I think I need more protein, what can I eat?

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Replies

  • tinlee
    tinlee Posts: 60 Member
    My favorite snack is edamame. It has protein in it.
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    Are you a vegetarian/pescatarian? All your things you list that you eat for protein are not meat, which is (in my opinion) the easiest way to get your protein in. I eat a ton of Trader Joe's chicken sausage... it's a little high in sodium, but is otherwise very healthy. One link of the sundried tomato/basil flavor (my favorite) is 110 calories, 3 carbs and 11 protein. Chicken breast cutlets (boneless/skinless) cooked on a George Foreman or in a skillet with a little garlic salt or paprika are a great add-on to a salad to get your protein up, as well as super fast to cook because they are so thin.

    There's a Trader Joes near my daughter's house an hour from here. I'm going to have to go look for that sausage. It sounds good.

    I do manage somewhere around 80 grams of protein a day, I also try to keep my fat and sodium up to help with my energy. I'm just thinking that part of my problem is that I need more like 120 grams a day and that gets a little tough.
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    I'm diabetic too...I totally understand the limiting carbs. I find if I eat my carbs between breakfast and lunch, then eat high veggie/protein combo at dinner, then my sugar doesn't spike. Almonds are perfect for a snack, as is PB2-it's a peanut butter substitute that is low fat and low calorie but absolutely delicious. Quinoa is another favorite of mine, and you can make them into burgers with ease. Cottage cheese, string cheese, even a glass of low fat milk with the almonds. Sometimes I just eat chicken breast that I roasted and munch on that. I don't miss the carbs really, and I seem to keep my energy up. One thing I do, though, is eat a carby snack if I'm going out to walk or exercise-the exercise keeps me from spiking and gives me the energy for the exercise. Always eat carbs with a protein too! Hope this helps-understand this is what works for ME, you have to play around with what works for you.

    Does PB2 have less carbs than regular stuff? Once in a while I treat myself to a little regular PB but at random times it messes up my BG. I've had to give up milk. I'm working on giving up my one piece of fruit too. I love fruit but the extra carbs are still a problem.
  • dahlialia
    dahlialia Posts: 16
    What works for me, really, is more meat and seafood. Going for more volume and variety.

    In terms of fruit, I mostly stick with strawberries. A cup of strawberries has half the sugar of a cup of apple.
  • knuckleswife
    knuckleswife Posts: 32 Member
    I like tofu for protein (I'm not a vegetarian), but jerky, atkins protein drinks and eggs.
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    I like tofu for protein (I'm not a vegetarian), but jerky, atkins protein drinks and eggs.
    I actually love tofu. I'll have to look at the carb count, I haven't had any in a long time. Jerky doesn't last around here, hubs will eat a pound of it a day.

    Edited to say that tofu is low enough in carbs I can eat it! Gotta go shopping and get some. I need veggies anyway.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    My main protein sources are shrimp, tuna, tofu, cheese, protein powder (there's some great low cal ones), and protein bars.
  • beccacoug
    beccacoug Posts: 24
    As well as everything mentioned above, sometimes jerky and meat sticks can be good for a quick protein fix. They are high in sodium but it's a good mix up. There are several brands that make turkey as well as beef. Turkey is a great source of protein btw (I believe one of the highest out of poultry). Also, if you're eating a ton of canned/pouched tuna, stick to the cheaper chuck light kinds. The albacore can have higher levels of mercury! Really shouldn't eat tuna more than a couple of times a week...just fyi for those who may not know. And I think is yummy wrapped in lettuce or on celery.
  • firesoforion
    firesoforion Posts: 1,017 Member
    I have not felt very well this last week or so. I have been doing more and more exercise which includes a few times a week of getting my heart rate up to max level for 30 or 40 minutes, several hours of yoga a week, and about 2 or 3 hrs of intervals a week.

