thread/data (the one that's stickied in Foods & Nutrition):

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

    Very useful (even if it does have some localized errors that came from the source data).
    Dilvish wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Here's the Protein thread with the great charts of protein sources:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10244142/list-of-foods-with-highest-protein-calorie-percentage/p1

    I wouldn't count that chart as accurate. Looking at the USDA food composition database for example that posters list states peanuts (raw) have 25g of protein per 100g serving. The calorie count is right but the protein content is way too high. That same serving on the USDA website is just under 18g of protein per 100g serving.

    Anyway having said that try this Google search instead

    USDA 16087, Peanuts, all types, raw = 25.8g protein per 100g
    USDA 45328367, SHELLED RAW PEANUTS, UPC: 795944161978 = 17.86g protein per 100g

    I can't reconcile that (unless shells are high in protein?), but it appears the issue is USDA more than the chart in the thread.
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