low carb high protein foods

jesss5885
jesss5885 Posts: 187 Member
in Food and Nutrition
hi!
i'm trying to eat less carbs and more proteins.
is anyone else using this strategy?

what are your go-to foods or snacks?
i'm not really into protein bars or powders... but if that's my best option, i suppose i would try the powder as a supplement.

looking forward to some suggestions! thanks!!

Replies

  • knowwhentoshutup
    knowwhentoshutup Posts: 318 Member
    I'm trying to do that too! :) I just started P90x, and am loosely following their goal of 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fats. You can take a look at my diary (just don't pay attention to this past weekend!)

    I am trying to stay away from the protein powder, but I have found good luck upping my protein levels with the following:

    Fat free cottage cheese (I like to mix it with crushed pineapple)
    String Cheese
    Eggs (egg whites for a lower fat content)
    Tuna
    poached chicken breast
    peanut butter
  • commonly_unique
    commonly_unique Posts: 27
    I'm looking for some suggestions too! I'm such a carbaholic it's difficult to get in all of my protein. Thanks for posting!
  • FungusTrooper
    FungusTrooper Posts: 227 Member
    I'm trying to do that too! :) I just started P90x, and am loosely following their goal of 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fats. You can take a look at my diary (just don't pay attention to this past weekend!)
    Your diary is friends-only fyi :).
  • soontobesam
    soontobesam Posts: 714 Member
    I'm a total carbivore - RAWR!!

    Will be checking back on this post so I can steal ideas. :devil:
  • cobaltis
    cobaltis Posts: 191 Member
    Well I eat primarily vegetables and lean meats...

    Grilled Chicken, thousands of different seasonings, I like dry rubs for calorie free flavor changers (Salads, tacos, or just with veggies)
    Eggs
    Ground Turkey (Burgers,Meatloaf,Ground up for salads)
    Tuna or Salmon
    I like the Cytosport whey protein from Costco, mixes easy, tastes good, good way to add protein if you have a problem eating it. I often drink 1 after a workout or for a snack.
    Fat Free Cottage Cheese and fruit (I like all berries and peaches personally, doesn't take much to make cottage cheese taste entirely different. Brand matters a lot for flavor too... I can't stand Costco's despite how cheap it is)


    I avoid nuts, cheese and peanut butter when I'm trying to lose weight, high in fats makes these some of the highest calorie protein options.

    Also if you don't like meat that much then you can also look into tofu and beans, beans carbs are complex like veggies, not simple like breads)
  • MaybeAMonkey
    MaybeAMonkey Posts: 247
    bump for later, definitely need help upping my protein and cutting back on those delicious tasty yummy carbs. :tongue:
  • mcn79
    mcn79 Posts: 112 Member
    I'd appreciate some ideas, too. I have a dairy sensitivity, so things like cottage cheese, string cheese and yogurt don't work for me... :(
  • tsavisky
    tsavisky Posts: 78 Member
    you might want to take a look at some paleo or primal blogs and websites. www.markdailyapple.com is a good one to get started and explains how to get started and there are tons of super easy meal ideas, and great advice. www.againstallgrain.com is another great one for recipes.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    Since I exercise, I eat a bunch of carbs, but I also like to meet my minimum protein goal, so I eat things like Fage Greek Yogurt and Edamame. Meat is another source of protein I occasionally use.
  • sunshinesquared
    sunshinesquared Posts: 2,733 Member
    bump for later!
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    nuts, veggies, protein.
  • sunshinesquared
    sunshinesquared Posts: 2,733 Member
    cobaltis....Wow! Very impressive weight loss!
  • BringingSherriBack
    BringingSherriBack Posts: 607 Member
    Fat -free or low-fat cottage cheese
    tuna/tuna salad
    string cheese (Frigo Cheesehead lights)
    grilled chicken breast
    grilled burgers (no bun)
    Baby Bell Mini Light cheeses
    Almonds
    crockpot buffalo chicken breasts (got recipe here on MFP)
    Taco salads (taco seasoned ground beef with lettuce, tomato, low-fat shredded cheese and salsa)
    low-carb wraps with ham or turkey and cheese on a low-carb tortilla
    pizza or chicken quesadillas made with low carb tortillas
    ham or turkey wrapped around string cheese dipped in spicy brown mustard
    homemade chicken salad
    any grilled or baked meats
    most green veggies
    garden salads
    Pork rinds
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    and by protein i mean meats. seafood. anything you'd eat for a meal.. but smaller.

    get a rotisserie chicken. yum.
  • Pilotgirl86
    Pilotgirl86 Posts: 30
    I love cottage cheese & yogourt for protein. I make my own yogourt, so I control 100% of what goes in (just milk and probiotic).

    Another great way is to add lean meats as snacks. I cook more than we need for dinner (chicken or turkey usually) and then just have meat or meat and cottage cheese, or meat on a salad for snacks. I really like roast turkey with cottage cheese & dried cranberries, or pear. I eat the meat cold. I also use cottage cheese & mustard instead of salad dressing to cut out the fats there.

    If you're really strapped for time or want "easy" snacks, you can always opt for deli meats & low fat cheese string. Wrap a piece of fat-free turkey breast around a piece of low fat cheese, and wrap all of that in a lettuce leaf! No dressing required!

    Nuts are also a great source of protein, although they do have a higher fat content, it is however the healthy kind of fat to have, so a handful of almonds or cashews (unsalted) is great too!

