I’m a carb lover and sometimes my protein intake tends to slip away from me without me even noticing. Lately, I’ve been trying to focus on getting a serving of protein (preferably a complete source) in a every meal.
Hard-boiled eggs have been a big help:
Local herbed tofu does the trick.
Plain chunks paired with veggies – 1/2 baked sweet potato, garlicky kale, and cracklin’ cauliflower.
Or scrambled with lots of veggies. (Tofu Scramble recipe coming soon!)
And, greek yogurt works wonders as a mid-afternoon snack!
Speaking of which, have you tried the new Chobani flavors yet?
They just released the Mango, Black Cherry and Lemon flavors, as well as a new line of greek yogurt for kids called Chobani Champions. The kind folks over at Chobani offered to send me some of new flavors so I’ve had a chance to try the Low Fat Mango, Non Fat Lemon and the Champions Honey-Nana and VerryBerry.
How cute is the little lunch box? Since we don’t have an whipper-snappers running around I sent this to school with Isaac. He said it went to a good home. 
My thoughts: All the new Chobani flavors are quite delicious but I think the honey-nana and lemon are my favorites. I really wanted to LOVE the mango (like I do the pineapple and pomegranate flavors) and while I do like the flavor of the yogurt, the chunks of mango taste a little off to me. I don’t know what it is but they don’t taste like fresh mango – more like gummy mango?
As for the honey-bana, it’s amazingly delicious to the point of being dessert worthy. And the lemon was a favorite because of it’s ability to become lemon frozen yogurt! I froze 1 container overnight and took it out of the freezer the next morning. By lunch time it had thawed out a bit but still had the frozen texture. Soooo good!! I still have yet to find the black cherry, I can’t wait to try that one.
Besides all the yumminess above, I’ve also been incorporating some other sources of protein:
- beans (chickpeas, black beans, lentils)
- fish and seafood (I love salmon and shrimp!)
- raw nuts and nut butters, which also count has healthy fats
- protein powder (I’ve been using Sun Warrior Vanilla Protein Powder)
- Eggs/egg whites
I think incorporating a protein with each meal has helped me cut back on packaged foods and carb heavy meals and also kept me feeling full. Although, I have noticed that a combination of protein, carbs and healthy fats is what really works for me. If I skimp on the fat, it makes me hungry all day so I always try to remember to add in some healthy fats with each meal.
What are your favorite types of protein? Do you worry about getting some at every meal?
I’m off to do some packing and perhaps go shopping for some sneakers and maybe even get a pedicure. Have a lovely Saturday friends. If I don’t pop back in tomorrow morning then I’ll see you from San Diego!
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I always try to get a decent amount of protein at every meal and with every snack. Protein always fills me up!
The Chobani KIDS option excites me! My local grocery store only carries StonyField and the flavor selection is slim – not to mention pricy! I don’t like to buy my kids yogurt that isn’t yogurt – if you know what I mean.
I love Chobani for me, too – I like the new lemon – it had to grow on me though. The consistency is different than I’m used to. Anyway, thanks for the complete protein reminder!
As a vegetarian I always try to get at least one protein source at every meal. I used to be a carb fiend, mainly because I told myself that I couldn’t have any. Since I’ve upped my protein levels and allowed myself to eat carbs I have been feeling 100% healthier and less sluggish.
My favourite sources are beans, lentils, healthified egg salad, chickpeas, yogurt and tofu.
Oh plus nuts. Either in salads and with vegetables, or just as a filling snack. The fat level used to scare me. But it is the healthy fats.
Plus instead of just spread on toast, peanut butter or hummus.
I actually just tried my first greek yogurt last week and it’s been true love ever since. Regular yogurt doesn’t even compare.
I get my protein primarily from beans, almond/soy milks, tofu, nuts, and protein powder. Also, there seems to be a lot of confusion on proper protein intake. Some “protein needs” calculators say I need 39-45 grams daily, while other informative sites say to aim for 90-120. What gives? Maybe you have learned a more thorough explanation in your course and could do a post on it? I can’t be the only one who is a bit confused on this. Thanks!
I think doing a post on protein is a great idea Mandy! Thank you.
Hard-boiled eggs are such a good source of protein–portable, cheap, easy to make, quick to eat.
I couldn’t agree more!
I think my favorite source of protein is red meat. I don’t eat it all too often, but it’s definitely my favorite. It’s kind of weird for me to say because I used to be a vegetarian!
I don’t worry too much about getting protein at every meal– since I started eating meat again, I feel like I definitely get enough throughout the day. A lot of times, I’ll eat a really low protein meal (like vegetable sushi with tofu) depending on what my activity level is for the day. They have this really great vegetable roll at Whole Foods now: avocado, carrot, cucumber, tofu and spinach– it’s SO good! I might be addicted…
This is great timing for me, because I have been skimping on the protein lately and am looking for a little boost (bikini in 2 weeks for Spring Break!). I’m picking up some tofu today, but I like rice protein, seitan and tempeh too!
Have a great weekend!
I’ve tried hard to like tempeh. I like it when I have it at restaurants but I’ve never LOVED it when I’ve prepared it at home. Maybe it’s because they fry it at restaurants.
How do you cook it?
This is definitely my favorite way to prepare tempeh.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/orange-panglazed-tempeh-recipe.html
I always have to marinate it and I usually dredge it in cornstarch too before I pan fry it. (not deep fry like at restaurants)
I need to come up with a new recipe. I always get giddy when my kids eat it because it’s so good for them!
Thanks so much for sharing your favorite tempeh recipe Mama Pea!!
I like yogurt too, especially Chobani too! I also count hummus as protein or other beans, tofu, eggs. I also try to trust that protein is in a lot of foods, but agree to try to get one major source with each meal. Cheese too.
As a vegetarian, I really worried about my protein intake but I think you covered all of my faves. Hard-boiled eggs, tuna, bean and more beans, Greek yogurt, nuts and nut butters galore and tempeh
I love the different protein sources you discussed, they’re all my fav’s too
How do you like Sun Warrior?? Is it at all sweet or is it non-sweetened? Gritty? I wanted to invest in it but wanted a good review first 
thanks!!
Hey Emily – I really like sun warrior, both the vanilla and chocolate are good, not gritty and have no sugar. Although, they are sweet because they’re sweetened with stevia.
Totally agree re: the honey nana flavor. I like to have it after lunch as a mid-day dessert:)
My favorite protein sources are tofu, cottage cheese, and hummus–I make sure to get some at every meal if not ever snack too!
I forgot to mention cottage cheese. Thanks for the reminder.
I’ve heard of the new Chobani flavors but haven’t seen them yet. I’m so glad to hear that one is non-fat! And that you like it! I’m definitely going to give it a try when I see it. Love the lunchbox. So cute!
CHO CHO CHO-bani!!!!
I am loving the honey-nana (w/ a sprinkling of chocolate chips for dessert!) and the black cherry right now. Hope you’re having a great time on the west coast!
Eggs and yogurt are totally my secret too! As a diabetic I tend to eat more protein than carbs, and thankfully I don’t find it too difficult…thanks to peanut butter and cheese
I just tried the Mango Chobani this morning. Loved it- I LOVE all of their yogurts!