Tag Archives: protein

Six Great Protein Sources

Proteins are essential for survival, energy and well-being. Our human bodies cannot produce all the needed proteins or amino acids to maximize our health, so we need to consume those in our diet.

Proteins build muscle, strengthen bones, and provide essential amino acids vital to metabolism. They keep our bodies healthy and functional, and they also keep us full and satiated for longer than carbs.

Here are six great ways to add more protein to your diet:

1.Greek Yogurt: A fermented, smooth source of Protein which aids the digestive track and boosts metabolism. Packed with live Probiotics, Greek yogurt is an energy efficient fuel for health.

2. Eggs: 7 grams of useable protein in a very low calorie, nutrient dense gem. Scientists now tell us this is a perfectly matched protein – cholesterol balanced. Eggs are disease fighters and essential for eye health, keeping away macular degeneration and blindness.

3. Fish: Deep water, cold, wild fish has 23g of useable protein and is a valuable resource of magnesium, vitamins A, D, E, & K, and Omega 3 fatty acids, for heart health. Fish expands in the mouth when chewed allowing the metabolism to begin working quickly; one feels full and satisfied sooner. Providing excellent brain development and nourishment, fish does come with a caution about mercury toxicity, so limit your portions to three times per week and avoid the most contaminated fish (usually large ones such as swordfish and certain types of tuna).

4. Beef: Pastured beef consumed in moderation is a heavy duty Protein source. It supplies zinc, the full range of Vitamin B’s, including excellent amounts of B12. A serving of pastured lean beef substantially lowers stroke risk and provides an absorbable source of Vitamin D.

5. Chicken: Boneless, skinless, chicken breast is a low fat, versatile choice of Protein. Tasty, free-range chickens are readily available and are easy to prepare in stir fries, curries and soups, boosting the immune system.

6. Soy: Once thought to be a rich source of Protein; highly processed Soy has been linked to thyroid problems and liver disease. Soy is best when in a fermented state such as soy sauce, tempeh or miso and it should be consumed sparingly or as unprocessed edamame beans.

Proteins activate our genetic programing, maintain cell health and maximize our energy. They are also delicious and filling!

Kick-Start Your Diet With Protein In The Morning

You know that “healthy” breakfast that leaves you RAVENOUS by 10:30am? Yes, we’re talking about that yummy cereal. Even the whole-grain one converts into sugar almost immediately in your body, as do the granola bar and the breakfast cookies.

These high-carb breakfasts are delicious, but they do not fill you up. Like anything high in carbohydrates, they cause fluctuations in blood sugar that can leave you exhausted and hungry mid-morning, hours before lunch.

Choose a Healthy Breakfast Over a Sugary Breakfast
Too many of us deal with these blood sugar lows by reaching for yet more sugar – grabbing a candy bar from the vending machine (worst case scenario), or even having a piece of fruit – a much better option, but fruit are still high in sugar, which means more of that sugar roller coaster going on in your body.

If you’re tired of the sugar roller coaster and the endless cravings, and would like to try something new, we have one word for you: protein. A breakfast high in protein will not just keep you fuller for longer and help you avoid dips in blood sugar levels – it can also help kick start your weight loss, because while a high-carb meal raises your insulin levels, and insulin is a fat storage hormone, a high-protein meal won’t have the same insulin-raising effect.

High-Protein Breakfast Ideas
So what can you have for breakfast that’s high in protein and yummy? A cup of thick, creamy Greek yogurt is ideal – even better if you add a handful of nuts, because the combination of the protein in the yogurt and the healthy fat found in nuts is extra satiating.

Eggs are another great option for a protein-rich breakfast. These baked egg and bacon muffins can be prepared in advance and quickly reheated in the microwave, providing you with 16 grams of yummy protein per muffin.

If you find it difficult to give up classic breakfast foods, try high-protein versions of them. For example, two of these Greek yogurt banana pancakes will provide you with 10 grams of protein and just 200 calories.

Replacing the typical high-carb breakfast with a more substantial and filling protein-rich breakfast will leave you satiated, curb cravings, and will likely eliminate the need for a midmorning snack. If you do feel that you need something to tide you over until lunchtime, have more protein – a cup of yogurt, a hardboiled egg or an ounce of cheddar. It’s fine to add a piece of fruit too, but be sure to mitigate the effects of the fructose by adding protein to each of your meals and snacks.