If you’re a vegetarian, or are simply wanting to mix up your healthy meals, there are some great plant based protein options out there. Of course this is also perfect if you are going meatless for one day per week, or are just looking for some protein alternatives to change up your meal plans and dinner routines. It’s surprising how many great plant based protein options are out there. Despite popular belief, it isn’t all that hard to fill your protein requirements as a vegetarian and even vegan. Since this article focuses on plant-based proteins, all of these dishes can easily be made vegan. Let’s start with legumes. Beans, peas, lentils and other pulses contain quite a bit...
There are a lot of great reasons why you should incorporate more lean protein into your diet. It’s a great way to aid in weight loss, helps keep your body strong, and it may even protect your heart. But when you’re new to this way of eating, or trying to get away from premade meals and takeout, it can be a little tricky to start planning meals around your protein source. Here are some ideas to help you get started. The key to any good meal planning routines is finding a few different dishes that you enjoy and using those as the core for your plan. From there you can play around with variations, using leftovers, and of course...
I’ve shared quite a bit of information on lean protein and how to include it in your diet over the past few blog posts. Something we’ve only touched on so far is how protein can help you increase your lean muscle mass. This may not be something you’ve given a lot of thought, but if losing weight is one of your goals, it’s something worth looking into. Increasing your muscle mass will actually help you lose weight faster and easier. Here’s why. Your body will burn more calories for each pound of muscle versus body fat for example. It takes more energy to keep those muscles going. To lose weight then, you want to increase your own lean muscle...
Protein powder can make for a great addition to your pantry and your diet. While a big container of it may seem pretty expensive at first glance, consider how many different servings of lean protein you can get out of each container. When you calculate the per meal cost, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually quite affordable. By far the best thing about using protein shakes and protein powder is the convenience. Not only does it have a much longer shelf-life than other source of protein like meat and eggs for example, it’s also easy to prepare and perfect for “on the go” meals. While you shouldn’t rely on protein powder as one of your...
When you’re starting to clean up your diet, cut out most processed foods and include more fresh veggies and lean sources of protein, the first thing you discover is that your grocery bill is starting to go up. While that’s not a problem for some and definitely a great investment in your health and your overall wellbeing, the cost of fresh meat may make you reconsider sticking to this healthier diet. Thankfully there are eggs. They are an excellent source of lean protein that’s still very inexpensive. Yes, you can spend more on farm fresh and organic eggs, but if money is tight, stick with what you can find at your local grocery store. Trust me, it will be...