    I'm not sure protein is your problem. You're only supposed to get up to 80% of your maximum heart rate. That is extremely strenuous activity, and if you're maintaining it for that length of time, that could be the culprit, I'd think...
  • TheDevastator
    TheDevastator Posts: 1,626 Member
    eggs, chicken, turkey, and hemp seeds are my main sources of protein. I also like cod and elk. I'm trying to eat mostly vegetarian but I like meat too much.
  • jap1148
    jap1148 Posts: 19 Member
    I'm diabetic too...I totally understand the limiting carbs. I find if I eat my carbs between breakfast and lunch, then eat high veggie/protein combo at dinner, then my sugar doesn't spike. Almonds are perfect for a snack, as is PB2-it's a peanut butter substitute that is low fat and low calorie but absolutely delicious. Quinoa is another favorite of mine, and you can make them into burgers with ease. Cottage cheese, string cheese, even a glass of low fat milk with the almonds. Sometimes I just eat chicken breast that I roasted and munch on that. I don't miss the carbs really, and I seem to keep my energy up. One thing I do, though, is eat a carby snack if I'm going out to walk or exercise-the exercise keeps me from spiking and gives me the energy for the exercise. Always eat carbs with a protein too! Hope this helps-understand this is what works for ME, you have to play around with what works for you.

    Does PB2 have less carbs than regular stuff? Once in a while I treat myself to a little regular PB but at random times it messes up my BG. I've had to give up milk. I'm working on giving up my one piece of fruit too. I love fruit but the extra carbs are still a problem.
    [/quote

    PB2 has 5 gms of carbs, 2 gms fiber, 1.5 gms fat, 5 gms protein. It really is my favorite indulgence because I don't feel guilty eating it. But it isn't horrible to eat the real stuff every now and then. ]
  • laurarpa
    laurarpa Posts: 244 Member
    Well, if you want to use protein shakes, I use NOW sports whey protein powder. It's 1 g carb/25 protein. There's also an egg white version. You'll probably want to sweeten it with something. Since I am not diabetic, I use ovatline or fruit. I like it with almond milk, unsweetened, which is also lowcarb.

    Other than that, my suggestion is make up extra chicken for the week (crockpot or grill), or my favorite staple, turkey breast burgers (cilantro, ginger, and jalapeno) and supplement with those.
  • bellesouth18
    bellesouth18 Posts: 1,071 Member
    Sounds to me like you need to go to a professional and have some blood work and other tests done. More protein may not be what you need. A better diet? Less exercise, perhaps? Medication to help control your BG? After all of that exercise, is your body toned or soft? Consult an expert. You won't regret it in the long run.

    My mother is a diabetic. Her doctor switched her brand of insulin late last year. For the first time in 2 decades, her BG levels are under control and she's actually lost about 50 lbs. without even trying. Her energy level is up, too. Her body is finally working like it's supposed to.
  • Nopedotjpeg
    Nopedotjpeg Posts: 1,805 Member
    Something with a face.
  • ChasingSweatandTears
    ChasingSweatandTears Posts: 504 Member
    Salmon is super high in protein and has healthy fat, egg whites are low cal, low fat, high protein. Greek yogurt can be quite low in carbs and high in protein with as much fat as you want from full to 2% to 0%. Shrimp low cal, low fat, high protein. I really love gnc egg protein powder, only 3 carbs with 25 grams of protein, but it's kinda high in sodium.

    Pretty much the animal kingdom is going to be your best best if you want to avoid the carbs. Good luck!
  • ChasingSweatandTears
    ChasingSweatandTears Posts: 504 Member
    Well, if you want to use protein shakes, I use NOW sports whey protein powder. It's 1 g carb/25 protein. There's also an egg white version. You'll probably want to sweeten it with something. Since I am not diabetic, I use ovatline or fruit. I like it with almond milk, unsweetened, which is also lowcarb.

    Other than that, my suggestion is make up extra chicken for the week (crockpot or grill), or my favorite staple, turkey breast burgers (cilantro, ginger, and jalapeno) and supplement with those.


    Mmmmm those turkey breast burgers sound yummy :)
  • Chood5
    Chood5 Posts: 259 Member
    There's nothing wrong with carbs. You need them to survive. The only carbs you really need to limit are refined ones, like the ones that come from white bread (they cause your blood sugar to spike). I would try to eat Greek yogurt every day. Eggs, as you said, are also a great source. Feel free to look at my diary as I tend to get over 100 grams of protein a day.

    So refined carbs are the only ones that cause a spike in blood sugar?
  • sheclimbsrocks
    sheclimbsrocks Posts: 110 Member
    nuts, peanuts, almonds, soy

    & beans!

    that's what I eat!
  • AngelAura777
    AngelAura777 Posts: 225 Member
    I like making little protein nibble things by slicing a cucumber and then putting a teaspoon of light cottage cheese onto the slices of cucumber then a teaspoon of tuna and then I slice up cherry tomatoes and put a slice on top and you have little protein nibbles with a little to no carbs =]

    6737fb16.jpg
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
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