    Another favourite of mine is homemade beef jerkey. I have a few great recipes to do it in the oven, so I can control how much salt goes into it, how fatty the meat you use is etc.

    Mini cans of tuna are also excellent. They come in a variety of flavours and are high in Omega 3. I dip celery sticks into them when I want to skip the carbs, or I eat them with unsalted rice crackers for a treat.
  • cobaltis
    cobaltis Posts: 191 Member
    and by protein i mean meats. seafood. anything you'd eat for a meal.. but smaller.

    get a rotisserie chicken. yum.

    While it is delicious, I try to grill almost everything so fat drips off, the fat makes it taste better though AKA Rotisserie... When I am cutting I try to cut every little extra I can to ensure good results hah...
  • Bellren
    Bellren Posts: 14
    I followed an approach similar to this when I was a member of 'slimming world' diet club in the UK some years back.

    On the plan I followed you were basically allowed to eat as much lean protein (beef, chicken, eggs, fish, pork etc) as you wanted.

    The plan distinguished between 'good carbs' (fruit and most veg) which you were also allowed in unlimited quantities, and the 'starchy carbs' which you had to be more careful about - pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes etc - I was allowed 2 x 35g portions of the latter each day.

    Then (depending on how overweight you were), you were allowed a certain number of 'sins' each day which you could 'spend' on oils, cheeses, drinks, snacks etc.

    It really worked a treat and I lost quite a bit of weight on it - I wouldn't rule out going back on it again. I'm following a more flexible plan right now but I still like to incorporate protein to all my main meals, it definitely keeps you fuller for longer.

    One of the lowest kcal and easiest protein based meals - omelette! :-)
  • emmeylou
    emmeylou Posts: 175 Member
    Hello! I have been low-carb/high protein for just over a year now! One thing I found was that when I tried to do low-carb AND low-fat... my options, well they stunk! So that is why I don't worry about the fat content in my food. Generally it all evens out anyways. I could give you really, really long lists but I'm just going to list the my top choices for time/space.

    Foods that need to be cooked:
    -meat (watch out for food like hot dogs, sausage, keilbasa, they often have hidden carbs. All in moderation!)
    -seafood (I don't like fish, but I can tolerate tuna, shrimp, scallops... these are GREAT since they are also lower calorie)
    -eggs. All protein, no carbs. These are great. I find that egg whites aren't worth it. Just about half of the protein in an egg is in the yolk... along with most of the nutrients. This is one place where I will gladly take the "extra" fat hit.

    Snacks/etc:
    -greek yogurt. This is my number one, I have it almost every day. I get the PLAIN and then flavor it myself using splenda, espresso powder, crystal light packages, sugar free syrups, etc. I know many people add berries and fruit as well. I ALSO use this in meatballs. You do not taste it at all, but it keeps them moist and "together" without adding eggs or bread crumbs. My favorite brand is FAGE 2%, but 0% isn't bad either if you are also watching your fat.
    -CHEESE. This is a great source of protein, but again watch out for hidden carbs. I often add some into my meals for the calcium.
    -pepperoni "chips"... these are my go to when I want crunch! You can use turkey pepperoni if you'd like as well. Very, very simple to make. You take a microwave safe plate and place a paper towel on it. Arrange however many pepperoni slices you want on the plate (don't overlap them). Microwave them for about a minute... pat the grease off and let them cool. They will be nice and crispy. You can also do this in the oven, just watch it doesn't burn.

    One of my favorite meals is to grill chicken breast on my george forman (I live in an apartment... grills are a big no-no). Then I put cheese and pepperoni on top (not a lot) and melt in in my toaster oven... its low-carb pizza!

    Many people will also say nuts are great. And for the most part they are, except that the carb:protein ratio I find is rather high. But again, it depends on what your version of low-carb is.

    Let me know if you want any more little recipes or more ideas.
  • hokielrod
    hokielrod Posts: 1 Member
    That is my strategy as well...and it seems to be working! I like Atkins protein shakes--to me they are creamy and tasty. I like Zone Perfect Protein bars (I call them candy bars to make me feel better). I snack on greek yogurt, almonds and beef jerky. Good luck to you!!
  • dawny78
    dawny78 Posts: 132 Member
    I seem to do well going over on protein .....I havn't done this on purpose but I seem to eat more food like it please take a look at my dairy and get some ideas.
  • PreshelledPistachio
    PreshelledPistachio Posts: 14
    Instead of toast or cereal for breakfast, have yogurt or cottage cheese.

    Instead of a meat/cheese/whatever sandwich, have a meat/cheese/whatever salad and increase the amount of meat/cheese/whatever.

    Instead of potatoes on the side, have a less starchy vegetable. Mushrooms and broccoli are very low carb and have a surprising amount of protein. Any leafy green is great, cauliflower, green beans, aubergine, asparagus, celery.

    Instead of fruit, have nuts and seeds.
  • lilbitz82
    lilbitz82 Posts: 7 Member
    I started following his blog. Do you follow everything to a t or more or less just keeping carbs low protein high?
  • knowwhentoshutup
    knowwhentoshutup Posts: 318 Member
    I'm trying to do that too! :) I just started P90x, and am loosely following their goal of 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fats. You can take a look at my diary (just don't pay attention to this past weekend!)
    Your diary is friends-only fyi :).

    Just changed it. Whoops!
  • jesss5885
    jesss5885 Posts: 187 Member
    awesome responses! i literally just printed this thread out to take to the grocery store with me!

    thanks all =)

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